Waste Management Review March 2024

Waste Management Review

MARCH 2024

Into the Li-ion’s den

2024 | MARCH | ISSUE 82

Inside Ecocycle Group’s $30m commitment to tackle one of Australia’s fastest growing waste streams.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au

FEATURES

Wasting our waterways Circularity knowledge gap Adding value with EfW From paddock to project

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COVER STORY

INTO THE LI-ION’S DEN

34 FIRESTORM

Industry unites to tackle a life and potentially death issue.

16

The Ecocycle Group announces the largest and most advanced lithium battery recycling plant in Australia to commence operation in late 2025.

“THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST LITHIUM BATTERY PROCESSING AND RECYCLING PLANT MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARDS A GREENER FUTURE.” - Doug Rowe, Ecocycle Group Managing Director

In this issue

Features HE POWER OF 08 WASTING WATERWAYS 28 TRENEWABLES ustralia’s waterways face a home A grown plastic pollution mess.

12 THE BREAKDOWN

I ndustry decision makers have their say on the biggest obstacle to achieving a circular economy.

A look at the benefits of anaerobic digestion for Australia’s organic waste.

30

ADDING VALUE

Blue Phoenix Australia is ready to launch a breakthrough facility to treat waste in Australia.

16 INTO THE LI-ION’S DEN 32 CLEAN ENERGY The Ecocycle Group sets sights on the most advanced lithium battery recycling plant in Australia.

20 KNOWLEDGE GAP

A new report investigates the state of circular economy thinking in Australian businesses.

22 PLANTING SEEDS

Repurpose It forges partnerships to spread the circular economy message.

Australia’s only nationwide geological repository is set to play a key role in Australia’s clean energy transition.

34

FIRE STORM

Industry unites to tackle a life and potentially death issue.

4 / WMR / March 2024

44 TRIED AND TESTED

The first Peterson horizontal grinder sold into Australia is still cutting through waste.

46 REDEFINING RECYCLING A wash plant at reDirect Recycling’s Wetherill Park facility sets new standards.

49 NEW BENCHMARKS

Komptech Nemus 2700 redefines industry standards for waste processing.

36 DIVIDE AND CONQUER 51 THE DUTCH EXPERIENCE Latest technology to separate and recover metals from waste.

26 PADDOCK TO PROJECT 38 IN FOR THE LONG HAUL Alex Fraser’s new crushing plant targets sustainability outcomes for Melbourne’s north.

41 COVERING ALL BASES

A look at the options for aerated static pile composting.

The importance of engaging modern, environmentally, and operationally efficient equipment.

A keynote speaker at the Waste 2024 Conference offers a unique industry perspective.

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PUBLISHER

Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au

From the Editor

Closing the gap

Circular economy is a hot button topic. Ministerial Advisory Groups have been established, new roles have been created within businesses, and seminars and conferences are dedicated to helping design out waste and pollution and keep products and materials in use.

Australia’s commitment to progress towards a circular economy requires buy-in from everyone – consumers, industry, educators, and government – but we’re still a way off.

A new report commissioned by Planet Ark that investigates the state of circular economy thinking within the Australian business community shows that more needs to be done to inform businesses and changemakers about the circular economy and how to implement a circular model.

Planet Ark’s Ryan Collins says there’s an appetite for more action toward a circular economy. Of the 500 businesses surveyed for the 2023 report, 82 per cent said that the circular economy was important for the future of their business.

The most common nominated barriers – a lack of information on implementing circular economy principles, financial issues, and business culture – have remained similar throughout the three-year survey series.

When Waste Management Review asked industry decision-makers what they perceived as the main obstacle the answers aligned with the survey results but there were key points that stood out – collaboration, policy, and investment in infrastructure are a must.

A mind shift away from a linear economy is needed, with a focus on design, reuse, repair, and recycling. As this edition highlights, there are some first movers who are undertaking a circular approach to their operations and delivering positive outcomes right across the waste management and resource recovery sector.

One Melbourne company making big strides is Ecocycle Group. In this month’s cover story group Managing Director Doug Rowe shares plans to create a sustainable and circular solution for Australia’s anticipated lithium battery waste.

With an investment of about $30 million it’s an ambitious project, but one Doug says is necessary to recover critical resources and take steps toward a greener future.

Happy reading

Lisa Korycki

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Mike Wheeler mike.wheeler@primecreative.com.au

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ARTICLES

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COVER

Cover image supplied by Ecocycle Group

COPYRIGHT

Waste Management Review is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy.

All material in Waste Management Review is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in Waste Management Review are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

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UP FRONT

Plastic pollution in waterways is a global issue but much of Australia’s problem is home-grown. Image: NPD stock/stock.adobe.com

Wasting our waterways

Every year 130,000 tonnes of land-borne Australian plastic waste accumulates and pollutes waterways and oceans. While the global problem is well documented, Australia is facing a home-grown plastic pollution mess.

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he largest accumulation of ocean plastic in the world is in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located halfway between Hawaii and California.

It’s estimated that up to 2.41 million tonnes of plastic cover an area twice the size of Texas.

It’s an issue that has attracted headlines around the world – images of an island of plastic debris are difficult to ignore.

Up to 80 per cent of the waste is believed to come from land-based sources and has spawned a call for action and ignited social conscience.

In Australia, industry, environmentalists, and government are hoping to tap into that social conscience to help turn the tide on plastic pollution here. While some of this plastic can be blamed on tides washing in ocean debris, much of it is created closer to home.

8 / WMR / March 2024

A Melbourne Water study as part of its Healthy Waterways Strategy in 2018 found that 95 per cent of litter found in Port Phillip Bay comes from suburban streets, upstream in the catchment.

