MWRRG welcomes new Board directors

We are pleased to welcome three new skills based directors to the MWRRG Board. John Watson, Theresa Glab and Evy Papadopoulos will join Margaret Donnan, who has been reappointed, and our local government Board directors Cr Colleen Gates (Chair), Cr Sam Alessi, Cr Tom Melican and Cr Collin Ross.

We thank our outgoing Board directors - Geoffrey Carruthers, Jan Fitzgerald and David Gibb, and look forward to working constructively with our new and existing board directors to support local government and the waste industry in the delivery of waste management and resource recovery across metropolitan Melbourne.

A world leading Sustainability Hub for Fishermans Bend

On 16 August, the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio announced funding for MWRRG to develop a business case for a Sustainability Hub at Fishermans Bend. 

The Sustainability Hub is a potential infrastructure solution to achieving the Fishermans Bend vision for a sustainable and resilient urban transformation and positioning Melbourne as a world leader in sustainable urban design. MWWRG will continue to work with the Fishermans Bend Taskforce, City of Port Phillip, City of Melbourne and South East Water to finalise the draft Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy which identified the opportunity for a Sustainability Hub at Fishermans Bend.

Director of Strategy, Projects and Communications, Jo Regel  led the event at Port Phillip Resource Recovery Centre. In addition to the Minister, the event was attended by Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley, Chair of the Fishermans Bend Development Board, Meredith Sussex, General Manager of the Fishermans Bend Taskforce, Geoff Ward and Deputy Mayor of the City of Port Phillip, Cr Dick Gross.

Image (from left): Director of Strategy, Projects and Communications, Jo Regel, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley, Deputy Mayor of the City of Port Phillip, Cr Dick Gross, Chair of the Fishermans Bend Development Board, Meredith Sussex.

MWRRG supports expanded polystyrene recycling

Foam manufacturing company Polyfoam Australia Pty Ltd has successfully designed, constructed and trialled a prototype tool to make 100% recycled moulded products from scrap expanded polystyrene. Funding provided by MWRRG as part of a pilot commercial and industrial waste partnership enabled Polyfoam to develop and prove their design concept and they have now commenced work on a full-scale production tool.

Keeping green waste out of landfill in the south east

We welcome the recent announcement that the Clean Energy Finance Corp will provide a loan of $38 million towards a new state-of-the art composting facility in Melbourne’s south east. The facility is being built by Sacyr, who in conjunction with Cleanaway and Veolia are contracted to process council green waste as part of the South East Organics Processing agreement with MWRRG.

Combined litter meeting showcases litter and illegal dumping projects

We recently hosted a joint meeting for Councils Litter Environment Action Network (CLEAN) and Litter Enforcement Officer Network (LEON) to share litter prevention initiatives.

Website launched showcasing products made from recycled material

We are pleased to share the launch of RMIT’s Recycling Incubator website, developed for designers to build demand for recovered waste through the creation of new products and services. The Recycling Incubator project was established with the support of our pilot commercial and industrial waste partnership program. Visit the website

City of Glen Eira shares food scrap recycling experiences

The City of Glen Eira recently implemented a successful food scrap recycling program. We spoke with Sustainability Co-ordinator Michelle Van Gerrevink, about the council’s motivations, the community’s response, and what they learnt along the way. Read more here

E-waste infrastructure grants and communication materials now available

From 1 July 2019, e-waste will no longer be accepted in landfill sites across Victoria. Instead, it must be recycled. Councils with transfer stations listed in the Victorian E-waste Collection Network can now submit proposals for grants of up to $100,000 to complete infrastructure upgrades. Submissions close on Friday 14 September.

A community education and awareness campaign on managing e-waste in Victoria is underway. A campaign guide and campaign collateral have been provided to councils to help promote the campaign locally.

Litter innovation case studies now available

The Victorian Litter Innovation Fund provides support for innovative approaches to prevent and reduce the impact of litter and illegal dumping. Sustainability Victoria has recently released case studies of projects delivered under Round 1 of the fund. Topics include cigarette butts and coffee cups, illegal dumping, litter, and plastic pollution and marine debris.

