Australia could face widespread rubbish pile-ups within weeks as waste collectors warn fuel shortages and soaring diesel prices are pushing the sector to breaking point.

Waste contractors warn disruptions are fast approaching, but they have not been granted priority status for diesel under emergency fuel arrangements.

They have written to energy minister Chris Bowen for assistance.

‘Not being listed is potentially catastrophic to our entire sector, and it’s going to lead to significant health and environmental issues,’ Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW chief Brett Lemin said.

‘We are literally the back-end … of pretty much every single industry, every single operation that happens across this country.

‘If we cannot fuel trucks and we cannot fuel processing equipment, we cannot collect rubbish, we cannot collect recyclables.’

Waste collectors are also being squeezed by runaway fuel prices, with many now operating at a loss.

Council agreements often exclude fuel surcharge protections, leaving companies to absorb the hit.

Leaders warn some smaller operators may shut down collections or trigger ‘force majeure’ if diesel climbs towards $4 a litre.