Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for Packaging (No Time to Waste) Bill 2026; First Reading

Summary

Packaging producers, importers and distributors in Australia will become legally responsible for managing the end-of-life disposal or reuse of all packaging they put on the market, replacing the current voluntary schemes that have failed to meet national targets. The Environment Minister must create detailed rules within three months under the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 that set mandatory requirements for packaging design, recycled content levels, and waste reduction. This creates a uniform national standard instead of the patchwork of different state-based rules now emerging, gives recycling businesses the certainty they need to survive, and stops companies from avoiding their share of responsibility for the packaging waste they create.

What happens at this stage

The bill is introduced to the chamber by its sponsor and given a formal title. No debate takes place. This step exists so all members are officially notified the bill is coming before any substantive discussion begins.

Next: Second Reading, where the chamber debates the bill's overall purpose and principles