Webinar: Australians want soft plastic recycling

Australians overwhelmingly want soft plastics recycling to return - and stay. New consumer research from Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia (SPSA)...

Australians overwhelmingly want soft plastics recycling to return - and stay. New consumer research from Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia (SPSA) reveals how households engage with soft plastic recycling once it’s available, and what makes participation easiest. Webinar: Insights into Soft Plastic Collection Pilots and Community Feedback In this third session of The Global Stewardship Playbook,...

Read More

Free resources to help retailers promote safe battery disposal

Keep batteries and battery-powered products out of household bins! From musical greeting cards to flashing toys, battery-powered gifts can pose...

Keep batteries and battery-powered products out of household bins! From musical greeting cards to flashing toys, battery-powered gifts can pose safety risks if thrown in household bins. The National Retail Association is offering free resources to help retailers answer the growing customer questions and guide safe battery disposal this festive season. National Retail Business...

Read More

Filled-onsite plastic ‘cans’ banned (WA)

Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics began in 2021 and has banned more than 20 single-use plastic items. This includes the...

Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics began in 2021 and has banned more than 20 single-use plastic items. This includes the sale or supply of single‑use plastic cups of any shape, and their lids, including those made from plastic-lined paper or bioplastic. This ban came into effect from 1 October 2022. Penalties apply for...

Read More

Additional time & support for WA plastic bags

In 2025 the Western Australian Government have been progressing policy towards and expansion of the ban on non-compostable barrier...

In 2025 the Western Australian Government have been progressing policy towards and expansion of the ban on non-compostable barrier bags, and introduction of a compostable bag design standard. The Compostable Barrier Bag Design Standard came into effect in WA on 1 October 2025 for plastic bags used for loose fruit, vegetables,...

Read More

Attached plastic straws and other items banned (QLD, VIC)

Most states and territories have banned single-use plastic straws, utensils, plates and unlidded bowls over the past few years. Some...

Most states and territories have banned single-use plastic straws, utensils, plates and unlidded bowls over the past few years. Some states allowed additional time for attached or integrated items in shelf-ready or pre-packaged products, such as plastic straws attached to juice boxes and plastic spoons enclosed in yoghurt containers. Most businesses...

Read More

SA delays deli bag ban by 2 years

The ban on non-compostable plastic barrier bags for unpackaged wet proteins – dairy products, meat, poultry, fish and seafood...

The ban on non-compostable plastic barrier bags for unpackaged wet proteins – dairy products, meat, poultry, fish and seafood – originally set for 1 September 2025 in South Australia will now commence on 1 September 2027. Since the ban was announced, government consultation has been ongoing with feedback and evidence...

Read More

PFAS session recording available

We understand that some businesses may still be experiencing confusion or challenges while preparing for the new PFAS controls due...

We understand that some businesses may still be experiencing confusion or challenges while preparing for the new PFAS controls due to come into effect 1 July.  On Friday 4 April, National Retail facilitated an Industry Information Session with guest speaker Sonia Goldie, Director – Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Section, DCCEEW. Ms Goldie provided an...

Read More

Info session: NSW Plastics Plan

Free information session for businesses Thursday 24 October 3pm AEDT Earlier this year, NSW EPA heard feedback on the NSW Plastics:...

Free information session for businesses Thursday 24 October 3pm AEDT Earlier this year, NSW EPA heard feedback on the NSW Plastics: Next Steps issues paper, which helped to inform the development of proposed actions on plastic pollution in NSW. The NSW Government has now published the NSW Plastics: The Way Forward action...

Read More

Australian Government: Packaging Reform Consultation

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION FROM AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT Stakeholder update on Packaging Regulatory Reform Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water...

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION FROM AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT Stakeholder update on Packaging Regulatory Reform Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Webinar: 25 September 2024, 11am - 12pm AEST - SOLD OUT *First session sold out, Second session announced: Thurs 26 Sept 11.30am Register here > UPDATE: Paper released: https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/reform-of-packaging-regulation Join DCCEEW for an...

Read More

Have your say: NSW Plastics Plan 2025-2030

New NSW Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now NSW EPA published an exploratory paper with a consultation and submission...

New NSW Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now NSW EPA published an exploratory paper with a consultation and submission period early this year. National Retail provided an extensive submission and attended consultation workshops outlining industry's roadmap for single-use plastics and our recommended strategies to develop a truly circular economy...

Read More

NSW Plastics Ban important updates and webinar

Businesses are encouraged to ensure they will be compliant with the NSW Plastics Ban as previous exemptions end soon. The...

Businesses are encouraged to ensure they will be compliant with the NSW Plastics Ban as previous exemptions end soon. The NSW Plastic Ban came into effect in two stages during 2022. The ban included a range of items, such as single-use plastic straws, cutlery, plates, unlidded bowls and lightweight plastic...

Read More

Have your say: Tasmania Plastic Bans

New Tasmanian Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now Consultation closes 1 October 2024 In line with Tasmania's commitment to sustainable...

New Tasmanian Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now Consultation closes 1 October 2024 In line with Tasmania's commitment to sustainable practices, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (DNET) is considering a phase-out of certain single-use plastic items and seeks input from both businesses and the community. Transitioning away from...

Read More

Better product stewardship: A great product for Australian retailers

What happens to the products we buy when they reach the end of their useful life? Increasingly, this is...

What happens to the products we buy when they reach the end of their useful life? Increasingly, this is on both customers’ and policy makers’ minds: will today's essential purchase become tomorrow's landfill mountain or pollution risk? Product stewardship schemes, in which brands or manufacturers take responsibility for their...

Read More

Regulations to ban additional plastic products in SA

South Australia is committed to phasing out additional single-use and other plastic products over a 3-year period. The first stage...

South Australia is committed to phasing out additional single-use and other plastic products over a 3-year period. The first stage of these bans commenced on 1 September 2023, and included plastic pizza savers, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, single-use plastic bowls without lids for food and beverages, and single-use plastic plates for...

Read More

The ARL consumer insights report

Recycling is still seen as the most impactful everyday behaviour consumers can do to help the environment. The Australian...

Recycling is still seen as the most impactful everyday behaviour consumers can do to help the environment. The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has released the ARL Consumer Insights Report, and in fantastic news, awareness of the label continues to grow, and three-quarters of consumers are asking to see...

Read More

Welcoming Minderoo Foundation’s Sarah McEvoy as a Sustainability Consultant

The National Retail Association is pleased to welcome Minderoo Foundation’s Sarah McEvoy as a Sustainability Consultant. Sarah will support industry...

The National Retail Association is pleased to welcome Minderoo Foundation’s Sarah McEvoy as a Sustainability Consultant. Sarah will support industry by making regular contributions to our member communications on the latest research and policy developments across sustainability, plastic pollution and impacts on human health. Sarah McEvoy joined Minderoo Foundation in April...

Read More