The Breakdown is a monthly column giving industry leaders and decision makers a chance to share their views on topics central to the sector. This month we asked: “What can the industry look forward to, heading into 2025?”
Suzanne Toumbourou, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Council of Recycling
Heading into 2025, I’m optimistic about the progress we’ll see in national packaging reform, which will drive greater circularity, recyclability, and the use of domestically produced recycled content. This should pave the way for broader and better product stewardship regulation.
There is also growing commitment from Australian governments to address the risks posed by batteries and battery-powered electronics.
Our industry has united in calling for stronger action, and it seems we’re on the verge of real steps forward with mandatory stewardship. There’s still a long way to go, but this year feels like the turning point.
Thomas Anton, Head of Customer Experience, Repurpose It
In 2025, Australia will continue to see innovative technologies giving problematic waste streams a second life at scale.
As we transition into a circular economy and product stewardship becomes paramount, it’s more crucial than ever that we not just reuse materials but consider what the third and fourth life of these products will look like.
As an industry, recycled content use is at all-time highs, but my challenge to the industry is to consider the future impacts of these materials and what legacy we are leaving for future generations.
Mike Ritchie, Managing Director, MRA Consulting Group
So far nothing fundamental. Government reform is badly lagging industry and we are not on track to hit the 2030 targets.
Things we do know about 2025:
- Two energy-from-waste (EfW) facilities in Western Australia will allow governments to support rational EfW.
- A national debate about adding wine and spirits to Container Deposit Schemes and increasing the rebate to $0.20.
- New national packaging legislation banning certain formats and a levy to drive recycled content and recovery.
- New South Wales infrastructure plans and the levy review release.
- Introduction of mandatory commercial food collection (COFO) for large food generators, in NSW. Hopefully other states adopt it.
- Moderate levy increases in Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.
- Stagnation in extended producer responsibility and spin over substance re Circular Economy policy.
- Incrementalism re FOGO roll out.
I am hoping for a reforming minister but …
Michael Bobrowicz, Executive Officer, Waste and Recycling Industry Association of Western Australia
In Western Australia it’s a step change in how we see waste and recycling.
With both Kwinana Energy Recovery and East Rockingham Waste to Energy online, the way we will deal with waste and recycling has changed.
Energy-from-waste (EfW) is an eco-system; EfW plants don’t operate in isolation. Restricted in Western Australia to residuals, they complement resource recovery systems. EfW works alongside Incinerator Bottom Ash plants, with Blue Phoenix recovering aggregates, ferrous, nonferrous and precious metals.
Air Pollution Control residue has been contracted to Tellus at Sandy Ridge.
On the supply side, the first destination for Western Australia’s major municipal solid waste and commercial and industrial collectors is now EfW.
Murray Butterworth, Recycling General Manager, Alex Fraser
Heading into 2025, the industry can look forward to several promising developments and the promise of an improving market. We anticipate an upward trend in market demand, particularly in housing subdivisions, expected to pick up in the second half of the year.
Beyond the major infrastructure projects driven by government demand, there is a growing trend of broader local government and private investments supporting the use of recycled products. This shift to use recycled construction materials is environmentally beneficial for all infrastructure projects, reducing carbon emissions and preserving valuable natural resources.
Mark Smith, Executive Officer, Victorian Waste Management Association
The VWMA has an ambitious and exciting schedule for 2025 and I’m optimistic about fostering collaboration and engagement across Victoria’s waste and recycling industry, including government agencies.
Tackling major challenges requires collective effort. I’m keen to see all our main government agencies reassessing their engagement practices to identify what works and what doesn’t as I’ve been concerned by recent approaches.
By focusing on co-regulatory relationships and leveraging industry associations like the VWMA and Victorian Transport Association, there’s an opportunity to lift standards beyond regulatory compliance, moving toward proactive, higher benchmarks for the sector. It’s where we must head.
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