Resources

White Papers

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This whitepaper outlines why regulated product stewardship has strong economic advantages over voluntary approaches and allocating government funding, which is becoming increasingly difficult in the current budgetary environment.

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This White Paper presents discussion on the waste management hierarchy and its relationship to sustainability.

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This White Paper presents insights and learnings from a high-level review of packaging stewardship scheme characteristics in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

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This white paper outlines some of the key challenges associated with chemicals of concern and product stewardship and considers a few of the strategies being employed by government and industry to address them.

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The purpose of this whitepaper is to identify strategies for addressing freeriders and consider applicability for the Australian context. Free‑riders are businesses or organisations that may benefit from a product stewardship activity without contributing to its implementation or operation.

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This white paper presents insights from a survey conducted by the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence to gain a better understanding of the needs of the many organisations involved in product stewardship in Australia. We are grateful to have received valuable insights and ideas from existing and emerging schemes, individual businesses, governments, industry and community organisations.

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10 years of consumer insights into mobile use and recycling: 2005‑2015.

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Investing in Intelligent Regulation: The economic benefits to government of product stewardship regulation

Sustainability and the Waste Hierarchy – July 2024 

Global scan of packaging stewardship schemes: Lessons for Australia – April 2024

Product stewardship and chemicals of concern: Challenges and strategies – September 2022 

Overcoming Free-Riders: Strategies to maximise industry participation – September 2021

Addressing the Barriers: A needs assessment of product stewardship in Australia – July 2021 

Australia’s Mobile Decade – 10 years of consumer insights int mobile use and recycling 2005-2016 – Oct 2015 

Practice Notes

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This practice note discusses the status of data and reporting practices and highlights specific opportunities to improve the consistency and quality of data, reporting and disclosure. It provides a user-friendly template defining ‘core data requirements’ for product stewardship schemes. The template is intended to support an uplift in the quality of data collected and reported; and, encourage greater transparency with consistent annual disclosure of environmental, social and governance performance data.

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A circular economy presents a system-wide solution that encourages a rethink of the way we design, manufacture, use and manage products and materials, across the entire lifecycle, including at the end of life. Reducing resource use, increasing resource efficiency, eliminating unsafe chemicals, and enabling circular material flows are at the core of a circular economy. A fair and equitable circular economy will also address inequalities, assuming higher responsibility for high-income countries that consume more resources.

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Strategic Design provides the perspectives and tools needed to drive a shift in product design practice out of the mindset of a linear economy and towards a whole-of-life, stewardship approach. Strategic Design tools help position the design activity within a broader systems context, connecting design decisions made within the organisation with the impacts felt in society and the natural environment.

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This practice note provides a list of key questions and considerations to assist in the development of pilot projects. They are grouped under three areas of consideration – Planning & design, Implementation and Evaluation.

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This short guide aims to provide guidance on the process for SMEs to respond to government tenders and promote the product stewardship aspects of their goods or services.

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All levels of government and other large entities hold significant market power, and their procurement practices can shape markets to help deliver improved environmental outcomes. Large entities that understand and acknowledge this power can use it to create positive market impacts in line with broader goals, including management of the waste challenge, circular economy transition, product stewardship activity, environmental sustainability as well as meeting the expectations of consumers and the community more broadly.

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Product stewardship schemes involve reducing the environmental and human health impacts of products across their entire life cycle, providing a pathway to establishing a circular economy that designs out waste and pollution, keeps products and materials circulating in the economy and regenerates and restores natural capital.

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In this practice note, we provide an overview of Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) authorisation and its relevance to product stewardship schemes. Authorisation can be an important tool in the development and implementation of industry-led, product stewardship schemes.

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Leasing is a common business practice whereby consumers acquire the use of an asset from a lessor for a period of time in exchange for a regular lease payment. However, the contribution of leasing to an overall product stewardship strategy is often overlooked. Drawing on examples from different sectors, in this practice note, we explore the economic potential of leasing as a product stewardship strategy.

