Why invest in Victoria’s circular economy
The amount of waste Victorians generate is forecast to grow. As we strive to increase our recovery of valuable materials whilst moving to a more circular economy, we need further investment to support infrastructure required, stimulate innovation in design and reuse and accelerate end markets for recovered materials Investment will help us to:
- meet Victoria’s 2030 targets
- increase waste recovery to 80% of collected waste
- reduce total waste generation by 15% per capita
- reduce organic material by 50% going to landfill
- reduce recycling contamination with 100% of households having access to food and organic waste services or composting
- 50% of Victoria’s electricity comes from renewable sources
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45-50% from 2005 levels
- address the capability to meet market demand
- address the national regulation of waste exports
- support the transition to a Circular Economy.
Key reasons to invest in Victoria
Government commitment to build Victoria’s Circular economy
- Read about Building Victoria’s Circular economy.
- The Victorian Government has ambitious targets to reduce waste and increase recovery rates as per Our Circular economy plan.
Significant industry support with more than $130 million in grants
- We have committed $380 million to deliver the circular economy policy which includes more than $130 million in grants to improve the waste and recycling sector.
- Read about our grants and programs.
Stimulated markets ready for investment
- A strong focus on using recycled Victorian materials across all rail and road construction through the Recycled First policy.
- $30.5 million to support local and attract new manufacturers making products using recycled materials through the Recycling Markets Acceleration package.
Support the transition to a circular economy
- The Victorian ‘Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021’ was passed by Parliament in December 2021. This Act is the foundation for Victoria’s transition to a sustainable and thriving circular economy, to minimise waste and landfill, and significantly increase recycling and more efficient use of resources
- This new Act established a new market regulator ‘Recycling Victoria’ in July 2022. RV provides leadership and oversight of waste and resource recovery services to support the circular economy. Other key functions include:
- stewardship and oversight of the new CDS (Container Deposit scheme)
- administer the ‘Waste to Energy’ scheme.
Support the transition to a circular economy
- Victoria led the nation in 2015 by launching Australia’s first Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan (SWRRIP). It is a 30-year plan for waste and recycling infrastructure and leads collaborative waste and recycling services procurement across local councils. Recycling Victoria is developing an updated plan, the Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan (VRIP), to be released in 2024.
- Accelerating a circular and climate-resilient economy through our Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre.
Reduced landfill demand to increase material recovery rates
- Material recovery rates are on the rise due to significant increases in the landfill levy and no planned construction of any further landfills.
- Read about Victoria’s landfill levy increase.
New recycling schemes for improved quality of feedstock
- New 4-bin new waste system and a container deposit scheme will provide greater waste separation, less contamination and increased recovery:
- Read about the 4-bin waste and recycling system.
- Read about the container deposit scheme which comes into effect 1 November 2023.
Home of Australia’s fastest growing city
- Melbourne is expected to be Australia’s largest city by 2031, increasing the need for appropriate local reprocessing infrastructure.
- Consistently rates as one of the world’s most liveable cities.
- Read about Melbourne’s high liveability.
World-class infrastructure
- Growing road and rail links and Australasia’s best connected and largest port.
- 2 curfew-free international airports and uniquely placed to service Asia Pacific, the world's fastest growing economic region.
- Read about Victoria’s leading infrastructure.
Australia’s home of manufacturing
- Home to the largest number of manufacturing employees.
- The highest level of business expenditure in manufacturing research and development in the country.
- Read about Victoria’s manufacturing sector.
Leading Australia’s research, innovation and education
- Victoria boasts world-leading research capabilities and is home to 10 leading universities with 7 ranked in the world’s top 500.
- Home to the largest number of qualified engineering graduates in Australia.
- Read more about Research and Innovation.
Roles and responsibilities
Australian Government: Oversees national waste policy which was released in 2018 and provides a national framework for waste and resource recovery in Australia. In August 2019, the Australian Government and all state and territory governments committed to ban the export of waste glass, paper, cardboard, plastic, and tyres. Administers product stewardship legislation and schemes.
- Read the National Waste Policy.
Victorian Government: Sets strategic policy direction, makes laws, and regulates waste management. The Victorian Government's Waste and Resource Recovery portfolio agencies are made up of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Sustainability Victoria, and Recycling Victoria.
- Read more about our roles and responsibilities.
Local Government: Delivers waste and recycling services to households and some businesses. Some local governments own and operate waste management infrastructure.
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