Our growing population and economy poses a significant waste challenge for the City of Melbourne. We need to generate less waste and increase recycling. This helps preserve our natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste to landfill and can also bring significant cost savings.
Better managing our waste
Our Waste Management Strategy aims to see the City of Melbourne recognised as a world leader in waste management and sustainable consumption and to inspire the business sector and community in sustainability.
The strategy approaches waste management using the idea of four ‘sustainable experiences’ – Council, living, working and visitor. The strategy sets a vision, objectives and broad strategies for each sustainable experience and identifies barriers to achieving them.
The 'sustainable Council' experience
- By 2020, the City of Melbourne will be recognised as a leader in waste management and sustainable consumption.
- We will generate less waste, promote the development and use of sustainable products and maximise recycling.
The 'sustainable living' experience
- By 2020, City of Melbourne residents will have recycling solutions for practically all household items.
- Rather than consuming more, our residents will consume better.
The 'sustainable worker' experience
- By 2020, the City of Melbourne will be recognised as one of the world’s most sustainable working cities.
- We will educate, motivate and support local businesses to reduce waste and increase recycling, find better ways to manage waste collection services and promote the growth of eco-efficient products and services.
The 'sustainable visitor' experience
- By 2020, Melbourne city will be Australia’s premier sustainable tourism and visitor destination.
- Visitors will enjoy a wide choice of environmentally-friendly products, services and experiences and we’ll encourage them to recycle and dispose of waste appropriately while here.
Waste implementation plan 2009–12
Better waste management is a priority for the City of Melbourne.
We need to reduce the waste we generate and send to landfill to protect our natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Better waste management can also save costs.
Our Waste Implementation Plan 2009–12 sets out the actions we’re taking to achieve the objectives of our Waste Management Strategy 2005–20.
We’re increasing recycling, reducing dumped rubbish and litter and inspiring people who work, live and visit our city in sustainability.
Waste management targets 2009–2010
The City of Melbourne has specific targets for better waste management. These ensure we monitor, measure and improve our waste management actions.
- 5 per cent less overall municipal solid waste
- 10 per cent less garbage
- 5 per cent more residential recycling
- 10 per cent more rubbish diverted from landfill
- 10 per cent less dumped rubbish
- 5 per cent less contamination levels in household recycling
- 10 per cent more recycling in public places
- 10 per cent less landfill from City of Melbourne buildings
- 10 per cent more recycling from our buildings.
For more information, download our Waste Management Strategy and our Waste Implementation Plan from our Environmental policies page.