EcoCycle Group’s partnership with ReSmart (formerly RecycleSmart) began in March 2023 with a focus on x-ray recycling, but it quickly expanded into something broader. As ReSmart (formerly RecycleSmart) scaled its operations, the relationship evolved to encompass a range of materials, including batteries, e-waste, and more What started as a single-site engagement soon developed into a national collaboration, with EcoCycle Group supporting the rollout of new locations through infrastructure, collection services and downstream recycling solutions tailored to each waste stream.
The growth of the partnership reflects the compatibility of the two organisations. ReSmart’s model, which centres on collecting hard-to-recycle materials directly from households, addresses a long-standing gap in the recycling system. By allowing residents to order collection bags, fill them at home and arrange a pickup, the service removes common barriers to participation and creates a straightforward pathway for responsible disposal.
“From the outset, EcoCycle Group recognised the strength of ReSmart model,” said Spyro Kalos, national partnerships manager. “Their approach to collecting hard-to-recycle materials directly is both innovative and highly practical, removing a barrier to responsible disposal for everyday consumers, and also businesses and councils.”
EcoCycle Group services ReSmart’s depots, provides bins and scheduled collections, and ensures all materials are processed through compliant, onshore recycling pathways. This operational support underpins the reliability of the system, ensuring that materials collected from households, businesses and councils are handled responsibly through to final processing.
ReSmart focuses on the front-end, working with households, councils and communities to capture difficult waste streams and consolidate them across its depot network. EcoCycle Group contributes to the operational backbone, delivering the infrastructure and expertise required to manage some of the materials effectively.
“The partnership is built on a clear and complementary division of responsibilities,” said Kalos. “This includes supplying fit-for-purpose collection infrastructure, coordinating national logistics and ensuring all materials are processed in accordance with regulatory requirements.”
EcoCycle Group also manages bin servicing on demand and oversees transport, creating a seamless flow from collection through to recycling. An important component of this role is reporting and traceability, which provides ReSmart with confidence that materials are being managed safely and responsibly at every stage.
Beyond operational efficiency, the partnership delivers strategic advantages for both parties. For EcoCycle Group, access to ReSmart upstream collection model opens material streams that are traditionally difficult to recover. This not only strengthens resource recovery outcomes but also aligns with a broader objective of improving access to responsible recycling for the public.
“For EcoCycle Group, the partnership provides access to a highly effective upstream collection model that captures materials which would otherwise be difficult to recover,” said Kalos.
For ReSmart, the relationship ensures that all collected materials are managed at scale by an established recycler. Together, the two organisations deliver an integrated solution, connecting household collection directly with compliant recycling processes.
The model itself is inherently flexible, allowing both organisations to service a range of markets. While households remain the primary focus, the partnership also extends to councils, commercial operators, community programs and enterprise customers. This adaptability enables both parties to respond to increasing demand across residential, municipal and commercial sectors, particularly as awareness of hard-to-recycle waste continues to grow.
“One of the most important aspects of this partnership is its role in improving real-world recycling outcomes,” said Kalos.
At its core, the collaboration addresses a fundamental challenge within the recycling industry. While infrastructure is often cited as a barrier, accessibility and participation are frequently the larger issues. By combining a convenient collection model with established processing capability, the partnership helps bridge this gap, making it easier for individuals and communities to engage in responsible recycling.
The EcoCycle Group partnership is one example of the transparent recycling infrastructure that underpins every one of the 100+ items ReSmart collects. This operational backbone is what enables ReSmart to deliver real value at scale, for the 30 councils already partnering on residential pickups, recycling hubs and community recycling centres, the 750-plus businesses that have joined the movement, and more than 25,000 households across the country. Together, these partnerships have diverted more than two million kilograms of waste from landfill.