City of Glen Eira wins AORA Victoria Award for new food scrap recycling service

We would like to congratulate all winners, finalists and participants in the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) Victoria Awards, which took place on Wednesday 18 July.

We would especially like to highlight the City of Glen Eira, who won the Yarra Valley Water – Outstanding Local Government Initiative In Collection/Processing/Marketing for the implementation of their food scrap recycling program, and the City of Yarra, nominated for their Food Scraps Collection Project. Read more here

Advances in waste processing stepping up pace

Plans for advanced waste processing solutions in metropolitan Melbourne received a welcome boost when MWRRG recently received additional funding for the delivery of two collective procurements.

Collective procurement to stabilise the recycling sector

Over the next 12 months MWRRG will be initiating collective procurement arrangements for the processing of municipal recyclable materials, alternative waste resource recovery facilities and landfill.

MWRRG supports OzHarvest to deliver recovered food

Funding provided by MWRRG as part of a pilot Commercial and Industrial waste (C&I) partnership project has allowed OzHarvest Melbourne to increase the number of food rescue vans that operate on Saturdays. Read more here

MWRRG to collaborate on business case for waste hub in western Melbourne

MWRRG will work with government, industry and councils to develop a business case for a new Centre of Excellence for Resource Recovery in western Melbourne as part of the Western Metropolitan Partnership.

The Partnership is an advisory group established by the Victorian Government, and provides a way for communities to engage directly with state and local governments, and provide advice on the top priorities for jobs, services and infrastructure.

The business case will be delivered under the recently released $37 million Recycling Industry Strategic Plan. Image: Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio (right) and Cr John Hedditch from the City of Brimbank at the Western Metropolitan Partnership Assembly, where the Centre of Excellence for Resource Recovery was announced.

Hobsons Bay combats illegal dumping with smart phone app

Hobsons Bay City Council has recently adopted the DumpInData tool to help combat illegal dumping. Darren Findlay, Coordinator City Amenity at Hobsons Bay spoke with us about how he uses DumpInData in his daily operations and how it is being used to more accurately focus illegal dumping education and enforcement.

Recycling Industry Strategic Plan announced

On 3 July the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced the $37 million Recycling Industry Strategic Plan. The plan has been developed to support industry in the medium to long-term, minimise recycling costs for Victorian households, and build a resilient recycling sector in Victoria.

Victorian Landfills Register launched

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has taken an important step to map all Victorian landfill sites with the new Victorian Landfills Register. The register includes an interactive map with landfill locations and attributes. It is also downloadable in various formats.

Supporting Victorians to recycle e-waste

On 4 July, the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio launched a $1.5m public education and awareness campaign to help Victorians reduce the amount of e-waste going to landfills. The campaign, run by Sustainability Victoria, aims to highlight the value of recycling electronic material ahead of an e-waste-to-landfill ban which takes effect on 1 July 2019.

We’re hiring

An exciting opportunity exists for a Program Co-ordinator to help execute waste and resource recovery projects aligned with our Metropolitan Implementation Plan. In this multi-faceted and varied role you will plan, implement and coordinate projects, networks and events with our stakeholders, including metropolitan Melbourne councils, businesses and industry groups.

Western Water calls for market feedback about Organic Food Waste to Energy Project

Western Water is seeking interest from reputable waste contractors and companies as part of a market sounding exercise to gain the best outcome for the design, building and operation of a Waste to Energy facility located at the Melton Recycled Water Plant.

City of Port Phillip seeks feedback on draft Waste Management Strategy

The City of Port Phillip is calling for feedback on its draft Waste Management Strategy. Consultation closes on 30 July 2018.

This month’s story was shared by MWRRG Program Coordinator Gayle Seddon, and showcases a great waste reduction initiative right here in Melbourne.

A new store, stocked with donated produce that would otherwise have been thrown away has opened in Thornbury. The Inconvenience Store has no set prices. Customers are encouraged to pay whatever they can afford or volunteer if they wish to contribute with their time instead.

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

Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum – 9 August

The theme for the August Forum is ‘Long Term Visions for Waste and Resource Recovery.’ We invited representatives from the three major parties to present their perspectives on waste and resource recovery ahead of the 2018 state election in November. We have received acceptances from:

• Anthony Carbines, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Parliamentary Secretary for Water
• Huong Truong, MLC, Waste Portfolio spokesperson for the Victorian Greens Party.

Forum members will receive an invitation to this event shortly.

Litter Enforcement Officer Network (LEON) meeting – 9 August

LEON supports litter enforcement officers around the state, with a focus on enforcement of litter and illegal dumping issues. MWRRG will be hosting the next LEON meeting on 9 August, with presentations on illegal dumping projects, recycling, DumpInData and an opportunity for participants to share highlights of their current activities. If you are a member of LEON and have not yet received an invitation, please contact Jess Hand on 8698 9841 or email jessica.hand@mwrrg.vic.gov.au.

Swinburne University Urban Composting Research Symposium – 27 August

Swinburne University is running a half day event showcasing the latest research on urban composting solutions, covering kerbside collection and onsite composting for multi-unit developments, offices and hospitality spaces. The opening speaker for the symposium will be Craig Reucassel, host of ABC’s popular War on Waste series.

• ABC’s popular ‘War on Waste’ show is returning for another season on Tuesday 24 July.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement Guide

Community awareness and acceptance is critical to the success of local waste and resource recovery facilities and services. This means facility operators, managers and educators need to work proactively to engage with the communities they serve. Our Community and Stakeholder Engagement Guide helps facility operators to deliver meaningful and successful community and stakeholder engagement.

The guide includes an introduction to community engagement and why it is important; principles to guide community engagement activities; a best practice engagement planning process; engagement methods, templates and tips to help site operators (of all levels of experience) effectively engage communities and stakeholders. Read more here