Why is this a focus area?

What we buy, and what we throw away, has a big impact on the environment. If we reduce waste, reuse items and recycle properly, we can keep materials in use for longer and send less to landfill.

Victorian Councils are required to collect rubbish, recycling, and food and garden waste with a separate glass collection to be implemented by 2030.

To meet these rules and protect the environment, we need to avoid waste where we can, reuse items, sort recycling well and reduce what goes in the bin.

What has the community said so far?

People want to see cleaner neighbourhoods and more support to reduce waste at the source. They’ve highlighted the importance of tackling issues such as litter, illegal dumping, and safe disposal of hazardous or bulky items to protect local environments.

The community holds a range of views about waste and resource recovery, but overall there is strong interest in initiatives that minimise the amount of waste going to landfill. While some people reflect on the practicalities of their household waste routines, many others emphasise the value of having more opportunities to recycle, repurpose and avoid waste, and want approaches that deliver better environmental outcomes.

What has Council been doing in this space?

In 2024–25, Council took steps to reduce waste and support a circular economy, including:

• Diverting 63% of all waste from landfill.

• Diverting 33% of organic waste through the FOGO service.

• Reusing timber and old rail materials along the Yarra Valley Trail, reducing waste and supporting recycling.