Waste to Energy Vision of Victoria

Victoria’s Waste-to-Energy Vision: What It Means for Our Rubbish Removal Clients

At Melbourne Rubbish Removal Service, we’re proud to be part of a city—and a state—that’s actively working towards smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable ways to deal with waste. Victoria is rapidly expanding its waste-to-energy (WtE) infrastructure, turning non-recyclable rubbish into electricity and heat, thus reducing our dependency on landfill.

This transformation isn’t just about big industrial projects—it’s also for households, businesses, and our environment. Here's how these changes benefit you, our clients, and what they mean for the future of rubbish removal in Melbourne.

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Victoria’s Growing Waste-to-Energy Network

Victoria has set an ambitious goal: to divert 80% of waste from landfill by 2030 and transition towards a circular economy. A key part of this plan is the development of waste-to-energy facilities that convert residual, non-recyclable waste into electricity and heat—providing a valuable alternative to landfill disposal.

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Existing Facilities

Melbourne Rubbish Removal already uses existing facilities and avoid any landfill dumping. Our mission is to protect the planet while offering the best service to our clients. We therefore use the following existing facilities:

• Wollert Waste to Energy Facility (Melbourne’s North)
  Operational since 2017, this plant—run by Yarra Valley Water and ReWaste—converts up to 33,000 tonnes of food waste into renewable electricity annually. It powers over 1,300 homes and supports the local sewage treatment plant, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and landfill volume.

• Maryvale Energy from Waste Facility (Latrobe Valley)
  In development by Opal, Veolia, and Masdar Tribe Australia, this large-scale facility will use controlled combustion of non-hazardous waste to generate steam and electricity. Located at the Maryvale Mill, it will play a significant role in supporting Victoria’s energy grid while tackling landfill dependency.

• Melbourne Energy and Resource Centre (Wollert)
  Developed by Cleanaway, this high-tech facility will process non-recyclable hard waste, recover metals, and produce electricity through thermal treatment. With strict environmental controls and a massive diversion rate (95%+ of incoming waste), it sets a new benchmark in sustainable waste management.

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What This Means for Our Clients

As a professional rubbish removal service, we deal with a wide range of waste—some of which can’t be recycled or reused. That’s where waste-to-energy comes in, giving us (and you) an environmentally responsible alternative to landfill.

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• ‍Smarter Disposal for Hard Rubbish - Waste that’s unsuitable for recycling—like mixed materials, broken items, or soiled waste—can now be diverted to these modern facilities instead of ending up in landfill.

• Cleaner, Greener Service - When you book with us, you’re choosing a team that stays informed and aligned with Victoria’s best waste practices. We prioritise recycling and reuse, and ensure the rest goes to approved, low-impact energy recovery sites whenever possible.

• Transparency and Accountability - All facilities operate under Victoria’s Waste to Energy Scheme, which regulates emissions, limits processing volumes (currently capped at 2 million tonnes/year), and enforces strict licensing, planning, and community engagement standards. You can rest easy knowing your waste is being handled safely and ethically.

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The Future of Waste in Victoria

Victoria isn’t stopping here. As of mid-2025, the government is reviewing plans to increase the annual WtE cap to 2.5 million tonnes, reflecting growing demand and capacity. The state is also encouraging development of organic waste-to-energy projects like Barwon Water’s Renewable Organics Networks in Geelong and Colac, which turn food and trade waste into energy and soil enhancers.

These efforts are expected to:

• Cut CO₂ emissions by up to 270,000 tonnes annually
• Create hundreds of jobs in construction and facility operation
• Support a more resilient, low-waste future for Victoria

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A Win-Win for Everyone

Victoria’s growing WtE sector is great news for rubbish removal clients:

• Your waste can be dealt with sustainably and locally
• More items can be diverted from landfill
• You’re supporting clean energy generation and a circular economy

At Melbourne Rubbish Removal Service, we’re fully on board with this shift—and ready to help you dispose of your waste in the most responsible way possible.

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Book with us today and join the movement towards a cleaner, smarter Victoria.