Applications open for Research, Development and Demonstration Grants

Applications are now open for Sustainability Victoria’s Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Grants - part of the $2.5 million Resource Recovery Market Development Program. Sustainability Victoria is looking to support research, development and demonstration projects that can increase the quantity of recycled products being sold in Victoria.

Tenders open for a panel of commingled recycling processors

Tenders are now open for the for the creation of a panel of commingled recycling processors to ensure compliance with the Local Government Act and enable each council to access an alternative facility at short notice for a specified period. A copy of the tender documents for MWRRG Contract 2019/02 can be obtained from our e-tendering portal, eprocure.com.au/mwrrg/. Tenders close at 2.00pm on Friday 24 August 2018.

We’re hiring

We are looking for an experienced Data Analyst to join us for 12 months. In this role you will play a key part in the evaluation and review of the Metropolitan Implementation Plan; analysing infrastructure capacity including transfer stations, landfills, waste sorting facilities, re-processors and organic waste facilities.

One in four Brits admit to ‘carefully’ littering

This month’s story was shared by MWRRG Program Coordinator Jess Hand, and showcases a litter reduction campaign aimed at ‘careful’ litterers.

Keep Britain Tidy has launched a campaign targeting the moment when people carefully place litter on the ground or a surface before walking away, and reminding them that no matter how they do it, it’s #StillLittering. A survey behind the campaign found that 27% of people admitted to ‘careful’ littering.

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

Reminder: Swinburne University Urban Composting Research Symposium (27 August)

There is still time to register for Swinburne University’s half day event showcasing the latest research on urban composting solutions. The opening speaker and MC for the symposium will be Craig Reucassel, host of ABC’s popular War on Waste series. MWRRG Programs Coordinator Gayle Seddon will present on our guide for local government on introducing a kerbside food and garden organics collection service, to be released shortly.

Transfer Station Network meeting (18 September)

The next Transfer Station network meeting will be held on 18 September at the Knox Transfer Station in Wantirna South. Network members will receive an invitation to this event and agenda shortly.

MLGW Forum Tour - ‘Paddock to Plate’ (11 October)

The next Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum tour will be held on Thursday 11 October, and will have a ‘Paddock to Plate’ theme. This full day bus tour will highlight how food waste can be reduced at the farm, market, restaurant and in the home. See really ugly but tasty food, sample organic juices, discover innovative partnerships and find out how councils can play an important role in recovering resources, and supporting local businesses and communities.

Forum members will receive an invitation to this event shortly.

Victorian Waste Education Conference - Bendigo (23-24 October)

The 2018 Waste Education Conference will be held at the All Seasons Hotel in Bendigo on 23-24 October. The conference will be co-hosted by Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Group and Sustainability Victoria. Information on the keynote speakers and session topics will be released shortly.

• A study conducted by Port Phillip EcoCentre has found that a staggering 828 million pieces of plastic are entering Port Phillip Bay from the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers each year. The report is part of the Clean Bay Blueprint project, which builds on the success of the Litter Hotspots project “Turn off the Tap" by continuing litter research to provide sound scientific evidence to inform positive change for the environment. Read more.
• The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation and Planet Ark have recently launched the ‘Australasian Recycling Label’ a labelling scheme that will help consumers better understand how to recycle products effectively and assist brand owners to design packaging that is recyclable at end-of-life. Read more. 
• Congratulations to the City of Melton, Sustainable City of the Year at the Keep Victoria Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards 2018. We would also like to highlight the City of Manningham, winners of the Council Litter Prevention Award for their Riversafe bin, and Tangaroa Blue winners of the Community Litter Prevention Award for their implementation of Operation Clean Sweep - both Litter Hotspots Projects. It was inspiring to see so many great initiatives from communities across Victoria, and we commend all those involved. Read more. 

Plastic Bag Free Warburton case study

This week is Keep Australia Beautiful Week, which provides an excellent opportunity to highlight a great community project developed as part of the Litter Hotspots Program.

Read the Plastic Bag Free Warburton case study to find out how the community group delivered education programs, supported traders and developed plastic bag alternatives to reduce the number of plastic bags entering the Upper Yarra River, and the overall amount of plastic litter in Warburton. Read more here