Sustainability
2 min read
By Pedro Carreira
Updated 25 June 2026
Five strategies: (1) Ask suppliers to use returnable packaging (saves up to 40% on packaging waste), (2) Switch from expanded polystyrene to recyclable alternatives, (3) Consolidate deliveries to reduce packaging frequency, (4) Join the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) for guidance and industry benchmarks, (5) Use a cardboard baler to compact and sell cardboard — businesses generating 1+ tonne/month of cardboard can earn $50-150/month from recyclers.
Bundle Waste connects clients with cardboard buyers.
Key Numbers
- Returnable packaging saving: up to 40% of packaging waste
- Cardboard baler earnings: $50–150/month
- Volume to make baling pay: 1+ tonne/month cardboard
- Metro landfill levy 2025–26: $169.79/tonne
What You Need to Know
Packaging is the easiest waste line to attack at the source, because most of it arrives on your dock from suppliers rather than being generated on-site. The highest-leverage moves, in order:
- Returnable packaging from suppliers — can cut up to 40% of packaging waste
- Swap expanded polystyrene for recyclable alternatives
- Consolidate deliveries to reduce packaging frequency
- Join APCO (Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation) for benchmarks and guidance
- Bale cardboard — generating 1+ tonne/month can earn $50–150/month from recyclers
Every tonne of packaging diverted from landfill also avoids the metro levy of $169.79/tonne, and source reduction is exactly the outcome Recycling Victoria — A New Economy is designed to drive. As an independent broker, Bundle Waste audits your packaging streams free, connects clients with cardboard buyers across a network of providers, and is paid only from the savings we find.
Related Resources
Related Questions
How can my business reduce food waste going to landfill?+
Three tiers: (1) Prevention — audit your menu/ordering to reduce overproduction (saves up to 15% on food costs), (2) Redistribution — donate edible surplus via OzHarvest or SecondBite (tax deductible), (3) Organics recovery — separate food scraps into a dedicated organics bin for commercial composting ($0.08-0.15/kg vs $0.15-0.25/kg for landfill). A cafe diverting 80% of food waste from general to organics can save $80-150/month and reduce landfill emissions by up to 70%.
What is the Victorian landfill levy and how does it affect my costs?+
The Victorian landfill levy is a state government charge on every tonne of waste sent to landfill. For 2025-26, it is $169.79/tonne for metropolitan Melbourne (up from $129.27 in 2024-25). This levy is passed through to businesses via their waste provider, typically adding $5-15 per lift for a 1100L bin. The levy has risen well above CPI in recent years. Diverting waste to recycling and organics avoids the levy entirely, making diversion financially compelling.
What is an organic waste collection and does my business need one?+
Organic waste collection is a separate bin for food scraps, garden waste, and compostable materials, sent to commercial composting facilities instead of landfill. You need one if food waste makes up 30%+ of your general waste (common in hospitality, cafes, supermarkets, aged care). Organics processing costs $0.08-0.15/kg vs general waste at $0.15-0.25/kg — switching 200kg/week of food waste from general to organics saves $60-200/month plus reduces your landfill levy exposure.
See exactly what you are overpaying
Bundle Waste reviews your current waste invoices and benchmarks them against a network of Melbourne providers — free, with a written report in 5 business days. You will see what you pay now, where the hidden charges are, and the rate we can negotiate. You only pay from the savings we find: no savings, no fee.
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Updated 25 June 2026
