TerraCycle hits a milestone: Nearly 100 million items saved from landfills in Australia and New Zealand

International recycling leader TerraCycle® is celebrating a decade of recycling hard-to-recycle waste streams in Australia and New Zealand since starting its local operations in 2014. Since its launch, the innovative waste company has embarked on the mission to Eliminate the Idea of Waste and has kept nearly 100 million items out of landfills and incinerators within the region.

TerraCycle & its journey

TerraCycle has successfully recycled over 50 million pieces of hard-to-recycle waste through its free brand-sponsored programs, utilising Zero Waste Boxes and commercial freight initiatives. This remarkable effort is part of their global impact, which has seen the recycling of over 8.3 billion items.

TerraCycle has made significant strides since its expansion into the Australian and New Zealand markets in 2014. Initially starting with just four waste streams—oral care waste, coffee capsules, beauty empties, and cigarette butts—all of these materials continue to be recycled through various programs to this day.

More than 60 free recycling program

Today, TerraCycle's regional operations have blossomed to encompass more than 60 free recycling programs, collaborating with some of the most beloved brands in Australia and New Zealand. Partnerships include renowned names such as NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto®, Lavazza, GLAD®, Royal Canin, and many others. These joint efforts continue to make a substantial difference in diverting waste from landfills and promoting a more sustainable future.

Of the 60 free recycling programs, 22 are dedicated to recycling empty skincare, haircare, and makeup products and packaging with brand partners like MECCA, Sephora, Garnier, L'Occitane, Maybelline, and Schwarzkopf accepting all brands in their categories, making it even easier for consumers to recycle everyday household waste. 

Over the decade, the Australian and New Zealand TerraCycle network has grown from just a few thousand to more than 1.2 million TerraCyclers. The passionate network includes thousands of dedicated schools, pre-schools, and tertiary education institutions recycling for their faculties, students, and families. Many operate as TerraCycle public drop-off points alongside councils, small businesses, and environmental organisations that recycle for their wider communities. The public drop-off network has grown from just 11 locations in 2014 to more than 2,500 in 2024.

Jean Bailliard, General Manager of TerraCycle ANZ, stated, "TerraCycle could not have achieved this milestone without the support of our brand partners and the commitment of TerraCyclers across Australia and New Zealand. In the face of a waste crisis that might seem overwhelming, brands, manufacturers, community groups, schools, universities, and hundreds of thousands of Australians and New Zealanders have come together to champion recycling solutions."

"We're proud to have been able to work closely with some of our brand partners to use the waste recycled through their programs to help create things like MECCA's in-store recycling collection bins and L'Occitane's Green Store benchtops and sinks. 

“Additionally, TerraCycle has raised millions for schools, charities, and other nonprofits globally through the TerraCycle Recycling Rewards program as well as sponsored community donations such as playgrounds and garden beds made from recycled materials. Across Australia and New Zealand alone, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised for charities and schools, including Australia’s first playground made of recycled beauty empties in collaboration with Garnier,” added Baillard.