Australia’s waste industry is evolving rapidly, navigating shifts in policy, technology, infrastructure and consumer expectations in its pursuit of a thriving circular economy. According to Thomas Freeman – managing director of Impact Environmental, the company responsible for the Coffs Harbour Waste Conference – there are many and varied challenges at play.
“When we created the conference in 1996, much of the sector’s focus was on landfill and technical knowledge- building, and our programming reflected that,” said Freeman.
“This remains an important part of the mix, but over the years the focus has grown beyond waste disposal to include the processing side of the industry, contracts, relationship management and much more. It is crucial for government, industry and community to work together to develop the strategies and solutions Australia needs now and into the future.”
The annual Coffs Waste Conference has long been the go-to for the Australian waste industry, uniting experts and practitioners across government and industry to explore critical challenges and innovations and spark collaborative solutions. This year’s conference, taking place at Opal Cove Resort from May 13-15, promises to be the most dynamic, interactive and relevant to date as Freeman and the Impact team build on the legacy his father—long-time industry leader Greg Freeman, now retired—nurtured across three decades.
“The program is very much determined by industry. We invite papers from a wide cross-section of professionals and organisations, revealing the challenges and innovations most relevant to the sector. We then build our key themes and agendas around them,” Freeman explained.
Read more: Dates announced for Coffs Harbour Waste Conference
“This year’s program engages deeply with the sector’s most pressing issues, from the implications of the NSW Government’s new mandatory FOGO (food and garden organics) legislation to Energy from Waste, infrastructure needs, the circular economy, and education.”
Other key themes at Waste 2025 include recycling and resource recovery, collection, landfill, equipment and technology, strategy and planning, Indigenous waste management, and commercial, industrial, construction and demolition waste.
The intensive three-day schedule is divided into four streams to enable delegates to tailor learning to their specific needs. Participants will hear from more than 100 foremost experts from government, industry and advocacy bodies.
“We are excited to welcome NSW Environmental Protection Authority CEO Tony Chappel, who will deliver a keynote address’,” said Freeman. “We’ll also hear from the NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe.”
Other key speakers include Visy Industries executive general manager, recycling, Tierry Lauren on the future of recycling in Australia, Blue Environment director Joe Pickin on highlights of the National Waste and Resource Recovery Report 2024, and NSW EPA’s Bronwyn Isaac on the development of the NSW Reuse and Repair Strategy.
Perennial favourites Costa Georgiadis and Get Grubby TV’s Cate McQuillen will also return, bringing their vibrant perspectives to rethinking communication for deeper community engagement. Further presenters will be announced in the lead-up to the event.
The three-day program includes four interactive expert panel discussions offering critical insights. Topics include accelerating progress towards 2030 resource recovery targets, leveraging textile waste, effective product stewardship, and mitigating the risk of battery-related fires.
“We’re also offering a diverse program of interactive workshops covering key issues such as local government waste procurement, optimising waste levy exemptions, illegal dumping investigation, composting and more.”
Freeman said that the social aspects of the conference are a central and much-loved part of the event, with ample networking opportunities and highly anticipated social events included in the program.
“Attendees look forward to this once-yearly opportunity to connect in person with their peers from across the full spectrum of the industry, at all levels, to share ideas and experiences and build community,” he said.
“Coming together as an industry to learn, connect, collaborate and lead change is vital in shaping a sustainable future – for the Australian waste sector and the planet.”