The Victorian Government has launched a new recycling body named Recycling Victoria, which will focus on strengthening the state’s waste and recycling system. Recycling Victoria is a business unit within the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Recycling Victoria aims to increase the reliability and transparency of the sector and maximise the ongoing use of products and materials that would otherwise be waste.
It said getting value from materials that would be waste reduces landfill, greenhouse gas, and pollution.
“It helps combat climate change and it is key to building a sustainable and thriving circular economy.
Recycling Victoria will oversee statewide waste and recycling systems. It will collect data and report on waste and resource recovery to enable strategic planning for a better and more reliable system,” the Victorian Government said.
“Providing a streamlined and integrated approach to address waste and recycling challenges, Recycling Victoria has a strong focus on state-wide and regional market stabilisation.”
Recycling Victoria has established offices and representation across Victoria, with staff from the former Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Groups (WRRGs) becoming part of Recycling Victoria.
Advisory committees with regional representation will also be established to inform and advise the Minister and Head of Recycling Victoria on its operations.
Priorities for the new recycling body from 1 July include:
| Priority | What Recycling Victoria will do |
| Engagement | Consultation and engagement with councils, Alpine Resort Management Boards (ARMBs), industry, regional communities, and Traditional Owners. Development of a Charter of Engagement. Establishment of Advisory Committees to inform and advise the Minister and Head of Recycling Victoria on operations. Working with portfolio and regulatory partners to ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities and a coordinated approach to stakeholder engagement. |
| Strategic procurement | Supporting best practice procurement and contract management by councils, ARMBs, and service providers. Development of a Strategic Procurement Framework outlining how Recycling Victoria will support councils to procure waste and resource recovery services to meet circular economy objectives. |
| Data and insights | Progress development of a centralised data and information hub. |
| Future schemes and standards | Preparation to administer future waste and recycling schemes and standards* – — – Container deposit scheme – Municipal waste and recycling standards – Waste to Energy * Councils and waste and recycling services will not have compliance or enforcement obligations on the first day of Recycling Victoria’s operations. Enforcement obligations are subject to making standards and regulations under the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021. Councils and industry will be advised as these are developed and in advance of the commencement of compliance and enforcement requirements. |
| Building the organisation | Shape the direction, culture and operating model for Recycling Victoria. Commence development of the Recycling Victoria Strategic Plan. |