It’s not coming from Indonesia and it’s not coming from the great Garbage Patch.

It’s coming from neighbourhood streets.

During a panel session at the 2023 Waste Expo held in Melbourne, Brad Dalrymple, Principal Environmental Engineer, Ocean Protect, said stormwater runoff is a key mechanism as to how waste gets into our waterways.

“When rain falls, which it does a lot in Melbourne, it washes our roads and streets and car parks cleaning that pollution.

Waste gets washed away,” Brad said.

“That ‘away’ is into the stormwater pits in the pipes and ultimately the creeks, waterways, and our oceans and often into us.”

Ocean Protect develops site-specific solutions to manage the impact of stormwater runoff on the built environment. It has about 50,000 assets across Australia that stop about eight tonnes a day of pollution – mostly singleuse plastics.

About 850 pieces of plastic – bottle tops, straws, bags, wrappers, and such – were pulled from eight pit baskets just five months after being installed in a standard street in Western Sydney.

It’s as much a human health issue as it is ecological, according to Brad.

“About 50 to 86 per cent of the oxygen we breathe comes from our oceans.

And a hell of a lot of plastic has gone to our oceans,” he said. “There’s a lot of science recently that shows that our oceans are burping microplastics into the atmosphere. And where does that go?

Thousands of kilometres in all directions.”

Dr Kathy Willis, a research scientist with CSIRO, said about 600 different species of marine wildlife are now documented as being impacted by plastic pollution through entanglement or ingestion. Sadly, once an animal dies from plastic ingestion, that plastic re-enters the system.

Kathy is working within the CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste mission, which aims to reduce plastic leaving the environment by 80 per cent by 2030.

She’s part of the marine debris research team identifying the sources and drivers of plastic pollution in the environment.

They’re trying to answer why more plastic is found in one area than the other. Also, where has it entered the system or the environment, and where is it going?

The team has travelled twice around Australia’s beaches to measure plastic pollution. In the top end of Australia there are substantial amounts of litter washing in from overseas or fishing boats. However, below the top end “we’re our own plastic pollution problem” Kathy said.

“About 70 to 80 per cent of the litter that we find on our shores is from us,” she said.

The CSIRO hopes to translate its research into useful information for decision makers around the world.

Simon Crawford, Team Leader Waste Education with Wyndam City Council, is one of the decision makers trying to tackle plastic pollution in his own backyard.

He said it’s an issue local government is struggling with because the problem is “too massive”.

As well as the societal expectations that council will clean-up, and a lacklustre stance on punishment for littering, there’s the practicality of how councils manage so much waste.

Infrastructure to collect waste, such as a fleet of trucks, wetlands, and waste traps, can help contribute to stopping the problem, but they’re not going to solve the problem.

“For me, it’s much more about prevention and the circular economy,” Simon says. “We should be trying to avoid causing the problem rather than talking about how to clean it up at the end.

“If we have a genuine circular economy, where these things are worth something and not considered waste, you wouldn’t want to just drop it.”

One of the other drawbacks was the 537 councils across Australia all trying to do it on their own. Simon called for federal and state government leadership to tackle water pollution as a nation rather than expecting individual councils to pick up the pieces.

“The problem is it’s no one’s clear legislative responsibility to intercept this litter at any particular part of the system,” said Trent Griffiths, Service Partnerships Manager, Waterways and Catchment Services with Melbourne Water.

“The legislation kind of says everybody’s got a bit of a role. But as we know, if it’s everyone’s problem, it’s very easy to make it no one’s problem, or to defer the problem further down that chain.

“It’s really, really hard in the absence of clear legislation, or clear roles and responsibilities within that legislation, to unlock the resources that are needed to address this problem properly.”

Trent and Melbourne Water have bucked the trend, collaborating with local councils to clean up Patterson River in south-east Melbourne that had been “smashed” with litter.

As the waterway manager for the Port Phillip and Westernport region, Melbourne Water was under pressure to manage the litter in the river near the National Water Sports Centre.

Trent said Melbourne Water took a strategic approach and instead of pouring thousands of dollars into an unfeasible solution to pull waste out of the water, leaned forward to see if the waste could be addressed at the source.

Together with councils, Melbourne Water mapped the catchment area and prioritised actions where they would have the most impact to prevent the litter in the first place. One of the areas being considered is using cameras and AI to identify packaged waste and the retailers who sell those products.

In a robust discussion with the audience, the panel addressed product stewardship, the cost of waste collection, amenity, and consumer behaviour as ways to tackle waste in waterways. There was consensus that stitching together science and the social sciences will be an important next step.

CSIRO’s marine debris research team, part of the Ending Plastic Waste mission, is trying to identify the sources and drivers of plastic pollution in the environment.

Image: Melinda Nagy/stock.adobe.com

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 9

UP FRONT

Nurdle hunters

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Nurdles, tiny pellets roughly the size of lentils, in many different colours.

But why all the fuss, and why should we be concerned?

urdles, also referred to as plastic resin, feedstock, or pellets, serve as the fundamental components for plastic manufacturing. But they’ve emerged as a significant threat to marine life and ocean conservation.

After entering waterways, the nurdles adsorb chemicals, combined with their small size and shape making them a source of confusion for marine life. These toxic pellets are ingested, which can result in the demise of these creatures or their entry into the human food supply chain.

Once these nurdles find their way into the marine environment, they become challenging to remove, highlighting the importance of preventing the release of nurdles at the source of any leak.

