Find out what happens to your general waste after collection, how waste-to-energy technology works, and how you can play a part in reducing waste to landfill.
What energy recovery is
Energy recovery is the process of converting residual waste, which cannot be reused or recycled, into electricity. The energy stored in the waste is captured and fed back into the power grid, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diverting waste from landfill.
It is one of the final steps in the City’s waste management hierarchy, used only after waste avoidance, reuse and recycling options have been exhausted.
How it works
The expected start date for delivering general waste collected from red-lidded bins in Cockburn to the East Rockingham Waste to Energy facility, operated by HZI Australia Pty Ltd, is July 2026.
This facility is one of the first large-scale waste-to-energy plants operating in Australia. Together with a similar facility in Kwinana, it generates about 66 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 90,000 Perth homes each year.
Only residual waste that cannot be recovered through other streams is processed. Hazardous or unsuitable items such as batteries, gas bottles, tyres, e-waste, foam, large metal objects, vinyl and medical waste are not accepted.
The process produces incinerator bottom ash which can be used to make construction materials such as building blocks and road base. Metals are also recovered and recycled, while a small amount of fly ash is safely disposed of at a licensed landfill facility.
What it means for the environment
Energy recovery facilities provide an alternative to landfill, capturing the energy value of waste that would otherwise decompose and release methane gas.
This approach reduces landfill volumes, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and creates energy for homes and businesses.
The facility operates under strict air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Authority (WA) and follows the European Union Industrial Emissions Directive. Continuous emissions monitoring ensures it meets these environmental and safety requirements.
What you can do to help
The move to energy recovery does not change what goes in your general waste bin. However, it is still important to reduce and sort your waste correctly at home.
You can help by:
- Avoiding unnecessary waste and buying only what you need
- Reusing items where possible
- Using your yellow-lidded recycling bin for recyclables
- Using your lime green-lidded organics bin for garden waste
- Returning eligible containers through the Containers for Change program
- Taking e-waste, batteries and hazardous materials to local drop-off locations.
With a bit of sorting, you can significantly reduce the waste that goes in your red-lidded general waste bin. For details on what goes where, visit the How to use your bins page.
More information and contact
For more information about energy recovery or the City’s zero waste to landfill strategy, contact the Waste Education Coordinator on (08) 9411 3444 or email [email protected].