Councils seek a smarter solution for household rubbish

Bayside City Council and 15 other councils from the south east of Melbourne have commenced an Expression of Interest for advanced waste processing solutions that will process residual household rubbish instead of sending it to landfill.

Last year, Bayside City Council introduced a food and green waste service. Within the first six months of the food and green waste service, landfill volumes decreased by around 12 per cent (1,400 tonnes) - the equivalent of 140,000 household rubbish bins of waste.

The food waste is now being transformed into compost for Victorian farmers rather than creating harmful greenhouse gases in landfill.

However, landfills in the south east are set to close in a few years, which means councils will have to find an alternative solution for residual general waste that is not recyclable.

Bayside City Council CEO, Mick Cummins said that the 16 councils are all facing the same problem and collectively need a solution.

“This is the biggest tender for new waste management infrastructure ever undertaken by councils in Melbourne” Mr Cummins said.

“If we take all the food waste out, all of the plastics out, there’s still residual waste that can’t be recycled so we need to find a solution of what we are going to do with that waste.”

Advanced waste processing technologies are being used successfully and safely overseas to recover valuable materials in household rubbish or transform it into energy. These technologies can reduce the amount of household rubbish sent to landfill by at least 85% and reduce our impact on the environment.

“Advanced waste processing is a great solution for household rubbish that would normally go to landfill. We will still continue kerbside recycling and food and green waste collection services as part of a total approach to managing waste.”

“Advanced waste processing will achieve better financial, environmental and social outcomes.”

The Expression of Interest will identify businesses with the right experience and capability to design, build and operate a facility. It will take another two years before a preferred bid is selected.

No decisions have been made yet regarding the type or location of any facilities. This will be identified during the procurement process.