In October 2023, the New South Wales and Victorian environmental

Volunteers remove litter and search for nurdles at Westgate Park along the Yarra River in Victoria. Image: Operation Clean Sweep

10 / WMR / March 2024

protection agencies partnered with local plastic industry members and Tangaroa Blue, an Australia-wide not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the removal and prevention of marine debris, to assess the extent of the nurdle issue through a dedicated Nurdle Hunt.

More than 120 people actively contributed to the Nurdle Hunt across two sites – Plane Spotting Beach in Botany, New South Wales, and Westgate Park along the Yarra River in Victoria.

Teams fanned out across these areas, removing litter and using strainers to sift through the sand in search of nurdles. Their efforts resulted in the collection of more than 120 kilograms of litter across both sites, with a significant presence of nurdles discovered.

By employing the internationally recognised rating tool from Operation Clean Sweep, the Sydney location received a rating of four, signifying significant PRP (plastic resin pellet) pollution, while the Melbourne site achieved a rating of three, indicating a moderate level of PRP pollution.

The timing of the nurdle hunt coincided with the publication of guidance by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) on handling nurdles in plastic manufacturing transportation, storage, and processing, as well as the introduction of Operation Clean Sweep to the state.

Operation Clean Sweep is a global initiative that encourages organisations involved in the handling of nurdles to prevent the release of these plastic pellets, powders, and flakes into the environment by enhancing their handling and processing procedures.

By taking the pledge, organisations gain access to a wealth of knowledge, enabling them to conduct audits, analyse process gaps, learn from the experiences of others and develop best practices.

Operation Clean Sweep has achieved international success, with numerous organisations recognising the advantages that extend beyond environmental impact reduction. These benefits include enhanced handling procedures, reduced waste, improved performance, increased safety, and higher profits.

The nurdle hunt will return in 2024.

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WHERE DOES YOUR RECYCLING GO?

Our research uncovered that 88% of Victorians don't know enough about how recycling is conducted. The Living with Purpose series hosted by Jamie Durie and developed by Repurpose It set out to help educate Australians on what really happens to their recycling.

To date, over 3 million Australians have heard about the online series that takes consumers on a journey from table scraps to repurposed materials, along the way educating them about the circular economy.

Visit repurposeit.com.au to watch our series.

OPINION

The Breakdown

‘The Breakdown’ is a monthly column giving industry leaders and decision makers a chance to share their views on topics central to the sector.

This month we asked: “What’s the biggest obstacle to creating a circular economy?

Image: Justin Frank

Image: Resource Hub

Image: BINGO Industries

Justin Frank Head of Strategy and Communications Goterra

Lacey Webb Founder and Director Resource Hub

Chris Jeffrey Chief Executive Officer BINGO Industries

Convenience is a hard drug to quit, both from an individual and commercial perspective.

The answer lies in the question itself.

There isn’t one big obstacle. There is a lack of accountability and mandate on manufacturers, inadequate frameworks of what circular outcomes mean in practice, and no cohesive approach to investment or priority materials. Knowing where to start is overwhelming.

From BINGO’s perspective, one of the biggest challenges is creating viable end markets for recycled products to make investments in infrastructure more appealing.

Additionally, while leadership exists across various industries, it fails to exert the national influence necessary for change.

Recycling plays an important role in a circular economy as it helps to keep materials in use for as long as possible. If governments mandate the use of a minimum level of recycled content in government-funded projects, this will help develop sustainable markets for recycled products and drive investment in both recycling infrastructure and innovation in recycled product development.

Moving from linear (take, make, dispose) to circular, not only requires the rewiring of current habitual mind-sets, but also carrots and sticks to help behavioural change.

It’s imperative to harmonise and standardise regulations / legislation to make it easier for people to do the right thing, while making linear disposal (landfill) more expensive than circular.

Reinvestment of economic instruments, ‘waste’ levies, into innovations, infrastructure, grants, and technology to drive action and enable circular economies is critical while covering potential economic gaps as these solutions get to scale.

A comprehensive understanding and engagement from all sectors – community and consumers, industry, manufacturers, politicians – is crucial. They must grasp the practical meaning of circular economy.

We need a collective, informed approach, targeted investment, creativity, and courage to fail spectacularly to make change happen.

Getting government policy right to support this is critical and is where the immediate focus needs to be.

If you or someone at your organisation is an industry leader and would like to be a part of this monthly column in 2024, please get in touch with Editor, Lisa Korycki lisa.korycki@primecreative.com.au 12 / WMR / March 2024

OPINION

Image: One Planet Consulting

Image: WCRA

Image: Repurpose It

Helen Millicer Director, One Planet Consulting

Brett Lemin Executive Director Elect Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association of NSW

Tania Hall Senior Commercial Manager Repurpose It

Biggest obstacle: Poor economics and incentives.

The biggest obstacle to a circular economy is our generationally entrenched linear systems.

Shifting from a ‘take-make-dispose’ model to one that prioritises the waste hierarchy and actively promotes a circular economy requires widespread systemic changes.

Creating a circular economy requires a shift in the mindset and practices of consumers, government, manufacturers, and procurement.

We have perfected the art of just in time, highly diverse products easily disposed at minimal cost to landfill without requiring circularity.

Consequently, costs are too high for better design, reuse, repair, and recycling.

Currently, it is hard and costly to even introduce sensible things like reusable packaging and systems, even for B2B. Poor economics and incentives mean that costs of recycling collections and reprocessing is higher than virgin for many materials.

We designed this economic system and can and must change it. This means bans/levies on non-repairable non-recyclable products, mandating green procurement and smarter pricing at landfills.

Challenges include infrastructural inadequacies, consumer behaviour, and corporate practices heavily reliant on the linear model.

Additionally, economic incentives often favour short-term gains over long-term sustainability.

