This year marks a significant milestone – 20 years of Sustainability Victoria. Chief Executive Officer Matt Genever takes a moment to reflect, celebrate, and most importantly, look forward.
I’m proud to be at the helm as we commemorate our momentous journey, but I wouldn’t be here today without the trailblazers who came before me – their unwavering leadership and commitment to a better future have set Sustainability Victoria on the road to success.
Over the past two decades, we’ve grown from a small agency with a big vision into a driving force behind Victoria’s transition to a circular, climate-resilient economy.
We’ve diverted millions of tonnes of waste from landfill, cut emissions equivalent to powering more than a million homes, and helped shape Victoria’s renewable energy and recycling sectors. These achievements are not just numbers – they represent the collective effort of thousands of Victorians who believed in changing what’s possible.
Laying the foundations
Our timeline tells an inspiring story of evolution. In 2005, we introduced the Towards Zero Waste Strategy setting ambitious targets for waste reduction, resource recovery and landfill diversion. Serving as the state’s primary waste policy framework until about 2014, it was Victoria’s first thorough waste strategy laying the foundation for long-term waste reduction and resource recovery.
It was supported by more than $30 million in funding delivered through grants and infrastructure investments. This funding was used to develop recycling and composting infrastructure, promote business and industry waste reduction initiatives, improve local government transfer stations and support community education and behaviour change campaigns.
One such campaign was the highly successful Get it Right on Bin Night, run in partnership with local councils and communities. Launching in 2010, it marked the beginning of a decade-long series of behaviour change campaigns to improve household recycling rates and reduce contamination in kerbside bins.
Get it Right on Bin Night had a positive impact on recycling behaviours and cemented Sustainability Victoria’s expertise in behaviour change – an area we continue to deliver on through our Small Acts Big Impact campaign.
ahead of the curve
As the years progressed, so did our ambition. Working ahead of the curve, proving what’s possible, shifting thinking, and clearing the path for others to follow, have been the attributes that have driven systemic change.
We’ve backed breakthroughs before they became mainstream – from crushed glass in roads to rubberised asphalt. Through pilots, industry standards, and public-private partnerships, Sustainability Victoria has embedded more than three million tonnes of recycled material into Victoria’s infrastructure.
We’ve often been the catalyst that moves sustainability from ambition to action. Over the years, Sustainability Victoria has unlocked billions in sustainability investment by identifying market-ready solutions and de-risking innovation. We’ve catalysed major private-sector investment in recycling and plastics recovery – enabling industry partners like Visy, Martogg, and Pact to scale faster and deliver impact sooner.
Shifting sustainability from something abstract to something personal – and empowering people to make everyday choices that matter – has been achieved through robust research, smart messaging and practical advice.
We’ve improved community understanding of waste and recycling, challenged Victorians to rethink their behaviours and delivered numerous programs to support sustainable actions. This work has helped households see their role in the bigger picture – building public will to support systemic change.
Impact you can measure
The numbers tell a powerful story. Over the past 20 years, we’ve helped divert enough waste from landfill to fill 3700 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Our programs have reduced emissions equivalent to powering 1.3 million homes for a year. We’ve administered $250 million in government funding and unlocked more than $500 million in additional investment from industry and the Federal Government.
There are so many outstanding impact stories that it’s hard to single one out, but the work we’ve done to strengthen Victoria’s recycling system is creating an important legacy. Since 2017, we’ve awarded $120 million to 255 projects that recover and reprocess waste materials, leveraging $312 million in additional investment from the Federal Government and the private sector.
These initiatives have delivered 2.2 million tonnes of waste processing capacity and are forecast to deliver an additional 1.14 million tonnes – helping turn waste into valuable resources.
At a grassroots level we’ve supported community groups to drive change. This has seen tool libraries, Repair Cafes and Neighbourhood Houses providing resources, skills and knowledge, resulting in more sustainable practices, stronger local connections, and lasting change across neighbourhoods – driven by 133,354 volunteer hours. In schools, the ResourceSmart Schools program, established in 2008, has helped more than 1600 Victorian schools embed sustainability into their operations, curriculum and communities – saving resources, cutting costs, and inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders.
Powered by collaboration
When thinking about what’s made this journey possible, one word springs to mind: partnerships. From local councils and community groups to industry leaders and everyday Victorians, our progress has always been powered by collaboration.
In recent years, Sustainability Victoria has become a connector of ideas, people, and opportunity, brokering relationships to advance sustainability and removing barriers so innovation can flourish.
Whether it’s reducing textile and food waste or supporting circular design, we’ve brought designers, leaders and innovators together to share experiences, address barriers and identify solutions.
The journey continues
Looking ahead, Sustainability Victoria’s focus is firmly on the circular economy. As the renewable energy transition accelerates, we’re working to ensure materials attract the same urgency and investment. By redesigning systems and keeping materials in use for longer, we’re building a more resilient, efficient and prosperous Victoria. This work is not just technical – it’s deeply human. It’s about equity, resilience, and ensuring that every Victorian can participate in and benefit from the circular economy.
To everyone who’s been part of this wild ride – thank you. Your actions, big and small, have helped shape a more sustainable Victoria. And to those just joining us: welcome. The journey continues, and together, we’ll continue to change what’s possible.
For more information, visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