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Data and Reporting Guidelines for Product Stewardship Schemes – July 2024 

The Circular Economy and Product Stewardship – July 2024

Strategic Design and Product Stewardship – May 2024 

Checklist for Pilot Projects – February 2024

A guide for SMEs: Winning Commonwealth Government business through Product Stewardship – August 2023

The Value & Relevance of Product Stewardship for SMEs – August 2023 

Governance of product stewardship schemes: Guidelines and templates – August 2023 

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Authorisation – February 2022 

The Potential of Leasing as a Product Stewardship Strategy – August-2021 

Case Studies

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Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) developed a Foreign End Market Verification Program (FEM Verification Program) to help Australian tyre recyclers and collectors make informed choices by providing transparency in their resource recovery value chain. The FEM Verification Program responds to concerns about poor environmental, health, safety and labour practices by overseas downstream users of end-of-life tyres. This case study outlines the development and implementation of TSA’s FEM Verification Program.

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By embracing a product stewardship approach, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and its members can demonstrate leadership in an evolving frontier of sustainable packaging and mandated packaging regulation under Commonwealth law. This proactive stance not only helps navigate emerging regulations but also fosters innovation and circularity within the industry, ensuring a more sustainable future for Australian red meat production and packaging.

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HMD, the maker of Nokia phones, has gained growing attention for its commitment to repairable smartphones. This case study delves into HMD’s sustainability efforts and the introduction of the Nokia G22 and Nokia G42 5G smartphones. With an emphasis on durability, HMD is focused on reducing electronic waste and its environmental impact by enabling self-repair, ultimately supporting consumers to keep their devices in use longer.

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This case study explores the product stewardship initiatives of Bianca Spender, a prominent made-in-Australia womenswear brand. In light of the fashion industry's significant environmental and social impact, Bianca Spender recognises the urgent need for change. In this case study, we examine the brand’s design-driven product stewardship initiatives that are working to achieve environmental, social and economic benefits across the product lifecycle.

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In this case study, we examine the product stewardship approach of UBCO Motorbikes, a New Zealand-based company specialising in electric motorbikes. UBCO implements design-driven product stewardship to minimise its environmental footprint, utilising life-cycle thinking and prioritising ongoing improvement across its operations. UBCO has extended its sustainability efforts through partnerships with leasing companies, such as Motubikes, which offers solar-powered bike rentals for sustainable tourism initiatives.

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Working on behalf of some of the world’s leading brands, ANZRP has spearheaded several programs to maximise resource recovery from a range of consumer goods.

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Founded in 1899, A.H. Beard remains a family-owned business manufacturing bedding for the Australian and New Zealand markets. In 2019, the company embarked on a 2.5-year Innovation process aimed at ‘designing out’ waste, pollution, and emissions resulting with the creation of the A.H. Beard Origins mattress range.

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Schütz Australia manufactures Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and 110-litre drums used by the agricultural and general chemical industries. To develop a sustainable end-of-life solution, it has devised a ‘Ticket Collection’ program where empty items are returned free of charge and recycled.

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Starting out as the product stewardship arm of Melbourne-based furniture business, Cult Design, Cultivated has evolved into a standalone brand offering buyback, refurbishment and recycling for any authentic design furniture pieces.

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This case study examines Repeat Audio, a Dutch electronics company that provides a sustainable alternative to traditional headphones through a circular business model. Formerly known as Gerrard Street, Repeat Audio designs high-quality, modular headphones that can be leased on a subscription basis or purchased with a lifetime warranty. The case study explores how product stewardship is embedded across Repeat Audio’s business model and their goal of reducing e-waste, while also enabling the business to reach new customer bases.

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As Australians are among the world's top fashion consumers, it's crucial for the industry to address the growing environmental and social sustainability impacts associated with overproduction and overconsumption of clothing. This includes alternatives to clothing ownership. This case study examines product stewardship in the fashion industry by analysing GlamCorner, Australia's pioneering fashion rental platform. We explore the challenges and opportunities of engaging in circular business models, including rental, resale, and repair, and how businesses like GlamCorner can support other business and consumers in the transition to a more circular fashion industry.

