Implementing a Circular Economy for Food Waste: How to prepare for the upcoming NSW business food waste mandates
From July 2026, many NSW businesses will be required to separate food waste under the NSW business food waste mandates. This Climate Action Week session will unpack what the mandates mean in practice and how businesses can prepare- not just to comply, but to improve waste performance and deliver more circular outcomes.
The session explores the mandates through the lens of best-practice organics recycling and circular economy principles, with a strong focus on practical, on-the-ground action. Speakers will cover which businesses are impacted, what operational changes are required, common contamination challenges, and how separating food waste can support better resource recovery, reduced landfill emissions and, ultimately, cost savings for businesses.
Importantly, this event brings together perspectives from across the entire organics recycling system. Attendees will hear from:
A large organisation demonstrating leadership in organic material management and waste reduction initiatives (Canva)
A collection and service provider delivering integrated waste and resource recovery solutions (ORG)
An organics processor representing industry best practice in recycling and circular economy outcomes (AORA / Loop Organics)
The regulatory authority responsible for the development and oversight of organic waste policy and mandates (NSW EPA)
Together, these perspectives help illustrate how each part of the system - from waste generation through to processing and regulation — must work together to deliver clean organics streams and successful circular economy outcomes.
Drawing on insights from the NSW EPA’s Bin Trim Program, EC Focus will also share examples of best-practice initiatives that have been successfully implemented across shopping centres, mixed-use buildings and food businesses, highlighting how organisations can move beyond compliance and use organics recycling as a foundation for better waste systems.
Who should attend
Shopping centres and mixed-use building managers
Hotels, cafés, restaurants and food businesses
Facilities, sustainability and operations managers
Businesses preparing for the NSW food waste mandates
People looking for insights on how the Organics industry works together
Speakers
Sam Quirk, Lead Consultant – EC Focus
Mark Hanover, Executive Chef – Canva
Robert Sarich, Senior Policy Officer – NSW EPA
Martina de Marcos, Engagement & Sustainability Manager – ORG
Alex Morris, Environmental Scientist – Loop Organics (representing AORA)
By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organisers of Climate Action Week Sydney. Your information will not be shared with third parties.