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Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging in Australia
Australia embraces EPR packaging Australia through a co-regulatory partnership that unites federal policy and industry leadership. Under the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM), brand owners are mandated to design, recover and report on packaging waste, ensuring a circular lifecycle. In parallel, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) administers a voluntary Covenant scheme, aligning participants with the national targets for packaging recyclability and recycled content .Who must register for packaging EPR in Australia
- Any brand owner—manufacturer, importer or trademark holder—whose Australian turnover from packaged goods equals or exceeds AUD 5 million must register under NEPM and sign up as an APCO Signatory or with the relevant state environment agency.
What the program includes
The NEPM’s definition of consumer packaging spans three layers:- Primary packaging: the immediate container (e.g., water bottles, food trays)
- Secondary packaging: grouping materials (e.g., multipack sleeves, cardboard trays)
- Tertiary packaging: transit protection (e.g., pallets, shrink wrap) These three tiers form the basis of Australia packaging recycling, compelling stakeholders to consider every packaging touchpoint .
Threshold
Distinct from tonnage-based systems abroad, Australia’s model relies solely on a turnover threshold:- Mandatory liability at AUD 5 million annual revenue
- No mass-based minimum for packaging quantities
EPR registration procedure in Australia
- Submit Application
- Fulfill Obligations
Authorized representative
For imported packaging, the entity that brings goods into Australia assumes the role of brand owner and meets NEPM responsibilities on behalf of overseas manufacturers. There is no requirement for a separate third-party representative.Reporting deadline
- Annual Report: due 31 March each year, detailing progress against the Packaging Sustainability Framework
- Action Plan: due 31 May, outlining strategies for the upcoming reporting period Maintaining these deadlines is critical to uphold good standing under EPR Australia
Who assumes responsibility?
The co-regulatory approach distributes roles as follows:- Brand Owners: financial and operational accountability for packaging end-of-life
- DCCEEW & NEPC: policy oversight and target setting
- State/Territory EPAs: local enforcement, audits and penalties
Duties of each group
- Brand Owners: register, develop and submit Action Plans, meet national targets, report annually
- Government (DCCEEW & NEPC): establish standards, monitor national performance, liaise with jurisdictions
- State EPAs: enforce NEPM, audit compliance, collaborate on container deposit schemes
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for EEE in Australia
Australia mandates a National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) to address the growing volume of e-waste. Under this scheme, producers and importers of televisions, computers, printers, monitors and associated peripherals share the cost and logistics of collection and recycling.Who must register for EEE EPR in Australia
Any producer or importer with an Australian market share exceeding:- 15 001 computer units per year
- 5 001 television units per year must register with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and contribute to the NTCRS
What the program includes
- Televisions: CRT, LCD, LED and plasma TVs
- Computers and Laptops
- Monitors and Screens
- Printers, scanners and multifunction devices
- Computer peripherals: keyboards, mice, external drives
Threshold
- Volume thresholds: 15 001 computers or 5 001 TVs annually
- No financial turnover threshold applies
EPR registration procedure in Australia
- Online Registration: register producer details and product categories via the DCCEEW portal
- Market Share Calculation: submit annual sales data to calculate fees
- Fee Payment: pay proportional fees based on share of e-waste generated
- Service Agreement: enter into service agreements with approved recyclers
- Annual Plan & Report: submit collection targets by 31 October and performance report by 30 June
Authorized representative
For overseas producers, the Australian importer assumes NTCRS obligations and acts as the authorized representative in communications with DCCEEW and recyclers.Reporting deadline
- Annual Plan: by 31 October each year
- Performance Report: by 30 June, detailing units collected, recycled and processed
Who assumes responsibility?
