The latest news from MWRRG
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Metro Waste News
April 2021
Dates for the diary
- 28 April – Stop Food Waste Day
2-8 May – International Compost Awareness Week
- 15 May – Casey Detox Your Home event
- 19 May – Councils Litter Environment Action Network meeting
Metro news
Welcome to MWRRG’s new Director Major Projects
We are pleased to welcome Heather Grasby to the role of Director Major Projects. Heather will lead our Recycling Collaborative Procurement and Advanced Waste Processing projects. Heather has extensive experience in delivering large strategy, supply chain and change management projects across multiple industry sectors.
Encouraging councils to increase recycled content procurement
Seventy-one percent of councils procure products containing recycled content, a report released by MWRRG has found. This includes products made from recycled glass, food and green waste, paper, cardboard, metals, rubber and plastics. To encourage councils to increase their use of products made from recycled content, our Local government recycled content procurement report identifies the barriers to procurement, and actions councils can take to overcome them.
Providing food and green waste processing solutions for councils
Four more metropolitan councils have secure kerbside food and green waste processing solutions after joining our south east and eastern collaborative contract arrangements.
Changes to waste and resource recovery sector on the way, Forum hears
Councils need to understand their obligations under the new Environment Protection Act 2017, the Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum heard earlier this month.
Participants were particularly interested in the new tiered waste permission scheme and implications for council facilities such as transfer stations.
New signs improving recycling in multi-unit developments
Our recycling signs for apartments are a good way to remind residents what to do with rubbish and recycling, according to people living in buildings with the signage installed.
This feedback was provided to attendees at our multi-unit developments (MUDs) community of practice meeting last month by Gregor Evans, President of Strata Community Association (Victoria) and Managing Director of The Knight Owners Corporation Managers.
Developed with input from councils and property managers, the customisable signage has been installed in several buildings around Melbourne and provides clear information for apartment residents on recycling in their building and how to dispose of other unwanted items. Download the signs and read more about our resources to improve recycling in MUDs.
Our MUDs community of practice provides a forum for council officers to share news, issues and solutions for improving waste and recycling in MUDs. To find out more email Manager Partnerships and Networks Zandy Powell at zandy.powell@mwrrg.vic.gov.au.
Portfolio news
Final design of Victoria’s container deposit scheme announced
Responsibilities for running Victoria’s container deposit scheme (CDS) will be split between a scheme co-ordinator and network operators, the Victorian Government has announced. Contracts for the roles of Scheme Co-ordinator and Network Operators will be awarded through an open tender process after the legislation has been approved by parliament.
New waste to energy facility powering Melton Recycled Water Plant
Western Water’s new $3.3 million Melton Waste to Energy Facility will treat up to 5,000 kilolitres of liquid food waste from local businesses each year to produce biogas that will power the Melton Recycled Water Plant.
The new facility, opened last month by the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio was supported by an $800,000 grant from the Waste to Energy Infrastructure Fund.
Waste warriors
Cr Colleen Gates (Campaspe Shire Council), Chair of the MWRRG Board
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, Cr Colleen Gates shares how working at a landfill sparked her interest in the sector, her pride in leading the roll out of glass bins at Hobsons Bay City Council, and how changes at home have moved her closer to zero waste living.
Council spotlight
Brimbank recognised for waste collection mapping innovation
Congratulations to Brimbank City Council, who recently won the LGPro 2021 Award for Excellence in the category of Innovative Management for its Optimising Waste Collection initiative. Brimbank introduced digital mapping for waste collection — replacing a paper based system with GPS-like mapping, an event log, digital forms and technology to improve driver safety. The project resulted in cost savings, improved efficiency and is helping reduce contamination rates.
Photo courtesy of Brimbank City Council.
Events and professional development
EPA and Local Government: Empowering you as a joint regulator – 5 May 2021
Environment Protection Authority Victoria is hosting an online event to provide local government with the necessary tools and information to help fulfil their role as joint regulator. This webinar will cover the key areas local government has a regulatory role in under the Environment Protection Act 2017. Find out more and register here.
Professional training for council planners – waste and resource recovery in multi-unit developments
This Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) accredited half day online course on 16 June will ensure that planners are well grounded in current best practice for waste management and recycling in multi-unit, apartment and mixed use developments. Covering relevant state government policies and guidelines, the training—which attracts 3.0 professional development (PD) points—will be delivered by Glossop Town Planning via the PIA PLANET 2021 PD Program. The session will also include waste management planning perspectives from the City of Monash with time for discussion.
Please help us promote this event by notifying the statutory planners and waste management planners at your council and the consultants who regularly prepare the waste management plans for developers. Find out more and register here.
Weird and wonderful waste news
Underground waste system replaces trucks and wheelie bins on Sunshine Coast
Australia’s first underground, automated household waste system has been built and will shortly start operating at Maroochydore, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The vacuum pressure system will replace the need for rubbish trucks and wheelie bins in the area.
If you have a weird or wonderful waste news story to share, please email web.editor@mwrrg.vic.gov.au.
Resource of the month
Resources to help councils kerb illegal dumping
Our Illegal dumping prevention kit—developed in consultation with councils and informed by independent social research—provides councils with a suite of resources using a consistent approach to educate residents on legal disposal options and discourage placing items on the kerb without a booking.
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
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