There is no silver bullet, or single obstacle.

Creating a circular economy demands a collaborative effort involving policy reform, technological innovations, behavioural shifts, and holistic restructuring across multiple industries and society to overcome inertia and embrace a more sustainable approach.

Unfortunately, many of us have become a ‘throw away’ society where we opt for cheaper, disposable products – resources are extracted, used and discarded in landfill.

Products are often designed without considering or caring about the end-of-life implications.

Wouldn’t it be good to see significant investment in recycling and manufacturing capabilities in Australia? Could there be financial incentives to manufacturers and consumers to encourage and ensure the purchasing of sustainable products with longer lifespans?

I believe we need to shift towards designing products manufactured with recycled products – here in Australia, and ensuring we are designing products so they can continue to be recycled.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 13

OPINION

Image: AORA

Image: MRA Consulting Group

Image: Veolia

John McKew National Executive Officer Australian Organics Recycling Association

Masa Vahldieck Circular Economy Team Leader, MRA Consulting Group

Richard Kirkman Chief Executive Officer Veolia

The circular economy is still an esoteric term for many. Demystifying this through a simple definition and images would help to explain the concept and why it is important.

The circular economy is more than recycling and resource recovery.

A circular economy will be invigorated by sustainable end markets for the resources recovered. When we establish these markets then investment in infrastructure will follow, in its billions, along with 10,000s jobs – all alleviate cost of living pressures as the economy is engaged throughout the supply chain. We have already seen this occur with recycled paper and cardboard, where a strong market has developed and more than 70 per cent is recycled.

There is arguably more than one circular economy; in reality, many circular economies can exist at varying levels and with varying degrees of progress.

A systems approach to the circular economy would be useful – what are the various stages/parts to a particular circular economy model? How do they interact? What are the dependencies? What are the potential blockages and accelerators? What does success look like and how is the system maintained for optimal results long-term?

Recycling doesn’t, in itself, reduce the generation of waste. It tries to capture the end of pipe and recover it to the economy. Waste generation continues to grow.

Our national target of reducing waste generation by 10 per cent per person will not be achieved by recycling more products but rather by keeping them in use.

Our policies, funding, and regulations focus on recycling rather than designing better, reducing, reusing, and repairing the overwhelming and increasing wave of material barrelling down the pipe to be managed by councils and the recycling and waste industry.

We need design rules, price signals, regulations to drive this reform.

14 / WMR / March 2024

To establish these markets we applaud a national policy from the Federal Government setting mandatory percentages of recycled content. Packaging is one area that could benefit from this through a packaging circularity scheme that sets variable fees to incentivise higher levels of recyclability and recycled content. Australia could look to the UK and Europe which has a Plastic Packaging Tax for imported plastic packaging components and will introduce an extended producer responsibility scheme for packaging in 2025.

COVER STORY

URT’s plant technology incorporates advanced safety measures for lithium battery recycling. Image: Ecocycle

Into the Li-ion’s den

The Ecocycle Group of companies announce the largest and most advanced lithium battery recycling plant in Australia to commence operation in late 2025.

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co Batt is investing about $30 million to build a lithium (Li-ion) battery recycling plant, creating a total processing precinct for batteries at the Ecocycle Group’s head office in Campbellfield, Victoria.

Using cutting edge technology, proven to process more than 25,000 tonnes of batteries per year, the plant will provide an unmatched sustainable solution to Australia’s anticipated lithium battery waste streams for the next decade, according to Group Managing Director Doug Rowe.

The ambitious development will provide a state-of-the-art solution to Australia, New Zealand and the neighbouring Pacific Islands battery waste streams and recover up to 98 16 / WMR / March 2024

per cent of the active materials from lithium batteries.

To ensure a world class solution with the highest level of environmental compliance, Eco Batt is appointing German company URT Umwelt- und Recyclingtechnik which has built and commissioned numerous large lithium battery recycling plants around the world.

“One of the key factors in battery recycling is safety, both for the workers and the environment,” Doug says.

“URT’s plant technology incorporates advanced safety measures while implementing standards not previously seen or used in Australia.”

The plant is designed to prevent the release of solvents by distilling them

and capturing the spent electrolyte for recycling.

The off-gases and exhaust air are collected throughout the process and treated via a number of scrubbers, carbon absorption and finally a large, high-temperature treatment point for ensuring all toxic and volatile organic compounds and fluorides are handled to the highest environmental regulations.

“Australia as yet doesn’t understand or appreciate the significance of protecting staff and the environment from the off-gases being released from processing lithium batteries,” Doug says.

URT Recyclingtechnik has established itself as a global leader in lithium battery recycling, with

“By effectively managing endof-life batteries, recycling them responsibly and recovering critical resources, Eco Batt is contributing to the transition to a sustainable and circular economy.”

Doug Rowe Ecocycle Group Managing Director

Each URT Umwelt- und Recyclingtechnik lithium battery recycling plant is tailored to the requirements of customers. Image: URT

completed plants and projects in progress on four continents, including recent projects for Polish recycler Elemental Strategic Metals and Asend Element in America.

The company’s turnkey recycling plants are built to the requirements of customers. Having a greenfield site gives Eco Batt the ability to tailor the plant to be as efficient and streamlined as possible. The specification of the proposed Victorian plant was chosen after Doug visited more than 40 battery recycling facilities internationally in recent years.

Doug says that with URT’s expertise, comprehensive services, and commitment to environmental responsibility, URT and Eco Batt are committed to work together to build a showcase plant for Australia that keeps lithium batteries out of the wrong waste streams and into a plant, purpose-built to handle them correctly.

