Australia shelves national packaging reform, dropping recycled-content mandate

Australia's federal government has decided not to progress national packaging reforms, including a mandatory minimum recycled-plastics content scheme first promised in 2023, during the current term of parliament. Environment Minister Murray Watt cited cost-of-living concerns last month. Industry figures, including Pact Group executive chair Raphael Geminder, warn the delay undermines investment in local recycling capacity built with government funding, as environment ministers were due to meet on 18 September to discuss next steps.

Why this mattersWithout national recycled-content rules, plastics recyclers lose the demand needed to justify capacity already built with public funding, threatening Australia's circular-plastics investment case.

• Federal government will not introduce national packaging reforms, including a mandatory minimum recycled-plastics content scheme, in this term of parliament.
• The scheme was first promised in 2023; Environment Minister Murray Watt confirmed the shelving last month, citing cost-of-living concerns.
• Pact Group executive chair Raphael Geminder says the delay risks wasting taxpayer investment and locks Australia into a landfill-first plastic waste approach.
• Australia's environment ministers were scheduled to meet on 18 September 2026 to decide on packaging-waste actions.
• Beverages are currently the only consumer products fully covered by mandated EPR via container deposit schemes, according to the Australian Beverages Council.
• The FY25 Clean Up Australia Litter Report found packaging and containers account for 59.5% of all reported litter.

Relevant to you? Yes No