Celebrating 20 years of SV | Sustainability Victoria

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Celebrating 20 years of SV

For 20 years, SV has evolved with you

For two decades, we’ve led the way on the transformation needed to cut waste and emissions, building the foundation for us to move to a more sustainable circular economy.

We’ve done it by showing what can happen when we bring government policy to life, supporting Victorians to take real action on the ground in communities, businesses and homes across the state.

As we look to the future, we’re tapping into the trends, knowledge and innovations shaping the global sustainability conversation.

And, we’ve investing in you: the people, partners, projects and big ideas that will get Victoria to net-zero emissions by 2045.

Thank you. Together, we’ve reimagined what’s possible, proven that sustainability works, and built the confidence needed for big change to happen.

Matt Genever
Chief Executive Officer | Sustainability Victoria

‘I’m proud to be part of something that people really believe in. In 20 years there's been no change at all in the passion of the people that have worked here.’

Customer Service Officer Kim Johnson has answered the phones at Sustainability Victoria and its predecessor organisations for almost 30 years.

From awareness to action

We’ve made sustainability easier at home through advice, education, and incentives, so that more Victorians can recycle correctly, save energy and reduce waste. Our defining behaviour change campaign, ‘Black Balloons’, received global acclaim and made greenhouse gas emissions unforgettable.

From environment to economy

We’ve taken sustainability beyond the environment, making it investment-ready and a driver of economic success. We facilitated millions in investment from big brands – including Coca Cola Europacific Partners, Asahi, Pact and Cleanaway – to locally recycle one billion plastic bottles per year.

From classrooms to communities

We’ve brought sustainability to you, in regions and communities across Victoria, so you can design your own future. Our award-winning education program ResourceSmart Schools has developed the next generation of sustainability leaders and built momentum from the grassroots.

From concept to commercialisation

We’ve proven that sustainability works, testing the latest innovations to know what we should invest in next. We’ve helped trial and commercialise new uses for recycled materials in infrastructure, and we’re now seeing them in projects like Victoria’s Big Build.

From niche to mainstream

We laid the groundwork to sustainably manage waste and emissions. As a first mover, we’ve grown Victoria’s clean energy economy, taking renewables mainstream and normalising energy efficiency in homes, communities, businesses and industry.

‘We're in a beautiful position where we're not the regulators, we’re a facilitator, and we can build that bridge between government and people trying to achieve things on the ground.’

Project Lead Selena Papps was hired in 2005. She was one of the first staff members on the books and is now one of the longest serving.

2000s

We build early momentum through the Black Balloons energy efficiency awareness campaign. By 2010 more than 13k appliance and solar rebates have been delivered to low-income households.
2010s

We’re championing renewable energy and future-proofing our waste and recycling system, investing millions in infrastructure and supporting Victorians to recycle correctly.
2020s

We sharpen our focus on circular economy. As we look to reach net zero by 2045, we’re changing the system and cutting emissions with programs designing out or avoiding waste.