This new urban mining facility will produce green metals for reuse in industry. The recovered black mass will be refined to recover the lithium, graphite, cobalt, and nickel, while the steel, stainless-steel, copper, aluminium and circuit boards will be individually separated as part of this unique recycling process.

“We have the ability to batch process the varying chemistries we are seeing in lithium batteries, allowing us to keep that black mass separated and sending the various grades to those offering the best treatment outcomes,” Doug says.

Eco Batt has a national collection network with more than 7000 company-owned collection cabinets at retail, supermarket, and hardware stores.

Specialised, lockable, galvanised, dangerous goods (DG)-approved bulk battery collection bins are provided to industry and located at many local government transfer stations, materials recycling facilities and landfill to underpin the www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 17

COVER STORY

The CSIRO projects lithium-ion battery waste is growing by 20 per cent per year and could exceed 100,000 tonnes by 2036.

Image: Ecocycle

success of the new recycling plant.

The feedstock will be collected nationally with operations already established in every state using specially equipped DG-approved battery transport vehicles.

“Lithium batteries are now ubiquitous in every sector of the economy, society and everyday life and pose elevated risks at end-of-life to the environment while containing critical resources needed for a circular economy,” Doug says.

“They need to be responsibly recycled. In the midst of rising demand for electric vehicles and renewable power, and an explosion in battery development: batteries will play a key role in the transition to achieve Australia’s climate change targets and so will leadership in advanced recycling technology.

18 / WMR / March 2024

“The establishment of Australia’s largest lithium battery processing and recycling plant marks a significant step towards a greener future. By effectively managing end-of-life batteries, recycling them responsibly and recovering critical resources, Eco Batt is contributing to the transition to a sustainable and circular economy.”

Doug says Australia has a unique opportunity to contribute to global goals and to increase the use of recycled materials in new battery manufacturing. By investing in sustainable recycling solutions, Australia can not only minimise environmental degradation caused by lithium batteries but also preserve critical resources for future generations.

“We have a responsibility to the environment and to respond to

climate change with best efforts for the conservation of resources. This plant will do just that,” he says.

The market for energy storage, e-mobility, and lithium batteries across such a vast range is rising in Australia and globally overall. In October 2023, the Department of Treasury and Finance Victoria reported 8.4 per cent of all new vehicles sold in the past 12 months were electric vehicles – more than double compared to sales a year earlier and representative of the national trend.

Doug says increased adoption of domestic and commercial energy storage systems, micro mobility, batteryoperated equipment, and all other e-waste streams add to the demand for lithium battery waste recycling.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

(CSIRO) projects lithium-ion battery waste is growing by 20 per cent per year and could exceed 100,000 tonnes by 2036. If the projection is correct, Australia’s big battery energy storage capacity will have increased 20-fold since 2021 by 2030.

Australian homes with battery storage devices exceed 100,000 dwellings with an energy capacity that is almost twice the size of Australia’s largest utility battery, Victoria’s Big Battery.

“Australia is quickly becoming a global leader in energy storage and an early adopter of big batteries to reduce emissions by 2030,” Doug says. “The battery recycling industry needs to be ready to deal with the unavoidable battery waste at end-of-life. Eco Batt is leading the way.

“The Federal Government has set an ambitious target to transition to renewable energy and elevate recycling for all wastes generated to 80 per cent nationally by 2030 from an average of 63 per cent currently. If by

2030 we are seeing an increase in the lithium batteries coming to market for recycling, we are committed to installing a sister plant the same size at our Queensland facility.

“This plant is a major investment in this recycling industry and while we understand the challenges, the risks, and the low return on investment, we can’t just keep doing what we know is not working. Lithium batteries are not going away and need to be recycled properly.”

There is almost daily media coverage of lithium battery fires in trucks, kerbside collections, material recovery facilities, landfill, and metal recycling yards around Australia. Doug says the cost to these industries is huge and insurance premiums prohibitive.

Industry needs to work together to get lithium batteries into the correct recycling stream and the right collection containers with the right trucks.

The hazardous nature of large format lithium batteries, which retain residual

energy even at disposal, pose serious risks if not handled correctly.

A dedicated battery discharge process for larger format battery assemblies will accompany the new Victorian recycling process. The power generated from discharging will go into Eco Batt’s large battery storage container, made from recycled lithium batteries that still have a useful second life. The battery storage container stores the discharged power from the lithium batteries ready for final processing and is used on site to power the handling, sorting, and processing of batteries that are ready for recycling.

“With industry leadership and a dedication to safety and environmental responsibility, Eco Batt is shaping lithium battery recycling in Australia,” Doug says.

“Paving the way for a greener, more sustainable world.”

For more information, visit: www.ecobatt.net

URT Umwelt- und Recyclingtechnik has been commissioned to build the new Victorian plant. Image: URT

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 19

FEATURED TOPIC - CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Confidence versus knowledge

Following the release of a new report, Planet Ark’s Ryan Collins says it’s important to continue conversations, collaborations, and actions for a circular economy.

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here is an appetite for more action towards a circular economy, especially from first movers. But while circular economy knowledge among Australian businesses is improving, the majority need and want to learn more, says Ryan Collins, Head of Circular Economy Programs for Planet Ark. He says the findings of a new report indicate that more needs to be done to inform businesses and changemakers about the circular economy and how to implement a circular model in their own organisations.

Circularity in Australian Business 2023: Perceptions, Knowledge and Actions Beyond Recycling, was released during the Circularity 2023 conference in November 2023. It’s the third in a series of reports commissioned by Planet Ark to investigate the state of circular economy thinking within the Australian business community.

