The Victorian government has announced a $3 million investment to establish designated glass and organic waste drop-off points in Regional Victoria.
The project is expected to help reduce landfill and enhance recycling with new drop-off points across 11 regional council areas. Tonnes of glass is expected to be recycled into new glass bottles and jars and organic resources into compost.
The regional councils that will benefit from the funding are Buloke Shire Council, City of Greater Geelong, West Wimmera Shire Council, Strathbogie Shire Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, Moira Shire Council, Towong Shire Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, and Mansfield Shire Council.
The funding is part of the $129 million investment in the four-stream waste and recycling service catering to Victoria’s regions.
In a media statement, the Victorian government said the new four-stream waste and recycling system will help divert 80 per cent of all material away from landfill by 2030, including 20,000 tonnes of glass.
The investment is provided through the Transfer Station Upgrade Fund, which, in 2021, helped 28 regional and rural councils in upgrading drop-off points in areas where kerbside services might not be appropriate.
“We’re supporting regional communities to build thriving recycling networks and build a circular economy that creates jobs and reduces waste,” said Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio.
“We’re transforming the way we think about waste – boosting jobs in regional Victoria as we target diverting 80 per cent of landfill by 2030.”
The initiatives come as part of the Victorian Labour government’s $515 million project to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector.
