A major waste management body has called for Victorians to keep recycling their waste, despite issues in the state's waste and recycling sector.
The Victorian Waste Management Association has urged that Victoria's waste system is still an important service that shouldn't be ignored.
Recycling should be everyone's responsibility and temporary interruptions shouldn't discourage people from "doing the right thing," said VWMA spokesperson Mark Smith.
The warnings come after SKM Recycling announced its shutdown on Friday, deterring the recycling collected from over 30 Melbourne councils to be tipped into landfill.
Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio told AAP the government will work with affected councils to "ensure the least possible disruption to residents during this period".
The firm was shut down after a number of fires at its Melbourne sites, which lead to the Environmental Protection Authority's decision.
"The average Australian is generating something like 2.7 tonnes of waste a year - equivalent to the weight of a Toyota HiAce. By global standards that's high and is not sustainable," Mr Smith said.
The association argues the change, which will see materials traditionally destined for recycling ending up in landfill, is only a temporary situation which could last a few weeks.
"People can support the current challenges we are having by reviewing their own habits and behaviours including buying things made locally from recycling material," Mr Smith said.
In an attempt to prevent issues in the future, they call on the Victorian government to tender ongoing issues.
