A MASSIVE overhaul of Victoria’s waste and recycling system will see the state get a container deposit scheme and households get a new fourth bin as part of a plan to reduce waste going to landfill by 80% in 10 years.
With widespread disruption to global recycling markets, Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Environment Lily D’Ambrosio announced on Monday the first in a suite of new policies under the Recycling Victoria package, designed to position Victoria as a leader in reusing, reducing and recycling waste.
The $129 million of initiatives to reform kerbside recycling includes the roll out of four colour-coded bins to homes across the state to better sort waste, recyclables and organics.
The current red and greed lidded bins will retain their existing uses, whilst the current yellow lidded recycling bins will be used for plastic, metal and paper recycling, and a purple lidded bin will be added for the exclusive recycling of glass.
By collecting glass separately it is hoped that more of it can be effectively recycled – with jars and bottles transformed multiple times into multiple different products, including new roads and footpaths.
Separate glass collection will also make recovery of other recyclables – like plastic, metal and paper – simpler, with the food and organic bin significantly reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.
The roll-out of the new bins will start next year and happen gradually – informed by the needs of local communities and existing council contracts. There will also be special arrangements for remote regional households and people in apartments, to ensure everyone gets access to the new four-bin system.
To complement this new household recycling system, the State Government will also introduce a container deposit scheme.
The scheme will be designed and delivered in close consultation with councils and industry to be rolled out by 2023.
Waste collection will also be made an essential service – ensuring a basic standard of service for Victorians, wherever they live – and a new dedicated authority established to better govern the recycling system and hold waste service providers to account.
An education and behaviour change campaign will support the roll-out of the initiatives. It will target households, businesses, councils, community groups and charities – helping them transition to the new system.
Moira Shire council was unable to provide any further detail about roll-out schedules or costs when approached by the Leader.
