Social and Policy Dimensions of Waste Minimisation and Waste Management – Waste Prevention

OBJECTIVES

Inform and improve waste management policy and practice

Identify practical ways to reduce household waste, especially packaging, in apartment buildings

Find better methods for managing household waste disposal

Find ways to make recycling from mixed household waste more effective

Team

Ralph Horne

Lead Researcher

Bhavna Middha

Research Fellow

Sara Pishgahi

PhD

Partners

City of Kingston

Hobsons Bay City Council

Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)

Macdonald Lucas Pty Ltd

Progress

SUMMARY

This project, led by RMIT in partnership with Deakin University and supported by the City of Kingston, City of Hobsons Bay, and the Municipal Association of Victoria, focuses on reducing domestic waste in apartment buildings. By exploring the social and policy dimensions of waste prevention, the project aims to create practical and effective guidelines for optimised waste disposal and management in multi-residential settings.

The project has moved into the trial and research translation stage, with local implementation beginning in the City of Kingston. A desktop review of Australian and international practices has been completed, alongside qualitative fieldwork that includes 40 household interviews and building ethnographies in Melbourne, London, and ongoing research in Barcelona.

Researchers have also conducted 11 expert interviews and held multiple advisory sessions with state and local government stakeholders. The project team has produced three peer-reviewed publications (with two more under review), presented findings at five academic conferences, and published media articles in The Conversation and Planning Victoria. Additional funding of approximately $10,000 was secured through RMIT’s Enabling Impact Platform Innovation Proof of Concept program in 2024.

OPPORTUNITIES

Research grants available for waste projects

Collaboration opportunities with government bodies, LGAs and academic institutions to create real-world impact

Host an end-of-year industry roundtable to turn research insights into actionable policy and building guidelines

AS SEEN AT

The 35th International Geographical Congress 2024 (Dublin) – Ralph Horne presentation

The Royal Geographical Society Annual Meeting (London)- Ralph Horne and Bhavna Middha presentation

Material Cycles and Waste Management (hybrid)Sara Pishgahi, Ralph Horne and Bhavna Middha presentation

Urban Future Symposium – Sara Pishgahi presentation

TREMS End of Year Event: Apartment waste stakeholder workshop – Ralph Horne, Bhavna Middha, Kajsa Lundberg, Sara Pishgahi presentation

AS SEEN IN

Will Victoria’s new recycling proposal be a step forward? Top outlets: News.com.au, The Conversation, ABC radio, 3AW, Radio 6PR Perth