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The shift towards sustainable lighting has resulted in significant environmental benefits, with lighting's share of worldwide electricity consumption dropping in recent years. Philips is innovating beyond lightbulbs and expanding its portfolio of Light-as-a-Service (LaaS) initiatives, which have the potential to transform the lighting industry by providing a more sustainable and cost-effective solution compared to traditional lighting models. In this case study, we provide an overview of the LaaS market and the product stewardship benefits of engaging with LaaS.

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In this case study, we profile MobileMuster, an industry-led voluntary product stewardship scheme accredited by the federal government and managed by the Australian Mobile Telecommunication Association (AMTA). We explore the MobileMuster recycling process, how it addresses mobile phone waste, the benefits of government accreditation, and solutions to address the challenge of consumer awareness.

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While you wouldn't think of brand-new goods as waste, in reality an estimated $2.5 billion worth of brand-new, unsold products are wasted or unnecessarily sent to landfill in Australia every year. In this case study, we profile Good360 Australia and the role they play in supporting Australia’s transition towards a circular economy by keeping products and materials in use at their highest value while helping to avoid and reduce waste. They do this by providing surplus new and refurbished goods donated by businesses to Australians who need them most, supporting greater social equity and inclusion.

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Tragedies such as the Lacrosse tower fire in Melbourne and the Grenfell tower fire in London demonstrate the risks associated with using aluminum composite cladding (ACP) on medium and high-rise towers. With important rectification work underway to remove this cladding, a new waste stream from the construction industry has been created. In this case study, we look at how the Fairview Ecoloop recycling initiative has created a made-in-Australia product stewardship solution to address this growing waste stream.

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In this case study, we look at the Product Stewardship for Oil Scheme, the sole example of mandated product stewardship in Australia. In addition to providing an overview of the regulatory framework underpinning the Scheme, we also assess its benefits and effectiveness. Here, we emphasise the success of product stewardship in driving the creation of a new re-refining industry in Australia, a significant stewardship outcome.

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With e-waste growing three times faster than general waste streams,1 there is a growing need for all tech companies to address their environmental impact - from resource use to recycling. In this case study, we look at the product stewardship strategies of Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunication company. We highlight examples of product stewardship taking place across the product lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on the importance of product redesign.

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Every year, millions of disposable drums are used by farmers and rural operators across the country. Whereas the use of such drums is unavoidable, burying, burning or landfilling these drums is avoidable. drumMUSTER was created by the agvet industry to divert this waste from landfill and ensure that used drums can be safely recycled. Founded in 1998, drumMUSTER provides farmers with an environmentallyfriendly way of disposing empty agvet chemical containers across Australia.

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In March 2022, Australian fashion brand bassike announced that their signature organic jersey product line received carbon neutral certification by Climate Active. In this case study, we look at the product stewardship journey the brand took to achieve this certification and what lies ahead for the Australian fashion industry.

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In May 2021, Rip Curl announced the introduction of a wetsuit take back recycling program, a first in Australia. The take-back recycling program offers an end-of-life solution for an iconic but difficult to recycle product: neoprene wetsuits. Developed in partnership with TerraCycle, the program accepts wetsuits from any surf brand at select Rip Curl stores across Australia (in VIC, NSW, QLD and WA) or via post. Under the current program, booties, gloves, hoods and diving suits are not accepted.

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In this case study, we profile reuse as a product stewardship strategy through an examination of the IKEA Australia furniture Buy-Back & Resell Service1. The premise is simple: customers can return unwanted eligible IKEA furniture to their nearest store and in exchange, receive a refund card for a future purchase. To qualify, the IKEA product needs to be returned clean, fully assembled, and completely unmodified, with customers confirming eligibility via a simple online tool. No IKEA “hacks” here! The service has extended the life of over 38,000 IKEA products to date.

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Clothing and apparel brands around the world are experimenting with rental as one way to combat the growing carbon emissions and waste associated with the industry. In addition to the environmental savings, rental is also a growing economic opportunity. According to Business Wire, the global rental market was worth an estimated $1.26 billion in 20219 and is projected to rise to approximately $2 billion by 2025.

