Finding a smarter solution for household rubbish

Why this project Project overview is needed The south east has some of ’s A group of councils from the south and fastest growing suburbs, and the population is east of Melbourne have partnered with the expected to grow substantially in coming years. Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery More people produce more rubbish— household rubbish in the 16 councils is Group (MWRRG) to seek proposals from projected to increase by 40% over the industry for a smarter way to deal with next 25 years. household rubbish. It will all be sent to landfill unless another solution is found. The project will deliver a vital alternative to landfill that will transform how household rubbish is managed by putting it to good use instead of burying it in the ground.

Which councils are involved? 2021 - 500,000 tpa • Bayside City Council • Frankston City Council • Boroondara City Council • Glen Eira City Council • Cardinia Shire Council • Knox City Council • City of Casey • Manningham City Council • City of Greater Dandenong • Maroondah City Council • • Shire • • Shire of Yarra Ranges • • Stonnington City Council. 2046 - 700,000 tpa

FACT SHEET MARCH 2020 Finding a smarter solution for household rubbish mwrrg.vic.gov.au/smartersolution Page 1 We shouldn’t rely on landfill Household rubbish is sent to landfill and buried. But relying on landfill to dispose of rubbish isn’t a sustainable solution:

• Landfills in the south east of Melbourne are filling up and no more are planned to be built. So councils will have to transport large amounts of waste across Melbourne to other landfills. • Food and green waste in landfill breaks down and creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. • Future generations have to deal with the problem as rubbish contained in landfills breaks down over decades. • Landfill is a costly way to dispose of rubbish and costs are expected to keep going up.

• Advanced waste processing solutions will play a significant role in achieving the Victorian Government’s new target to divert 80 per cent of household rubbish from landfill by 2030.

But why bury rubbish when the average rubbish bin contains materials that could be put to better use?

Advanced waste processing — an alternative to landfill

MWRRG and 16 councils have been exploring an alternative to landfill called advanced waste processing.

Advanced waste processing solutions Advanced waste processing Advanced waste processing solutions are proven technologies that recover technologies can include: have great potential as part of a total valuable materials or produce approach to managing the rubbish electricity and heat from rubbish. • advanced sorting to extract we produce. Alongside recycling, recyclables (e.g. metals) plus and separating food and green waste Advanced waste processing facilities treatment of food and garden for composting, advanced waste are being used safely and reliably waste to reduce the amount of processing is a smarter solution for around the world, including in the organic material that is sent to household rubbish than burying it in United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and landfill the ground. North America. • technologies that transform waste to energy and produce These solutions are also a financially Modern, best practice electricity, heat or gas. viable option for councils compared to projected landfill costs. facilities have strong Modern, best practice facilities Best outcomes will be achieved by safety track records have strong safety track records and are designed to meet strict minimising our waste, reusing or emissions standards. They are recycling, and then what is left over They provide an essential and cost inspected and tested regularly to can go to advanced waste processing. effective service to local authorities ensure safety and environmental and businesses. standards are achieved.

FACT SHEET MARCH 2020 Finding a smarter solution for household rubbish mwrrg.vic.gov.au/smartersolution Page 2 Next steps

Currently, there are no advanced waste processing facilities that can handle the metropolitan Melbourne quantities of household rubbish - new facilities are needed.

MWRRG is leading a procurement process on behalf of process, we will also actively talk with communities the 16 councils to seek proposals from bidders to design, to understand their views. build and operate an advanced waste processing facility. At the end of the two years, councils will have a preferred No technology or site has been selected yet. These solution with very detailed designs and specifications. will be identified during the procurement process. Once a preferred solution is selected, it will need to get The procurement process will take a couple of years to environmental and planning approvals before it can be rigorously explore all the options in detail. During this built. Construction will take approximately three years.

Procurement Stages 2020-2021

Identifying bidders 2020 - 2021 An open approach to market to identify suitable bidders with Procurement process identifies and proven track records when it comes to delivering advanced selects a preferred solution and provider. waste processing facilities. Community engagement (ongoing). Early ideas Bidders will submit early ideas for a facility (including the type of technology). 2021 - 2023 Contracts signed to build facility. Submissions will be evaluated against a set of specifications Environmental and planning approvals. by a skilled evaluation team and the evaluation process will be informed by technical reports and independent assessments. A shortlist of bidders will progress to the next stage.

Refining the design 2023 - 2026 Proposals will be refined further with bidders submitting Facility is constructed and starts detailed designs for a facility including proposed locations. operating by 2026. At the end of these stages, councils will select a preferred solution.

FACT SHEET MARCH 2020 Finding a smarter solution for household rubbish mwrrg.vic.gov.au/smartersolution Page 3 What will be achieved

100% Now of household rubbish

Household rubbish Landfill (not recycling or green waste)

By 2026

Household rubbish Valuable materials Greenhouse gas emissions (not recycling or green waste) Advanced waste extracted or rubbish is from landfill reduced processing transformed to energy

Better outcomes for 15% community, economy and of rubbish sent environment to landfill

More information www.mwrrg.vic.gov.au/smartersolution [email protected]

Please contact us if you would like this information in an accessible format. Published by the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group. March 2020.