The NSW Government has released the first chapter of the NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan, outlining a long-term strategy to prevent a looming waste capacity crisis and support the state’s transition to a circular economy.
This marks the first time NSW has developed an integrated waste and circular infrastructure plan, designed to ensure the state has the facilities needed to manage waste from a growing population. Without new investment, Greater Sydney is projected to run out of landfill capacity by 2030, with many regional facilities also nearing their limits.
The plan follows public consultation and identifies the immediate priorities to address residual waste, recycling and recovery needs. Key initiatives include:
- Streamlined planning processes for waste and recycling facilities, while maintaining environmental safeguards;
- Establishing a waste infrastructure concierge to provide planning and approvals support;
- Creating an independent Strategic Waste Infrastructure Advisory Committee; and
- Updating the Energy from Waste framework, clarifying where facilities using world’s best practice thermal treatment technologies may be developed.
The updated Energy from Waste settings, released alongside the plan, recognise the role of advanced treatment technologies as an alternative to new landfills. More than 2,000 similar facilities operate internationally, helping reduce landfill reliance and recover energy from non-recyclable materials.
Future chapters of the Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan will focus on regional and rural waste challenges, as well as reuse and recycling infrastructure development, with further consultation expected later this year.
The plan complements recent policy measures, including food and organics recycling legislation passed earlier in 2025, which aim to increase recycling rates and reduce pressure on landfill systems.
Chapter 1 of the NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan and related materials are available by visiting https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Waste/waste-and-circular-infrastructure-plan.