The 2023 report takes a closer look at the perspectives of senior management and the implementation of circular principles from various organisations, including the Australian Food and Grocery Council, Commonwealth Bank, Country Road, and BINGO Industries.

Ryan says the report is the only longitudinal study of its type that captures the sentiment of Australian businesses’ circular economy journey.

“What we think makes this research important is that it can help inform government, industry, educators and

20 / WMR / March 2024

researchers to identify strategies that can help accelerate a circular economy,” Ryan says.

In the three years the survey has been conducted, awareness of the term circular economy has always been high.

However, Ryan says the 2023 report reveals that the confidence-knowledge gap is closing.

Of the 500 businesses that completed the 2023 survey, 82 per cent were aware of the concept of a circular economy.

The same number of respondents said that the circular economy was important for the future of their business. This was especially so in the construction industry (where 90 per cent of respondents said it would be important for business), and large businesses (89 per cent).

Only 28 per cent of small businesses believed a circular economy was important for their future.

“This is expected because small businesses have a lot of other things to consider in their operations and fewer people,” Ryan says.

“For the most part, circular strategies have been a lower priority because of the day-to-day challenges of running a business.

“They’re the least group of business that can put aside resources and say ‘we’re going to focus on this’. Providing support in that area will probably be key moving forward.”

What has changed through the years is that claimed knowledge or confidence

Ryan Collins, Head of Circular Economy Programs for Planet Ark. Image: Planet Ark

in the understanding of a circular economy has dropped dramatically.

In the 2021 report, 81 per cent of respondents said they were confident in their knowledge or knew what a circular economy was. That dropped to 52 per cent in 2023.

While people are less confident in their knowledge of what a circular economy is, actual knowledge appears to be increasing with 35 per cent able to define what a circular economy is, compared to 21 per cent in 2021. And that’s a good thing.

“People are more realistic in their knowledge,” Ryan says.

“They’re realising the circular economy is a complex beast, and it’s not just about recycling, so their confidence drops. This strongly aligns with the Dunning Kruger effect – the

While knowledge around a circular economy concept is decreasing, the confidence-knowledge gap is closing.

Image: Stratocaster/stock.adobe.com

more you know, the more you realise you don’t know. Confidence often starts high and decreases as your actual knowledge increases before a tipping point is reached, and confidence begins to return.

“We haven’t reached that yet.”

The most common nominated barriers – a lack of information on implementing circular economy principles, financial issues, and business culture – have remained similar throughout the survey series.

There’s been some positive movement on what are perceived as key benefits for implementing a circular economy, such as reducing costs (up from 42 per cent to 58 per cent since 2021) and increasing efficiency (from 39 per cent to 47 per cent).

Ryan says this shows that as actual knowledge improves, people realise the benefits of the circular transitions.

The 2023 survey included some new questions to try and gauge what circular strategies businesses were thinking about or planning. What that revealed is that companies are implementing or acting without realising that they’re circular strategies.

“One question asked was about the importance of the circular economy to their business. A portion claimed it wasn’t considered important or didn’t apply, yet these same businesses had implemented strategies such as repair, reduce or recycle,” Ryan says.

He says this highlights the need for more education, building capacity in the business sector, and looking at effective communication and motivators for certain audiences.

A section of the report provides examples of how different organisations see the environmental, financial, and social benefits of incorporating circular

economy strategies and explains the business models used.

Planet Ark has also integrated the survey findings into its new Australian Circular Economy Hub (ACE Hub) 2024-26 Strategy, to be launched in 2024. It will include programs to support businesses with practical ways to transition to circular strategies.

“People are just starting their circular economy journey, have started or want to accelerate. Hopefully, this report can help them,” Ryan says.

“There’s a realisation we can’t just talk about it. We must do it. There’s a role to be played by every sector – government, industry, researchers, educators – and collaboration needs to be more the norm than the unusual.”

For more information, visit: www.planetark.org or www.acehub.org.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 21

FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Planting seeds for the future

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Resource recovery leader Repurpose It is forging partnerships to spread the circular economy message.

eal life learning experiences promote curiosity and engagement.

Victorian-based Repurpose It hopes they will also inspire the next generation of circular economy champions.

The company is building connections with schools and local community centres to help people understand that their ‘waste’ can be a resource.

George Hatzimanolis, Repurpose It Chief Executive Officer, says education is a vital step in breaking the stigma that repurposed materials are inferior.

“It’s about building an understanding of what a circular economy looks like, what it means, and how new materials can be repurposed,” George says. “The more we can educate, the more we can ramp up what good practice and outcomes look like, the better it is for everyone.”

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Repurpose It is home to one of Australia’s most sophisticated resource recovery plants, converting ‘untreatable waste’ into resources. It has ambitions to eliminate waste through a closed-loop circular economy and has invested in infrastructure, including an advanced organics waste resource recovery facility, to transform food and organic waste into compost and soils.

The facility has given Repurpose It’s community in the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne a front row seat to circular economy in action with many of the processed materials diverted back to local parks and gardens.

In 2023, the company partnered with charity Good360 Australia to help drive more positive change. George says there’s a strong alignment between the

two organisations’ ethos of doing good.

Good360 Australia gives new unsold products a first life to benefit people in need and the environment. One of its first projects with Repurpose It was the donation of soil and mulch to Lalor North Primary School for the development of a kitchen garden.

The donation had social, environmental, and educational impact – something George aims to build on. Two other Victorian primary schools have signed on for similar projects in 2024 and there has been requests from others to participate in excursions to Repurpose It’s Epping site.

“Teaching young students about the benefits of recycling, seeing it in action and understanding how it works, can be very beneficial,” George says.

Television host Jamie Durie gives Kyron and Willow a lesson on sustainability.

