Organisations across Australia are calling for stronger policy and collaborative efforts to fight waste, as quantifiable targets set almost a decade ago slip further out of reach. End Food Waste Australia’s Food Pact offers a rallying point for businesses, with signatories showing real results that offer hope for the future.
On December 10, the Federal Department of Climate Change Energy and Water released Australia’s National Waste Policy Action Plan Review, followed by the 2024 National Waste and Resource Recovery Report, finalised January 20, 2025.
As we rocket towards 2030, the review shows Australia is falling far short of waste targets, finding 5.6 million tonnes more waste was produced overall in 2022-2023 compared to 2016-17.
While there was a slight upward trend in overall recycling rates of all materials, these trends were well below what is needed to meet the 80 per cent recycling target by 2030 set by the government.
Plastic remains a major waste issue, with 87.5 per cent of plastics still going to landfill despite recent bans on problematic plastics in most states and territories. Even with these bans, it is clear the National Packaging commitment set in 2018, for 100 per cent of packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, will not be met.
Global waste management company, Veolia, is one of the organisations pushing hard for stronger government support in fighting these problems. The company states that large companies are poised to invest in Australia’s sustainable future, and believe the nation can achieve its 2030 waste targets with the right policies in place,
Veolia ANZ CEO and managing director, Richard Kirkman, said it is a positive step to have strong national targets, but it requires equally ambitious incentives and regulatory instruments to make those targets happen.
“Veolia’s Green Up strategy will see us invest across Australia over the coming year in multiple sectors, including in recycling infrastructure,” said Kirkman.
“However, if private sector investment like ours is going to have a meaningful impact on our 2030 targets, there needs to be some form of government support at scale, as there has been for renewable energy.
“I am confident that if new policy settings can encourage that kind of investment then we will see a sharp increase in innovation around recycling, and the development of new products and processes that could make Australia a world leading circular economy, and create new global markets for Australian manufactured products and recycled resources.”
Food waste fighters
End Food Waste Australia (EFWA) released its Australian Food Pact Impact Report this week, containing three years of data from the 48 organisations involved – showing that at least on the organic waste side, there’s real progress being made.
The Report offers a comprehensive snapshot of food waste dynamics across leading food producers, manufacturers, and retailers.
Australia still discards 7.6 million tonnes of food each year, while millions of Australians regularly struggle to access nutritious meals during a cost-of-living-crisis. However, there is steady progress being made.
EFWA’s Report has shown that its businesses involved with the Food Pact – including caterers, manufacturers, and major supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths – have reduced their overall food waste by 13 per cent since 2022, a more substantial and rapid reduction than the 6 per cent decrease shown in the Review.
Launched in 2021, the Food Pact calls on signatories to follow a ‘Target, Measure, Act’ approach: setting goals, collecting data, trialling innovative solutions, and sharing best practices. Three years of results onwards, EFWA estimates 505,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions have been avoided.
This milestone is part of a broader effort to make Australia’s food system more productive, resilient, and sustainable – and halve food waste by 2030.
Key outcomes from the Report include:
- Overall Drop in Food Not Sold and More Food Repurposed
Food not sold dropped by 2% (approximately 9,000 tonnes), even as total food handled increased by 19%. Three-quarters (76%) of unsold food is now being repurposed - donated, used for animal feed, or transformed into new products. - Reduction in Food Waste
A 13% decrease in total food waste among Pact Signatories from 2022 to 2024 (about 16,000 tonnes). The share of waste that was still edible dropped from 92% to 75%, meaning fewer perfectly good items are being discarded. - 254 Million Meals for People in Need
A total of 254 million meals have been donated to food rescue organisations in the last three years by Pact Signatories, helping to feed those who need it most. Partnerships have redirected surplus fresh produce to create thousands of healthy meals. - Less Food Going to Landfill
Waste to landfill more than halved since 2022, reflecting a substantial change in how businesses manage unsold food. - Economic Savings
Cutting 16,000 tonnes of food waste saved Pact Signatories a combined $57 million (by avoiding costs for unsold food and disposal). Signatories also avoided $2 million in landfill levies (government fees for waste sent to landfill). - Reduced Emissions / Climate Benefits
About 505,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions were prevented.
EFWA acting director industry action, Sam Oakden, said these outcomes underscore the difference that can be made when industry collaborates.
“Pact signatories are demonstrating real leadership by reducing surplus and repurposing unsold food. But there is more work ahead if Australia is to reach its target of halving food waste by 2030,” said Oakden.
“The Australian Food Pact is driving progress. But to fully capitalise we need more businesses to join the fight. By encouraging more companies to sign up to the Pact, and uniting government at all levels, industry, and the community sector, we can build a stronger, more sustainable food system. This will benefit everyone - people, the planet, and businesses alike.”
The full Australian Food Pact Impact Report is available here.
