Ask us about the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan

The Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan was released last month. The plan sets out how the waste and resource recovery infrastructure needs of the greater metropolitan Melbourne region will be met over the next 10 years. (Read more about the plan here).

MWRRG invites you to a briefing session to learn about the priorities and key details of the plan and to answer any questions you may have about it.

We are holding three, hour long sessions at the MWRRG offices between 21-23 November. To view the session times and to book your place please click here.

Kerbside flexible plastic recycling launched

Residents in the council areas of Cardinia Shire, Nillumbik and Hobsons Bay can now recycle their plastic bags, and other flexible plastics, in their kerbside recycling bins. This new service, which is expected to divert an estimated twenty thousand tonnes of plastic packaging from landfill per year, will also be launched in the City of Boroondara in February 2017.

This initiative is the result of the four councils’ combined Metro Fund Round Three project. The project also received funding from the Australian Packaging Covenant and SKM Recycling in order to install new optical sorting equipment at SKM’s recycling facility. Read more.

Funding available for council collaboration

Funding of up to $75,000 is available through Round 3 of the Collaborative Council Sustainability Fund Partnerships program for councils to collaborate on a joint business case, feasibility study or project.  

The projects must achieve positive business and environmental outcomes, and the group must match 50 per cent of the funded amount by in kind services or financial contribution.

For information about further criteria and how to apply visit DTPLI’s website here. Applications close 31 January 2017.

The important role of Waste Educators

We continue our series on the great work council Waste Education Officers do this month with an interview with Helen Kerley from the City of Whitehorse.

Helen tells us about a project her council delivered in partnership with Maroondah City Council to improve communications with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in multi-unit developments. Read about her experiences from this Metro Fund Round Three project here.

Our congratulations to both councils on this successful project, and our thanks to Helen for sharing your comments with us.

Funding available for social enterprises

The Victorian Government’s Social Impact Investment for Sustainability Program is providing $1million to social enterprises to expand their operations and deliver new solutions to environmental problems.

Organisations can apply for up to $200,000 of funding to scale up and ensure they are operating sustainably by using resources more efficiently, reducing waste to landfill, and increasing their use of renewable energy.

To find out more please visit Sustainability Victoria.

Reducing waste one dialysis patient at a time

Congratulations to Melbourne Health who won the Health category at the Premier's Sustainability Awards last month.

Melbourne Health has made significant reductions (up to 35%) in clinical waste from one of the most energy and resource intensive treatments in medicine - dialysis treatment.

Read about how they are Reducing Waste One Dialysis Patient at a Time.