FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Following our submission earlier in the year, WMRR gave evidence in Canberra at the public hearing for the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia, emphasising the need for Australia to change the conversation around the use of materials and look to setting up national system to circulate materials for use for longer with consistent design requirements that engender producer responsibility for materials supplied to Australian markets.
Fuel and Supply Issues
Fuel remained a significant operational concern affecting the sector throughout the period with rising fuel costs placing pressure on collection contracts and budgets. Supply chain disruptions were also noted amongst state branch and working group meetings, with the incoming supply of landfill construction materials being impacted, however discussions were also held about how industry could model the use of recycled materials in place of virgin, to the broader economy.
- WMRR participated in NSW and Victorian Government roundtables with ongoing ministerial engagement at state and federal levels.
- Emergency transport cost pass-through arrangements progressed through the Fair Work Commission’s first road transport contractual chain order taking effect from 21 April 2026.
- WMRR helped drive increased focus on linking manufacturers with recycled feedstocks to reduce dependence on imported materials with Advanced Manufacturing industry groups engaging on a regular basis to increase uptake of recycled content. This is an ongoing discussion as to how we pivot to greater uptake of recycled material products with a number of meetings being held with Investment NSW to attempt to move this opportunity forward.
National Packaging Reform
- A Roundtable was held in relation to access to packaging materials that was hosted by Ministers Watt, Ayers and Collins, that WMRR attended, that highlighted the existing challenge of price differential between virgin and recycled and appeared to reach no clear outcome nor commitment.
- We are still awaiting updates on packaging reforms as consulted on in 2024, however a follow up discussion of design standards has recently occurred. These continue to remain complex and do not align at this time with EU approaches such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025. It is understood however that packaging reform continues to be on the agenda for Environment Ministers Meeting scheduled for September 2026.
Federal EPA
- Federal EPA confirmed to commence operations on 1 July 2026 – new CEO announced, being Mr John Bradley PSM, former Secretary of Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. WMRR does not anticipate the new agency to have much impact at first instance on the WARR sector, beyond stewardship and export regulation enforcement, with the main effect being the administration of waste exports moving from DCCEEW to the new agency and administration of the EPBC Act 2025.
Batteries Regulation
- HEPA consulted on the national guidelines for the management of end-of-life lithium ion batteries in May 2026, with further consultation with WMRR in June 2026. The WMRR submission called for specific guidance for landfill operators, along with increased direct emphasis on the safety risks of battery related fires.
- NSW Battery Producer Scheme Operators (PSOs) is scheduled to be announced in 2026, with the procurement of the PSO(s) commencing in June 2026.
- A number of meetings have now been held with SA following NSW reforms. Regional battery collection expansion is underway in SA, with EPA looking to implement enforceable battery disposal bans with significant penalties as soon as September 2026, and $1 million in funding allocated towards an education and community awareness campaign- which is being coordinated by DPC.
Carbon
- The review of the NGER Scheme sought comment on the emissions of methane released from landfills, updating Method 2 to provide more specificity for measurement of emissions and removing the collection efficiency limit (CEL), making changes to Method 1 following the changes to Method 2 and updating default waste composition values to reflect modern disposal practices. WMRR’s submission broadly supported these proposed reforms.
Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) reform
- WA introducing wine and spirits to their scheme from 1 July 2026. NT also commences on this date with some further expansion in this scheme to include larger juice and flavoured milk containers and plain milk bottles.
- NSW procurement of its network operator continues, with both NSW and SA to expand scope in 2027.
Energy from Waste (EfW)
- EfW remained a focus across multiple jurisdictions with parliamentary inquiries in NSW and Victoria continuing their public hearings, with WMRR have giving evidence at both. The NSW inquiry also saw the Chief Scientist give evidence that based on scientific evidence that EFW facilities are preferable to landfill.
- In NSW, the release of the Technical Note in May 2026 has provided greater clarity around emissions standards.
State Strategies and Infrastructure Investment
- The Tasmanian draft Waste Strategy was released for consultation in May 2026, launched with a workshop at the WMRR Tasmanian WARR Forum. Tasmania will reach the full hypothecation of the levy in the 2026-27 financial year.
- The Less Landfill, More Recycling: Queensland Waste Strategy 2035 was released in June, with levy settings being examined following the release of the Strategy. The recipients of the Resource Recovery Boost Funding were also announced in June, providing $60M in funding across two (2) streams.
- Queensland has announced that it will be developing a Strategic Infrastructure Strategy for WARR with WMRR part of the steering committee. NSW is still to release Chapters 2 and 3 of their Infrastructure Strategy, however the first meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Committee was held.
Organics Resource Recovery
- The release of the PFAS NEMP 3.1 update has seen environmental guidelines unchanged.
- Upcoming business mandates in NSW take place from 1 July 2026 for separate food waste collections.