The first draft of the NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan has been released, marking a major step toward reshaping how waste is managed across the state, particularly in Greater Sydney. The plan outlines urgent action needed to avoid a critical shortfall in landfill capacity by 2030, which could disrupt waste collection services and drive up costs for households and businesses by up to 20%.
Without immediate intervention, councils may be forced to transport rubbish to regional areas or interstate—an outcome that could place significant pressure on public infrastructure and cost the NSW economy up to $23 billion.
The draft plan initiates a consultation process with councils, industry stakeholders, and the community to develop solutions and infrastructure that support a more circular economy. Key focuses of this initial chapter include:
- Managing residual waste that cannot be recycled to prevent a landfill shortfall in Greater Sydney.
- Scaling up organic waste processing, in line with the rollout of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collections across the region.
Future chapters, expected later this year, will expand on strategies for upgrading recycling infrastructure and addressing waste challenges in regional and remote areas.
To support the implementation of the plan, a Ministerial Advisory Committee will be established. The committee will identify local challenges, advise on investment opportunities, and track progress across key initiatives.
This draft plan follows the recent statewide mandate for FOGO recycling, which is projected to divert up to 950,000 tonnes of food and garden waste annually from landfills, helping reduce environmental impact and extend landfill life.
Public feedback on the draft plan is open until 25 June 2025.