How overhaul of state’s waste system could affect household bins

Victorians may be banned from using compostable plastic bags in their household food waste bins as the Allan government looks to overhaul the state’s rubbish and recycling.

Victorians could be banned from using compostable plastic bags in their household food waste bins, as part of a suite of changes being considered as the state government moves to overhaul waste and recycling.

Households could be told not to use any types of plastic liners in their food disposal caddies in the future and instead use paper bags in the bid reduce contamination.

The move is likely to frustrate household users but comes after local councils have warned there is massive levels of contamination in green bins, especially since the FOGO system was introduced across 27 of the state’s 79 councils.

There are changes looming for how Victorians dispose of their rubbish.

Liners and other compostable plastic products such as coffee cups, plates and cutlery, have been flagged as a concern by processors, who claim they take too long to break down and make it difficult to remove other contaminates if tied shut..

It’s also been reported that a large number of users are not using the correct certified compostable liners leading to massive amounts of plastic contamination.

Currently in Victoria composting bags rated AS 4736 and AS 5810 are allowed, but the Household Waste and Recycling Draft Service Standard – 2024 flagged compostable bin bags will not be accepted altogether in the green bins in the future.

SECOS CEO Richard Tegoni, whose company is one of the biggest compostable plastic bag suppliers in the world warned that “without the use of compostable bags, households will have to deal with the smell and mess of handling their food waste by hand or with buckets.”

The draft standards also propose changes to other bins.

The old rules for green-topped FOGO bins will be able to collect a range of organic waste. Picture: Supplied

This includes reducing the items that can be put in yellow bins, such as banning plastic meat trays, frozen food cartons and tubs, and all cordial bottles.

The standard also identified that Victorian councils would transition to a four-bin system, including a new glass bin with purple lid, by 1 July 2027 – ahead of the original 2030 deadline.

A government spokesperson said Victoria was in the midst of change and that people could have their say on the future of the waste 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.”

Opposition spokesman for environment and climate change James Newbury slammed the state government for proposing to remove bags saying it was a decision drive 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.

Submissions on the proposed changes close on August 14.