from Gayle Sloan, CEO
As 2025 draws to a close, I want to reflect on a year of genuine achievement for WMRR and for our sector — and to set out what I believe must be the priorities for 2026.
This year saw record member satisfaction, with 98% of survey respondents saying they would recommend WMRR membership. Our events attracted strong attendance, culminating in a record ALTS Conference in Perth. Our advocacy reached new levels of engagement, with WMRR making meaningful representations to the Productivity Commission, state budget processes, and national packaging and product stewardship consultations.
But satisfaction cannot breed complacency. The challenges facing our sector are real and growing. Fuel costs, labour shortages, end market uncertainty, and the ongoing struggle to get adequate levy settings across jurisdictions continue to constrain investment and growth. At the same time, the volume and complexity of materials entering the system continues to increase — without the corresponding regulatory framework needed to manage them effectively.
2026 must be a year of action. WMRR will be pushing hard on several fronts: levy reform, product stewardship expansion (particularly for batteries and solar panels), the publication of our State of the Nation WARR Report, and the delivery of a strong ENVIRO Conference in Adelaide in June.
We will also be refreshing the WMRR brand, launching a new website and CRM, and expanding our training offer. These are not cosmetic changes — they reflect WMRR’s commitment to building the most effective and professional peak body the waste and resource recovery sector has ever had.
On behalf of the entire WMRR team, I wish all members a safe and restful holiday season. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more circular Australia.