[18][19][20] In 2019, Cleanaway acquired a number of the SKM Recycling Group's assets for $66 million,[21] restoring and reopening the facilities completely by February 2020.

[24] The acquisition of Statewide Recycling in late 2019[25] expanded Cleanaway's regional Victoria business, including a transfer station in Warrnambool.

[24] On 15 May 2000 an accident at Cleanaway UK's Ellesmere Port toxic waste incinerator killed an employee and seriously injured another.

The plant had been shut down to allow replacement of steel structures, and the men were on a scaffolding platform when over a tonne of concrete fell on them.

[8] The Guardian described it as a landmark judgement, while a Stonewall spokesperson said the ruling showed such abuse "was no longer going to be tolerated" and compared the remarks directed at the victim to "jokes about 'Pakis'" from previous decades.

[31] In August 2014, a Cleanaway sewage tanker truck collided with many cars at the lower part of the South Eastern Freeway, killing two people.

[34] The prosecution, brought by Comcare, also heard that the brakes on the vehicle were defective and in 2021 Cleanaway were convicted of eight charges under health and safety legislation.

The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority in March 2021 charged Cleanaway with two water pollution offences and with allegedly taking five hours to notify them of the first incident.

[40] In 2007, Cleanaway formed a joint venture with Veolia and purchased EarthPower, an organic food waste processing facility.

[41] The TOMRA Cleanaway partnership was appointed to be the Network Operator for the New South Wales container deposit scheme (also known as Return and Earn).

[43] On 19 February 2020, Asahi Breweries, Cleanaway and Pact Group Holdings announced a joint venture to develop a plastic pelletising facility.