Dates for the diary

25 December to 4 January – MWRRG office closed 

Metro news

Message from CEO Jill Riseley – 2020, a year of opportunity, change and progress

New resources to improve recycling in apartments

We’ve released free resources to help improve recycling and reduce illegal dumping in apartments. Apartments, units and other multi-unit developments usually have lower recycling rates, more contaminated recycling and are illegal dumping hotspots. We have worked with property managers, owners’ corporations, industry, Sustainability Victoria and councils to develop a suite of resources to inform and engage tenants on correct recycling and hard waste disposal.

EPA Victoria releases roadmap to help councils and industry prepare for changes to Environment Protection Act 

Victoria’s new Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018 is scheduled to come into effect in July 2021. The Act will strengthen Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s (EPA Victoria) powers to investigate and issue penalties to businesses around pollution, waste and contamination. To help stakeholders, including councils, meet their obligations under the Act, EPA Victoria has launched a Readiness Roadmap detailing key engagement activities, publications and milestones in the lead up to the changes.  

Find out more about the Readiness Roadmap.

EPA Victoria urges public to report litter in summer campaign – new resources for councils 

EPA Victoria has launched a new campaign urging people to report litter and pollution as they flock to camping grounds and public spaces this summer. The campaign aims to increase community confidence in playing an active role to minimise the environmental and public health effects of litter. With MWRRG’s support, EPA Victoria has developed a stakeholder pack to support councils to use the campaign. The pack has been shared through our Councils Litter Environment Action Network—please contact Co-ordinator Programs and Networks Jess Hand for more information. 

Read EPA Victoria’s full announcement here.

Passionate people make the world of waste go around. Each month, we profile a Waste Warrior – someone whose dedication to minimising waste and maximising resource recovery is helping make Melbourne a more sustainable and liveable place. 

Councils clean up at Keep Victoria Beautiful Awards 

Despite the challenges of 2020, this has been a year with plenty to celebrate in waste and resource recovery. The 2020 Keep Victoria Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards saw a host of Melbourne councils acknowledged for their creative and effective work to address key waste challenges and deliver high quality engagement programs.  

Do you have a council achievement you'd like to highlight? Email web.editor@mwrrg.vic.gov.au

Be informed

Have your say on Infrastructure Victoria’s draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy

Public consultation is now open on Infrastructure Victoria’s draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy. The strategy makes 95 draft recommendations across several sectors for both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Building on from advice to government released by Infrastructure Victoria earlier in the year, reducing waste and improving recycling are among the strategy’s priority areas. Public consultation on the strategy is open until 26 February 2021.

Queensland teen fashions stunning ball gown out of 700 mango seed husks 

A Queensland teenager has found a fashionable way to fight food waste, sewing 700 mango seed husks into the skirt of a full length ball gown. The Year 12 student collected the husks from spoiled fruit from her family’s mango farm and hopes to use the dress to highlight mango seed husk’s potential as a resource.

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

Resource of the month

Textile and e-waste avoidance initiative information for councils

MWRRG has developed a comprehensive list of textile and e-waste avoidance, reuse and repair initiatives across metropolitan Melbourne, in response to the persistent recycling challenge the materials pose. The list will help councils implement circular economy initiatives, respond to queries and create resources such as maps or brochures on local textile and e-waste avoidance, reuse and repair.

If you have any questions or would like to use this list, contact Manager Partnerships and Networks, Zandy Powell zandy.powell@mwrrg.vic.gov.au.  

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

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