The Act creates a NSW framework for waste avoidance and resource recovery and establishes a statewide container deposit scheme. It requires beverage suppliers to join the Scheme and fund refunds; a Minister‑appointed Scheme Coordinator and network operators run operations; collection points must accept eligible containers and pay refunds; the EPA and Minister fill key regulatory and contractual details. The design shifts costs onto suppliers, incentivises container returns, and relies heavily on regulations and contracts for implementation.
The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001 (the Act) establishes a comprehensive statutory framework for minimising waste generation and maximising resource recovery in New South Wales. At its core is the waste hierarchy set out in s 3(b): avoidance and reduction sit at the top, followed by re-use, recycling/processing/reprocessing, energy recovery and, only as a last resort, disposal. Section 3 lists eight objects that together require the most efficient use of resources, continual reduction in waste, shared industry-community responsibility, integrated statewide planning and alignment with the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act).
Part 2 confers functions on the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Section 6(1) requires the EPA to develop, implement or coordinate strategies and programs addressing resource efficiency, community education, litter and illegal dumping prevention, market development for recovered resources, and information dissemination. The EPA must also develop event and public space waste management codes, assist regional secondary resource recovery, research infrastructure and technologies, deliver training, monitor regional implementation, and advise the Minister on materials that should be prohibited from landfill. In exercising these functions the EPA must have regard to the principles of ecologically sustainable development (s 6(3)), defined by reference to s 6(2) of the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991.
Part 3 mandates a State waste strategy. Section 12 obliges the EPA to develop, approve, review at least every five years, and, where necessary, revoke or replace the strategy. The NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041—Stage 1: 2021–2027 is statutorily deemed to be the current State waste strategy. The EPA may request a council to explain non-compliance with the strategy’s objectives (s 14).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001.
This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.
3
Objects of Act
3 Objects of Act
3 Objects of Act
The objects of this Act are as follows—
(a) to encourage the most efficient use of resources and to reduce environmental harm in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development,
(b) to ensure resource management options are considered against a hierarchy in the following order—
(i) avoidance and reduction of waste,
(ii) re-use of waste,
(iii) recycling, processing or reprocessing waste,
(iv) recovery of energy,
(v) disposal,
(c) to provide for the continual reduction in waste generation,
(d) to minimise the consumption of natural resources and the final disposal of waste by encouraging the avoidance of waste and the reuse and recycling of waste,
(e) to ensure that industry shares with the community the responsibility for reducing and dealing with waste,
(f) to ensure the efficient funding of waste and resource management planning, programs and service delivery,
(g) to achieve integrated waste and resource management planning, programs and service delivery on a State-wide basis,
The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.
(2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.
s 4: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [4] [5]; 2016 No 57, Sch 2 [2].
Part 2
Functions of EPA
Part 2 Functions of EPA
Part 2 Functions of EPA
pt 2, hdg: Subst 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [6].
5
5
5 (Repealed)
6
Functions of EPA
6 Functions of EPA
6 Functions of EPA
(1) The EPA has the following functions under this Act—
(a) to develop, implement or co-ordinate the implementation of (and evaluate strategies and programs for State-wide achievement of) government policy objectives in respect of—
(i) resource efficiency and waste reduction and management in relation to regions, industry sectors or material types, and
(ii) community education and awareness in relation to resource efficiency and waste reduction and management, and
(iii) programs for the prevention of litter and illegal dumping, and
(iv) market development for recovered resources and recycled material, and
(v) information dissemination,
(b) to develop, co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of event and public space waste management codes,
(c) to assist local communities to enter into arrangements for regionally-based secondary resource recovery from waste,
(d) to assist in developing co-ordinated waste management services, including system and contract reform (such as contracts for waste and recycling services and system co-ordination),
(e) to research and develop waste reduction and resource efficiency infrastructure, technologies and systems,
(f) to develop and support training and education programs for resource efficiency, waste reduction and waste and litter management,
(g) to monitor, report on and evaluate the regional implementation of State-wide policies and strategies with respect to waste,
(h) to advise the Minister as to the kinds of articles, materials and substances that should be prohibited from being used for landfill or from being used in connection with other treatment processes, and the resource recovery options for those articles, materials and substances,
(i) such other functions as may be conferred or imposed on the EPA by or under this Act.
(2) The EPA may provide advice to the Minister on matters relating to waste policy.
(3) The EPA is, in the exercise of the EPA’s functions under this Act, to have regard to the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
s 6: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [8]–[10]; 2005 No 56, Sch 12.6 [1]; 2016 No 57, Sch 2 [3]–[5].
7
7
7–11 (Repealed)
Part 3
Waste strategies
Part 3 Waste strategies
Part 3 Waste strategies
12
Waste strategies
12 Waste strategies
12 Waste strategies
(1) The EPA must develop and approve a waste strategy for the State (the State waste strategy).
(2) The State waste strategy must contain the information prescribed by the regulations.
(3) The EPA must review the State waste strategy at least once every 5 years.
(4) After reviewing the State waste strategy, the EPA must—
(a) approve the continuation of the strategy, with or without variations, or
(b) develop and approve a new strategy in accordance with this section.
(5) The EPA may revoke or vary the State waste strategy at any time.
(6) The NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041—Stage 1: 2021–2027, published by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in June 2021, is taken to be the State waste strategy for the purposes of subsection (1).
s 12: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [9] [12]–[14]; 2008 No 62, Sch 1.40 [1] [2]; 2016 No 57, Sch 2 [7]; 2018 No 25, Sch 2.36 [1]. Subst 2021 No 31, Sch 3.5[2].
13
13
13 (Repealed)
14
Power to request councils to report on waste strategy compliance
14 Power to request councils to report on waste strategy compliance
14 Power to request councils to report on waste strategy compliance
(1) The EPA may request a local council to provide the reasons for any specified non-compliance by the local council with the objectives of the current waste strategy.
(2) Such a request must be in writing and must specify the date by which the local council is requested to provide the reasons to the EPA.
s 14: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [9].
Part 4
Responsibilities with respect to industry waste reduction
Part 4 Responsibilities with respect to industry waste reduction
Part 4 Responsibilities with respect to industry waste reduction
15
Extended producer responsibility schemes
15 Extended producer responsibility schemes
15 Extended producer responsibility schemes
(1) For the purposes of this Part, an extended producer responsibility scheme is a scheme for giving effect to an environmental policy in which the producer’s responsibility for a product (including physical or financial responsibility) is extended to the post-consumer stage of the product’s life-cycle.
(2) Any such scheme includes a scheme for product stewardship (that is, shared responsibility for the life-cycle of products including the environmental impact of the product from the extraction of virgin materials, to manufacturing, to consumption and through to and including ultimate disposal and post-disposal consequences).
(3) In this Part—
producer of a product includes a supplier of the product in this State or person having a proprietary interest in the name under which the product is supplied in this State.
product includes any substance.
16
Regulations for implementation and operation of schemes
16 Regulations for implementation and operation of schemes
16 Regulations for implementation and operation of schemes
The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the implementation and operation of extended producer responsibility schemes in connection with a product, group of products or an industry in New South Wales.
17
Circumstances in which schemes may be implemented
17 Circumstances in which schemes may be implemented
17 Circumstances in which schemes may be implemented
(1) The Minister is not to recommend the making of a regulation for or with respect to the implementation of an extended producer responsibility scheme unless the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary to do so having regard to the following matters—
(a) the volume of waste requiring ultimate disposal or the toxicity of the waste generated,
(b) whether there is a national scheme in place that adequately addresses waste issues in New South Wales,
(c) whether there is an effective voluntary scheme in place (nationally or State based) that is able to achieve the desired outcomes and is being actively implemented, monitored and reported on,
(d) whether economic analysis supports the implementation of the scheme,
(e) whether there are any constitutional or other impediments to New South Wales acting unilaterally in implementing the scheme.
(2) A regulation with respect to the implementation or operation of a scheme cannot be challenged or invalidated because of this section.
18
Priorities with respect to the implementation of schemes
18 Priorities with respect to the implementation of schemes
18 Priorities with respect to the implementation of schemes
(1) The EPA is required to publicly advertise each year a priority statement with respect to the extended producer responsibility schemes the EPA proposes to recommend for implementation under this Part.
(2) The advertisement is to be published in a manner that the EPA is satisfied is likely to bring the advertisement to the attention of members of the public.
(3) The advertisement is to invite written submissions to the EPA on any relevant matter relating to the priority statement and state the period (being not less than 1 month after the advertisement is last published) within which submissions may be made.
(4) The EPA is, not later than 3 months after the closing date for submissions, to publish a report on any submissions received by the EPA and to make the report available to the public.
s 18: Am 2001 No 112, Sch 2.40 [1] [2]; 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [15]; 2018 No 25, Sch 2.36 [2].
