Welcome to the Waste Wise Program

Waste Wise is a practical, step-by-step program inspiring Victorians to minimise waste and maximise the efficient use of valuable resources. Joining Waste Wise is entirely voluntary and there are no costs involved in participation.

Waste Wise shows you how to integrate sustainable principles into everyday operations, as well as how your organisation can benefit from the tangible results that flow from commitment to responsible waste management practices.

Program Update July 2009 - Please note that support and certification under the Waste Wise program is no longer offered to State Government Statutory Authorities in the Metropolitan Region, and to Public Healthcare Agencies in the Metropolitan and Gippsland regions. These agencies are encouraged to participate in the ResourceSmart Government and Healthcare program respectively. Local Governments are unaffected by this update.

To see if your region is in the affected Metropolitan or Gippsland regions, follow the Find your regional waste management group link at the bottom of the page.

Key benefits

• Reduce waste, litter and associated costs
• Free access to resources and ongoing specialist advice
• Enhancement of reputation and improved public perception
• Recognition and reward for achievements
• Free use of the Waste Wise logo
• Improved compliance with environmental responsibilities
• Contribution to a sustainable future

Waste Wise support

The program is managed by Sustainability Victoria and delivered by experienced Waste Wise facilitators from Sustainability Victoria and Regional Waste Management Groups around Victoria.

Waste Wise is far more than just a 'feel good' program. It has been extensively tested, trialled and documented for nearly ten years and proven to produce tangible, measurable outcomes.

Waste Wise certification acknowledges your commitment to a sustainable future and identifies your organisation as an environmental leader. Certified organisations also have opportunities for publicity through Sustainability Victoria's workshops, forums, newsletters, website and published case studies. When it comes to waste, less is more.

Five steps to Waste Wise

The five steps of the Waste Wise program will guide you through the assessment of waste streams and costs, show you how to develop and maintain a waste reduction action plan and help you to manage the change that will be an essential element of successfully achieving your goals.

Step 1: Commit

Get commitment from everyone, especially management staff. It's essential to the successful integration of Waste Wise principles into your everyday practices.

Let us know that you're working towards Waste Wise certification. Complete the application form below and send to your Waste Wise facilitator or Regional Education Officer.

Step 2: Develop an Action Plan

Use the templates and guidelines below to assess your current waste streams and costs.

Once you know the current status, use the action plan framework and tips below to:

• identify actions to reduce waste
• allocate responsibilities 
• set targets.

Your action plan will be assessed by your facilitator and certification awarded for a two year period.

Step 3: Implement the Action Plan

Put your action plan into practice:

• Communicate changes and outcomes to management and staff to maintain interest and involvement.
• Identify successes and failures - learn through experience. 
• Recognise and celebrate achievements.

It's rewarding to watch people change their behaviour as progress and achievements become obvious to everyone involved.

Waste Wise offers a range of information and guidance to support you working with an action plan. Contact your Waste Wise facilitator if you need further help.

Step 4: Monitor and report results

Track progress against your plan:

• Solve problems as they arise.
• Share lessons learned.
• Check progress towards the targets from your action plan.
• Reassess waste streams and current practices to identify benefits and cost savings achieved.

Step 5: Build on experience to achieve continual improvement

Update your action plan annually:

• Integrate previous results into a new action plan for the following year.
• Share the sense of achievement and satisfaction throughout your organisation.
• Harness this goodwill in order to achieve continual improvement in waste management and resource efficiency.
• Develop actions that focus on continual improvement and greater levels of achievement.

Keep your certification current

Renew your certification every second year. Use the renewal template below to show the achievements of your last action plan and the targets and priorities you have set for the coming year.

Contact us for more information.