Aussie Big News 2025: Govt Waste Sorted Awards Open for Booking – Check Full Details

Govt Waste Sorted Awards Open for Booking

Western Australia is stepping up its commitment to sustainability with the return of the WasteSorted Awards for 2025. These prestigious awards shine a spotlight on individuals, businesses, schools, and organizations that are making a real difference in waste management and the circular economy. By fostering innovation and community engagement, the WasteSorted Awards inspire others to adopt smarter waste practices and drive positive environmental change.

Award Categories for 2025

The 2025 WasteSorted Awards feature a range of categories designed to recognize achievements across different sectors. Each category highlights unique contributions to waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.

WasteSorted Awards 2025 Data

Field Details
Award Name WasteSorted Awards 2025
Organizer Waste Authority WA, Government of Western Australia
Eligibility Individuals, businesses, schools, community groups, local governments
Categories 10 (see above)
Nomination Deadline 5pm (WST), Friday 6 June 2025
Judging Period Interviews: 21–22 July 2025
Award Ceremony 11 September 2025
Submission Method Online nomination form only
Required Documents Written submission, 2 high-resolution images, optional supporting docs
Contact [email protected], (08) 6102 2516

Community Waste Award

Open to all voluntary or non-profit individuals, groups, and organizations, this award honors those who have engaged their communities in positive waste management improvements.

Schools Award

Available to all K-12 schools in Western Australia with current WasteSorted Schools accreditation, this award celebrates schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment to waste avoidance and recovery through innovative, school-wide approaches.

Business Award

This category is open to any commercial organization or enterprise. It recognizes excellence in avoiding, reusing, repairing, or recovering waste, as well as efforts to protect the environment from the impacts of business-generated waste. A special small business sub-category may also be awarded.

Waste Champion Award

Open to individuals from any organization, this award is for those who have shown outstanding commitment and made significant contributions to improving waste management.

Waste Team Award

This award is for groups or teams within any organization that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and results in waste management over the past two years.

Local Government Award

Local governments and regional councils can enter this category. The award is given for excellence in avoiding or recovering household and community waste, going above and beyond standard objectives.

Regional Award

Open to regional individuals and organizations, this award recognizes excellence in overcoming regional challenges to achieve positive waste management outcomes.

Community Events and Engagement Award

This award is for individuals and organizations that have excelled in community events, engagement, or campaigns that encourage waste avoidance or recovery.

Innovation Award

Open to all, this award is for initiatives that have demonstrated exceptional innovation in waste management, practices, or outcomes.

Closing the Loop Award

This category is for those who have excelled in demonstrating circular economy principles, recognizing and utilizing the value of waste materials to reduce environmental impacts.

How to Enter the WasteSorted Awards

Entering the WasteSorted Awards is a straightforward process, but attention to detail is key. Here’s a step-by-step guide to submitting your nomination.

Step 1: Download the Nomination Kit

Before you start your application, download the 2025 Nomination Kit. This document will help you understand the assessment criteria and word limits for your submission.

Step 2: Complete the Online Nomination Form

All nominations must be submitted using the new online nomination form. You’ll need to create a separate entry for each category you wish to enter, though it’s recommended to limit yourself to two categories per nomination.

Step 3: Prepare Your Submission

Write a compelling submission that highlights your achievements in waste management. Include supporting documents such as reports, testimonials, media coverage, analytics, photos, and videos. At least two high-resolution images are required.

Step 4: Submit Your Entry

Follow the prompts on the online form to upload your written submission, supporting documents, and images. Accept the terms and conditions and submit your nomination before the deadline.

Important Note:
Email submissions will not be accepted. All entries must be made through the online form.

Key Dates and Judging Process

Nomination Deadline

Nominations for the 2025 WasteSorted Awards closed at 5pm (WST) on Friday, 6 June 2025. This year, the deadline was extended to allow more applicants to participate.

Judging and Interviews

Shortlisted nominees will be contacted at the end of June or early July. The judging panel will conduct interviews with finalists from 21–22 July 2025.

Award Ceremony

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner award ceremony on 11 September 2025, as part of the annual Waste and Resource Recovery Conference.

Why the WasteSorted Awards Matter

The WasteSorted Awards are more than just a celebration of achievement; they are a catalyst for change. By recognizing and sharing the stories of those who are making a difference, the awards inspire others to adopt better waste practices. The initiative is led by the Government of Western Australia and coordinated by the Waste Authority WA, ensuring that the awards have a meaningful impact on the state’s waste management landscape.

