The NSW Government is developing the state’s first Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan to tackle critical infrastructure shortfalls and build a more resilient circular economy. The draft Plan aims to guide urgent decisions and prevent a looming waste crisis in Greater Sydney.

The first chapter of the draft Plan outlines key actions to prevent a waste crisis in Greater Sydney and ensure we have infrastructure in place to meet our food and garden organic waste needs. Learn more about why Sydney is facing a landfill shortage.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) consulted with industry, local government, environment groups and the community to ensure the draft Plan reflects on-the-ground needs, incorporates expert and local knowledge, and supports practical, effective solutions to manage NSW’s future waste challenges. Read about the outcomes of our consultation below.

On 14 May 2025, the EPA ran a six week public consultation on the first chapter of the draft NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan (the Plan).

The EPA sought feedback from industry, local councils and community, encouraging all stakeholders to have their say on key actions proposed to address a looming waste crisis in Greater Sydney and infrastructure needs for food and garden organic waste.

The EPA received 133 survey responses and 85 written submissions. During the public consultation period, the EPA also ran a targeted workshop with industry and councils to seek additional feedback on the actions in Chapter 1 of the draft Plan.

Overall, there is strong support for the actions in Chapter 1 of the draft Plan. Feedback was supportive of NSW transitioning to a more circular economy, with respondents advocating for waste reduction, improved recycling infrastructure, and better public education. Generally, respondents were supportive of changes to waste infrastructure planning processes and actions to upgrade or expand waste infrastructure. Respondents showed strong support for the need for the NSW Government to better plan for long-term waste infrastructure needs.

While generally supportive of action, feedback highlighted the need to:

• ensure adequate safeguards to protect the environment and human health when considering expanding or establishing new waste infrastructure
• focus on long-term sustainability as well as short-term solutions for waste management
• continue efforts to reduce waste generation through product design, reducing single-use plastics, and reuse strategies and
• maintain a voice for the community and a level of local responsibility for waste management decisions.

You can access the final of Chapter 1 of the NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan from the document library on this page, or visit our website page here.

Consultation has closed

Public consultation on the draft Plan was open until 5pm, Wednesday 25 June 2025.

The feedback period has now closed, and the EPA has reviewed submissions to refine the final version of the Plan.

Stakeholder input will also help shape future actions and chapters, including those focused on regional and remote waste challenges and expanding recycling infrastructure.

What was open for feedback

The draft Plan proposed actions such as:

• Streamlining planning approvals
• Enabling energy-from-waste infrastructure
• Strengthening long-term planning frameworks

Next steps

The EPA has started work on the second chapter focusing on addressing the unique waste management challenges facing regional and remote NSW and how to increase investment in recycling infrastructure in our regions. The second chapter will be shared for feedback via a public consultation in the coming months.

We are also planning to develop another chapter to address the recycling infrastructure needs for Greater Sydney including ways to improve end-market opportunities for recycled materials.

Please note, your feedback may include ‘personal information,' including your name, address, email, internet protocol address and any other personal information contained in your feedback.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (the EPA) must comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. Visit the EPA’s privacy page and the Privacy Policy for further information on its online consultation platform.

The EPA may publish all or part of your feedback on its website, on its online consultation platform or in a consultation report. In providing us with your feedback, you consent to the EPA publishing all or part of your submission. If you would like all or part of your feedback to be withheld from publication, please let us know when making your feedback.

If you send us an email, we will record your email for the purpose of responding to you.

All information held by the EPA is subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.