Dates for the diary

• 5 June – World Environment Day
• 11 June – Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum webinar: Value added resource recovery (online) 
• 17 June – PIA training: Planning for waste management and recycling in MUDs (online) 

Metro News

Farewell to MWRRG Board Member 

We are sad to farewell Theresa Glab from the MWRRG Board of Directors. Theresa’s skills and experience in waste and local government have made her a valuable addition to the Board since her appointment in August 2018 and she will be sorely missed. We thank Theresa for her contribution and service to MWRRG.

Celebrating International Compost Awareness Week 2020  

This year we celebrated International Compost Awareness Week (3-9 May) by highlighting one of the urban farms in Melbourne benefitting from compost made from the city’s food and green waste.   

Food For Change is a charity growing fruit and vegetables in Melbourne’s east. Their produce is feeding hungry Melburnians in need.    

We developed a resource kit—featuring Food For Change—for councils participating in the Back to Earth Initiative to share with residents to remind them why it’s important to use their green bins correctly.   

The resource kit includes videos, photos and website content. The kit has been designed to be flexible so councils can use it anytime throughout the year to promote their food and green waste recycling service. 

Visit the Back to Earth Initiative website for more information.

Waste educators innovating and collaborating online 

On 5 May, 24 council officers joined our Local Government Waste Education Network meeting to discuss how they are delivering waste education and engaging with residents online. We also presented our database of textile and e-waste avoidance, repair and reuse initiatives across metropolitan Melbourne, and discussed opportunities to share the information with their residents. 

Transfer station operators rising to the occasion 

Forty two local government and industry transfer station operators, and other government and industry stakeholders attended our Resource Recovery Centre and Transfer Station Network meeting on 20 May. Discussion focused on how changing patterns of e-waste and hard waste disposal are impacting transfer stations and resource recovery centres. We are proud to partner with local government and industry to build the capacity of this important part of our waste management sector. 

Local government and industry transfer station operators attending the Resource Recovery Centre and Transfer Station Network meeting on 20 May. 

Policy

• Following a sitting of Parliament on Thursday 23 April, the Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018 has been postponed. It is now intended to commence on 1 July 2021. Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) will continue to regulate under the Environment Protection Act 1970 including all existing subordinate legislation (regulations and statutory policies including state environment protection policies and waste management policies) until the new commencement date. For more information please contact EPA by calling 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842 – 24 hours), or emailing engagement@epa.vic.gov.au. 

Council spotlight

Be informed

• Infrastructure Victoria has published the final advice to government on recycling and resource recovery infrastructure in Victoria. Read the report here. 

• Congratulations to all finalists in the 2020 ResourceSmart Schools Awards. Winners will be announced in an awards ceremony on World Environment Day, 5 June 2020. 

Events and professional development

Planning for waste management and recycling in multi-unit developments (online)

Professional training for council planners 

Registrations are now open for the Planning for waste management and recycling in multi-unit developments (MUDs) course on Wednesday 17 June. This Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) accredited half day course will help planners effectively implement state government policies and guidelines for waste management and recycling in MUDs through the planning permit process. The training will be delivered online by Glossop Town Planning as part of the PIA PLANET 2020 Program and participants can receive 3.5 PD points. MWRRG has subsidised the cost of the training, which is available to participants at a reduced price of $135. 

Please help us promote this event by notifying the statutory planners and waste management planners at your council. Please note, this is the same course provided to council planners in 2019. 

Find out more and register here. 

Weird and wonderful waste news

Mushroom waste could make great sunscreen, scientists say

Scientists from the University of Adelaide have created a transparent film from molecules extracted from mushroom stalks. The film has potential to be used for items like sunscreen, skincare products and outdoor furniture coating. 

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

Resource of the month

Evidence based guidelines for communicating food waste recycling

Clear and effective messages and images are essential to implement a successful food waste collection service. In 2019 we published research on communications which encourage high levels of food waste recycling participation, compliance and satisfaction. The guidelines provide advice on communications channels, collateral types, timing and design principles, use of images, stickers and pledges.

Read the guidelines and the full food waste recycling social research.

The Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan sets out four strategic objectives which underpin all of MWRRG’s activities:

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