Manufacturing
2 min read
By Pedro Carreira
Updated 25 June 2026
Commercial greenhouses generate: green waste from crop residues (major stream — 70–80%), plastic pots and trays, growing media, nutrient solution waste, and packaging.
Green waste composting on-site is the most cost-effective approach. Plastic recycling options are limited but improving.
Nutrient solution waste requires appropriate disposal — do not discharge to stormwater. Monthly waste: $200–800.
Key Numbers
- Green waste share of stream: 70–80%
- Monthly waste cost: $200–800
- Landfill levy (metro 2025–26): $169.79/tonne
- Recycling Victoria diversion target: 80% by 2030
- Independent-broker saving: up to 30%
What You Need to Know
In a commercial greenhouse, 70–80% of the waste stream is crop-residue green waste — so whatever you do with it sets the whole bill. Sent to landfill it draws the $169.79/tonne metro levy on the bulk of your volume; composted on-site it almost disappears as a cost.
- Crop-residue green waste: compost on-site — the most cost-effective route for the dominant stream.
- Plastic pots and trays: recycling options are limited but improving — keep clean and sorted.
- Growing media: assess for reuse before disposal.
- Nutrient solution waste: dispose appropriately — never discharge to stormwater.
Diverting that green-waste majority is exactly what the Recycling Victoria — A New Economy policy targets, with its 80% landfill-diversion goal by 2030. As an independent broker, Bundle Waste audits your invoice for free, compares a network of providers to right-size the residual bins, and is paid only from the savings we find.
Related Resources
Related Questions
How should a Melbourne vertical farm manage waste?+
Vertical farms generate: crop residue (compostable), spent growing media (depending on type — some recyclable), nutrient solution waste, plastic packaging, and equipment waste (LED lights — e-waste). Crop residue volume is high relative to facility size. Nutrient runoff must not enter stormwater. Monthly waste: $200–600. Composting crop residue on-site or partnering with local farms is most cost-effective.
What is the Recycling Victoria policy?+
Recycling Victoria is a 10-year circular economy policy (2020–2030) investing $515 million. Key measures: mandatory four-stream separation, Container Deposit Scheme, landfill material bans, 80% diversion target by 2030, and new recycling infrastructure investment.
What is the National Waste Policy?+
National Waste Policy 2018 targets: 80% resource recovery by 2030, halve organic waste to landfill by 2030, phase out problematic plastics. Drives Victorian policy through export bans on unprocessed waste and product stewardship schemes.
Are compostable packaging items actually composted in Victoria?+
Most compostable packaging requires industrial composting conditions (55 degrees C+) not available at home. In Victoria, compostable packaging CAN go in commercial food organics bins if your composting facility accepts them — check with your provider. Many composters reject it because it resembles plastic.
What single-use plastics are banned in Victoria?+
Victoria's single-use plastics ban (2023) prohibits: straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks, expanded polystyrene food containers, and lightweight plastic bags. Fines up to about $55,000 for non-compliance. Compostable alternatives are permitted.
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Updated 25 June 2026
