It is important for all Victorians to have a say on how we use waste to energy technologies to provide economic, environmental, and social benefits.

A new report by government agency Sustainability Victoria shows we are projected to generate more than 20 million tonnes of waste each year by 2043. In Melbourne alone, every year around three million tonnes of waste is disposed of into metropolitan landfills.

Waste-to-Energy is a hygienic method of treating waste, reducing its volume by about 90%. Modern Waste-to-Energy plants are clean and safe, filters inside the plant would clean up the gases to exceed the strict air emissions and environmental criteria of the EPA. The waste-to-energy plant, which is set to operate non-stop, would process 200,000 tonnes a year of waste from household bins and other residual waste.

Reduction of carbon emissions and reduction of the use of fossil fuels. Electricity and heat can be generated from waste which provides an alternative and more environment-friendly source of energy. A plant could generate power for 50,000 homes and significantly reduce landfill.

The Victorian Government and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) have given waste-to-energy incinerators the green light in Victoria. While Australia’s environment ministers agreeing to explore waste to energy as part of the solution to the waste crisis. A health impact assessment, prepared by Environmental Risk Sciences (EnRisks), said the Australian Paper project was associated with some benefits to the community, particularly in relation to employment.