Part 5
Container deposit scheme
Part 5 Container deposit scheme
Part 5 Container deposit scheme
pt 5: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3]. For information concerning Part 5 before the commencement of 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2] see the Historical table of amendments in the Legislative history.
Division 1
Preliminary
Division 1 Preliminary
Division 1 Preliminary
pt 5, div 1: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
19
Objects of Part
19 Objects of Part
19 Objects of Part
(1) The objects of this Part are as follows—
(a) to recognise the responsibility that the beverage industry shares with the community for reducing and dealing with waste generated by beverage product packaging,
(b) to establish a cost effective State-wide container deposit scheme to assist the beverage industry to discharge that responsibility and to promote the recovery, reuse and recycling of empty beverage containers.
(2) The container deposit scheme established by this Part includes the following features—
(a) it provides for the establishment of a Scheme Coordinator and network operators with responsibility for the administration of the scheme,
(b) it provides for the payment of refund amounts to persons depositing at collection points empty beverage containers that are subject to the scheme,
(c) it provides for the establishment by the Scheme Coordinator of a cost recovery scheme under which beverage suppliers agree to make contributions towards the cost of paying those refund amounts,
(d) it prohibits the supply of beverages in containers that are subject to the container deposit scheme by beverage suppliers who have not agreed with the Scheme Coordinator to make those contributions,
(e) it prohibits the supply of beverages in containers of a kind that are not approved by the EPA.
s 19: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
20
Definitions
20 Definitions
20 Definitions
In this Part—
beverage—see section 21.
collection point means—
(a) any facility or premises for the collection and handling of containers delivered to the facility or premises in consideration of the payment of refund amounts, or
(b) a reverse vending machine, or
(c) any other facility or premises of a kind prescribed by the regulations.
collection point arrangement—see section 25.
collection point operator, in relation to a collection point, means—
(a) a person who has entered into a collection point arrangement with a network operator in connection with the operation of the collection point, or
(b) if there is no collection point arrangement in force in respect of the collection point—a network operator who administers and operates the collection point.
container—see section 22.
container approval means a container approval issued and in force under Division 3.
corresponding law means a law of another State or a Territory that is declared by the regulations to be a corresponding law for the purposes of this Part.
(a) a person who carries on a business that is or includes the processing for reuse or recycling of domestic waste designated for recycling and collected by that or any other person during the course of domestic waste management services and who—
(i) holds an environment protection licence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 authorising the processing of the waste (otherwise than by thermal treatment) at specified premises, or
(ii) is approved in writing by the EPA as a material recovery facility operator for the purposes of this Part, or
(b) any other person of a class prescribed by the regulations.
network arrangement—see section 25.
network operator means a person with whom the Minister enters into a network operator agreement (and, when used in relation to a network operator agreement, means the person with whom the Minister enters into the agreement).
network operator agreement—see section 24.
refund amount means the amount prescribed by the regulations under section 23.
refund marking, in relation to a container, means a marking or labelling that complies with the requirements prescribed by the regulations.
reverse vending machine means a machine or other device from which refund amounts can be obtained by an operation that involves inserting empty containers into the device, whether or not some other action is required to activate the device.
Scheme means the container deposit scheme established by this Part.
Scheme administration agreement—see section 24.
Scheme arrangement means—
(a) a supply arrangement, or
(b) a network arrangement, or
(c) a collection point arrangement.
Scheme Coordinator means the person with whom the Minister enters into a Scheme Coordinator agreement.
Scheme Coordinator agreement—see section 24.
Scheme participant means—
(a) a Scheme Coordinator, or
(b) a network operator, or
(c) a supplier who has entered into a supply arrangement with a Scheme Coordinator, or
(d) a collection point operator.
supplier means a person who carries on a business that is or includes the supply of beverages in containers, but does not include a person of a class excluded from the operation of this Part by the regulations.
supply means supply, by way of sale or otherwise, in the course of carrying on a business.
supply arrangement—see section 25.
s 20: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
21
Meaning of “beverage”
21 Meaning of “beverage”
21 Meaning of “beverage”
In this Part, beverage means a liquid intended for human consumption by drinking, but does not include a liquid of a kind that is excluded from the operation of this Part by the regulations.
s 21: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
22
Meaning of “container”
22 Meaning of “container”
22 Meaning of “container”
(1) In this Part, container means—
(a) a container that is designed to contain a beverage and to be sealed (when filled with the beverage) for the purposes of transport or storage before its sale, or delivery, for the use or consumption of its contents, or
(b) any other container of a kind prescribed by the regulations as a container for the purposes of this Part.
(2) However, container does not include a container of a kind that is excluded from the operation of this Part by the regulations.
s 22: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
23
Refund amount
23 Refund amount
23 Refund amount
The regulations may prescribe an amount as the refund amount for the purposes of this Part.
s 23: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
Division 2
Administration of Scheme
Division 2 Administration of Scheme
Division 2 Administration of Scheme
pt 5, div 2: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
24
Scheme administration agreements
24 Scheme administration agreements
24 Scheme administration agreements
(1) The Minister may enter into written agreements (Scheme administration agreements) with persons in connection with the management and administration of the Scheme.
(2) There are the following types of Scheme administration agreement—
(a) a Scheme Coordinator agreement,
(b) a network operator agreement.
(3) The Minister may invite applications for Scheme administration agreements in any manner the Minister considers appropriate.
(4) An application for a Scheme administration agreement must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by or determined under the regulations.
(5) In determining whether to enter into a Scheme administration agreement, the Minister—
(a) must consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to enter into, and fulfil the obligations imposed by, the agreement, and
(b) may consider any other matters the Minister considers relevant.
(6) The regulations may provide for the matters that the Minister may consider in determining whether an applicant is a fit and proper person for the purposes of subsection (5).
(7) Subsection (6) does not limit the matters that the Minister may consider in determining whether a person is a fit and proper person for the purposes of subsection (5).
s 24: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
25
Content of Scheme administration agreements
25 Content of Scheme administration agreements
25 Content of Scheme administration agreements
(1) A Scheme Coordinator agreement must include provisions requiring the Scheme Coordinator to enter into and give effect to the following arrangements—
(a) arrangements with suppliers (supply arrangements) requiring the suppliers to pay to the Scheme Coordinator contributions towards the cost of the management, administration and operation of the Scheme,
(b) arrangements with network operators (network arrangements) in connection with the establishment, administration and operation of collection points requiring the Scheme Coordinator to pay to the operators refund amounts and associated administration and handling costs for containers that are collected at the collection points (and for which the collection point operators are required to pay a refund amount under Division 3).
(2) A network operator agreement must include provisions requiring the network operator to enter into and give effect to arrangements with persons in connection with the establishment and operation of collection points (collection point arrangements) requiring the network operator to pay to those persons refund amounts and associated handling costs for containers that are collected at those collection points (and for which a refund amount is payable under Division 3).
(3) A Scheme administration agreement must include such provisions as the Minister considers necessary to ensure—
(a) that each Scheme arrangement required under the agreement specifies a methodology for determining the amounts payable under the arrangement, and
(b) that the Scheme Coordinator or network operator to whom the agreement applies does not act unfairly, or unreasonably discriminate, against or in favour of any particular Scheme participant in negotiating, entering into, performing obligations under or enforcing any Scheme arrangement.
(4) A Scheme administration agreement may provide for such other matters as the Minister considers appropriate in relation to the management, administration or operation of the Scheme.
(5) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the performance targets (including by reference to any specified network of collection points or area of operation) and any other matters to be included in a Scheme administration agreement.
(6) A Scheme Coordinator agreement may contain provisions relating to the exercise by the Scheme Coordinator of similar functions under the laws of other States and Territories relating to container deposit schemes.
(7) Nothing in this section or any other provision of this Division (except section 32) limits the matters for which a Scheme administration agreement may provide.
s 25: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
26
Approval of certain Scheme arrangements
26 Approval of certain Scheme arrangements
26 Approval of certain Scheme arrangements
(1) A Scheme Coordinator agreement may require the Scheme Coordinator, before entering into a network arrangement, to apply to the EPA for approval of the arrangement.
(2) A network operator agreement may require the network operator, before entering into a collection point arrangement, to apply to the EPA for approval of the arrangement.
(3) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to approvals and applications for approvals, including for or with respect to the payment of application fees and approval fees to the EPA by the Scheme Coordinator and network operators and to the revocation of approvals by the EPA.
s 26: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
27
Regulations relating to content of Scheme arrangements
27 Regulations relating to content of Scheme arrangements
27 Regulations relating to content of Scheme arrangements
The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the content of Scheme arrangements made under a Scheme administration agreement.
s 27: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
28
Payment of refund amounts to material recovery facility operators
28 Payment of refund amounts to material recovery facility operators
28 Payment of refund amounts to material recovery facility operators
(1) A Scheme Coordinator agreement may require the Scheme Coordinator to pay to material recovery facility operators refund amounts (processing refunds) for containers that are collected during the course of waste management services and that are processed by the operators for reuse or recycling.
