The Australian Bureau of Statistics outlined the dimensions for building resilience as a society, in which natural and financial resources are used responsibly to protect the environment. Indeed, the country is making efforts to establish a stable foundation for eco-friendly living, which is why 89% of its citizens view sustainability as important.

There are several areas in which the government addresses this aspect, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adopting a circular economy, and promoting climate resilience. But besides their efforts, companies are the ones whose impact on the environment is most important, so let’s see what some valuable business ideas are for Australia.

Waste recycling

According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia generated about 75.6 million tonnes of waste, including building materials, hazardous waste, as well as paper and cardboard. Therefore, recycling can be improved through effective management services that enable companies to generate less waste.

For example, balers and compactors that Mil-tek provides are an efficient solution for a wide range of materials, from cardboard to aluminium. This equipment is ideal for recycling more and wasting less by reducing the volume of waste, and making storage and transport more convenient.

E-waste management

E-waste is a growing concern in Australia, as experts forecast that the country will generate 82 million tonnes of e-waste by 2030, representing a 33% increase in less than ten years. What’s most concerning is the impact of e-waste, which contains toxic chemicals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, and ends up in landfills.

Businesses that can reduce or manage e-waste would likely thrive, considering the growing demand for devices. They could support or create greener designs of electronics, enhance domestic recycling, or contribute to reducing harmful exports of e-waste.

Sustainable landscaping

The native flora in Australia is remarkably diverse, comprising approximately 24,000 species of plants that significantly contribute to the well-being of the environment. However, these plants are not necessarily “aesthetically pleasing”, so they’re replaced with decorative plants, which affects nature.

Australia has numerous opportunities to revive gardens and support biodiversity by introducing more native plants to local gardens. People may need guidance on native and sustainable landscaping, including services such as low-maintenance yard design and planting drought-resistant plants.

“Clean” cleaning products

The Good Environment Choice Australia certification program has accredited KOH, a business that provides eco-friendly cleaning products to citizens, and it’s also based on a refillable system, resulting in 10 times less plastic usage. This is considerably important for both human and natural health, since most cleaning products are made with toxic ingredients.

They can lead to chemical pollution, which over time reduces biodiversity and can disrupt food chains. Additionally, local research has shown that one in three Australians experiences health problems due to exposure to cleaning products, laundry supplies, or personal care products. Common issues include migraines and asthma attacks.

Slow fashion efforts

Fast fashion is one of the most detrimental factors to the environment as it contributes to massive landfills. Interestingly, Australia is leading the statistics for fashion consumers, surpassing the EU, according to a poll by the Australia Institute.

A reduction in the need for fast fashion can be achieved by offering consumers a platform for comparing the prices of similar products, allowing them to make more informed choices. This could minimize the rate at which people discard clothes simply because they no longer fit, while helping them opt for higher-quality clothing.

Alternatives to single-use coffee cups

Australians drink coffee often and in considerable quantities, so most cafes are successful here. However, they also use single-use cups that end up in landfills, since they’re usually made of mixed materials. Many of these cups cannot be processed through the standard recycling process, even if they’re labelled as sustainably made.

One way to counteract this would be to ban single-use plastic cups from coffee shops and encourage people to bring their own reusable takeaway cups. Such an initiative was deployed by the Three Blue Ducks, an expanding restaurant franchise that stopped using single-use cups.

Reusable food packaging

Takeout has become a beneficial option for the modern consumer, as it offers the opportunity to eat something fresh and nutritious when there’s no time for cooking. However, most of the packaging used in takeout cannot be recycled, and since Australia was home to more than 26,300 takeout services in 2024, the impact of packaging is huge.

The solution requires a multilateral approach in which preventing the production of these packaging products is a priority. Moreover, alternatives to plastic packaging can include metal or glass, but navigating the challenges of implementing these options should also be considered.

Zero-waste stores

A growing number of zero-waste stores in Australia have helped spread awareness about waste generation among consumers, but they’re still not leading the market. They could help tremendously in reducing plastic usage and improving consumer behaviour.

For example, in such a store, clients can use their own containers to stock up on food items like rice and paste, as well as cleaning products, such as dish soap and shampoo. Mobile refill vans can be more affordable, but having a stall next to a local farmers’ market could contribute more effectively to a circular economy.

Compost management

Using compost is considerably beneficial for the environment, as it reduces soil erosion, increases crop yields, and improves nutrient management. Luckily, in Australia, the government supports composting through compostable caddy liners in Victoria or collecting organic waste into soil conditioners in Western Australia.

Still, composting should expand from the regular users to businesses, such as cafes and small offices. A collection service for companies like Western Composting Technology could improve the quality of the compost from its organic form, allowing it to be further sold to local gardeners or donated to community gardens.

Final considerations

Australia can be considered a significant contributor to waste from various perspectives, but it has gradually begun to take action and manage its waste. With the help of the government, eco-friendly businesses could have access to better management systems, restore the flora with native plants, and ban single-use plastic cups.