Tackling Australia’s Litter Crisis: Reflections from Clean Up Australia Day 2025 & CommBox’s Ongoing Sustainability Commitment

Australia’s litter problem is at a critical juncture. Clean Up Australia’s Litter Report for FY25 offers a sobering look at the scale and nature of the challenge: plastics continue to dominate our environment, representing a staggering 80.8% of all litter counted this year. Of particular concern, cigarette butts (which are made of plastic) were the number one item collected, making up nearly a quarter of all recorded litter. Soft plastics and packaging remain persistent problems, together accounting for over 60% of all littered items.

The Power of Community Action

In FY25, Clean Up Australia marked its 35th year by mobilising over 1 million volunteers for Clean Up events across the nation, including the largest Clean Up Australia Day ever, with over 800,000 participants. These community efforts are not only removing harmful litter from our parks, waterways, schools and bushland—they also supply crucial data that informs government policy, industry reforms and community education campaigns. The Litter Report’s insights help identify which types of waste are most prevalent and guide future action towards a circular economy, where materials are reused, recycled and kept out of the environment for as long as possible.

CommBox’s Hands-On Approach to Sustainability

At CommBox, sustainability is not just a value, it’s a call to action. Led by Sarah Drysdale, our team was proud to participate in Clean Up Australia Day 2025, joining thousands of other organisations, schools and local groups to help restore and protect the natural environments we all depend on. For us, this annual event is a practical demonstration of our company-wide commitment to environmental stewardship—and a chance for the CommBox team to see firsthand the impact of waste in our communities.

Sarah has championed sustainability at CommBox, ensuring that our business practices, product design and community engagement reflect a responsible, forward-thinking approach. Our involvement in Clean Up Australia Day aligns with our ongoing work to reduce e-waste, design for durability and recyclability, and prioritise circular principles throughout our supply chain and product lifecycle. As we’ve seen from this year’s Litter Report, individual and organisational action can make a measurable difference—but the work is far from over.

The Bigger Picture: Moving Towards a Waste-Free Future

The FY25 Litter Report highlights several pressing issues: the rise of single-use plastics, the continued prevalence of cigarette butt and soft plastic litter, and the urgent need for policy and product reform. It also underscores the positive momentum gained from community involvement and collaboration across business, government and local organisations.

Sarah and the CommBox team believe that real change comes from consistent, collective effort. Our commitment extends beyond one day a year; it’s visible in how we design our products, manage our supply chain, and partner with schools and enterprises to promote responsible technology use. We support the call for greater producer responsibility, better recycling systems, and a stronger focus on education to shift everyday behaviour.

As Australia works toward a more circular and sustainable economy, companies like CommBox will continue to take a hands-on approach—joining clean-up efforts, embedding sustainability in our business strategy, and sharing the journey with our customers and partners.

Clean Up Australia’s latest report is a powerful reminder that every piece of litter collected is a step toward a cleaner, healthier environment. At CommBox, we’re committed to playing our part—through action, innovation and advocacy—so that together, we can help turn the tide on Australia’s waste crisis. Read the Clean Up Australia Day report here: https://www.cleanup.org.au/litter-report/