The national recycling rate for mercury-containing lights is only 12%, according to a performance report on the industry product stewardship scheme established to keep them out of landfills.
Queensland's environment department is planning more changes to its proposed system for classifying waste as hazardous, including new criteria for PFAS, phalates and acid sulfate soils.
The Department of Defence has issued a detailed new 500-page pollution prevention and management manual to its personnel and contractors, covering key concerns including PFAS, acid sulfate soils and heavy metals.
The Turnbull government's 2018 environmental agenda will affect importers of new chemicals, companies required to report pollutant emissions, suppliers of products that lead to problem wastes, and facilities that emit large quantities of greenhouse gas.