- Producers/Importers: financial obligations, reporting and service agreements
- DCCEEW: scheme oversight, target setting and compliance enforcement
- Approved Recyclers: collection, processing and data submission
Duties of each group
- Producers: register, calculate fees, engage recyclers, submit plans and reports
- DCCEEW: review submissions, enforce compliance, update guidelines
- Recyclers: operate collection points, recover materials, report processing data
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textile in Australia
Australia has begun rolling out EPR textile Australia through voluntary stewardship schemes, with reforms under consideration to make them mandatory. This approach promotes a shift to design-for-recycling and funds end-of-life management of clothing and home textiles.Who must register for textile EPR in Australia
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- Participation is voluntary. Early adoption positions companies as leaders in EPR registration Australia for textiles.
What the program includes
Current textile stewardship covers:- Clothing and apparel
- Footwear
- Household textiles (e.g., sheets, towels)
Threshold
No minimum sales volume; open to all footwear brands. These flat-fee structures simplify compliance and drive product stewardship at scale.EPR registration procedure in Australia
- Online Registration: complete scheme application
- Remit Levies: pay per-unit contributions monthly or quarterly
- Annual Reporting: submit volumes sold and collections data by scheme deadlines
Authorized representative
Not required: scheme administrators liaise directly with participants to manage compliance and data aggregation.Reporting deadline
Annual report by 31 August.Who assumes responsibility?
- Scheme Participants: fund the program via levies
- Scheme Bodies: operate collection networks and recycling infrastructure
- Government: oversee and refine voluntary frameworks
Duties of each group
- Participants: register, pay levies, provide sales data
- Government Agencies: monitor outcomes, consult on mandatory expansion
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for batteries in Australia
Battery stewardship is delivered via BatteryBack in Victoria and pilot programs in other states. These voluntary schemes aim to collect and recycle portable batteries to prevent hazardous waste entering landfill.Who must register for batteries EPR in Australia
- Retailers, distributors and producers of portable batteries can participate by hosting collection points and remitting program fees.
What the program includes
- Portable alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D)
- Rechargeable NiMH
- Lithium-ion (used in devices like laptops and power tools)
Threshold
No mandatory thresholds; participation is open and voluntary to maximize coverage.EPR registration procedure in Australia
- Enrollment: register as a BatteryBack site via Sustainability Victoria
- Bin Deployment: install and maintain collection bins at customer-facing locations
- Fee Remittance: pay annual service fees to cover collection and recycling costs
- Reporting: submit quarterly collection volumes to the scheme operator
Authorized representative
Sustainability Victoria coordinates on behalf of the scheme; individual sites need not appoint separate representatives.Reporting deadline
Quarterly reporting to Sustainability Victoria: by end of each calendar quarter.Who assumes responsibility?
- Retailers/Sites: host bins, collect batteries, report volumes
- Scheme Operator (Sustainability Victoria): logistics, recycler partnerships, data management
- Recyclers: safe processing and material recovery
Duties of each group
- Sites: maintain bin security, educate customers, track volumes
- Scheme: coordinate collections, negotiate recycling contracts, aggregate data
- Recyclers: comply with environmental standards, provide processing certificates
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for chemicals in Australia
National schemes like PaintBack and DrumMUSTER deliver EPR for paint and agricultural chemical containers respectively. These are voluntary but widely adopted programs funded by manufacturer levies.Who must register for chemicals in Australia
- Paint manufacturers and retailers: to join PaintBack
- Agrochemical producers and distributors: to enroll in DrumMUSTER
What the program includes
- PaintBack: unused paint, aerosols and paint containers
- DrumMUSTER: rigid plastic containers from agricultural and veterinary chemicals
Threshold
No threshold; all eligible products are covered once the producer joins the scheme.EPR registration procedure in Australia
- Join Scheme: complete online application as a member producer
- Levy Remittance: pay per-unit fees according to product type and container volume
- Provide Drop-Off Network: support local collection sites or councils
- Annual Reporting: submit volumes sold and collected by 31 July
Authorized representative
Scheme operators (PaintBack Ltd and Agsafe for DrumMUSTER) act on behalf of producers for compliance and liaison.Reporting deadline
Annual Report: by 31 July each year for both PaintBack and DrumMUSTER.Who assumes responsibility?