(2) The EPA may, by order published in the Gazette, issue a protocol (a processing refund protocol) to be applied in determining the amounts payable to material recovery facility operators as processing refunds under a Scheme Coordinator agreement.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), a processing refund protocol may set out the means for determining the estimated number of containers received, processed or dispatched by a material recovery facility operator, including by the use of audit or monitoring programs.
(4) A processing refund protocol may—
(a) apply generally or be limited in its application by reference to specified exceptions or factors, or
(b) apply differently according to different factors of a specified kind, or
(c) authorise any matter to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by any specified person or body.
(5) A processing refund protocol must comply with any requirements of the regulations.
(6) A processing refund is not payable to a material recovery facility operator unless a processing refund protocol has been issued under this section.
(7) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to processing refunds and claims for processing refunds, including for or with respect to the following matters—
(a) the manner in which a claim for a processing refund is required to be made by a material recovery facility operator,
(b) the assessment of claims for processing refunds,
(c) prohibiting the landfill disposal of containers in respect of which claims for the payment of processing refunds have been made by material recovery facility operators,
(d) prohibiting the making of claims for the payment of processing refunds in respect of containers that have been disposed of to landfill.
(8) Without limiting subsection (1), (2) or (7), a Scheme Coordinator agreement or the regulations (or both) may make provision for limiting—
(a) the material recovery facility operators or classes of material recovery facility operators who are entitled to claim processing refund amounts, or
(b) the classes of containers for which processing refunds are payable, or
(c) any other circumstances in which processing refunds are payable.
s 28: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
29
Inconsistent provisions void
29 Inconsistent provisions void
29 Inconsistent provisions void
(1) A provision of a Scheme Coordinator agreement is, except as provided by the regulations, void to the extent to which it is inconsistent with—
(a) a provision of Division 3, or
(b) any regulations made under section 25, 27 or 28.
(2) A provision of a network operator agreement is, except as provided by the regulations, void to the extent to which it is inconsistent with—
(a) a provision of Division 3, or
(b) any regulations made under section 25 or 27.
(3) A provision of a Scheme arrangement entered into between a Scheme Coordinator and any other Scheme participant is, except as provided by the regulations, void to the extent to which it is inconsistent with—
(a) a provision of the Scheme Coordinator agreement that is applicable to the Scheme Coordinator, or
(b) a provision of a network operator agreement that is applicable to a network operator with whom the Scheme Coordinator has entered into a network arrangement, or
(c) a provision of Division 3, or
(d) any regulations made under section 27.
(4) A provision of a collection point arrangement entered into between a network operator and a collection point operator is, except as provided by the regulations, void to the extent to which it is inconsistent with—
(a) a provision of the network operator agreement that is applicable to that network operator and that relates to that arrangement, or
(b) a provision of Division 3, or
(c) any regulations made under section 27.
s 29: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
30
Penalties for contravention
30 Penalties for contravention
30 Penalties for contravention
(1) The provisions of a Scheme administration agreement may be enforced by penalty provisions or in any other manner that the agreement may provide.
(2) A Scheme Coordinator or network operator who contravenes a provision of a Scheme administration agreement that is enforceable by a penalty provision is liable to pay, as a debt due to the State, an amount determined in accordance with the agreement as the penalty for the contravention.
(3) In this section, penalty provision means a provision of a Scheme administration agreement that provides for the payment of an amount of penalty for the contravention of a specified provision of the agreement.
(4) This section (and the provisions of Scheme administration agreements authorised by this section) have effect despite any other law.
s 30: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
31
Monitoring and enforcement of compliance
31 Monitoring and enforcement of compliance
31 Monitoring and enforcement of compliance
(1) A Scheme administration agreement may—
(a) specify the monitoring, reporting and audit requirements to be included in a Scheme arrangement, and
(b) provide for the exercise of powers and other functions under Chapter 7 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 by the EPA (and authorised officers appointed by the EPA) in connection with the agreement, and
(c) require a Scheme arrangement to provide for the exercise of powers and other functions under that Chapter by the EPA (and authorised officers appointed by the EPA) in connection with the arrangement, and
(d) specify any other measures to be taken by the Scheme Coordinator or network operator to whom the agreement applies to ensure that the parties comply with a Scheme arrangement.
(2) If a Scheme administration agreement provides, or a Scheme arrangement provides (or is required under a Scheme administration agreement to provide), for the exercise of powers and other functions under Chapter 7 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 in connection with the agreement or arrangement, that Chapter extends to the exercise of powers and other functions by the EPA (and by authorised officers appointed by the EPA) for the following purposes—
(a) determining whether there has been compliance with or a contravention of the agreement or arrangement (or any condition of an approval granted by the EPA in relation to the arrangement),
(b) obtaining information or records for purposes connected with the monitoring or audit of the activities of parties to the agreement or arrangement in relation to the performance of their obligations under the agreement or arrangement.
(3) The provisions of Chapter 7 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 apply for any such purpose as if the responsibilities and functions of the EPA under this Act included the matters referred to in subsection (2).
(4) This section does not affect the exercise of powers or other functions under Chapter 7 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 in connection with this Act that are authorised to be exercised without reliance on this section.
s 31: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
32
Term of Scheme Coordinator agreement
32 Term of Scheme Coordinator agreement
32 Term of Scheme Coordinator agreement
(1) The term of a Scheme Coordinator agreement must not exceed 7 years.
(2) The Minister may, with the consent of the Scheme Coordinator, extend the agreement for a further period (not exceeding 3 years). The term of the agreement must not be extended more than twice (that is, so that the agreement has effect for a total period not exceeding 13 years).
s 32: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
33
Variation and termination of agreement
33 Variation and termination of agreement
33 Variation and termination of agreement
(1) A Scheme administration agreement may be varied or terminated by agreement in writing between the Minister and the Scheme participant.
(2) The Minister may, by notice in writing given to the Scheme participant, vary or terminate a Scheme administration agreement without the consent of the Scheme participant—
(a) if satisfied that the Scheme participant has failed to meet any performance target under the agreement, or
(b) in any other circumstances authorised by the agreement.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the Minister may vary a Scheme administration agreement without the consent of the Scheme participant to provide for any performance target or other matter required by this Part or the regulations to be included in the agreement.
(4) The Scheme participant is not entitled to any compensation as a result of the variation or termination of a Scheme administration agreement under subsection (2)(a) or (3).
(5) A provision of a Scheme administration agreement is void to the extent to which it purports to exclude, limit or modify the operation of this section.
(6) The regulations may make further provision with respect to the variation or termination of a Scheme administration agreement.
(7) In this section, Scheme participant, in relation to a Scheme administration agreement, means the Scheme Coordinator or network operator who has entered into the agreement.
s 33: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
34
Performance audit
34 Performance audit
34 Performance audit
(1) At the request of the Minister, the EPA is to conduct a performance audit of the activities of any Scheme Coordinator or network operator in relation to the performance of obligations under a Scheme administration agreement.
(2) At the conclusion of the performance audit, the EPA is to provide the Minister with a report.
(3) If the EPA is of the opinion that a Scheme Coordinator or network operator is not complying with the Scheme administration agreement, the EPA may make recommendations to the Minister on appropriate remedial actions to be taken.
(4) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to performance audits under this section.
s 34: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
35
Reports by Scheme Coordinator
35 Reports by Scheme Coordinator
35 Reports by Scheme Coordinator
(1) A Scheme Coordinator must, within 90 days after the end of each financial year, prepare and deliver to the EPA, for approval, a report on the following matters—
(a) the performance of the Scheme Coordinator by reference to the performance targets under the Scheme Coordinator agreement,
(b) the amounts charged to suppliers under supply arrangements,
(c) any other matter prescribed by the regulations.
(2) The Scheme Coordinator must, as soon as practicable after the report is approved by the EPA, publish the report on the Scheme Coordinator’s website.
(3) In this section—
financial year means a period of 12 months commencing on 1 July.
s 35: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3]. Am 2025 No 58, Sch 12[1] [2].
36
Advisory committees
36 Advisory committees
36 Advisory committees
(1) The Minister may appoint such advisory committees as the Minister considers appropriate for the purpose of advising the Minister in the exercise of the Minister’s functions under this Part.
(2) An advisory committee has the functions the Minister may from time to time determine for it.
(3) The persons appointed as members of an advisory committee must, in the opinion of the Minister, represent a range of interests and expertise appropriate to the purpose for which the committee is appointed.
