MWRRG Annual Report tabled in Parliament

In 2017-18, 259,345 tonnes of organic waste was processed under contracts managed by MWRRG, representing an increase of 35% on the previous year. Find out what other activities we've undertaken in our 2017-18 Annual Report, which was tabled in Parliament on 19 December 2018. Read the Annual Report or Annual Report Snapshot here

Preparations for e-waste ban underway in the City of Whittlesea

With the e-waste to landfill ban in place from 1 July this year, the City of Whittlesea has been busy preparing for the ban – installing collection hubs, holding community collection days, trialling school collection pick-ups and promoting awareness. Read more about the City of Whittlesea’s e-waste initiatives

Household Chemical Collection program celebrates 25 years with delivery model review

This year, Sustainability Victoria’s Household Chemical Collection (HCC) program (previously Detox your Home) celebrates 25 years of service. Sustainability Victoria is taking this opportunity to undertake a review of the HCC program’s delivery model. Read more here

Round 3 Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund project recipients announced

On December 20, 2018, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced $4.8 million for 20 recycling projects as part of the third round of the Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund. The projects will expand the collection of kerbside food organics, increase the recycling of plastics and upgrade major recycling facilities – including three regional resource recovery facilities.

2019 Keep Victoria Beautiful Sustainable City Awards – entries now open

Entries for the 2019 Keep Victoria Beautiful Sustainable City Awards are now open. The Awards recognise and celebrate positive actions taken by communities in urban areas to protect and enhance their local environments. Award categories include litter prevention, recycling, protection of the environment, preserving heritage, community action and leadership and environmental sustainability programs. Entries close 22 March. Read more about the awards and find out how to enter here. 

Entries open for 2019 ResourceSmart Schools Awards

Entries have now opened for the 2019 ResourceSmart Schools Awards. The awards program is open to all Victorian government, independent and Catholic schools. Entries close on 1 April, 2019. To find out more and enter, visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/schoolsawards

Melbourne researchers recycle sewage sludge into building bricks

A team of researchers at RMIT University has demonstrated that clay fired bricks containing biosolids – a treated by-product from the wastewater treatment process – could be a sustainable building solution, requiring less energy than conventional bricks to produce, while diverting biosolids from landfill.

If you have a weird or wonderful waste news story to share, please email web.editor@mwrrg.vic.gov.au. 

Engaging residents and tailoring services for smarter and cleaner multi-unit developments

This workshop has been developed to support councils to improve resource recovery and reduce illegal dumping in multi-unit developments (MUDs). It will feature presentations from state and local government, a panel session of Owners Corporation and Property Managers, a tour of a best practice MUD and the latest social research on waste and resource recovery in MUDs. The workshop will be held on 13 March, 9.15 – 4.00pm.

Household Chemical Collection Program Review – Stakeholder Consultation

Sustainability Victoria (SV) is undertaking a review into the Household Chemical Collection (HCC) program (previously Detox Your Home). SV is inviting local governments, state government authorities, environmental groups, product stewardship schemes and recyclers to participate in stakeholder consultation workshops to be held around Victoria. MWRRG will be hosting a workshop for stakeholders in the metropolitan region on Friday 22 March.

Planning for Major Waste and Resource Recovery Facilities and Closed Landfills

This Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) accredited course has been developed to assist local government planners to understand the critical role of significant waste and resource recovery infrastructure in supporting sustainable growth and the importance of planning for the post-closure and operation phases of these facilities. The course will be held on Thursday 4 April, 9.30 – 5.00pm.

• The Yarra Riverkeeper is hosting a Maribyrnong River Litter Blitz on Sunday 3 March. Find out how you can join the clean up here.  

Taking Community Action, Litter Hotspots Program case study

Clean Up Australia Day is just around the corner. For inspiration on how you can take your clean up to a new level and engage others to join you, check out the Litter Hotspots Program ‘Taking Community Action’ case study. Featuring projects undertaken by Friends of the Williamstown Wetlands, 3rd Croydon Scout Group and Friends of Westgate Park, the case study illustrates how small community groups have made big efforts for clean waterways around Melbourne.