A framework for sustainable and appropriate investment
Waste to energy involves turning waste material into useful energy resources such as heat, electricity, and fuels. After waste avoidance, reuse, and recycling, waste to energy is the final opportunity to get value from material that would otherwise go to landfill.
Victoria’s Waste to Energy Scheme is established by the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 and the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) (Waste to Energy Scheme) Regulations 2023.
The Act and Regulations specify the amounts and types of waste that can be used in thermal waste to energy processing. They place a cap on the amount of waste that can be heat-treated to generate energy and outline how the cap is to be implemented. They also establish a licensing scheme for waste-to-energy facilities operating under the cap.
The cap limit has been set at 2.5 million tonnes per annum as committed in the Economic Growth Statement – Victoria: Open for Business.
For more information on past public consultations on waste to energy, please visit Engage Victoria.
Waste to energy licensing
Waste to energy licensing is overseen and delivered by Recycling Victoria. However, to operate a thermal waste to energy facility you will also need permits and licences under the planning and environment protection laws within Victoria.
- administers the waste to energy scheme
- receives applications for waste to energy cap licences
- licenses waste to energy operators under the cap
For more information on the waste to energy licensing process, please visit the waste to energy licensing scheme.
The cap on waste to energy is part of our circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: A new economy.
Frequently asked questions
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