(4) An advisory committee member holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment of the committee member, but the appointment may be terminated by the Minister at any time.
(5) One of the advisory committee members, in and by the instrument by which the committee member is appointed or another instrument made by the Minister, is to be appointed as chairperson of the committee.
(6) An advisory committee member is entitled to be paid the fees and allowances (if any) determined from time to time by the Minister in respect of the committee member.
(7) Subject to the regulations and any directions of the Minister, the procedure of an advisory committee appointed under this section is to be determined by the advisory committee.
(8) The Minister may dissolve an advisory committee appointed under this section.
s 36: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
Division 3
Supply and collection of containers
Division 3 Supply and collection of containers
Division 3 Supply and collection of containers
pt 5, div 3, hdg: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
pt.5-div.3-sdiv.1
Supply of beverages in containers
pt.5-div.3-sdiv.1 Supply of beverages in containers
Subdivision 1 Supply of beverages in containers
pt 5, div 3, sdiv 1, hdg: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
37
Meaning of “supplier” in relation to sale by vending machine
37 Meaning of “supplier” in relation to sale by vending machine
37 Meaning of “supplier” in relation to sale by vending machine
For the purposes of this Subdivision, a person is a supplier in relation to the supply of a beverage by vending machine if the person is the lessee or (if there is no lessee) the owner of the vending machine.
ss 37–40: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1[3].
38
Requirement for supply arrangement with Scheme Coordinator and container approval
38 Requirement for supply arrangement with Scheme Coordinator and container approval
38 Requirement for supply arrangement with Scheme Coordinator and container approval
(1) A supplier must not supply or offer to supply a beverage in a container to any person unless—
(a) a supply arrangement is in force between the supplier and a Scheme Coordinator in respect of a class of containers to which the container belongs, and
(b) a container approval is in force in respect of that class of containers.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—4,000 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—1,000 penalty units.
(2) This section applies only to the first supply in the State of the beverage in the container.
(3) In proceedings for an offence against this section, if it is established that the beverage in the container has been supplied in the State, the onus of establishing that the supply is not a first supply in the State lies on the defendant.
ss 37–40: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1[3].
39
Requirement for refund markings on containers
39 Requirement for refund markings on containers
39 Requirement for refund markings on containers
A supplier must not supply or offer to supply a beverage in a container to any person unless the container bears a refund marking.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—4,000 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—1,000 penalty units.
ss 37–40: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1[3].
40
Container approvals
40 Container approvals
40 Container approvals
(1) A supplier may apply to the EPA for a container approval.
(2) An application for a container approval must—
(a) be in a form approved by the EPA, and
(b) contain or be accompanied by the information required by the EPA (as indicated in the form or in material accompanying the form), and
(c) be accompanied by the fee prescribed by or determined under the regulations.
(3) The EPA may determine an application for a container approval by granting the container approval to the applicant. The approval is subject to any conditions prescribed by the regulations or specified in the approval.
(4) The EPA may refuse to grant a container approval—
(a) if a supply arrangement is not in force between the applicant and a Scheme Coordinator, or
(b) if the labelling for containers of the class to which the application relates does not include a refund marking, or
(c) on any grounds prescribed by the regulations.
(5) The EPA may suspend or revoke a container approval on any grounds prescribed by the regulations.
(6) A person may apply to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an administrative review under the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 of any of the following decisions—
(a) the refusal of the EPA to grant a container approval to the person,
(b) a condition imposed by the EPA in relation to a container approval granted to the person,
(c) the suspension or revocation of a container approval granted to the person.
(7) For the purposes of such a review, an application for the grant of a container approval is taken to have been refused if the approval is not granted within 28 days after the application is made in accordance with this section.
(8) The holder of a container approval must not contravene a condition of the approval.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—200 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—50 penalty units.
(9) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to container approvals and applications for container approvals (including the payment of fees for approvals). The regulations may limit a container approval to containers supplied by the person to whom the approval is granted.
ss 37–40: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1[3].
pt.5-div.3-sdiv.2
Collection of containers
pt.5-div.3-sdiv.2 Collection of containers
Subdivision 2 Collection of containers
pt 5, div 3, sdiv 2: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
41
Definition
41 Definition
41 Definition
In this Subdivision, refund declaration means a declaration containing the information prescribed by the regulations.
s 41: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
42
Refund amounts payable by collection point operators
42 Refund amounts payable by collection point operators
42 Refund amounts payable by collection point operators
(1) Subject to section 43, if a person presents an empty container to a collection point for the purpose of claiming a refund amount, the collection point operator must accept delivery of the container and pay to the person the refund amount for the container.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—100 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—50 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply—
(a) if the container for which the refund amount is claimed does not bear a refund marking, or
(b) if the collection point operator reasonably believes—
(i) that the container was not acquired in the State or in a jurisdiction in which a corresponding law is in force, or
(ii) that the container was acquired before the commencement of this Part, or
(iii) that a refund amount has previously been paid for the container at any collection point, or
(iv) that the container has previously been processed by a material recovery facility operator for reuse or recycling and a Scheme Coordinator has made, or is required to make, a payment in respect of the container to that operator under a Scheme Coordinator agreement, or
(c) if the person has refused to comply with a requirement of the operator under section 43, or
(d) in any other circumstances prescribed by the regulations.
(3) A refund amount that is payable under this section must be paid—
(a) in cash or in any other manner prescribed by or determined under the regulations, and
(b) at the time the collection point operator accepts delivery of the container, or at any later time in accordance with the regulations.
(4) Subsection (3)(a) does not prevent a collection point arrangement making further provision for limiting the manner in which a collection point operator may pay refund amounts.
(5) For the purposes of subsection (1), the collection point operator in relation to a reverse vending machine is taken not to accept the delivery of a container if the container is inserted into, and rejected by, the machine.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (3)(b), the collection point operator in relation to a reverse vending machine is taken not to have paid a refund amount at the time the operator accepts delivery of the container if—
(a) the container is inserted into, and not rejected by, the machine, and
(b) the machine fails to dispense payment of a refund amount for the container.
s 42: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
43
Refund declarations and proof of identity
43 Refund declarations and proof of identity
43 Refund declarations and proof of identity
(1) A collection point operator may require any person who presents a container to the collection point for the purpose of claiming a refund amount to provide to the operator a refund declaration.
(2) A collection point operator may refuse to pay to a person a refund amount if the operator is not satisfied as to the identity of the person.
(3) A collection point operator must not pay to a person a refund amount in either of the following circumstances unless the person has provided to the operator a refund declaration and proof of the person’s identity—
(a) if the number of containers for which the person is claiming a refund amount at the collection point exceeds the number prescribed by the regulations,
(b) if the operator knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the total number of containers presented to the collection point by the person, and all other persons acting on the person’s behalf, within the period prescribed by the regulations for the purpose of claiming a refund has exceeded the number prescribed by the regulations.
(4) This section does not apply in relation to containers collected, or refund amounts paid, by means of a reverse vending machine.
(5) A collection point operator must keep such records relating to refunds paid by, and proof of identity documentation provided to, the operator as are prescribed by the regulations and retain a copy of those records and the refund declaration for at least 3 years.
Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
s 43: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
44
Offence to claim refund for containers not subject to Scheme
44 Offence to claim refund for containers not subject to Scheme
44 Offence to claim refund for containers not subject to Scheme
(1) A person must not present a container to a collection point for the purpose of claiming a refund amount if the person knows, or ought reasonably to know—
(a) that the container was not acquired in the State or in a jurisdiction in which a corresponding law is in force, or
(b) that the container was acquired before 1 December 2017, or
(c) that a refund amount has previously been paid for the container at any collection point, or
(d) that the container has previously been processed by a material recovery facility operator for reuse or recycling and a Scheme Coordinator has made, or is required to make, a payment in respect of the container to that operator under a Scheme Coordinator agreement.
(2) A Scheme participant must not issue to a Scheme administrator an invoice or other statement claiming a refund amount payable to the Scheme participant by the Scheme administrator for a container under a Scheme arrangement if the Scheme participant knows, or ought reasonably to know—
(a) that the container was not acquired in the State or in a jurisdiction in which a corresponding law is in force, or
(b) that the container was acquired before 1 December 2017, or
(c) that a refund amount has been paid for the container on more than one occasion at any one or more collection points, or
(d) that the container has previously been processed by a material recovery facility operator for reuse or recycling and a Scheme Coordinator has made, or is required to make, a payment in respect of the container to that operator under a Scheme Coordinator agreement.
(3) In this section—
Scheme administrator means a network operator or Scheme Coordinator.
Scheme participant means a collection point operator or network operator.
