The latest news from MWRRG No images? Click here Dates for the diary • 2 March – Business Clean Up Day Metro newsMWRRG 2019-20 Annual Report publishedMWRRG’s Annual Report was tabled last week in the Parliament of Victoria. From the Victorian Government’s new circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy to responding to challenges such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the closure of a major recycling processor, to the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Jillian Riseley—it was a big year of change for us. We’re really proud of our efforts to minimise waste and maximise resource recovery. 2021 Forum leadership team electedCongratulations to Cr Lina Messina (City of Darebin), who was re-elected Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum (Forum) Chair for 2021, at the first Forum meeting of the year. Congratulations also to Cr Michelle Kleinert (City of Manningham) elected to the position of Deputy Chair; Cr Collin Ross (Cardinia Shire Council), Cr Bruce Lancashire (Brimbank City Council), Cr Jim Child (Yarra Ranges Shire Council) and Cr Peter Castaldo (City of Banyule) elected to the Forum’s Strategies and Policy Advocacy Group (SPAG). New resources to help councils kerb illegal dumpingWe were pleased to release the Illegal dumping prevention kit at the February meeting of the Councils Litter Environment Action Network (CLEAN). The kit—developed in consultation with CLEAN 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. Welcome to MWRRG’s new Director FinanceWe welcome Basil Ireland to the role of Director Finance. Basil will lead our finance and compliance functions. Basil’s proven track record of success in large and complex, private and public organisations will be invaluable to support our transition to a new recycling authority. Template to help councils reduce recycling contaminationOur new recycling contamination minimisation plan template will help councils reduce contamination in household kerbside recycling bins—reducing costs and improving markets for recycled products. The template contains initiatives, actions, and targets that councils can adapt to suit their needs and use to develop or enhance existing plans to reduce contamination. Support for Recycling Victoria Councils Fund applicationsMWRRG is helping councils to apply for Sustainability Victoria’s Recycling Victoria Councils Fund grants. The grants, of up to $500,000 are targeted at projects that reduce the amount of waste going to landfill or increase the volume of materials re-used, repaired, repurposed or recycled—while creating local circular economy jobs. Our Partnerships and Networks Team are available to provide councils with information, such as data and policy linkages, and to review applications. Please contact Manager Partnerships and Networks, Zandy Powell at zandy.powell@mwrrg.vic.gov.au or 0416 114 602 for support. Applications close at 3pm, 19 March 2021. Land use planning to protect our critical waste and resource recovery hubsWe are pleased to release the Hallam Road Waste and Resource Recovery Hub Plan. The plan is an important milestone in the ongoing process of identifying and protecting Victoria’s critical waste and resource recovery infrastructure within the land use planning system. Portfolio newsUpgrading Victoria's infrastructure to recycle more plastic and glassA joint investment between the Victorian and Australian governments will double Victoria’s domestic glass recycling capacity and boost domestic plastics recycling capacity by nearly 40%. The funding, delivered through the Victorian Government’s Recycling Victoria Infrastructure Fund and the Australian Government’s Recycling Modernisation Fund will provide six organisations with a share of $8.1 million in funding to build new recycling facilities and upgrade existing infrastructure across the state. Advice on Victoria’s new environmental lawsNew environmental laws are coming to Victoria. Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility, which is why laws in Victoria are changing to include a general environmental duty. Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has prepared advice for the community and business to help everyone comply with the general environment duty and protect Victoria’s environment. Provide feedback on waste and resource recovery determinationsTo make it easier for people to use recycled products, EPA is exploring opportunities to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers where it can be done safely and with best practice methods. This work is part of the Recycling Markets Acceleration Package, an initiative of Recycling Victoria. EPA is seeking feedback on determinations—new legislative tools that set specific conditions and allow the use of some industrial wastes without self assessment or EPA approval. EPA is seeking feedback on determinations for:
Waste warriorsCr. Lina Messina, Mayor of Darebin City CouncilPassionate 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. We’re kicking off the new year with 2021 Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum Chair and Mayor of Darebin City Council, Cr Lina Messina. Cr Messina shares what first sparked her interest in waste and her plans to implement a micro circular economy in Darebin. Council spotlightNo room for a fourth bin? Trialling glass recycling for high density areas in the City of Port PhillipRolling out separate glass recycling to residents with limited space is a challenge many councils are currently facing, including in the City of Port Phillip, where 90% of homes are high or medium density. This month, City of Port Phillip shares its experiences trialling communal bins in parks across South Melbourne and Albert Park. Do you have a council achievement you'd like to highlight? Email web.editor@mwrrg.vic.gov.au Weird and wonderful waste newsSingle use masks recycled into road baseAustralian researchers have blended single use face masks with recycled concrete aggregate to strengthen roads and to help tackle disposable mask waste. If you have a weird or wonderful waste news story to share, please email web.editor@mwrrg.vic.gov.au. Resource of the monthResources to improve recycling in apartmentsOur free resources help improve recycling and reduce illegal dumping in apartments. Apartments, units and other multi-unit developments usually have lower recycling rates, more contaminated recycling and are illegal dumping hotspots. We have worked with property managers, owners’ corporations, industry, Sustainability Victoria, and councils to develop a suite of resources to inform and engage tenants on correct recycling and hard waste disposal. 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 © 2020 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] |