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In this case study, we focus on the Bata Shoe Company of Australia PVC Gumboot Recycling Program. Founded in 2020, the Program aims to reduce the number of PVC gumboots sent to landfill. Following a circular economy approach, Bata gumboots are collected, sorted, granulated, processed and remanufactured locally, resulting a new pair of boots consisting of 50% recycled content, proudly made in Australia.

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Even if you aren’t one of the many Australians who have done home renovations during the pandemic, chances are you still have a couple of empty or partiallyused paint cans gathering dust in your garage. Since 2016, Paintback has offered DIY and trade painters a takeback solution through convenient drop-off locations across Australia. The Paintback scheme diverts unwanted paint and packaging from landfills and vital waterways, as well as finding new and innovative reuses for unwanted paint.

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Benefits & Effectiveness of Product Stewardship

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Product stewardship aims to manage and reduce the environmental and human health impacts of products and materials throughout their lifecycle. This aligns with the core principles of a circular economy – design-out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems.

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This report is part of a larger project conducted by the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, along with the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence. The objective of this project are to evaluate of the benefits and effectiveness of product stewardship and extended producer responsibility (EPR) activities in Australia.

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Business report

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General population report.

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Local government report.

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This research report forms part of the very first comprehensive evaluation of the benefits and effectiveness of product stewardship and extended producer responsibility (EPR) activities in Australia. It is part of a wider research and evaluation project that includes secondary research from publicly available data, case study research and data harvesting.

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All data compiled for product stewardship initiatives and publicly reported environmental, social, and economic performance indicators is available on the Product Stewardship Gateway – gateway.stewardshipexcellence.com.au

Submissions

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Submission to the House of Representatives Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science - Inquiry into the current state of the Australian tyre industry, and any challenges and opportunities for the industry within the contact of a circular economy.

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This submission provides overarching feedback on why product stewardship can directly bolster Western Australia’s Waste Strategy 2025-2030 and provides specific comments on where effort and improvements might be had, specifically in relation to the policy and practice of product stewardship and producer responsibility across the complete product lifecycle.

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Submission to the NSW EPA.

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This submission seeks to outline the essential principles of effective and responsible product stewardship and provides an assessment of the SPSA authorisation / exemption application against the five characteristics of effective product stewardship schemes.

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This submission to the South Australian Government comments on its Draft Waste Strategy 2025-2030. The strategy is a comprehensive effort that is to be commended and builds upon previous SA waste and circular economy strategies.

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The Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence's recommended changes to the draft Queensland Waste Strategy 2025-2030.

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The Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence’s submission in response to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into the Circular Economy outlines how regulated producer responsibility across the product and material lifecycle is the most effective way to deliver the Australian Government’s circular economy ambitions and policies.

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The Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence's submission in response to the discussion paper for the National End-of-Life Tyres Options Project. This submission is in addition to the preliminary comments provided through the online survey.

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Transcript.

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Submission to Senate.

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Submission to Treasury.

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Submission to CEMAG.

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HoR Standing Committee on II&S Inquiry into the Australian tyre industry within get contract of a circular economy – Mar 26

Beyond WAste 2023: Western Australia’s Waste Strategy 2025-2030 – Dec 25

Draft Product Lifecycle Responsibility Regulation (Batteries) – Nov 25

Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia Limited application for ACCC Authorisation AA1000695 – Sept 25

South Australia’s Waste Strategy 2025-30 – July 25

Draft Queensland new Waste Strategy 2025-2030 – June 25

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Circular Economy – Nov 24

National Project on Options for End-of-Life Tyres – Oct 24

Transcript Senate Inquiry Waste Reduction and Recycling Policies – Sept 24 

Senate Inquiry Waste Reduction and Recycling Policies – Apr 24

2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission to Treasury – Jan 24

Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence Submission to CEMAG – Apr 23

The Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence is an independent, not for profit charity, that seeks to reduce waste generation and create positive environmental and social outcomes through sustainable design, resource conservation, reuse, repair, and recycling. The Centre helps businesses, industries, and product stewardship organisations to adopt a strong lifecycle approach to deliver their ESG and circular economy objectives. We also provide independent advice on product stewardship priorities to the Australian government.

Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence Limited  |  PO Box 7052  |   Berrima NSW 2577

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