The latest news from MWRRG
No images? Click here
Metro Waste News
June 2021
Dates for the diary
- 1-31 July — Plastic Free July
- 7 July — Litter Enforcement Officer Network: Regulating Litter and Other Waste Training Course
14 July — Metropolitan Local Government Waste Education Network (Ed Net) meeting
Metro news
South east advanced waste processing procurement progressing
In March 2020, MWRRG released an expression of interest for solutions to provide an alternative to landfill for councils in Melbourne’s south east. Since then, the procurement has progressed with the three shortlisted respondents now taking part in the solution development stage. During this stage, the respondents will develop and submit outline solutions and take part in competitive dialogue to ensure council objectives are met and reliable solutions are put forward.
Engagement guide refreshed and republished
We’re pleased to share our refreshed Community and stakeholder engagement guide to help you gain and maintain a social licence to operate. A social licence is the acceptance continually granted to a business by the local community or other stakeholders for the business to operate.
Councils and industry alike find the guide a useful reference, and now that it’s been refreshed it is even easier to use.
Product stewardship provides opportunities for councils, Forum hears
Batteries, mattresses, and textiles all present unique waste management challenges for councils―but emerging product stewardship opportunities could help increase recovery and improve environmental outcomes, the Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum heard earlier this month.
Bin inspections allow targeted community feedback, network meeting hears
From sharing lessons on successful kerbside bin inspection programs, to learning about how new Australian and Victorian government rules and regulations will affect council transfer stations, it was busy month for our networks.
Portfolio news
Victoria’s new environmental laws
Victoria’s new era of environmental protection starts on 1 July 2021. The biggest change in 50 years will help the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) prevent harm from pollution and waste for generations to come. Visit EPA’s website for resources, guidance and support on the new laws.
Recycling Victoria Research and Development Fund—Organics
Funding for collaborative partnerships between research organisations and organisations that produce or use recycled organics commercially in Victoria is now available. Projects must improve process, performance or systems for existing recycled organics products. Read more about the fund on Sustainability Victoria’s website. Applications close Friday, 16 July 2021.
2021 Premier’s Sustainability Awards—entries now open
The 2021 Premier’s Sustainability Awards are open for entries. Award categories have been refreshed this year to ensure they reflect the current focus of sustainability in Victoria and align with global best practice. Check out the new award categories—including waste reduction and the circular economy—on Sustainability Victoria’s website. Entries close on Friday 30 July 2021.
Be informed
New rules for waste plastic exports now in place
New rules—developed as part of the Australian, state and territory governments’ agreement to regulate the export of waste glass, plastic, tyres, and paper—were approved in May, and come into effect over two phases. From 1 July 2021, you will no longer be able to export mixed waste plastics. From 1 July 2022 you can only export waste plastics that have been sorted into single resin or polymer type and further processed, for example flaked or pelletised, or processed with other materials into processed engineered fuel. You will also need a licence to export waste.
Visit the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s website to find out more.
Waste warriors
Kiam Yoong, Senior Manager Environmental Sustainability, Zoos Victoria
Passionate people make the world of waste go around. Each month, we profile a Waste Warrior – someone whose dedication to minimising waste and maximising resource recovery is helping make Melbourne a more sustainable and liveable place.
This month, we speak to Kiam Yoong, Senior Manager Environmental Sustainability at Zoos Victoria, an organisation leading the way in sustainability and waste reduction, with initiatives including zero waste to landfill, carbon neutrality and a focus on sustainable procurement.
Council spotlight
Councils collaborating and leading this Plastic Free July
From tips and tricks to help you with your plastic free journey, to workshops on how to make your own zero waste products—councils across metropolitan Melbourne are collaborating to deliver high quality events to help residents to reduce unnecessary single use plastics this Plastic Free July.
Events and professional development
Litter Enforcement Officer Network: Regulating Litter and Other Waste Training
The Litter Enforcement Officer Network (LEON) is offering professional development for authorised officers under the Environment Protection Act 1970 to transition to the Environment Protection Act 2017. The training is relevant for staff working in areas such as local laws, civic compliance, planning, environmental health, prosecutions/legal, waste education, and litter prevention.
The course provides clear instructions on what is contained in the new Act and how this will impact the work of authorised officers. Visit LEON’s website to see the training dates and find out more.
Weird and wonderful waste news
Food scraps turned into robust, edible construction materials
Scientists at the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo have developed a way to turn fruit and vegetable scraps—including cabbage leaves, and orange, onion, pumpkin, and banana peels—into robust construction materials.
If you have a weird or wonderful waste news story to share, please email web.editor@mwrrg.vic.gov.au.
Resource of the month
Case study - campaign boosts food and green waste recycling at Queen Victoria Market
Our new case study highlights how education and communication helped Queen Victoria Market increase food waste recycling from 50 to 66 per cent amongst stallholders.
Read more about the campaign, funded under MWRRG’s pilot commercial and industrial waste partnership project.
The Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan sets out four strategic objectives which underpin all of MWRRG’s activities:
Reduce waste sent to landfill
Deliver community environmental & economic benefits
Increase organic waste recovered
Plan for Melbourne’s growing population
Copyright © 2021 Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group. All rights reserved. If you want to join our mailing lists, you can subscribe to any or all of our bulletins. If you are already on our mailing lists, you can also update your subscription preferences.
This email was sent to [email address suppressed]
