Recovering and reprocessing resources from waste: effectiveness of system reforms

Why this is important

In 2020–21, Victoria generated 15.8 million tonnes of waste. Programs and services in place to recover and reprocess resources from this waste are overseen by the Victorian Government and local councils.

The waste and recycling industry is facing many economic and regulatory challenges. These include the collapse of offshore markets for recycled waste, rising costs to safely dispose of waste and limited options to re-use recovered materials.

Many of these challenges were identified in our 2019 report Recovering and Reprocessing Resources from Waste. Since this audit, the Victorian Government released a 'circular economy' policy and plan called Recycling Victoria: A new economy in February 2020.

A key part of this reform was the passing of the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 (Vic). This new legislation set up a new waste and resource recovery coordinating body called Recycling Victoria and established a container deposit scheme.

The Victorian Government committed over $300 million under Recycling Victoria: A new economy to address urgent issues facing the recycling sector and make fundamental changes to prevent future disruptions. Among other benefits, the plan claimed it would ‘potentially boost Victoria’s economy by up to $6.7 billion [and] ... help to create more than 3,900 new jobs’.

What we plan 
to examine

We plan to examine whether relevant state authorities and local governments are implementing system reforms and effectively managing emerging waste and recycling challenges.

Who we plan 
to examine

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (including Recycling Victoria), Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Sustainability Victoria and selected local councils.