- Producers: fund collections, pay levies, provide containers
- Scheme Operators: manage collection logistics and recycler accreditation
- Recyclers: process materials and issue recovery certificates
Duties of each group
- Producers: remit fees, support drop-off points, track sales
- Scheme Operators: run collection networks, negotiate recycling contracts, aggregate and publish data
- Government and Councils: promote schemes, host collection events, ensure environmental compliance
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for furniture in Australia
To tackle textile-rich furniture waste, Australia mandates a stewardship scheme for mattresses. Under the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC), producers must fund the collection and recycling of used mattresses.Who must register for furniture EPR in Australia
- All mattress manufacturers and importers selling into the Australian market must join ABSC and implement a stewardship plan.
What the program includes
- Residential and commercial mattresses
- Associated foam, fabric and spring materials
Threshold
The scheme applies to every unit sold—no minimum or turnover threshold—ensuring comprehensive coverage.EPR registration procedure in Australia
- Enroll with ABSC online
- Submit Stewardship Plan: detail collection and recycling strategies
- Pay Per-Unit Fee: funds local recycling and processing networks
Authorized representative
Not required; ABSC manages all producer obligations centrally.Reporting deadline
Producers must report sales volumes and recycling outcomes by 30 June each year.Who assumes responsibility?
- Mattress Producers: financial responsibility for end-of-life management
- ABSC: coordinating collections, partner infrastructure, data reporting
- Regulators: monitor scheme performance and compliance
Duties of each group
- Producers: fund stewardship, submit reports, meet recycling targets
- ABSC: operate drop-off points, logistics, recycler accreditation
- Government: review scheme outcomes and adjust regulatory settings
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for sport equipment in Australia
The TreadLightly initiative is a voluntary program focused on recovering and recycling athletic and casual footwear at end-of-life. It engages brands and retailers to reduce landfill impact from shoes.Who must register for sports equipment EPR in Australia
- Any footwear brand, importer or retailer may opt into TreadLightly to demonstrate commitment to EPR Australia beyond packaging and textiles.
What the program includes
- Athletic shoes: running, training, court sports
- Casual and fashion footwear
- Specialty sports footwear
Threshold
There is no minimum sales volume; all participants contribute a flat per-pair levy.EPR registration procedure in Australia
- Sign Up: complete the online enrollment form with brand details
- Levy Payment: pay per-pair contributions quarterly
- Data Submission: report the number of pairs sold and collected annually
Authorized representative
TreadLightly administrators liaise directly with participants; no external representative is required.Reporting deadline
Annual Report: by 30 September each year, covering volumes sold and diverted.Who assumes responsibility?
- Participant Brands: levy funding and data reporting
- TreadLightly Scheme Operator: collection network management
- Recycling Partners: material recovery and processing
Duties of each group
- Brands/Retailers: enroll, fund, submit sales/collection data
- Scheme Operator: facilitate drop-off, logistics, public awareness
- Recyclers: process footwear into raw materials or upcycled products
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for toys in Australia
As of 2025, Australia does not yet have a dedicated EPR scheme for toys. However, consultations are underway to assess waste volumes and potential stewardship approaches for plastic, electronic and textile-based toys.Who must register for toys EPR in Australia
- To be determined when a national or state scheme is formally announced.
What the program includes
Potential future scope:- Plastic toys: durable and single-use
- Electronic toys: batteries, e-waste
- Fabric and plush toys: textiles and fillings
Threshold
To be defined in upcoming regulations or guidelines.EPR registration procedure in Australia
TBD pending official scheme design and consultation outcomes.Authorized representative
TBD based on final scheme structure.Reporting deadline
TBD once the scheme is launched.Who assumes responsibility?
Likely brand owners/importers and appointed scheme administrator.Duties of each group
- Brand Owners: register, fund collection and recycling
- Scheme Body: set collection targets, manage logistics
- Recyclers: recover materials and report performance
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