Streamlining our central city waste system

Launching Improving Waste Collection in the Central City to coincide with World Environment Day, Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the paper presents problems and possible solutions to issues associated with waste collection and bin storage in the CBD. 

"Reducing the noise, smell, congestion and mess from waste collections across city streets and laneways is a key priority for the City of Melbourne this World Environment Day," the Lord Mayor said.

"From day one of my term, waste management has been top of my agenda and my first meeting was to discuss how our waste system can be better managed."  

Currently rate-paying businesses in the City of Melbourne are entitled to a weekly collection of one small garbage bin and one small or large recycling bin. Businesses that generate more waste must arrange their waste service through commercial waste collection companies.

"With 36 commercial providers registered to collect waste within the central city, in addition to council collections, there is a glut of bins and trucks clogging our streets and laneways," the Lord Mayor said.

"We need to find a solution, so we're putting ideas out there to find the best fit for our city. We want to hear from our residents, our businesses and visitors to find out how they're impacted by the current system and what changes should be made."

"This is about improving amenity, making it easier, safer and more pleasant to move around the city and maintaining our status as the 'most liveable'," the Lord Mayor said.

City of Melbourne Environment Portfolio Chair Councillor Cathy Oke said feedback on the discussion paper was part of consultation on the Draft Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030.

"We have done a lot of important and innovative work in waste removal in the central city. Since 2013 the City of Melbourne has taken an estimated 500 rubbish bins off the streets by setting up communal waste compactors and recycling hubs," Cr Oke said.

"The goal of our new Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy is to build on this work by developing and introducing more initiatives that are focused on maintaining a liveable city, through cost effective and environmentally responsible means."

The community can submit opinions, ideas and feedback via City of Melbourne's Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy Participate website.  Additional discussion papers will be released during the next month.

World Environment Day, organised by United Nations, takes place today, June 5.