The Australian Government’s National Waste Policy aims to reduce the amount of waste generated in the country, increase recycling rates, and minimise the impact of waste on the environment. The policy provides a framework for action by governments, industry, and the community to manage waste and promote a circular economy.

Under the policy, the government has set ambitious targets, such as diverting 80% of waste from landfill and achieving a 30% recycling rate across all goods and infrastructure by 2030. To achieve these targets, the government has implemented a range of initiatives, including funding for research and innovation, investing in new recycling infrastructure, and promoting product stewardship programs.

The National Waste Policy also highlights the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders, including government, industry, and the community. By working together, we can reduce waste and create a more sustainable future for Australia.

While the National Waste Policy is a federal policy that applies to all states and territories in Australia, each state and territory also has its own specific waste management policies and initiatives in place. Here’s a brief overview of the waste policies in each state:

New South Wales: The NSW government has developed the “Waste Less, Recycle More” initiative, which aims to divert 75% of waste from landfill by 2021. This initiative includes funding for waste reduction and recycling programs, product stewardship schemes, and infrastructure upgrades.

Victoria: The Victorian government is committed to achieving a circular economy and has developed a range of policies and programs to support this goal. These include the Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan, which aims to boost recycling capacity and reduce waste, and the Waste Education and Litter Prevention Fund, which supports community-based waste reduction projects.

Queensland: The Queensland government’s waste management policies focus on diverting waste from landfill through recycling and resource recovery initiatives. This includes investing in infrastructure and technology to improve recycling rates and reduce waste, as well as supporting product stewardship programs.

Western Australia: The Western Australian government has set a target to divert 65% of municipal solid waste from landfill by 2020. This is being achieved through a range of programs and initiatives, including the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy and the Container Deposit Scheme.

South Australia: The South Australian government has a strong focus on waste reduction and resource recovery, with the aim of achieving a zero-waste future. This includes the introduction of the Container Deposit Scheme, the development of the Waste Strategy 2015-2020, and investment in infrastructure to support recycling and resource recovery.

Tasmania: The Tasmanian government has developed a Waste Action Plan that outlines a range of initiatives to reduce waste and increase recycling. These include supporting product stewardship programs, investing in infrastructure to improve recycling rates, and developing new waste-to-energy facilities.

Australian Capital Territory: The ACT government has set a target to achieve zero net waste by 2025. This is being achieved through a range of initiatives, including investment in recycling infrastructure, support for product stewardship programs, and the development of a waste-to-energy facility.

Northern Territory: The Northern Territory government has developed a Waste Strategy that outlines its approach to waste management and reduction. This includes initiatives to improve recycling rates, reduce waste to landfill, and promote sustainable waste management practices.