Central Adelaide Waste and Recycling Authority

Central Adelaide Waste and Recycling Authority (CAWRA)

CAWRA (pronounced cor-rah) stands for the Central Adelaide Waste and Recycling Authority.
It is a regional subsidiary that manages waste and recycling services on behalf of the Cities of Charles Sturt and Port Adelaide Enfield.

CAWRA was established to deliver shared waste and recycling solutions, manage contracts such as kerbside bin collections, and find better ways to recycle and reduce landfill across both councils.

Through this partnership, CAWRA:

• Manages contracts for waste and recycling services such as bin collections.
• Operates key regional recycling infrastructure, including the local Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
• Monitors service performance and works with providers to improve reliability.
• Runs community education and engagement programs to help households recycle right.

This joint approach helps both councils provide consistent, reliable, and cost-effective services while improving environmental outcomes for our community.

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

CAWRA operates a modern Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Kilburn, where the contents of yellow-lidded recycling bins are sorted and processed.

The MRF uses a combination of manual sorting and advanced optical technology to separate materials into different streams, creating clean, high-quality recyclables ready for reuse in local and international markets.

Key benefits of the MRF include:

• Supporting local jobs and investment in the circular economy.
• Reducing fire risk through advanced design.
• Providing education opportunities, with a viewing platform for tours and schools.
• Offering transparent reporting so residents can see where their recyclables go.

This facility represents a major collaboration between the Cities of Charles Sturt and Port Adelaide Enfield, helping both councils recycle more, reduce landfill, and build a more sustainable future.