Australia Advances Packaging Reform Amid Strong Public Support for EPR and Tougher National Standards

Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is moving forward with reforming packaging regulations after reviewing extensive feedback from the public and industry. A recent consultation summary revealed strong support for a nationally coordinated regulatory approach to packaging and momentum is now building towards the next phase of policy development. 

The consultation received 426 responses, including widespread public support for stronger national regulation. Over 80% favoured Commonwealth oversight, and 65% supported Option 3 - an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme with mandatory requirements.  

Respondents emphasized the need for close industry consultation during the design of the scheme, reinvestment of EPR funds into the supply chain, and national consistency in recycling efforts. There was also strong backing for bans on problematic packaging materials, mandatory recycled content thresholds, eco-modulated fees, and recyclability labelling. The reform aims to reduce environmental impact and support a circular economy, with further policy development and stakeholder engagement planned. 

Sustainable Shift 

The vast majority (95%) of survey respondents supported the proposed goal of the packaging reform to reduce environmental impacts and promote a circular economy in Australia. Many called for stronger measures to avoid, reduce, and reuse packaging waste, especially plastic packaging. There was clear backing for targeting problematic materials first and banning harmful packaging materials such as carbon black, oxo-degradables, and PFAS.  

Respondents favoured eco-modulated financial incentives to encourage sustainable packaging design, along with mandatory national thresholds for recycled content. There was also strong support for compulsory recyclability labelling and for nationally consistent approaches across recycling systems. Some participants recommended expanding the scope of the reform to include broader environmental outcomes, such as reducing emissions. 

Further steps 

Following extensive public consultation, the Australian government is now moving into the next phase of packaging regulatory reform. Authorities will conduct further analysis of stakeholder feedback to guide the development of a new regulatory framework. Targeted consultations will continue to refine specific elements of the reform, and consideration will be given to the preferred model for a reformed packaging regulation system.