Maximum penalty for subsections (1) and (2)—
(a) for a corporation—4,000 penalty units, or
(b) for an individual—1,000 penalty units.
s 44: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3]. Am 2022 No 3, Sch 9[1]–[3].
Division 4
Miscellaneous
Division 4 Miscellaneous
Division 4 Miscellaneous
pt 5, div 4 (ss 45–48): Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
45
Competition exemption
45 Competition exemption
45 Competition exemption
(1) The following are specifically authorised for the purposes of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 of the Commonwealth and the Competition Code of New South Wales—
(a) a Scheme administration agreement and any Scheme arrangement,
(b) the entering into or making of a Scheme administration agreement or Scheme arrangement,
(c) conduct of the parties to a Scheme administration agreement or Scheme arrangement in negotiating the agreement or arrangement,
(d) the grant or refusal of a container approval,
(e) conduct authorised or required by or under the terms or conditions of a Scheme administration agreement, Scheme arrangement or container approval.
(2) Anything authorised to be done by this section is authorised only to the extent that it would otherwise contravene Part IV of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 of the Commonwealth or the Competition Code of New South Wales.
pt 5, div 4 (ss 45–48): Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
46
Administrative reviews by NCAT
46 Administrative reviews by NCAT
46 Administrative reviews by NCAT
(1) The regulations may provide for an application to be made to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal by a person for an administrative review under the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 of a decision, of a class prescribed by the regulations, that is made under the regulations under this Part.
(2) The Minister is not to recommend the making of a regulation containing provisions for the purposes of subsection (1) unless the Minister certifies that the Minister administering the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 has agreed to the provisions.
pt 5, div 4 (ss 45–48): Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
47
False or misleading information
47 False or misleading information
47 False or misleading information
A person must not—
(a) in connection with a claim for payment under a Scheme arrangement or a payment required to be made under a Scheme Coordinator agreement, or
(b) in purported compliance with any requirement imposed by or under this Part or under regulations made under this Part,
provide any information that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.
Maximum penalty—
(a) in the case of a corporation—4,000 penalty units, or
(b) in the case of an individual—1,000 penalty units.
pt 5, div 4 (ss 45–48): Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
48
Review of Part
48 Review of Part
48 Review of Part
(1) The Minister is to review this Part to determine whether the policy objectives of the Part remain valid and whether the terms of the Part remain appropriate for securing those objectives.
(3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the review is completed.
pt 5, div 4 (ss 45–48): Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
Part 6
Financial provisions
Part 6 Financial provisions
Part 6 Financial provisions
pt 6 (previously Part 5): Renumbered 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2]. For information concerning Part 6 before the commencement of 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2] see the Historical table of amendments in the Legislative history.
49
Provision by EPA of financial assistance and guarantees
49 Provision by EPA of financial assistance and guarantees
49 Provision by EPA of financial assistance and guarantees
(1) The EPA may, for the purposes of exercising the EPA’s functions under this Act—
(a) provide loans, grants, subsidies and other financial assistance, and
(b) subject to subsection (2), provide financial guarantees.
(2) The EPA may provide a financial guarantee only with the approval of the Minister and the concurrence of the Treasurer.
s 49 (previously s 20): Renumbered 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2].
50
Fees
50 Fees
50 Fees
(1) The purpose of this section is to enable the EPA to recover the administrative costs of services provided under this Act or the regulations.
(2) The EPA may charge fees for services provided under this Act or the regulations.
(3) The fee charged must be—
(a) prescribed by the regulations, or
(b) if the fee is not prescribed—a reasonable fee determined by the EPA.
(4) A fee or other charge payable to the EPA under this Act or the regulations may be recovered by the EPA as a debt due to the Crown in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(5) The EPA may—
(a) extend the time for payment of a fee or other charge payable to the EPA under this Act or the regulations, or
(b) refund or waive the whole or a part of a fee or other charge payable to the EPA under this Act or the regulations.
(6) In this section—
fee for service includes—
(a) the administrative costs of providing a service under this Act or the regulations, and
(b) the costs associated with the functions of the EPA under this Act or the regulations.
s 50 (previously s 21): Renumbered 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2]. Subst 2021 No 31, Sch 3.5[2].
51
Acquisitions by EPA
51 Acquisitions by EPA
51 Acquisitions by EPA
(1) The EPA may acquire by gift, bequest or devise any property for the purposes of this Act and may agree to carry out the conditions of any such gift, bequest or devise.
(2) The rule of law against remoteness of vesting does not apply to or in respect of any condition of a gift, bequest or devise to which the EPA has agreed.
s 51 (previously s 22): Renumbered 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2].
Part 7
Miscellaneous
Part 7 Miscellaneous
Part 7 Miscellaneous
pt 7 (previously Part 6): Renumbered 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2].
52
Act to bind Crown
52 Act to bind Crown
52 Act to bind Crown
This Act binds the Crown in right of New South Wales and, in so far as the legislative power of the Parliament of New South Wales permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.
s 52: Renumbered 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2].
53
Reports by EPA
53 Reports by EPA
53 Reports by EPA
(1) The EPA must prepare and deliver to the Minister a report every 2 years on the following matters—
(a) the volumes of waste avoided, produced, recycled or reused in New South Wales during the reporting period,
(b) how those volumes compare with target volumes established by any current waste strategy,
(c) a description of the strategies and programs being implemented by the EPA and the degree of success achieved by them.
(2) The Minister is to cause a copy of the report to be tabled in each House of Parliament no later than the fifth sitting day of that House in the Parliamentary session next following the end of the reporting period.
ss 53 (previously ss 23, 24): Renumbered 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2].
53A
53A
53A (Repealed)
54
Ancillary offences
54 Ancillary offences
54 Ancillary offences
A person who—
(a) aids, abets, counsels or procures another person to commit, or
(b) attempts to commit, or
(c) conspires to commit,
an offence under another provision of this Act or the regulations is guilty of an offence against that other provision and is liable, on conviction, to the same penalty applicable to an offence against that other provision.
s 54: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [4].
55
Evidence as to state of mind of corporation
55 Evidence as to state of mind of corporation
55 Evidence as to state of mind of corporation
(1) Without limiting any other law or practice regarding the admissibility of evidence, evidence that an officer, employee or agent of a corporation (while acting in his or her capacity as such) had, at any particular time, a particular state of mind, is evidence that the corporation had that state of mind.
(2) In this section, the state of mind of a person includes—
(a) the knowledge, intention, opinion, belief or purpose of the person, and
(b) the person’s reasons for the intention, opinion, belief or purpose.
s 55: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [4].
56
Regulations
56 Regulations
56 Regulations
(1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.
(2) The regulations may create offences punishable by a penalty not exceeding—
(a) 200 penalty units in the case of an individual, or
(b) 400 penalty units in the case of a corporation.
(3) The regulations may adopt any document as in force from time to time.
s 56: Renumbered 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2].
57
Review of Act
57 Review of Act
57 Review of Act
(1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.
(2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 5 years from the date of assent to this Act.
(3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 5 years.
ss 57 (previously ss 27, 32): Renumbered 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2].
Schedule 1
Schedule 1
Schedules 1–3 (Repealed)
schs 1–3: Rep 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [22].
Schedule 4
Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 4 Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 4 Savings, transitional and other provisions
sch 4: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [23]–[27]; 2004 No 55, Sch 1.44 [1]–[4]; 2005 No 56, Sch 12.6 [3]–[5], 2016 No 57, Schs 1 [5] [6], 2 [10].
1A
Definitions
1A Definitions
1A Definitions
In this Schedule—
assets means any legal or equitable estate or interest (whether present or future and whether vested or contingent) in real or personal property of any description (including money), and includes securities, choses in action and documents.
liabilities means any liabilities, debts or obligations (whether present or future and whether vested or contingent).
rights means any rights, powers, privileges or immunities (whether present or future and whether vested or contingent).
8
Transfer duty
8 Transfer duty
8 Transfer duty
Duty under the Duties Act 1997 is not chargeable for or in respect of—
(a) a transfer effected by or under this Schedule, or
(b) anything certified by the Minister as having been done in consequence of such a transfer (for example, the transfer or conveyance of an interest in land).
9
First annual report of Resource NSW
9 First annual report of Resource NSW
9 First annual report of Resource NSW
(1) This clause applies with respect to any period before the dissolution of a Waste Board for which the affairs of the Waste Board have not been the subject of an annual financial report of the Waste Board.
(2) The first annual report of Resource NSW is to include the financial affairs of a dissolved Waste Board with respect to any such period.
10
Abolition of State Waste Advisory Council
10 Abolition of State Waste Advisory Council
10 Abolition of State Waste Advisory Council
(1) The State Waste Advisory Council is abolished.
(2) A person who, immediately before the abolition of State Waste Advisory Council, held office as a member of the Council—
(a) ceases to hold that office, and
(b) is not entitled to any compensation because of the loss of that office.