Durie has signed on for a second series of Living with Purpose.

The advanced organics waste resource recovery facility transforms food and organic waste into garden products. Images: Repurpose It

“The next generation will be less reliant on virgin materials and brand-new products. They will be more educated about their impact on the planet and how recycling properly can drive the right outcomes.”

A key ambition of Repurpose It is to grow its capabilities in FOGO processing and diversion. While it has built the capital infrastructure required, there are challenges at both ends of the market in terms of the quality of the waste sourced and end markets.

That’s where local government becomes another vital piece of the puzzle in driving the right outcomes. Repurpose It has contracts to process FOGO collections from multiple local government areas and councils are encouraged to visit the site for a first-hand look at operations.

George says it’s a revelation for councils to see the contents of bins from their municipality, the types of

contamination, and the problems that contamination causes.

“Three to four per cent contamination doesn’t sound like a lot, but once you see it in practice, you realise it is a lot,” he says.

“That education piece, seeing the operation and seeing how we process their FOGO has been eye-opening for councils and supported their commitment to educate their communities.

“We’ve been fortunate that our local government partners have taken a longerterm view to FOGO and want to get the education right.”

In a bid to influence a wider audience on how and why recycling should be better, and the outcomes Victoria is aiming for, in 2023 Repurpose It launched a new series Living with Purpose.

Presented by award-winning landscape designer and television host Jamie Durie, the series showcases the journey of household and commercial waste, from

unusable scraps to repurposed material ready to be used back in the community.

Durie has signed on for a second series to air early in 2024 that will build on the momentum created in series one.

George sees it as another medium to drive a higher connection between communities and stakeholders around the importance and understanding of recycling.

“Education, rather than a sales pitch, ultimately drives better outcomes,” he says.

And it appears to be hitting the mark. George says feedback from the community, industry peers and key stakeholders is positive.

He says it’s important the series delivers a consistent message, and Repurpose It connects with regulatory bodies to ensure it is in line with current policy.

“Government shouldn’t be left to do all the heavy lifting; industry needs to pull up its sleeves as well.” www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 23

FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

A community garden built through the collaboration of Repurpose It and Good360 Australia.

“It’s an industry-wide benefit that Polytechnic, and universities on everyone gets if we get recycling several projects. right. Better recycling drives better One project with Swinburne University, circular outcomes.” which has attracted Federal Government Education isn’t a one-way street at funding, involves two PhD students Repurpose It. The company continues to researching an innovative product to form partner with the local TAFE, Melbourne using repurposed sand.

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George says there are several exciting projects, all directed at taking materials, whatever composition – organic, minerals or aggregates – and engineering solutions for them based on their properties rather than a typical life cycle purpose.

“There’s a paradigm we’re trying to challenge here. Why is that the end of the life cycle?” he says.

“All of these materials still have a lot of important value, whether nutrient (organic and soil health) or engineering materials (sand and aggregate). As technology evolves, we’ll have more and more opportunity to recover and reduce our reliance on virgin materials.”

For more information and to watch Living with Purpose, visit: www.repurposeit.com.au

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FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

From paddock to project A

Alex Fraser’s new recycling infrastructure will maximise sustainability outcomes for Melbourne’s north.

lex Fraser’s new crushing plant at Epping, Victoria, is taking shape, with the latest addition to the company’s Northern Sustainable Supply Hub to be commissioned in the first half of 2024.

Once completed, the rock crushing plant will process up to one million tonnes of recycled products When complete, the Epping crushing plant will process up to one million tonnes of recycled products. Images: Alex Fraser

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including incoming paddock rock and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). The end-product will feed Alex Fraser’s neighbouring asphalt plant to produce high-recycled sustainable asphalt, containing up to 70 per cent recycled materials.

The $13 million investment will maximise sustainability outcomes for

Melbourne’s north, says Peter Murphy, Alex Fraser Managing Director.

“With a recycling network that surrounds Melbourne, we focus on ensuring our capability and capacity matches the market’s needs,” Peter says.

“The crushing plant is on the doorstep of an urban growth corridor, where we’re seeing urban

development. It’s the closest large-scale recycling facility to the north of the Melbourne CBD. “Currently, only a little more than half of all of Melbourne’s construction and demolition (C&D) waste is being recycled and there are many greenfield sites in development in Melbourne’s north where developers are extracting paddock rock and need a responsible way to dispose of it.”

The new plant will take these extracted materials and process them into recycled materials that can be used at the source site or other infrastructure projects, reducing landfill, and increasing the use of recycled content.

Peter says the co-located crushing and asphalt plant will further increase capability and accessibility to sustainable products in Melbourne’s north for Victoria’s Big Build, by more than a million tonnes each year.

He described the Northern Sustainable Supply Hub as a one-stopshop for customers needing to recycle construction waste such as paddock rock, brick concrete and asphalt profilings, and to source high-recycled construction materials.

The new plant incorporates advanced technologies geared towards ensuring safety and optimising production efficiencies.

Safety features have improved since the construction of the company’s original plant at the Epping site, which required retrofitting over the years to maintain safety standards.

The new plant will incorporate stateof-the-art features such as real-time monitoring systems, automated emergency shutdown protocols, advanced hazard detection technologies, and comprehensive employee training programs.

The innovations, Peter says, are instrumental in fostering a safe environment while maximising operational efficiency in the plant.

Project managers Kate Lynch and Joe Xerri are supported by Epping Recycling leaders Garry Baker, Andrew Prestage and Nadim Abdallah.

The three-stage crushing plant also boasts features designed to optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of the crushing process, incorporating a robust primary crusher to handle initial raw material processing.

