Rye – Mornington Peninsula Shire

The project focuses on waste reduction and prevention by involving the community in sustainable practices. Volunteers manage the garden, reusing materials like coffee cups, and coffee grounds, and using wastewater in the garden. The community lunch utilizes food from OZ Harvest and garden produce, minimizing waste and maximizing resource use.

Wesburn – Yarra Ranges Shire

UpCycles at Yarra Valley ECOSS is a hub for bicycle maintenance and youth engagement. They refurbish discarded bikes with community help, selling them to fund essential tools and parts. This program offers employment pathways in the local bicycle industry, reduces landfill, and promotes fitness and mental health.

Pakenham – Cardinia Shire

The Community Repair Hub, funded by Sustainability Victoria and supported by the C.A.W.R.S initiative, promotes waste reduction and resource recovery across Bunurong/Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung country. Housed in a semi-mobile, off-grid shipping container, it offers DIY repair skills, enhances recycling literacy, and collaborates with Traditional Owners to support “Care for Country” principles.

City of Melbourne & Yarra

Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre has created a thriving community compost and recycling hub which prioritises the inclusion of migrants, refugees and public housing residents in the local area who have not previously been able to recycle.

Hume City

Porous Lane supplies a unique permeable pavement, made of 50% Australian waste tyres (3 waste tyres per sqm). This semi-flexible permeable pavement can tolerate settlement and carry traffic loads making its service life much longer compared to traditional pavements while addressing the major challenge of flash flooding. Tests with the University of Melbourne confirmed its environmental safety, demonstrating pollutant removal and long service life.

City of Melbourne

The City of Melbourne launched a pilot program to test organic waste dehydrators in high-rise buildings. This initiative aimed to explore effective Food Organic and Gardening Organic (FOGO) solutions for high-density residential areas, divert organic waste from landfill, and reduce truck movements. The pilot’s findings will help shape future FOGO services for high-rise apartments.