August 19, 2026
WASTE STRATEGY UPDATE JUNE 2026
Following our June 2025 submission to the draft Queensland Waste Strategy 2025–2035, we have reviewed the final strategy released by the Queensland Government in June 2026.
Many of the priorities raised in our submission are reflected in the final strategy, including commitments to advocate for national product stewardship schemes and investigate state-based options where national approaches are not supported. The strategy includes actions to expand battery collection points, improve battery safety and public education, increase recycling capacity, support a Queensland soft plastics trial and progress national packaging reforms aimed at placing greater responsibility on manufacturers and producers.
In addition, the strategy supports increased e-waste recycling infrastructure and broader circular economy initiatives designed to recover valuable resources and reduce waste sent to landfill.
However, several stronger waste avoidance and reuse measures advocated for in our submission have not been incorporated. This includes additional initiatives and incentives aimed at reducing single-use products and addressing end-of-life management for wind turbine blades.
Of note, Noosa Shire Council has been allocated $2,182,856 to construct a covered resource recovery facility aimed at improving recycling and managing current and future waste streams in partnership with neighbouring councils. This investment is intended to strengthen regional resource recovery capabilities and support the broader objectives of the strategy.
Alignment with our submission
We have prepared the following summary comparing the priorities raised in our submission with relevant actions contained in the final strategy.
| Submission request | Relevant strategy action(s) | Alignment |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-of-life product stewardship | 4.0.1 Advocate for national leadership and direction on product stewardship schemes, particularly for batteries, solar panels and packaging.
4.0.2 Investigate state-based product stewardship schemes if national schemes are not supported. |
Strong |
| Battery stewardship, safe disposal, collection points and recycling | 4.3.1 Provide support to councils to expand battery collection points at convenient locations, including for problem batteries like those found in vapes and e-scooters.
4.3.2 Work closely with the waste industry on practical ways to reduce fire risks to protect workers and essential waste services. 4.3.3 Equip Queenslanders with information to make informed decisions about safe battery disposal through education and awareness initiatives. 4.3.4 Support investment in increased battery recycling capacity in Queensland. 4.3.5 Advocate to the Australian Government to establish a national battery stewardship scheme. 4.3.6 Undertake a review of the regulatory classification of batteries to provide clear guidance on collection pathways, traceability, waste tracking obligations and collection point licensing requirements. |
Very strong |
| Soft plastics and packaging reform | 4.2.1 Complete a soft plastics recycling trial in Queensland.
4.2.2 Advocate to the Australian Government for the establishment of a national stewardship scheme for plastics that does not add costs to Queenslanders. 4.2.3 Support investment in plastics recycling capacity across Queensland, including in regional areas. 4.2.4 Advocate for national packaging reforms to ensure:
|
Strong |
| Grants and incentives for reusable cup and container schemes | No specific action identified. | Gap |
| BYO cup and container discounts | No specific action identified. | Gap |
| Public water refill stations | No specific action identified. | Gap |
| Industrial and commercial waste streams | Target of 60% recycling across commercial and industrial waste by 2035 and identification of industrial plastics, e-waste and organics as priority waste streams. | Partial |
| Solar panel recycling and product stewardship | 4.0.1 Advocate for national leadership and direction on product stewardship schemes, particularly for batteries, solar panels and packaging.
4.6.1 Provide learnings from a Queensland solar panel recycling pilot to support the Australian Government to implement a national solar panel product stewardship scheme. 4.6.2 Through a range of funding programs, invest in increased e-waste recycling infrastructure in Queensland. |
Strong |
| Solar panel landfill ban | No specific action identified, though it may be addressed through a future product stewardship scheme. | Gap |
| Wind turbine blade recycling | No specific action identified. | Gap |
| Include wind turbine components in the E-products Action Plan | No specific action identified. | Gap |
| Support circular economy infrastructure and innovation | 2.1.1 Statewide recycling infrastructure plan.
Investment in modern recycling infrastructure, new technologies and stronger recycled-material markets. |
Strong |
| Support businesses developing plastic alternatives | No specific action identified, though broader recycling and market development measures may assist indirectly. | Partial |
Overall, there is significant alignment between our submission and the final strategy, regarding product stewardship and the transition to a more circular economy. These represent important steps in addressing current and emerging waste streams and ensuring greater responsibility is placed on producers for the products they bring to market.
As the strategy is implemented over the next decade, we will continue to monitor progress and advocate for practical measures that reduce waste generation, improve resource recovery and strengthen Queensland’s transition to a circular economy.
Further information
To view the Queensland Waste Strategy 2025–2035, visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0036/668169/queensland-waste-strategy-2025-35.pdf
For previous updates on environmental and waste-related matters, visit: www.sandybolton.com/noosa360
To advocate directly regarding waste and recycling matters, please email environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please copy our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive.
