Waste Recycling Industry QLD (WRIQ) is pleased to announce the 2027 Future Waste Resources Symposium (FWR 2027), to be held from 9–11 March 2027 at The Westin Brisbane.
FWR 2027 will bring together leaders from industry, State government, local government and across the waste and recycling system to examine the decisions, challenges and practical steps involved in delivering Queensland’s Waste Strategy.
The 2027 program will tackle some of the harder questions facing Queensland. What infrastructure do we need, where should it go and who should drive investment? Why aren’t households recycling more? What needs to happen to make recycling commercially viable? And where do government, councils and industry need to do things differently?
Across three days, FWR 2027 will combine practical case studies, rapid-fire presentations, panel discussions and facilitated conversations focused on what is working, where challenges remain and where greater progress is needed.
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
The Program Committee is looking for contributions that bring experience, evidence and practical insight to the key questions facing Queensland’s waste and recycling system. We are particularly interested in what is working in practice, where challenges remain and ideas that could help Queensland make greater progress.
Contributions may include individual presentations, case studies or participation in a panel discussion. Expressions of interest from people with relevant expertise who would like to contribute as a panellist are also welcome.
Submissions are invited on topics including:
- Implementing the Queensland Waste Strategy
Turning Queensland’s waste and recycling priorities into measurable progress, including implementation challenges, competing priorities, roles and responsibilities and practical examples of delivery. - Planning Queensland’s Waste Infrastructure
What infrastructure Queensland needs, where it should be located and how it should be planned and delivered, including future capacity, regional needs, investment, changing waste streams and avoiding duplication or stranded assets. - Increasing Household Recycling
Practical approaches to increasing participation, improving material quality and reducing contamination, including collection systems, service design, convenience, consistency, education and behaviour change. - Recycling Systems, Technology and Innovation
New or improved approaches to collection, sorting, processing and recycling that are delivering measurable results or helping address difficult waste streams. - Making Recycling Economically Viable
Creating stronger markets and a sustainable economic case for recycling, including end markets, recycled content, procurement, collection and processing costs, investment, market development and waste levy settings. - Regional and Rural Queensland
Solutions that recognise the challenges of distance, transport, scale and economics, including shared infrastructure, regional hubs, local processing and regional markets. - Policy, Regulation and the Roles of Government and Industry
Policy and regulatory settings that support better waste and recycling outcomes, including the roles of State and local government, industry and the community. - Product Stewardship
Established and emerging approaches to product stewardship, including lessons from existing schemes, voluntary and regulated approaches, roles and responsibilities, funding and interaction with existing recycling systems.
Other proposals addressing significant issues affecting the implementation of Queensland’s Waste Strategy or the future of Queensland’s waste and recycling system are also welcome.
HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL
All contributions must be submitted online. If you are unable to use the online form, please contact the FWR Secretariat on 0404 517 058 or email events@wriq.com.au.
Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged by email within two working days.
Depending on the type of contribution you are proposing, you may be asked to provide:
- Presenter, panellist or facilitator details
- A short professional biography and photograph
- A proposed presentation, session or discussion title
- A brief synopsis or overview of your contribution
- Details of the topic, issue or perspective you would like to contribute
- Relevant experience or expertise
- Suggested questions, perspectives or participants for a panel or discussion
- Details of any additional presenters or collaborators
Submissions close on 4 December 2026.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
The FWR 2027 Program Committee will review all contributions and consider how each may best fit within the program.
Submissions may be considered for individual presentations, case studies, panel discussions, facilitated discussions or other session formats. While every contribution will be considered, it may not be possible to accommodate all submissions.
The Program Committee may contact contributors to discuss their proposal, suggest changes to the format or focus, or explore how an idea could be incorporated into a broader session or panel.
PUBLICATION
Accepted sessions may be recorded and made available as part of the FWR 2027 Proceedings.
Where applicable, presentation slides and other approved materials may also be included in the Proceedings.
Approved session titles, descriptions, presenter biographies and other program information may be published on the FWR website and in program, promotional, social media and email materials relating to FWR 2027.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
All contributors will be asked to confirm the following:
- I confirm that the information provided in this submission is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
- I confirm that any other people named in this submission have been informed and, where appropriate, have agreed to being included.
- I understand that WRIQ may use the information provided in this submission for the purpose of assessing and developing the FWR 2027 program.
- I understand that submitting a contribution does not guarantee inclusion in the FWR 2027 program and that the Program Committee may contact me to discuss, adapt or further develop the proposed contribution.
- Where my contribution is accepted, I consent to WRIQ publishing approved session information, including titles, descriptions, presenter biographies and related materials, in connection with FWR 2027. I also consent to my session being recorded and to that recording, together with any approved presentation materials, being made available as part of the FWR 2027 Proceedings.
- If I am invited to present, participate as a panellist or facilitate a session, I understand that no speaker fee will be paid and that travel and accommodation costs are my responsibility unless otherwise agreed with WRIQ.
- If I am invited to participate in the FWR 2027 program, I understand that I will be required to register for the Symposium by the advised deadline at the applicable presenter registration rate. Failure to register by the due date may result in my participation being withdrawn from the program.
