The Victorian Government has released its circular economy strategy – Recycling Victoria – a 10-year policy and action plan that is intended to overhaul Victoria’s recycling sector and reduce waste going to landfill.
An investment of more than $300 million will be made to enable a suite of reforms, dedicated to shifting Victoria to a circular economy, including a statewide four-bin recycling system, a container deposit scheme and nearly $100 million to support businesses, drive innovation and create local jobs.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio has also announced that the strategy includes $71.4 million to tackle waste crime and keep Victorians safe, with more resources to stop illegal dumping and stockpiling, and deal with high-risk sites and high-risk substances. This will be achieved by the creation of a dedicated Waste Crime Prevention Inspectorate will be established within the Victorian Environment Protection Authority. The new Inspectorate will work closely with WorkSafe Victoria, emergency service agencies, councils and other regulators to improve information sharing and coordination, in dealing with waste related crime.
The 10-year action plan also sets new goals for improved recycling and recovery in Victoria, including reducing our reliance on landfill with a diversion target of 80 percent. As well, to measure progress accurately, changes will be made to the way waste and recycling data is collected, with a new and dedicated data system.
The Government will also provide $14.6 million to support local projects that boost recycling, reduce littering and take advantage of economic opportunities to reduce waste, particularly in regional communities. A further $1.8 million will be provided to support charities in handling waste from charitable donations.
The announcements are part of a suite of measures outlined in the plan to better collect and sort recyclable materials, and better use them in new products, including:
- a new four-bin household recycling system to separate recyclables, glass, food and organics, and waste;
- a container deposit scheme to be developed in consultation with councils and industry and begin by 2023;
- a statewide education program to help households, businesses and councils transition to the new system;
- the doubling of funding for businesses to invest in infrastructure to sort and process recyclables;
- new grants to make Victoria a leader in recycling innovation;
- new grants to help business reduce waste and increase recycling in their daily operations;
- funding for waste-to-energy initiatives, recognising its role in an integrated waste recovery system;
- a Business Innovation Centre to develop new, innovative technology and solutions to waste problems; and
- support to target hazardous waste and protect the community from dangerous chemical stockpiles.
The Government will also make waste collection an essential service and establish a new dedicated authority to better govern the state’s recycling system.
Progressive increases to the landfill levy over the coming years to bring it into line with other states, and support the recycling reforms, are proposed. This change reflects an agreement reached by state and territory Treasurers to work towards the harmonisation of landfill levies.
