ABCL Submission to Senate Inquiry into Waste Reduction and Recycling Policies

The ABCL has made a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications as part of its Inquiry into Waste Reduction and Recycling Policies.

The submission outlines the leadership of the non-alcoholic beverages industry in product stewardship through the long-standing success of Container Deposit Schemes (CDS). It calls for a more ambitious approach to CDS, including scope expansion to additional packaging types, national harmonisation, and reforms to ensure priority access to food-grade recycled materials for domestic reuse.

ABCL’s recommendations include establishing a national CDS portal, streamlining regulations, improving kerbside recycling and MRF standards, and strengthening export regulations to keep high-quality recyclate—such as rPET—within Australia. These changes are vital to supporting a closed-loop, onshore circular economy and enabling industry to meet the National Packaging Targets.

ABCL Submission to Senate Inquiry into Waste Reduction and Recycling Policies