Victoria bin overhaul: Huge changes planned for millions of Australians' household bins

By Padraig Collins For Daily Mail Australia 16:04 08 Aug 2024, updated 16:36 08 Aug 2024

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A controversial plan to ban the use of compostable plastic bags in household food waste bins has been trashed by its harshest critics.

More than 2.6 million households across Victoria could soon be banned from using plastic liners in their food disposal bins and instead use paper alternatives in a bold state government move designed to reduce contamination as part of a rubbish and recycling overhaul.

The proposed change by Jacinta Allan's government follows local councils warning of huge levels of contamination in green bins, including by residents using the wrong type of bags.

Contamination has become a mounting problem since the food organics and garden organics system was adopted in 27 of the state's 79 councils in recent years.

Remaining councils in Victoria are expected to follow suit by 2030.

There are grave concerns that liners and other compostable plastic products such as coffee cups take too long to break down and make it difficult to remove other contaminates if tied shut.

Many households are also reportedly not using the correct certified compostable liners, which has resulted in huge levels of plastic contamination.

Opposition Environment spokesman James Newbury claimed the move was driven by 'ideology'.

'Only Premier Allan and Labor would have a plan to ban biodegradable bags and force people to tip wet food scraps into brown paper bag, which will break,' he told the Herald Sun.

Composting bags rated AS 4736 and AS 5810 are currently allowed in Victoria, but the Household Waste and Recycling Draft Service Standard – 2024 could mean compostable bin bags will not be accepted in the green bins in future.

Waste management company SECOS chief executive Richard Tegoni fears households will have to deal with the smell and mess of handling their food waste by hand or with buckets

The proposed changes also impact other types of bins used in Victoria, such as banning plastic meat trays, frozen food cartons and all cordial bottles from being put into yellow bins.

There is also a proposal that Victorian councils would transition to a four-bin system, including a new glass bin with a purple lid by July 1, 2027, which is three years ahead of the original 2030 plan.

A government spokesperson pointed out that people can have their say on the future of the state's waste management system.

'We're currently consulting on a draft Service Standard that sets out which items can be sorted into each of the four bins to reduce contamination and maximise the quantity of recycled materials that can be reused and turned into new products,' they said.

Submissions on the proposed changes close next week.

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