Hub Plans developed to support buffer protection and future infrastructure needs

We are pleased to release Hub Plans for three waste and resource recovery hubs of state importance. The Hub Plans for the Dynon Resource Recovery Centre Hub, Ordish Road Precinct Hub and Cooper Street Hub will help ensure that land use buffers are put in place to minimise impacts to communities, the environment and public health.

These plans will also ensure adequate land is available for future waste management infrastructure.

Melbourne Food Alliance addresses food system challenges

MWRRG has joined the newly established Melbourne Food Alliance, a group formed to address food system issues associated with city growth across metropolitan Melbourne. Created with the support of the City of Melbourne, the Alliance consists of community leaders and specialists whose backgrounds include food production, supply and distribution, diet and nutrition, and food waste as well as local government and academics.

Darebin City Council takes aim at single use plastic items

Eliminating single use plastic items from council events is an ambitious goal, but that hasn’t stopped Darebin City Council who have adopted a bold policy to take action. Under the policy, plastic bags, disposable crockery, straws and balloons cannot be sold or used at events run by council and events held on council land. Read more here

State government investment, audit and reviews into waste and recycling sector

The Victorian Government has allocated an additional $35 million for waste and resource recovery in this year’s budget, including funding to support an Essential Services Commission review into regulation of recycling services in Victoria. Infrastructure Victoria will also advise on the infrastructure required to support the re-processing and use of recycled materials, waste to energy and resource recovery from organic waste.

Alongside this, the Victorian Auditor General has reviewed the effectiveness of government agencies working in waste and resource recovery, providing 26 recommendations for improvement.

Final preparations for e-waste landfill ban from 1 July

With the e-waste landfill ban commencing on 1 July, Sustainability Victoria has been busy funding infrastructure upgrades and running an education campaign to increase awareness of the e-waste ban and support the community. Read an update from Sustainability Victoria here

Recycling Industry Strategic Plan campaign development under way

Research undertaken by Sustainability Victoria has found the most common contaminants in recycling are bagged recyclables, soft plastics and film, clothing and textiles, polystyrene and food waste and green waste. The research findings will help inform the development of the Recycling Industry Strategic Plan education campaign.

Schools sustainability initiatives celebrated

Congratulations to Carrum Primary School, the 2019 ResourceSmart School of the Year. The awards recognised schools across Victoria for their efforts to inspire sustainability action in their communities, reduce the environmental impact of their campuses and protect the environment. Well done to all those involved.

Plastic cups recycled into football pitch

A beverage company has recycled more than 50,000 plastic cups used during the 2018 World Cup in Russia into a unique football pitch.

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

‘Buy Recycled’ Forum Tour – 27 June

The next Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum tour will showcase council road and urban infrastructure projects featuring high quality products containing recycled materials. The aim of the tour is to support increased council procurement of these products and to develop markets for recycled materials. For more information please contact Program Co-ordinator Katherine Cocks on 8698 9819 or email katherine.cocks@mwrrg.vic.gov.au

Designing for best practice waste management and recycling in multi-unit developments - webinar

Many councils require waste management plans from developers when they apply for planning approval for multi-unit developments. This webinar has been developed to support applicants through the council planning approval process and provide guidance to incorporate best practice waste management and recycling into all stages of a development’s life. The webinar is being delivered in partnership with Building Designers Association of Victoria and complements our recent workshop on planning for waste management and recycling in multi-unit developments for council planners. The webinar will be held on 22 July at 5pm, a small fee applies. 

• The April-May edition of Sustainability Victoria’s ‘Recovered resources market bulletin’ is now available. Read the bulletin here.  
• Voting has now closed for the Back to Earth Initiative Eastern Garden Competition. Thanks to all those who entered, voted and pledged. Stay tuned, we will be announcing the winner by the end of June.
• Congratulations to all the finalists in the Keep Victoria Beautiful Sustainable Cities 2019 Awards! A special mention to Hume City Council, finalist in the Council Environmental Sustainability Award for its recycled road project. Laid in May 2018, Craigieburn’s Rayfield Avenue was constructed using soft plastics from approximately 200,000 plastic bags and 63,000 glass bottles. The road was developed in partnership with Downer, Close the Loop and RED Group. Award winners will be announced at a ceremony on 6 September.
• Banning the Bag to reduce plastic pollution was announced recently. The ban on light weight plastic shopping bags will take effect from 1 November 2019. More information here. 

Evidence based guidelines for communicating food waste recycling

Clear and effective messages and images are essential to implement a successful food waste collection service. We recently commissioned research to assess 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.