Dates for the diary

• 8 October — Councils Litter Environment Action Network (CLEAN) meeting (online)
• 19-25 October — National Water Week 
• 27 October — Litter Enforcement Officer Network: Litter Enforcement Officer training (online) 

Metro news

Forum briefed on proposed waste Act and authority model

Over 100 people attended an online update on the Victorian Government’s proposed model for a new waste Act and waste authority on 15 September. Hosted by MWRRG on behalf of the Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum, the event gave councillors and council waste officers an opportunity to be briefed on the options paper to help councils prepare submissions and feedback on the proposed model.  

EdNet discusses Australasian Recycling Label and packaging trends 

Forty-one council waste educators gained a deeper understanding of the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) at an online meeting of our Local Government Waste Education Network (EdNet) last week. Attendees heard from Alejandra Laclette, Recycling Campaign Manager, Recycling Label, Planet Ark Environmental Foundation on the ARL scheme—including how the label works, recent progress and general packaging trends. We also heard how councils are benefiting from our new EdNet online Yammer community by sharing tips and resources, including useful discussions on effective ways to supply food waste recycling caddy liners to residents.

To find out more about the network or online community, please contact Senior Program Co-ordinator Gayle Seddon at gayle.seddon@mwrrg.vic.gov.au.

Photo: Council waste educators at the September Local Government Waste Education Network meeting. 

Portfolio 

Provide feedback on proposed Victorian waste Act and authority

As part of the Recycling Victoria policy, the Victorian Government committed to establishing a new waste and recycling Act and a waste authority to more effectively oversee the waste and recycling sector. The Victorian Government has released an Options Paper on the proposed model for the waste Act and authority for consultation. The government is seeking feedback from councils, industry and the community on whether the waste authority’s proposed functions and powers will improve outcomes in the sector and within the broader community.

Consultation on the options paper is open until 9 October 2020. Local government and the community can read the option paper and provide a submission via the Engage Victoria website. Public information sessions will be held during the consultation period—registration is via the Engage Victoria website.

New EPA specialists to tackle waste crime 

We welcome the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio’s recent announcement that 70 specialist officers will be joining Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s new Waste Crime Protection Inspectorate. The new Inspectorate will target illegal dumping, unsafe waste transport and storage, landfill levy fraud and illegal phoenix activity. An additional $71.4 million investment under Recycling Victoria means more resources are being allocated to detect, prevent, investigate and prosecute waste crime across the state. 

Council spotlight

City of Casey, creating a food waste recycling service that works for everyone

Successful food waste recycling systems rely on high levels of community engagement. Find out how the City of Casey used Back to Earth Initiative resources to empower their diverse community to opt-in to their new food waste recycling service.

Photo courtesy of the City of Casey

Be informed

• Sustainable Infrastructure Fund grants to increase the use of recycled materials in local infrastructure projects across Victoria are currently 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, 8 October 2020. For more information and to apply for the grants visit: sustainability.vic.gov.au/SIF 

• The Australian Government has made $10 million 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. Eligible projects must have at least two Australian industry partners, including one small or medium sized business. Applications close 1 October 2020. For more information visit: http://www.business.gov.au/crc-p

Weird and wonderful waste news

CSIRO turning waste veggies into healthy food additive

Australian researchers have found a solution to wastage in the food supply chain in the form of a food processor that converts out-of-specification or 'waste' vegetables into a highly nutritious powder. The powder can be added to breads, snacks, dips and even coffee to increase vegetable consumption.

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

Resource of the month

Colouring in sheets for kids

Searching for fun things for kids to do at home? We've created two colouring in sheets—a garden and a kitchen scene—to teach children what can go in the green bin. Help them find all the things that can go in your green bin at home.  

The sheets were designed for councils to share with residents and highlight the top five dos and don’ts for councils with food and green waste recycling and green waste only recycling.  

The sheets are available electronically—download and print them here. 

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

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