11
11
11 (Repealed)
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from legislation.nsw.gov.au, CC BY 4.0.
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
1 Name of Act
1 Name of Act
This Act is the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001.
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.
3 Objects of Act
3 Objects of Act
3 Objects of Act
The objects of this Act are as follows—
(a) to encourage the most efficient use of resources and to reduce environmental harm in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development,
(b) to ensure resource management options are considered against a hierarchy in the following order—
(i) avoidance and reduction of waste,
(ii) re-use of waste,
(iii) recycling, processing or reprocessing waste,
(iv) recovery of energy,
(v) disposal,
(c) to provide for the continual reduction in waste generation,
(d) to minimise the consumption of natural resources and the final disposal of waste by encouraging the avoidance of waste and the reuse and recycling of waste,
(e) to ensure that industry shares with the community the responsibility for reducing and dealing with waste,
(f) to ensure the efficient funding of waste and resource management planning, programs and service delivery,
(g) to achieve integrated waste and resource management planning, programs and service delivery on a State-wide basis,
(h) to assist in the achievement of the objectives of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
s 3: Am 2021 No 31, Sch 3.5[1].
4 Definitions
4 Definitions
Part 4 deals with extended producer responsibility (EPR). Section 15 defines an EPR scheme as one that extends a producer’s responsibility (physical or financial) to the post-consumer stage, including product stewardship. Section 16 authorises regulations to implement and operate such schemes for particular products, groups of products or industries. Before recommending any such regulation the Minister must be satisfied on a range of criteria including waste volume or toxicity, absence of an adequate national or voluntary scheme, economic analysis and constitutional considerations (s 17). Each year the EPA must publish a priority statement inviting public submissions (s 18).
Part 5, inserted in 2016, establishes the container deposit scheme (CDS). Its objects are to recognise beverage industry responsibility for packaging waste and to create a cost-effective statewide refund system (s 19). The Scheme is administered through a Scheme Coordinator and network operators appointed by the Minister under written Scheme administration agreements (s 24). These agreements must require supply arrangements (under which suppliers pay contributions), network arrangements and collection point arrangements (s 25). Suppliers may only supply beverages in approved containers bearing refund markings and after entering a supply arrangement (ss 38–39). Collection point operators must pay the prescribed refund amount (currently 10 cents) to persons returning eligible empty containers, subject to limited exceptions (s 42). Material recovery facility operators may claim processing refunds under a protocol issued by the EPA (s 28). Strict offences prohibit supplying unapproved or unmarked containers (ss 38–39), claiming refunds on ineligible containers (s 44), and providing false or misleading information (s 47). The Scheme enjoys a competition-law exemption (s 45) and its agreements may be enforced by contractual penalties recoverable as debts (s 30).
Parts 6 and 7 contain financial and miscellaneous provisions. The EPA may provide loans, grants and (with Ministerial and Treasurer approval) guarantees (s 49), charge cost-recovery fees (s 50) and acquire property (s 51). The Act binds the Crown (s 52), requires biennial EPA reporting on waste volumes against strategy targets (s 53), creates ancillary offences (s 54), attributes corporate states of mind (s 55), authorises regulations (s 56) and provides for a five-year statutory review (s 57).
Schedule 4 contains extensive transitional provisions that track the dissolution of earlier Waste Boards and Resource NSW, the continuation of certain industry waste reduction plans until 2006, and the abolition of the former Waste Fund.
Taken together, the Act moves beyond aspirational statements to create enforceable planning, priority-setting, industry-responsibility and refund-delivery machinery grounded in the waste hierarchy.
Who it affects
The Act casts a wide net. The EPA is the central administrator (ss 6, 12, 18, 26, 28, 34, 40). The Minister enters Scheme administration agreements, appoints advisory committees, varies or terminates agreements and requests performance audits (ss 24, 33, 34, 36).
Beverage suppliers—defined broadly as persons carrying on a business that includes supply of beverages in containers (s 20)—face the most direct obligations. They must hold a container approval, enter a supply arrangement with the Scheme Coordinator, ensure refund markings appear on containers, and pay contributions under supply arrangements (ss 38–40). Suppliers of beverages sold through vending machines are deemed to be the lessee or owner of the machine (s 37). Corporations face 4,000 penalty unit maxima for supply offences; individuals 1,000 (ss 38, 39, 44, 47).
Network operators and the Scheme Coordinator are parties to Ministerial agreements that impose performance targets, payment obligations, reporting, audit and anti-discrimination requirements (ss 24–35). Collection point operators (including operators of reverse vending machines) must accept eligible containers and pay refunds, keep records for three years and may require refund declarations or proof of identity in high-volume cases (ss 42–43). Material recovery facility operators (licensed or EPA-approved) may claim processing refunds but must not landfill containers for which refunds have been claimed (s 28).
Local councils are subject to requests for explanations of non-compliance with the State waste strategy (s 14) and are indirectly affected through the EPA’s regional coordination role (s 6(1)(d)). Producers and suppliers of products subject to future EPR regulations will face obligations once schemes are prescribed.
The general public benefits as consumers who can obtain refunds, but may also be regulated when returning containers in bulk (s 43). Advisory committee members, though not core regulated parties, must represent a range of interests (s 36(3)).
The Crown is bound in all capacities (s 52). Commonwealth competition law is disapplied to the extent of authorised conduct (s 45).
Key duties and rights
Duties fall most heavily on Scheme participants. Suppliers must not supply beverages in containers unless a supply arrangement and container approval are in force and the container bears a refund marking (ss 38–39). Container approval holders must comply with conditions (s 40(8)). Scheme Coordinators must enter supply and network arrangements, pay network operators, and report annually on performance, charges and other prescribed matters (ss 25, 35). Network operators must establish collection points, pay collection point operators and comply with performance targets (ss 25, 30). Collection point operators must pay refunds in cash or an approved manner at the time of acceptance (subject to exceptions in s 42(2)) and retain records for three years (s 43(5)).
The EPA’s duties include developing the State waste strategy (s 12), publishing annual EPR priority statements and reports on submissions (s 18), issuing processing refund protocols (s 28(2)), monitoring compliance, and preparing biennial reports on waste volumes, strategy targets and program success (s 53). In all its functions the EPA must regard the principles of ecologically sustainable development (s 6(3)).
Rights include the statutory right of any person to present an eligible container at a collection point and receive the refund amount (s 42(1)), subject to the operator’s limited discretion to refuse (s 42(2)). Suppliers have a right to apply for container approval (s 40(1)) and to seek NCAT review of refusal, conditions, suspension or revocation (s 40(6)). Scheme participants may make submissions on EPR priority statements (s 18(3)) and are entitled to procedural fairness before non-consensual variation or termination of agreements in certain cases (s 33). Material recovery facility operators have a conditional right to processing refunds once a protocol is issued (s 28(6)).
The Minister may invite applications for Scheme administration agreements, determine fit-and-proper-person criteria by regulation, and extend the Scheme Coordinator agreement twice for up to three years each (ss 24, 32). Advisory committees have the functions the Minister determines (s 36(2)).
Penalties and enforcement
The Act creates a tiered penalty regime. Supply of beverages in unmarked or unapproved containers attracts 4,000 penalty units for corporations and 1,000 for individuals (ss 38, 39). The same maxima apply to false refund claims and false or misleading information (ss 44, 47). Lesser penalties apply to collection point operators who fail to pay refunds (100/50 penalty units) and to record-keeping breaches (40 penalty units) (ss 42, 43). Container approval conditions are backed by 200/50 penalty unit offences (s 40(8)).
Scheme administration agreements may include penalty provisions enforceable as debts due to the State (s 30). Breach of a contractual penalty provision creates a civil debt determined in accordance with the agreement; this operates despite any other law.
Chapter 7 of the POEO Act is expressly extended to monitoring and enforcement of Scheme administration agreements and Scheme arrangements (s 31). Authorised officers may therefore exercise entry, inspection, information-gathering and seizure powers for the purpose of determining compliance or obtaining audit information. The EPA may also conduct performance audits and recommend remedial action (s 34).
Ancillary liability (aiding, attempting, conspiring) attracts the same penalty as the principal offence (s 54). Corporate state-of-mind rules attribute an officer’s or agent’s knowledge or intention to the corporation (s 55).
Regulations may create offences with maxima of 200 penalty units (individuals) or 400 (corporations) (s 56(2)). Inconsistent provisions in agreements or arrangements are void to the extent of inconsistency with Division 3 or prescribed regulations (s 29).
How it interacts with other laws
The Act is deliberately integrated with the POEO Act. “Waste” takes its meaning from that statute (s 4(1)). EPA functions must assist POEO Act objectives (s 3(h)). Chapter 7 enforcement powers are imported and extended (s 31). Environment protection licences held by material recovery facilities are a gateway to processing refund eligibility (s 20).
The Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 supplies the definition of the EPA itself and the principles of ecologically sustainable development (s 4(1)). The Local Government Act 1993 definition of domestic waste management services determines which operators qualify as material recovery facility operators (s 20). The Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 provides the vehicle for NCAT review of container approval decisions and any other decisions prescribed by regulation (ss 40(6), 46).
Competition law is ousted to the extent of conduct authorised by Scheme administration agreements, Scheme arrangements, container approvals and related negotiations (s 45). The Interpretation Act 1987 applies to undefined terms (s 4(1) note).
Transitional provisions in Schedule 4 interacted with the Waste Minimisation and Management Act 1995 (now repealed), the Public Sector Management Act 1988, the Duties Act 1997 (exempting transfers from duty) and the Environmental Trust Act 1998 (receiving the former Waste Fund). The Subordinate Legislation Act 1989 was disapplied to the first CDS regulation (Sch 4 cl 19).
The Act expressly preserves the validity of regulations even if the Minister’s satisfaction under s 17 was not reached (s 17(2)) and prevents agreements from contracting out of the variation and termination rules in s 33.
Recent changes and why
The most significant change was the insertion of Part 5 by the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Amendment (Container Deposit Scheme) Act 2016. That reform responded to persistent litter, low recycling rates for beverage containers and the absence of a uniform national scheme. It replaced an earlier, narrower CDS framework with a fully contractual, centrally coordinated system involving a Scheme Coordinator, network operators, supply arrangements and statutory refund obligations.
In 2021 the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Amendment (Reform) Act 2021 substituted s 12, deeming the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041—Stage 1: 2021–2027 to be the State waste strategy, and amended the objects in s 3 to strengthen references to resource efficiency, market development and litter prevention. These changes aligned the Act with the 20-year strategy’s targets and gave the EPA clearer statutory footing for ongoing policy work.
Section 35 was amended in 2025 to adjust annual reporting deadlines and content. Earlier amendments (2003, 2005, 2008, 2016, 2018) repealed spent Parts, transferred functions from Resource NSW to the EPA, abolished the Waste Fund, and refined EPR priority-statement procedures.
The changes reflect a policy shift from framework planning to direct industry funding of recovery infrastructure, driven by concerns over visual litter, marine debris, resource loss and the cost burden falling on ratepayers and the environment.
Court challenges and controversies
The Act itself contains no detailed codification of past litigation. It does, however, provide for NCAT administrative review of container approval decisions (s 40(6)) and any other class of decision prescribed by regulation (s 46). An application is deemed refused if not determined within 28 days (s 40(7)). These provisions indicate legislative anticipation of disputes over approval conditions, suspensions and revocations.
Section 17(2) prevents regulations implementing EPR schemes from being challenged on the basis that the Minister’s satisfaction was not reached, suggesting an awareness that economic, national-scheme and constitutional criteria could generate controversy.
The competition exemption in s 45 was included to forestall claims under Part IV of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) or the Competition Code, implying that coordinated pricing and market-sharing elements of the CDS were recognised as potentially anti-competitive.
No specific court challenges are recited in the text. Controversies surrounding the CDS have centred on the scope of “beverage”, the refund amount, the geographic reach of corresponding-law containers, the treatment of bulk returns, and the adequacy of collection networks in regional areas. These are addressed through the regulation-making powers in ss 21–23, 27 and 28 rather than through statutory amendment. The requirement for advisory committees to represent a range of interests (s 36(3)) and the public-submission process for EPR priority statements (s 18) are designed to mitigate stakeholder dissatisfaction.
Gotchas
Most practitioners assume the CDS refund obligation is absolute. Section 42(2) contains nine distinct exceptions, including reasonable belief that the container was acquired interstate before the scheme commenced, had already attracted a refund, or had been processed by a material recovery facility. Reverse vending machines are deemed not to accept rejected containers (s 42(5)), creating a practical carve-out that is easily overlooked.
The definition of “supplier” for vending machines (s 37) captures the machine owner or lessee, not the beverage brand owner, which can surprise national brands that thought their supply-chain contracts shifted liability.
Processing refunds for material recovery facilities are unavailable until the EPA issues a Gazette protocol (s 28(6)). The protocol may use audit-based estimates rather than actual counts and can limit eligible operators or container classes. Claims are prohibited if the containers are landfilled (s 28(7)(d)), but proving the negative can be burdensome.
Scheme administration agreements can be varied or terminated without consent if performance targets are missed (s 33(2)(a)). The affected party receives no compensation (s 33(4)) and cannot contract out of this power (s 33(5)). The seven-year initial term with two three-year extensions (s 32) is shorter than many infrastructure contracts, exposing participants to re-tender risk.
Section 29 voids inconsistent provisions in agreements and arrangements, but only “except as provided by the regulations”. The regulations may therefore carve out safe harbours that are not immediately obvious on the face of the agreements.
The EPA’s power to request councils to explain strategy non-compliance (s 14) is framed as a request, yet non-response or inadequate response can be escalated through POEO Act powers once s 31 is engaged. Councils therefore face de facto reporting obligations without the statutory language declaring them as such.
Finally, the Act’s objects were amended in 2021 to include explicit reference to market development for recovered resources (s 3(a), (b)(iv)). This seemingly innocuous change grounds EPA expenditure and regulatory priority on downstream markets, which can catch manufacturers who assumed the legislation was concerned only with collection.
How to comply
Compliance begins with mapping obligations against organisational role. Beverage suppliers must:
Confirm whether their products fall within the s 21 “beverage” definition (excluding any items prescribed out by regulation).
Apply for container approval on the EPA-approved form, paying the prescribed fee and supplying labelling evidence that includes a compliant refund marking (s 40).
Enter a supply arrangement with the Scheme Coordinator before first supply in New South Wales (s 38).
Ensure all containers placed on the market bear the refund marking and are covered by an approval (s 39).
Scheme Coordinators and network operators must negotiate agreements that contain mandatory content on payment methodologies, non-discrimination, performance targets and audit rights (ss 25, 27). They must maintain records sufficient to demonstrate compliance with monitoring and reporting obligations (s 31) and publish annual reports within 90 days after financial year-end (s 35).
Collection point operators must install systems to pay refunds immediately (or as otherwise permitted by regulation), train staff on the nine exceptions in s 42(2), and implement refund-declaration and identity-check protocols when daily or periodic volumes exceed regulatory thresholds (s 43). Three-year record retention is mandatory.
Material recovery facility operators should obtain EPA approval or ensure they hold the requisite environment protection licence, enter arrangements for processing refunds, and maintain segregation procedures to prevent landfilling of refund-eligible containers.
All parties must avoid providing false or misleading information in claims or returns (s 47) and be alert to the corporate state-of-mind rule (s 55).
Organisations should monitor the EPA’s annual EPR priority statement (s 18), participate in public consultations, and review the State waste strategy every five years (s 12(3)). Councils should maintain internal records demonstrating alignment with strategy objectives in case an EPA request is received under s 14.
Legal teams should maintain a register of all Scheme administration agreements, container approvals and processing refund protocols, because s 29 voids any inconsistent internal clauses. Regular fit-and-proper-person self-assessments are prudent given the Minister’s discretion under s 24(5). Finally, because the regulations may adopt documents as in force from time to time (s 56(3)), compliance manuals must be version-controlled against changing standards and protocols.
A robust compliance program will integrate waste hierarchy considerations into product design, procurement and end-of-life planning, treat the CDS as a supply-chain cost rather than an optional levy, and maintain audit-ready records that can be produced to EPA authorised officers exercising Chapter 7 powers.
EPA means the Environment Protection Authority constituted by the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991.
exercise a function includes perform a duty.
function includes a power, authority or duty.
principles of ecologically sustainable development means the principles of ecologically sustainable development contained in section 6(2) of the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991.
waste has the same meaning as in the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
Note.
The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.
(2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.
s 4: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [4] [5]; 2016 No 57, Sch 2 [2].
Part 2 Functions of EPA
Part 2 Functions of EPA
Part 2 Functions of EPA
pt 2, hdg: Subst 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [6].
5
5 (Repealed)
5
s 5: Rep 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [7].
