Bin deal made with states
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State and federal environment ministers have agreed on a series of national initiatives aimed at harmonising recycling practices and addressing critical environmental challenges.
The measures, announced following a meeting in Melbourne, include a plan to standardise kerbside recycling systems, enhance waste management, and adopt Australia's first National Circular Economy Framework.
The National Kerbside Collections Roadmap was endorsed by all jurisdictions except Queensland.
It outlines steps to standardise bin lid colours, reduce landfill waste, and improve the clarity of recycling information for households.
“We will keep pushing for a national roadmap that makes it easier for governments, councils, and households to cut waste going to landfill,” said Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.
The new framework for a circular economy aims to double recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing by 2035.
According to CSIRO modelling, this transition could add $26 billion to Australia’s GDP and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 14 per cent by 2035.
“We’re setting ambitious but achievable targets to double what we recycle,” Plibersek said.
Ministers also agreed to a strengthened National Waste Policy Action Plan, focusing on urgent reforms, including new packaging design guidance to boost recyclability.
Packaging regulation reform is set to begin in 2025, with industry consultation scheduled for early next year.
Additionally, ministers endorsed a national plan to combat the ecological threat of feral cats.
The plan includes actions such as banning the importation of predatory Bengal cats as pets. “We’re combating the serious impacts of feral cats on our native animals by coordinating efforts across states and territories,” Plibersek said.
Additional decisions addressed hazardous chemicals, including a revised national management plan for PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), which sets new restrictions to limit their environmental impact.
Queensland was the sole state to decline full participation, citing concerns about the impact of national measures on local costs and policies.
The meeting also discussed preparations for avian influenza (H5N1) and national bushfire resilience strategies.
