Queensland Waste & Circular Economy Reforms: What Businesses Need to Know in 2026

Queensland is making some big moves in waste reform and circular‑economy policy — and these changes are already reshaping how organisations manage waste, plan projects and assess environmental risks. Whether you’re buying or selling assets, preparing for redevelopment, or managing operational compliance, these reforms have very real implications for cost, liability and long‑term planning.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and why it matters.

Why Queensland Is Updating Its Waste Framework

Like much of Australia, Queensland is under pressure to increase resource recovery, reduce landfill dependency and encourage circular‑economy thinking. Recent regulatory updates focus on:

How PFAS‑impacted materials are classified and disposed of
Incentives for higher construction & demolition (C&D) recycling
Clearer rules for solar panel end‑of‑life pathways

All of these shifts change the compliance landscape — and they also influence the assumptions businesses make when valuing assets or scoping redevelopment.

Higher PFAS Thresholds Mean Lower Disposal Costs

One of the most impactful changes relates to PFAS. In June 2025, Queensland raised the regulated‑waste thresholds for PFAS. That means soils and liquids with very low concentrations of PFAS no longer automatically trigger regulated‑waste handling requirements. This can translate to:

Lower disposal and transport costs
Fewer levy implications
More flexibility in managing mildly impacted material

But (and this is important) the burden of proof remains with the proponent. You still need robust sampling, classification and documentation to demonstrate that PFAS levels fall below regulated‑waste criteria.

For businesses preparing for redevelopment or infrastructure works, this change can materially shift cost models and program planning.

Boosted Recycling Incentives for the C&D Sector

Queensland is also using price signals to push higher C&D recovery rates. Key updates include:

C&D waste is now a prescribed recycling activity, opening the door to levy discounts
High‑performing facilities can access a 50% discount on residue waste disposal
The Draft Waste Strategy 2025–2030 puts strong emphasis on circular markets, reuse and investment

For businesses, this matters because disposal liabilities often form a major line item in redevelopment budgets. Better recovery rates can translate directly into:

Lower overall waste‑handling costs
Improved project feasibility
Stronger commercial positions during sale negotiations

Vendors and buyers alike should be aware of how these incentives change the cost of diversion versus disposal across the project lifecycle.

Solar Panels Removed from the Regulated Waste Category

One of the more practical changes is the clarification that solar panels are not regulated waste. For asset owners, this simplifies:

Solar farm decommissioning
Commercial rooftop upgrades
Business‑case modelling for repowering portfolios
Contractual allocation of end‑of‑life responsibilities

It also encourages the growth of Queensland’s PV reuse and recycling sector, which has been constrained by regulatory uncertainty until now.

For due diligence, this change directly affects asset retirement obligations, disposal risk assumptions and decommissioning methodology.

What This Means for Environmental Due Diligence

If you’re involved in transactions, redevelopment or asset management, these reforms should now sit front‑and‑centre in your due‑diligence approach.

Expect shifts in:

Cost and liability assumptions

PFAS threshold changes can reduce disposal fees, but only if your sampling and QA/QC processes are up to scratch.

Waste‑handling and contractual structures

C&D levy‑discount eligibility will increasingly influence contractor selection and bid competitiveness.

Renewables decommissioning

Solar PV no longer treated as regulated waste simplifies logistics, timelines and cost profiles.

Investment modelling

The Queensland Waste Strategy signals a long‑term policy commitment to circularity, which should be reflected in medium‑ to long‑term investment assumptions.
Meaningfully influence risk exposure, project cost certainty and compliance expectations.

Practical Steps for Project Teams and Investors

To stay ahead of these regulatory changes, PJRA recommends:

Refresh waste classification protocols, especially PFAS sampling methods and QA/QC processes.
Assess C&D recycling performance early in tendering and contracting — the levy discount can materially change your cost base.
Update decommissioning plans for solar and hybrid assets to reflect new end‑of‑life pathways.
Incorporate circular‑economy policy direction into your medium‑term assumptions for waste generation, diversion rates and disposal costs.

How PJRA Can Support You

We help organisations across Queensland understand how these reforms affect:

Environmental due diligence
Contamination and waste‑classification reviews
Project approvals and risk assessments
Demolition, redevelopment and decommissioning strategies

Our team provides clear, commercial, and practical guidance, helping you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary cost and risk in an evolving regulatory environment.

If you want to understand how these changes apply to your specific site or project, we’re here to help.

Contact the team at Peter J Ramsay & Associates to discuss your needs and build a clear path forward.

Learn more about how we can assist today

Giorgia McGuigan

Phone: 03 9690 0522

Email: giorgia.mcguigan@pjra.com.au