6 Functions of EPA
6 Functions of EPA
6 Functions of EPA
(1) The EPA has the following functions under this Act—
(a) to develop, implement or co-ordinate the implementation of (and evaluate strategies and programs for State-wide achievement of) government policy objectives in respect of—
(i) resource efficiency and waste reduction and management in relation to regions, industry sectors or material types, and
(ii) community education and awareness in relation to resource efficiency and waste reduction and management, and
(iii) programs for the prevention of litter and illegal dumping, and
(iv) market development for recovered resources and recycled material, and
(v) information dissemination,
(b) to develop, co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of event and public space waste management codes,
(c) to assist local communities to enter into arrangements for regionally-based secondary resource recovery from waste,
(d) to assist in developing co-ordinated waste management services, including system and contract reform (such as contracts for waste and recycling services and system co-ordination),
(e) to research and develop waste reduction and resource efficiency infrastructure, technologies and systems,
(f) to develop and support training and education programs for resource efficiency, waste reduction and waste and litter management,
(g) to monitor, report on and evaluate the regional implementation of State-wide policies and strategies with respect to waste,
(h) to advise the Minister as to the kinds of articles, materials and substances that should be prohibited from being used for landfill or from being used in connection with other treatment processes, and the resource recovery options for those articles, materials and substances,
(i) such other functions as may be conferred or imposed on the EPA by or under this Act.
(2) The EPA may provide advice to the Minister on matters relating to waste policy.
(3) The EPA is, in the exercise of the EPA’s functions under this Act, to have regard to the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
s 6: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [8]–[10]; 2005 No 56, Sch 12.6 [1]; 2016 No 57, Sch 2 [3]–[5].
7
7–11 (Repealed)
7
ss 7–10: Rep 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [7].
s 11: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [9]–[11]. Rep 2016 No 57, Sch 2 [6].
Part 3 Waste strategies
Part 3 Waste strategies
Part 3 Waste strategies
12 Waste strategies
12 Waste strategies
12 Waste strategies
(1) The EPA must develop and approve a waste strategy for the State (the State waste strategy).
(2) The State waste strategy must contain the information prescribed by the regulations.
(3) The EPA must review the State waste strategy at least once every 5 years.
(4) After reviewing the State waste strategy, the EPA must—
(a) approve the continuation of the strategy, with or without variations, or
(b) develop and approve a new strategy in accordance with this section.
(5) The EPA may revoke or vary the State waste strategy at any time.
(6) The NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041—Stage 1: 2021–2027, published by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in June 2021, is taken to be the State waste strategy for the purposes of subsection (1).
s 12: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [9] [12]–[14]; 2008 No 62, Sch 1.40 [1] [2]; 2016 No 57, Sch 2 [7]; 2018 No 25, Sch 2.36 [1]. Subst 2021 No 31, Sch 3.5[2].
13
13 (Repealed)
13
s 13: Rep 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [7].
14 Power to request councils to report on waste strategy compliance
14 Power to request councils to report on waste strategy compliance
14 Power to request councils to report on waste strategy compliance
(1) The EPA may request a local council to provide the reasons for any specified non-compliance by the local council with the objectives of the current waste strategy.
(2) Such a request must be in writing and must specify the date by which the local council is requested to provide the reasons to the EPA.
s 14: Am 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [9].
Part 4 Responsibilities with respect to industry waste reduction
Part 4 Responsibilities with respect to industry waste reduction
Part 4 Responsibilities with respect to industry waste reduction
15 Extended producer responsibility schemes
15 Extended producer responsibility schemes
15 Extended producer responsibility schemes
(1) For the purposes of this Part, an extended producer responsibility scheme is a scheme for giving effect to an environmental policy in which the producer’s responsibility for a product (including physical or financial responsibility) is extended to the post-consumer stage of the product’s life-cycle.
(2) Any such scheme includes a scheme for product stewardship (that is, shared responsibility for the life-cycle of products including the environmental impact of the product from the extraction of virgin materials, to manufacturing, to consumption and through to and including ultimate disposal and post-disposal consequences).
(3) In this Part—
producer of a product includes a supplier of the product in this State or person having a proprietary interest in the name under which the product is supplied in this State.
product includes any substance.
16 Regulations for implementation and operation of schemes
16 Regulations for implementation and operation of schemes
16 Regulations for implementation and operation of schemes
The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the implementation and operation of extended producer responsibility schemes in connection with a product, group of products or an industry in New South Wales.
17 Circumstances in which schemes may be implemented
17 Circumstances in which schemes may be implemented
17 Circumstances in which schemes may be implemented
(1) The Minister is not to recommend the making of a regulation for or with respect to the implementation of an extended producer responsibility scheme unless the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary to do so having regard to the following matters—
(a) the volume of waste requiring ultimate disposal or the toxicity of the waste generated,
(b) whether there is a national scheme in place that adequately addresses waste issues in New South Wales,
(c) whether there is an effective voluntary scheme in place (nationally or State based) that is able to achieve the desired outcomes and is being actively implemented, monitored and reported on,
(d) whether economic analysis supports the implementation of the scheme,
(e) whether there are any constitutional or other impediments to New South Wales acting unilaterally in implementing the scheme.
(2) A regulation with respect to the implementation or operation of a scheme cannot be challenged or invalidated because of this section.
18 Priorities with respect to the implementation of schemes
18 Priorities with respect to the implementation of schemes
18 Priorities with respect to the implementation of schemes
(1) The EPA is required to publicly advertise each year a priority statement with respect to the extended producer responsibility schemes the EPA proposes to recommend for implementation under this Part.
(2) The advertisement is to be published in a manner that the EPA is satisfied is likely to bring the advertisement to the attention of members of the public.
(3) The advertisement is to invite written submissions to the EPA on any relevant matter relating to the priority statement and state the period (being not less than 1 month after the advertisement is last published) within which submissions may be made.
(4) The EPA is, not later than 3 months after the closing date for submissions, to publish a report on any submissions received by the EPA and to make the report available to the public.
s 18: Am 2001 No 112, Sch 2.40 [1] [2]; 2003 No 82, Sch 1.44 [15]; 2018 No 25, Sch 2.36 [2].
Part 5 Container deposit scheme
Part 5 Container deposit scheme
Part 5 Container deposit scheme
pt 5: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3]. For information concerning Part 5 before the commencement of 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [2] see the Historical table of amendments in the Legislative history.
Division 1 Preliminary
Division 1 Preliminary
Division 1 Preliminary
pt 5, div 1: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
19 Objects of Part
19 Objects of Part
19 Objects of Part
(1) The objects of this Part are as follows—
(a) to recognise the responsibility that the beverage industry shares with the community for reducing and dealing with waste generated by beverage product packaging,
(b) to establish a cost effective State-wide container deposit scheme to assist the beverage industry to discharge that responsibility and to promote the recovery, reuse and recycling of empty beverage containers.
(2) The container deposit scheme established by this Part includes the following features—
(a) it provides for the establishment of a Scheme Coordinator and network operators with responsibility for the administration of the scheme,
(b) it provides for the payment of refund amounts to persons depositing at collection points empty beverage containers that are subject to the scheme,
(c) it provides for the establishment by the Scheme Coordinator of a cost recovery scheme under which beverage suppliers agree to make contributions towards the cost of paying those refund amounts,
(d) it prohibits the supply of beverages in containers that are subject to the container deposit scheme by beverage suppliers who have not agreed with the Scheme Coordinator to make those contributions,
(e) it prohibits the supply of beverages in containers of a kind that are not approved by the EPA.
s 19: Ins 2016 No 57, Sch 1 [3].
20 Definitions
20 Definitions
20 Definitions
In this Part—
beverage—see section 21.
collection point means—
(a) any facility or premises for the collection and handling of containers delivered to the facility or premises in consideration of the payment of refund amounts, or
(b) a reverse vending machine, or
(c) any other facility or premises of a kind prescribed by the regulations.
collection point arrangement—see section 25.
collection point operator, in relation to a collection point, means—
(a) a person who has entered into a collection point arrangement with a network operator in connection with the operation of the collection point, or
(b) if there is no collection point arrangement in force in respect of the collection point—a network operator who administers and operates the collection point.
container—see section 22.
container approval means a container approval issued and in force under Division 3.
corresponding law means a law of another State or a Territory that is declared by the regulations to be a corresponding law for the purposes of this Part.
domestic waste management services has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act 1993.
material recovery facility operator means—
(a) a person who carries on a business that is or includes the processing for reuse or recycling of domestic waste designated for recycling and collected by that or any other person during the course of domestic waste management services and who—
(i) holds an environment protection licence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 authorising the processing of the waste (otherwise than by thermal treatment) at specified premises, or
(ii) is approved in writing by the EPA as a material recovery facility operator for the purposes of this Part, or
(b) any other person of a class prescribed by the regulations.
network arrangement—see section 25.
network operator means a person with whom the Minister enters into a network operator agreement (and, when used in relation to a network operator agreement, means the person with whom the Minister enters into the agreement).
network operator agreement—see section 24.
refund amount means the amount prescribed by the regulations under section 23.
refund marking, in relation to a container, means a marking or labelling that complies with the requirements prescribed by the regulations.
reverse vending machine means a mac
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.