Councils seek a smarter solution for household rubbish
Cardinia Shire Council and 15 other councils from the south east of Melbourne have commenced the first collective tender for advanced waste processing solutions.
This will give us the ability to process household rubbish instead of sending it straight to landfill and is the biggest tender for new waste management infrastructure ever undertaken by councils in Melbourne.
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 environmental impact.
Population growth in the south east is driving a substantial increase in rubbish. Household rubbish in the 16 councils is projected to increase by 40% over the next 25 years. Rubbish will all go to landfill unless another solution is found.
The tender has started with an Expression of Interest to 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.
It will be five-six years before a facility is operating.