Queen Victoria Market is playing an active role in building a circular economy by reducing waste, recovering resources, and turning organic material into renewable energy.
A major part of this effort is the recycling of food waste. Organic food waste from the Market is collected and taken to Yarra Valley Water’s Waste to Energy facility, where it’s transformed into clean, renewable electricity. This process helps to significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill while generating enough energy to power local homes.
In addition to food waste, the Market runs a comprehensive recycling program that repurposes a wide variety of materials used across the site. Fat and bone waste is converted into fertiliser, fish offal is used for stockfeed and agricultural use, and paper and cardboard are pulped and made into new packaging products. Plastic packaging is recycled into new materials like shrink wrap, and timber and steel are separated for reuse or recycling.
The Market also recycles coffee grounds from cafés and restaurants, which are included in food waste collections sent to the energy facility, turning your morning coffee into a source of renewable power. Used cooking oil from food stalls and restaurants is collected and processed into biofuel, providing a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels.
Through these actions, Queen Victoria Market continues to reduce its environmental footprint and lead the way in practical, local solutions that support a more sustainable future.
