New PFAS System Sets a Fresh Benchmark for Waste Tech

A new PFAS extraction system in Victoria hints at a turning point for Australia’s waste treatment sector

11 Sep 2025

Australia’s waste sector is testing a new PFAS extraction system that is showing early signs of improving how facilities handle one of the country’s most persistent pollutants. The technology, installed at Reclaim Waste in Victoria, is attracting industry attention as operators adjust to tighter national limits on PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS.

Developed by the Environmental Group and approved by EPA Victoria, the system removes more than 99 per cent of PFAS compounds from liquid waste, leachate and potentially biosolids. Waste operators have long faced slow or inconsistent treatment options, and analysts say the performance of a high-volume unit is being watched closely.

The system’s arrival coincides with a regulatory shift. Facilities across Australia are working to comply with stricter standards, and many acknowledge that older treatment methods are struggling to meet new expectations. One environmental representative familiar with the rollout said operators were seeking solutions that were “fast, reliable and compliant”, and that the installation was among the first in Australia to show potential across all three areas.

Industry observers say the broader implications are becoming clearer. As pressure grows to curb PFAS pollution, some operators are reassessing long-term plans and exploring partnerships to secure access to advanced treatment. Analysts note that this could lead to further consolidation as companies upgrade older assets, though any such trend remains at an early stage.

Technical challenges persist. The concentrated PFAS residue created during extraction must be destroyed safely, and large-scale destruction technologies are still evolving. Several operators also want longer-term operating data before committing to major investments.

EPA Victoria has described the installation as a “critical milestone” and encouraged other facilities to examine similar systems as part of national PFAS reduction goals.

With regulatory pressure increasing and public expectations rising, advanced PFAS treatment is emerging as a potential model for the next phase of Australia’s waste management sector. Early adopters are moving first, while the wider industry monitors how the technology performs over time.