Deadline talks fail to solve regional councils’ recycling crisis

LAST-minute talks have failed to find a solution to Victoria’s looming recycling crisis after Visy said it would no longer accept rubbish from as many as 20 reg­ional councils.

LAST-minute talks have failed to find a solution to Victoria’s looming recycling crisis.

IT’S A WASTE TO BURY OUR THOUGHTS ON SUSTAINABILITY

VICTORIAN COUNCILS SEEK ALTERNATIVE AFTER VISY SUSPENDS RECYCLING

RUBBISH COMPLAINTS OVERFLOW AS LITTER MOUNTS IN CBD

The state government, environment department and recy­cling companies were locked in discussions last week to find an alternative destination for the state’s recycling after Visy said it would no longer accept rubbish from as many as 20 reg­ional councils.

The paper and cardboard giant told collection contractors it was ending its contracts because

China was no longer accepting recycling material shipped to its shores from January 1.

Visy says it is ending its contracts because China is no longer accepting recycling material shipped to its shores. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Visy set Friday as the final date for accepting rubbish­, but the deadline passed without the state, councils and contractors finding a new solution to avoid mounting rubbish piles.

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the government was working to break the stalemate.

“The current situation has come about through market failure — and as a matter of urg­­ency we are working with industry, local councils and oth­er governments to find the best way to manage our recyclable materials in the short-term while other longer-term solutions are identified,”she said.