2019, 2022
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About the Action Plan
The National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019 included targets and actions to implement the 2018 National Waste Policy. These targets and actions guide Australia's investment and national efforts to 2030 and beyond and include:
- banning the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, commencing in the second half of 2020
- reducing the total waste generated in Australia by 10% per person by 2030
- achieving an 80% average recovery rate from all waste streams by 2030
- significantly increasing the use of recycled content by governments and industry
- phasing out problematic and unnecessary plastics by 2025
- halving the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030
- making comprehensive, economy-wide and timely data publicly available to support better consumer, investment and policy decisions.
The plan complements and supports the implementation of better waste management and circular economy plans by state and territory governments, local government, business and industry.
Action Plan update
At the Environment Ministers Meeting of 21 October 2022, ministers acknowledged the progress that’s been made to improve our waste management and recycling activities under the National Waste Policy Action Plan. Ministers agreed that we must do more to prevent waste, including better product design and more efficient production processes. The National Waste Policy Action Plan will be expanded over the coming year to strengthen Australia’s efforts towards our 2030 targets.
Read the communique from the Environment Ministers Meeting of 21 October 2022.
Environment Ministers also agreed to updates to the plan’s action items. These updates are reflected in the National Waste Policy Action Plan Annexure 2022 and reflect what has been delivered as well as making some adjustments to accommodate the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and the series of natural disasters which caused disruptions to supply chains and shifts in governments’ resources.
Action Plan achievements
A summary of achievements under the plan in its first two years of delivery has been set out in the 2021 Progress Summary Report.