Victoria’s Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville, has officially launched the new strategy to better manage and recover the state’s organic waste over the next 30 years.
The Government says that The Victorian Organics Resource Recovery Strategy will facilitate collaboration between stakeholders to ensure that the state’s organic waste is managed safely and sustainably, while strengthening the organics recovery industry.
It was developed in partnership with state government agencies, local government, and industry to address challenges and gaps in the market.
The strategy will guide industry to move into new technologies, improve the recovery, treatment and processing of organic resources, whilst protecting the environment, creating jobs and boosting the economy.
Households and businesses in Victoria generate more than two million tonnes of organic waste each year, almost half of which ends up in landfill.
“Organic waste makes up 40 per cent of the average household waste bin, so it’s also vital that we find ways to minimise its impact on the environment,” said Lisa Neville.
“Victoria needs an effective market for managing organic waste and resource recovery to meet the needs of our growing population, now and in the future.”
The official strategy launch statement said that the Andrews Labor Government will work with the organics recovery industry to develop quality assurance processes and standards for recycled organic products. This would aim to drive end markets and provide guidance to local governments on how to optimise the performance of household organics collection systems.
The government will also establish a cross-government working group to review and streamline guidance provided to industry and local government on legislative frameworks for managing organic waste.
The Strategy is available at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/organics.