Dates for the diary

• 17 September – Metropolitan Local Government Education Network (EdNet) meeting

Metro News

Container deposit schemes — lessons from interstate

Councils can increase demand for recycled material collected through a container deposit scheme by using their purchasing power, the Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum heard earlier this month. 

In more recent times, Chris has been involved in the delivery of a number of significant infrastructure projects. This has included managing a large scale renewable energy project and the development and implementation of a five year procurement road map for the Victorian water sector. 

Chris will support the AWP team as we enter the next exciting phase of the project.

Research and analysis underway to inform statewide recycling procurement

MWRRG is leading a statewide collaborative procurement for processing kerbside recycling in partnership with six regional waste and resource recovery groups on behalf of 79 local councils. The procurement will deliver facilities for the processing of kerbside recycling with capacity and security for the future. 

Ensuring the best outcomes for councils and their communities

MWRRG is working with councils in Melbourne’s south east on the biggest tender Melbourne has seen for new infrastructure to process household rubbish.

This unique tender is taking a collaborative design approach, focusing on the interests of councils and their communities.

To make sure this can happen, no technology or site has been selected yet. Instead of specifying the technology solutions in the expression of interest process, MWRRG invited companies to propose their technology solution/s for the councils’ consideration.

Photo courtesy of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

Supporting councils to plan introduction of four bin system

We have worked with all metropolitan councils to ensure they successfully registered their intent to develop a plan to transition to the new Recycling Victoria four bin system. The plans will assist the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning develop a statewide transition plan.

Collaborating to tackle litter and illegal dumping challenges

Last week 36 officers from council, state government and the not for profit sector met online to share their expertise and hear about new litter and illegal dumping initiatives at a meeting of our Councils Litter Environment Action Network (CLEAN). Specialists working in waste education, data and research, local laws, operations, infrastructure and policy joined us to discuss illegal dumping data collection and how best to respond to local litter and illegal dumping issues.

Thanks to all attendees for their constructive feedback and ongoing contribution to the CLEAN network.

Providing effective food waste recycling for apartment dwellers

Ideas on effective food waste recycling solutions for people living in multi-unit developments (MUDs) were shared at our recent MUDs Community of Practice online session. From door-to-door collection systems in London to public place bins in The Hague, attendees heard about how councils in Australia and around the world are helping MUDs residents to reduce and recycle their food waste.

Thanks to all presenters and attendees for sharing their projects and contributing to an informative and engaging session.

Showcasing waste repurposed into valuable commodities

Plastic waste represents the third highest waste volume of commercial and industrial waste sent to landfill, it has significant environmental impacts and offers high potential for additional resource recovery.

Four new case studies—showcasing projects funded by MWRRG—show how plastic waste can be repurposed into valuable commodities. The projects included:

• asphalt made from soft plastics to improve road quality and reduce carbon emissions
• recycling expanded polystyrene using a moulding machine to turn it into new products
• increasing the amount of recovered waste used in new product designs through design expertise for organisations
• a roof tile made from waste vinyl coated fabric with the potential to solve a worldwide recycling problem with a high quality, value added product.

Read the case studies here.

Council spotlight

Boroondara shares top tips from food and green waste recycling rollout

Councils may be apprehensive about implementing universal weekly food and green waste recycling collections and transitioning to fortnightly rubbish collections. With good planning and a robust education campaign this needn’t be the case, says the City of Boroondara, after rolling out their new service.

Photo courtesy of the City of Boroondara

Be informed

• Sustainable Infrastructure Fund grants to increase the use of recycled materials in local infrastructure projects across Victoria are now available. Grants of up to $300,000 are open to councils and alpine resort management boards to use recycled materials such as glass, paper, cardboard, plastics and rubber to build new infrastructure including roads, footpaths, outdoor park equipment, drainages and cycleways. Applications close 3pm, 30 September 2020. For more information and to apply for the grants visit: sustainability.vic.gov.au/SIF 

• The Australian Government has announced that $10 million will be made available in the latest round of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants program for projects that provide innovative solutions for the recycling and reuse of plastics, paper, glass and tyres. CRC-Ps can run for up to three years, with grants capped at $3 million. They must have at least two Australian industry partners, including one small or medium sized business. The grant is now live and closes 1 October 2020. Further information is available here.

• The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is calling for partnership proposals from entities interested in establishing an independent national food waste governance body. The new body will be provided with initial funding of up to $4 million to deliver the National Food Waste Strategy to halve food waste by 2030, including implementing a food waste voluntary commitment program.  Completed proposals must be submitted by 5pm AEST Monday 7 September 2020. Find out more here.

Weird and wonderful waste news

Recyclable paper based whisky bottle on the way

The maker of the Johnnie Walker whisky brand claims to have made the world’s first paper based spirits bottle that is 100% plastic-free and completely recyclable.

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

Resource of the month

Waste and recycling icons for councils

We have developed a range of waste and recycling icons for councils to use in their communications, based on recommendations from social research and feedback from councils and industry. MWRRG’s Food waste recycling social research assesses community attitudes towards council food waste materials and offers strategic guidance on the most effective communications approaches and tactics. 

We are currently using the icons for the Back to Earth Initiative, in our illegal dumping prevention kit and in our multi-unit developments recycling collateral. 

The icons can be used in print or online and are available in jpeg, png and eps file types.

Download the suite of waste and recycling icons to see the full range. 

Contact Joshua.rule@mwrrg.vic.gov.au for more information. 

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

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