Sustainability Victoria

As #NationalRecyclingWeek draws to a close, great to see the importance of buying recycled products and materials taking centre stage. For a strong circular economy in Victoria, we need strong markets for recycled materials and products to support industry and innovation, and to reduce waste. We’re at the forefront of this movement, partnering with councils to increase procurement of recycled materials and help them leverage new opportunities in Victoria’s circular economy. Already 9 in 10 Victorian councils have engaged with SV’s Buy Recycled Service.

Globally, the circular economy is gaining momentum, but the reality is that many areas worldwide are still grappling with the same fundamental challenges: how to minimise waste generation and create an economy where we keep the resources and materials we have in circulation for as long as possible. While recycling is undeniably a crucial element of waste management, it cannot serve as a standalone solution. Fresh from last week's Waste Expo Australia, Sustainability Victoria’s CEO Matt Genever discusses how Victoria can redefine sustainability through a thriving circular economy that prioritises innovative design and community collaboration.

Our CEO Matt Genever at today’s Industry Leaders’ Discussion at the Waste Expo Australia on the opportunity to design a system that has circularity considered from the outset, “unlike most of our day-to-day work which is unpicking problems that were baked into the market 100 years ago.” Matt discussed the importance of capability building and bringing communities into the circular economy, building social connections and importantly building the skills and norms that we’re going to need to start moving beyond just recycling. “We need to help Victorians understand the opportunity of a circular economy. We’ve worked with communities to successfully deliver circular economy programs like repair cafes, tool libraries, and food share initiatives ... 50 years ago, patching a jumper, resoling a shoe, or repairing a bike were all completely normal behaviours. We’ve actually lost many of those behaviours and practices in everyday life and given so many of them are rooted in communities, it makes sense that we should be looking to our communities to start normalising these behaviours again."

‘Here at SV, we use our Investment Facilitation Service to connect the policy to the players able to take the action necessary to decarbonise Victoria’s mains gas. There’s no cap on bioenergy projects – the opportunity is huge.’ We're live from Waste Expo Australia, Australia's largest gathering of professionals dedicated to sustainability and resource recovery. If you're keen to learn more about the potential of bioenergy and its role in Vicotoria's transition to renewable energy, vist https://lnkd.in/eJ7e9tUj.

Victoria’s journey toward a resilient waste and recycling sector starts with bringing the right people together. As Matt Genever, CEO of Sustainability Victoria, highlights, Waste Expo Australia 2024 is where those discussions happen - building a strong sector today and driving circularity for tomorrow. Meet the team of Sustainability Victoria, Recycling Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) at the Government Lounge. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gd8WG7tz #WasteExpoAU #ResourceRecovery #CircularEconomy #Sustainability

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Circular Business Speed Network last week. It was great to connect and celebrate the future of circular innovation!

At SV, we recently hosted an inspiring event where around 40 grantees gathered to discuss commercialising research success. 🌱⚡ Innovative work was showcased, like Sequence Digital's solution to keep battery cells out of landfill and ROBOVOID’s use of recycled plastic in their game-changing void former. Our Markets Acceleration team led a workshop with Impact Innovation, focusing on research impact, collaboration, and building investor networks. The energy in the room was incredible, with universities and research organisations exchanging insights and advice, shaping the future of sustainability. 

Victoria is ready to be a leader in the global circular economy movement—let’s keep pushing forward! Sustainability Victoria, on behalf of the Victorian Government, is playing a key role in driving the transition from a linear to a circular economy: fast tracking innovation and new technology for our recycling system, accelerating new markets for recycled materials, fast tracking businesses and communities to eliminate waste, and building an evidence base for future investment. Join Sustainability Victoria’s CEO Matt Genever at #WasteExpoAU to discuss the progress made on waste management and the future directions for Victoria. Join us at Waste Expo Australia 2024: https://lnkd.in/g269A2Y

Less than a week to go until Waste Expo 2024 – Australia’s largest gathering of professionals dedicated to sustainability and resource recovery. Come and visit Sustainability Victoria and our environment portfolio partners at the Government Lounge to find how we’re working across Victorian communities, industry, and government to make our waste and recycling sectors more circular. If you’re attending the Expo, don’t miss the opportunity to hear from SV experts: ⭐ Matt Genever, CEO. Panel: Advancing Product Stewardship Schemes and Extended Producer Responsibility in Australia. ⭐Dian Lipiarski. Panel: The Procurement Balancing Act – How to Ensure Environmental Responsibility, Product Performance and Economic Feasibility. ⭐Elijah Lyons. Panel: Community Engagement and Behaviour Change – Does Finger Wagging and Fines work?  ⭐Sujata Doctor. Panel: Addressing the Challenges of E-Waste Management: A Path to Sustainable Practices. ⭐Matt Nelson. Panel: An Update on the Recent Bio Energy Forum – Latest Advancements and Best Practices. To find our more, visit: https://lnkd.in/g269A2Y

We're excited to announce the recipients of over $510,000 in funding to support councils across Victoria in transforming household food and garden organics into high-quality compost for local parks and gardens. These projects will enrich community green spaces and reduce landfill waste, contributing to a healthier, greener Victoria. Congratulations to our fantastic recipients: ⭐City of Greater Geelong – Recycled garden blend and potting mix trials. ⭐Monash City Council – Returning nutrients to soil in Monash parks and gardens. ⭐Hepburn Shire Council – Studying recycled compost’s impact on soil and tree health. ⭐Brimbank City Council – Soil improvements across 75 roundabouts using recycled compost. ⭐Strathbogie Shire Council – Boosting Biodiversity with recycled compost in local gardens. ⭐Stonnington City Council – Increasing use of recycled organics in council gardens ⭐Yarra City Council – Full cycle use of compost in council and community gardens ⭐East Gippsland Shire Council – Trialing recycled organics products for soil and plant health. Learn more about how these projects are transforming local parks and gardens across Victoria: https://lnkd.in/gw3MiYSk