Call for Abstracts

Thank you for your interest in presenting at the Waste 2026 Conference. 

The call for abstracts for the Waste 2026 Conference has now closed and late entries will not be accepted. 

Papers are in the process of being reviewed by the program committee and presenter invitations will be issued in two rounds: The first in late February 2026, and the second in early March 2026. You will be notified promptly once the review process is complete.

Missed the deadline? Get in touch at the end of February to check for any remaining program availability. Please do not send late submissions by email. 

Abstracts must be aligned with one or more of the key focus areas outlined below:

  • Challenging waste streams
  • Circular economy
  • Collection systems
  • Container deposit schemes
  • Disaster waste management
  • Economics & financing
  • Education & community engagement
  • Energy from waste
  • Infrastructure
  • Innovation & technology
  • Landfill & facility management
  • Litter & illegal dumping
  • Local government issues
  • Organics
  • Policy & strategic planning
  • Procurement, tenders & contracts
  • Product stewardship & extended producer responsibility
  • Project delivery
  • Regional issues
  • Regulation & compliance
  • Resource recovery
  • Social enterprise & community waste management

Abstract submission and presenter terms and conditions 

  • All abstracts must be submitted on the template provided
  • A corporate portrait photograph must be supplied at the time of submission. For successful abstracts, this will be used on the conference website and app and any other marketing collateral deemed appropriate by the conference organisers
  • A 150 word bio must be provided at the time of submission. For successful abstracts, this will be published on the conference website, app and be used for chairpersons’ introductions during the conference  
  • You can update your abstract any time prior to the closing date (17 December 2025) by logging in to the submissions portal with your username and password    
  • All abstracts received will be passed onto the program development committee for review and will be kept confidential in nature  
  • The program development committee is comprised of government, industry and association representatives  
  • The committee will be reviewing abstracts between mid January and mid February 2026. Presenter invitations will be issued in two rounds—the first in late February 2026, and the second in early March 2026.
  • The successful submissions will form the basis of the conference program and will be asked to present face to face in Coffs Harbour.  All presentations will be broadcast live to an online audience. Successful applicants will be notified February/March 2026
  • If accepted for the conference program, your abstract will be published on the conference website and/or conference app 
  • Presenters will have the opportunity to update their abstract after they have been accepted for the conference program   
  • All presenters accepted for an individual presentation at the conference and attending for the full 3 days will be entitled to a one off $450 discount
  • All presenters attending for the day of their presentation only, will be entitled to register free of charge
  • Co-presentations will not be considered  
  • Confirmed presenters will be required to register for the conference and pay the relevant registration fees if applicable
  • PowerPoint presentations will be required 2 weeks prior to the conference  
  • Non-conforming abstracts or late submissions may not be considered