Australian landfills near breaking point

Major Australian cities are said to be heading towards landfill capacity by 2030, with fast fashion seen as one of the main culprits.

Australian sustainability consultancy Edge Impact said this kind of waste is partly why the federal government will strengthen its packaging reforms in Australia — with businesses forced to comply or face hefty fines.

Edge Impact, an RSK company, predicts that new national regulations will apply to all companies trading in Australia — from global e-commerce platforms to homegrown brands. It said these businesses will be required to overhaul their entire approach to their packaging ecosystem, with every step needing to be reviewed, from product design and material selection to consumer disposal and recycling, to ensure each component is sustainable and resource efficient.

With expertise in circular economy strategies, waste minimisation and regulatory frameworks, Edge Impact works with companies to design sustainable packaging solutions that meet Australian and global compliance standards while reducing environmental impact.

Australia’s landfill emergency

Landfills across Australia are said to be fast approaching crisis levels. Perth is the most critical and expected to reach capacity this year. Melbourne’s Hampton Park is said to reach capacity by 2028, Sydney by 2030, and Brisbane’s is also stretched with the Council of Mayors (SEQ) aiming to target a diversion of one million tonnes of landfill waste by 2030.

Adding to the problem is ‘wishcycling’ — the well-intentioned but incorrect recycling of materials. Confused consumers often throw non-recyclable packaging into the recycling bin, contaminating entire batches and contributing to approximately 21% of the recycling materials sent to landfill.

“We’re dealing with a public awareness gap,” said Mike Twemlow, Senior Sustainability Manager at Edge Impact. “Many consumers believe they’re doing the right thing, but inconsistent labelling and non-recyclable materials make proper disposal impossible. This is why businesses must go beyond compliance and invest in clear, packaging instructions to help consumers correctly dispose of waste.”

Mandatory packaging regulations

The government’s new mandatory packaging regulations are on the horizon, which will require businesses to comply with mandatory sustainability standards. The new regulations will likely include design standards to ensure all packaging is recyclable or compostable, minimum recycled-content requirements to reduce reliance on virgin plastics, bans on harmful chemicals in packaging materials and even eco-modulated fees where businesses are charged based on their environmental impact.

The reforms, which aim to cut waste, are also key to moving Australia towards a packaging circular economy.

“A circular economy is about breaking the ‘take, make, waste’ model that dominates our supply chains,” Twemlow said. “It’s about creating closed-loop systems where packaging can be reused, repurposed or fully recycled without degradation.”

With these new regulations on the way, Twemlow said that businesses can no longer afford to delay action.

“At the least, businesses should be complying with current APCO sustainable packaging guidelines,” he said. “This will make it easier for businesses when the tough reforms are in play. Businesses need to audit their packaging materials, redesign wasteful supply chains, and clearly label products to eliminate consumer confusion. Otherwise, they’ll be left scrambling when these regulations take effect.

“Fast-product platforms are fuelling a disposable culture that Australia simply cannot sustain. But any company using non-recyclable packaging is at risk. The government is done waiting, it’s only a matter of time before the compliance crackdowns are here.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Yevhen Smyk