Success Stories from Previous Years

Looking back at previous winners provides insight into the types of projects and individuals that have been recognized. Stories of schools implementing comprehensive recycling programs, businesses developing innovative waste solutions, and community groups engaging residents in waste reduction efforts are just a few examples of the inspiring work celebrated by the WasteSorted Awards. Videos and profiles of past winners are available on the official website for those seeking inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I submit nominations in more than one category?
A: Yes, you can submit in multiple categories, but it’s recommended to limit your nominations to two categories per entry.

Q: Are previous entrants allowed to apply again?
A: Yes, previous entrants are welcome to apply for the 2025 awards.

Q: What supporting documents should I include with my submission?
A: You may include reports, testimonials, media coverage, analytics, photos, and videos. At least two high-resolution images are required.

The WasteSorted Awards 2025 are a testament to the power of community, innovation, and commitment in tackling waste challenges. By celebrating those who are doing better than the bin, Western Australia is setting a benchmark for sustainable waste management and inspiring others to follow suit. Whether you’re a business, school, community group, or individual, there’s a place for your achievements to be recognized and celebrated

Western Australia Might Add a New Public Holiday in calendar —Here’s What You Need to Know

New Public Holiday in calendar

Premier Roger Cook has announced that Western Australia (WA) may soon gain an additional public holiday, with potential changes to the state’s holiday calendar on the horizon. The Premier’s remarks highlight ongoing frustrations within the business community and broader public over the misalignment between WA’s public holidays and those observed on Australia’s east coast.

Why the Push for Change?

The call for a new public holiday in WA comes amid growing concern about the lack of synchronicity with other Australian states. While much of the east coast—including Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory—celebrates the King’s Birthday holiday in June, WA observes it much later in the year, on September 29. Queensland marks the occasion in early October.

This misalignment disrupts business operations, particularly for companies with teams or partners across state lines. “It’s ridiculous we have a situation where Western Australia closes its doors when the east coast is open for business,” Premier Cook stated. He noted that the current arrangement frustrates business owners who struggle to coordinate with colleagues in different states.

Reviewing WA’s Public Holiday Calendar

Premier Cook has launched a comprehensive review of WA’s public holidays. The review will consider:

  • Moving the King’s Birthday public holiday to better align with other states

  • Shifting WA Day from its current mid-winter date to a more pleasant spring period

  • Adding new public holidays to the calendar

The Premier emphasized that changes are not imminent, with most adjustments likely to take effect in 2027, though some could be introduced as early as 20261

Current Public Holidays in Western Australia

WA currently observes 11 public holidays, including Easter Sunday, which was added recently. This puts the state behind Victoria and the ACT, each with 13 public holidays. Here’s an overview of WA’s public holidays for 2025–2027:

Holiday 2025 Date 2026 Date 2027 Date
New Year’s Day Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 1
Australia Day Jan 27 Jan 26 Jan 26
Labour Day Mar 3 Mar 2 Mar 1
Good Friday Apr 18 Apr 3 Mar 26
Easter Sunday Apr 20 Apr 5 Mar 28
Easter Monday Apr 21 Apr 6 Mar 29
ANZAC Day Apr 25 Apr 25 (Sat), Apr 27 (Mon) Apr 25 (Sun), Apr 26 (Mon)
WA Day Jun 2 Jun 1 Jun 7
King’s Birthday Sep 29 Sep 28 Sep 27
Christmas Day Dec 25 Dec 25 Dec 25 (Sat), Dec 27 (Mon)
Boxing Day Dec 26 Dec 26 (Sat), Dec 28 (Mon) Dec 26 (Sun), Dec 28 (Tue)

Note: Easter Sunday became a public holiday in WA in 2022.

Business and Community Reactions

The prospect of a new public holiday has been met with mixed reactions. Many workers welcome the idea of an extra day off, while business groups—especially small business owners—express concern about increased costs and operational challenges.

“Someone might see a public holiday as a benefit, but for a small business, they just see another day when they’ve got to pay $65 an hour for someone to wash dishes. It’s really difficult for small business,” said a representative from WA’s peak business lobby. The Premier acknowledged these concerns, stating that any decision to add a public holiday would not be taken lightly.

Potential Impact and Future Steps

The review aims to achieve better alignment with the east coast and address longstanding frustrations. By moving holidays like WA Day to spring, the state could enjoy better weather for celebrations and community events. The Premier also hinted at the possibility of additional holidays, though the specifics remain undecided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When will the new public holiday be introduced in WA?
A: The new public holiday or calendar changes are most likely to take effect in 2027, with a possibility for some adjustments in 2026.

Q2: Why is the King’s Birthday celebrated on different dates across Australia?
A: Each state sets its own date for the King’s Birthday public holiday. WA currently observes it in late September, while most east coast states celebrate it in Jun.

Q3: How many public holidays does WA have compared to other states?
A: WA currently has 11 public holidays, while Victoria and the ACT each have.

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