Australia is entering a new phase in its transition to a circular economy. While investment in recycling infrastructure and resource recovery continues to grow, the industry’s focus is shifting towards creating stronger domestic markets for recovered materials and embedding circular economy principles across major industries. At the same time, governments, infrastructure owners and industry are under increasing pressure to reduce embodied carbon, increase the use of recycled content and deliver projects that support Australia’s sustainability objectives. These evolving priorities are driving closer collaboration between the resource recovery and infrastructure sectors. Against this backdrop, Waste Expo Australia will return to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 28–29 October 2026, reinforcing its position as Australia’s largest resource recovery event.
Bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, local government, recyclers, manufacturers, technology providers and environmental professionals, the event provides a national platform to explore the innovations, partnerships and policy discussions shaping the future of Australia’s resource recovery sector.
The 2026 conference program has been developed around the issues currently transforming the industry, including battery safety, soft plastics recycling, the national rollout of FOGO, waste to energy, resource recovery innovation, artificial intelligence, workplace safety and the technologies helping organisations improve operational efficiency while supporting Australia’s circular economy ambitions.
Alongside the exhibition, the Greener Infrastructure Conference returns in 2026 with a new strategic partnership with the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC).
The paid conference has been developed for infrastructure professionals and will explore how recycled materials, sustainable procurement and circular economy principles are being applied across Australia’s infrastructure pipeline. Sessions will examine topics including embodied carbon, contaminated soil remediation, recycled materials, procurement frameworks and practical case studies from major infrastructure projects.
The co-location of the two events reflects a broader shift occurring across Australian industry: growing collaboration between the organisations recovering valuable resources and those responsible for specifying, procuring and using them in the built environment.
Sherri Pearson, Exhibition Director of Waste Expo Australia, said the partnership reflects the next stage of Australia’s circular economy journey.
“The circular economy only succeeds when we close the loop between resource recovery and end use,” Ms Pearson said.
“Waste Expo Australia showcases the innovation, technology and expertise driving Australia’s resource recovery sector, while our partnership with the Infrastructure Sustainability Council through the Greener Infrastructure Conference highlights the growing role infrastructure plays in creating demand for recycled materials.”
“Together, they represent two essential parts of the same circular economy, one focused on recovering resources, the other on creating the demand that gives those resources their next life.”
Waste Expo Australia is expected to attract thousands of professionals from across local government, waste and recycling, manufacturing, environmental services, construction and infrastructure, reinforcing its position as Australia’s leading platform for resource recovery, innovation and industry collaboration.
Event Details
Waste Expo Australia
Dates: 28–29 October 2026
Venue: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne
Register For Free
Greener Infrastructure Conference
Dates: 28–29 October 2026
Venue: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne
Register Multiple Delegates and Save