THE TIME FOR NATIONAL EPR IS NOW

Friday, 26 June 2026 

A national Extended Producer Responsibility framework is critical to improving the sustainability of Australia’s packaging industry, creating nationally consistent rules across sectors, driving improved packaging design, and increasing resource recovery. 

Appearing at a public hearing of the Senate Inquiry into the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for Packaging (No Time to Waste) Bill 2026 this morning, the Australian Beverages Council Ltd (ABCL) Sustainability Manager, Shannon Doherty-Andall, put forward the non-alcoholic beverages industry’s position on these important reforms.  

Ms Doherty-Andall said the non-alcoholic beverages industry has led the supermarket trolley with billions of beverages containers diverted from landfill and recycled through container deposit schemes (CDS).  

“Our industry has seen the benefits of legislated product stewardship and supports a national approach to broader packaging responsibility across the supply chain,” said Ms Doherty-Andall.  

“We have also experienced the challenges of a fragmented, state-based approach and the operational impacts this has on manufacturers, particularly small and family businesses. It is critical that government adopt a national, consistent framework for EPR.” 

The ABCL has cautioned against introducing mandatory local recycled content requirements before significant improvements are made to the quality of recycled material on the market.  

“The lack of consistent, high-quality recycled material currently available will limit manufacturers’ ability to meet the proposed targets,” said Ms Doherty-Andall.  

“Beverages, and indeed many other consumer products, require food-grade material to meet regulatory obligations and failing to address existing market constraints will only exacerbate pressure on existing supply.” 

The ABCL supports the implementation of a national EPR framework that shares responsibility across the supply chain to support recovery and recycling of packaging material, minimise waste and boost Australia’s sovereign capability, reducing reliance on imported materials.  

For media enquiries, please get in touch with Lauren Melia: lauren@ausbev.org