A secondary crusher refines the material further, followed by a tertiary crusher to achieve the desired product specifications. This systematic approach ensures precision and control in the production process. Additionally, the plant is equipped with cutting-edge automation, sorting components, realtime monitoring systems, and advanced control panels, enhancing overall operational safety and efficiency.

It’s seen as the next step in Alex Fraser’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure.

“We are already recycling hundreds of thousands of tonnes of concrete and brick with our existing facilities – this new plant will vastly improve our efficiencies in recycling excavated rock from local greenfields projects and asphalt profilings from road redevelopments,” Peter says.

As part of the Hanson Group of Companies, Alex Fraser’s work is guided by the Group’s Sustainability Charter, which focuses on reducing emissions, innovating circular materials, nature positivity and supporting communities.

Peter says that the integration of Alex Fraser’s recycling and production facilities on strategically located hubs further reduces the impact of production and cartage of its Green Roads Construction Materials.

The reprocessed aggregates will supply the company’s on-site asphalt plant and road base products needed to help customers build greener roads.

Stage two of the project will redefine the way the industry views construction materials.

“This first stage will enable processing of rock for recycled construction materials, ensuring efficiency and minimising waste by incorporating circular principles.

Stage two will introduce additional cutting-edge processing capabilities to recycle concrete and brick, with the introduction of artificial intelligence and robotics to improve material detection and sorting accuracy and to reduce risk exposure for human pickers.”

To date, Alex Fraser has recovered more than 50 million tonnes of concrete, brick, rock, asphalt and glass to produce high-specification recycled products to build greener roads and rail.

For more information, visit: www.alexfraser.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 27

FEATURED TOPIC – ENERGY FROM WASTE

The power of renewables

The benefits of anaerobic digestion for Australia’s organic waste extend beyond waste management. Eneraque Renewables’ Heather Millar explains.

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naerobic digestion is a climate solution that plays a crucial role in Australia’s waste management and renewable energy production, says Heather Millar, Chief Marketing Officer of Eneraque Renewables.

Farmers are increasingly adopting anaerobic digestion to manage agricultural waste such as manure and crop residue. Landfill sites, wastewater treatment plants and organic waste facilities are all candidates for anaerobic digestion technologies, producing biogas and nutrient-rich by-products.

“Waste-to-energy projects using anaerobic digestion are gaining traction in Australia,” Heather says.

“By converting organic waste into energy, these projects contribute to a sustainable energy mix while addressing waste management challenges.”

With more than 40 years’ experience in delivering waste to energy projects and dozens of working plants, Eneraque Renewables is offering engineering, procurement, and construction of biogas plants from the feedstock management and anaerobic digestion infrastructure, through to onsite power generation and beyond to biogas upgrading systems and grid injection.

Heather says this unique capability provides clients with one partner for their entire plant build, along with the

Anaerobic Digesters at a wastewater treatment facility in New South Wales.

Images: Eneraque Renewables

28 / WMR / March 2024

option for ongoing maintenance and operation by the service team.

Eneraque Renewables’ innovation team continuously researches state-ofthe-art technology available globally.

Heather says the firm’s expertise and point of difference lies in ensuring the finished design and equipment adheres to Australian and New Zealand standards and will work within specific local infrastructure frameworks – something that cannot be achieved by importing technology from overseas.

“We see too many project developers burnt by directly importing technology or pre-built equipment from overseas – they find it is not up to standard, near impossible to retrofit or maintain and often just simply doesn’t work because it hasn’t been designed for APAC,” she says.

“We’re generally using about 10 per cent of the base technology, and the remainder needs to be custom engineered and manufactured by our Brisbanebased team.

“We have the right partnerships in place to be able to deliver this technology seamlessly.”

Anaerobic digestion technologies in Australia vary, from mesophilic systems operating at moderate temperatures to thermophilic systems operating at higher temperatures. Each technology has its advantages and is employed based on specific needs, such as energy requirements and the type of feedstock.

Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors (CSTR) are a common technology where

Heather Millar, Eneraque Renewables Chief Marketing Officer.

organic materials are continuously added to a tank, and the mixture is stirred to maintain a uniform environment for microbial digestion.

CSTR offers a stable and controlled environment for microbial activity, making them a reliable choice for anaerobic digestion projects in Australia.

Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactors (ASBR) involves filling a reactor with organic material, allowing it to undergo anaerobic digestion, and then emptying it in a sequential manner. The reactors provide flexibility in handling varying organic loads, making them adaptable to diverse waste streams in Australia.

Plug Flow Digesters facilitate a more linear flow of organic material through the digestion process, promoting better control over retention times and optimising biogas production.

Like most renewable energy initiatives, policy and regulatory support is essential to its success. Heather says feedstock variability and economic viability remain challenges in the anaerobic digestion sector in Australia.

But she says the regulatory landscape is evolving, with a focus on promoting sustainable practices. Government incentives and policies also aim to

encourage the adoption of anaerobic digestion systems, aligning with broader environmental goals.

Ongoing research and development continue to drive innovations. Emerging technologies, such as advanced digester designs and optimised feedstock management, are expected to enhance efficiency and scalability.

Heather says those considering the commercial viability of a biogas plant are also now assessing the full range of income streams that can be generated as part of the process.

The digestate that remains after anaerobic digestion and bio-carbon dioxide (CO2) are both recognised as commercial products, with the potential to provide plant owners with a return on their investment.

Australian farmers leverage digestate as a nutrient-rich soil amendment, enhancing soil health and promoting better crop yields. Its nutrient content, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, makes it suitable for use as a fertiliser, reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.

Digestate can be applied to degraded or contaminated land to aid in rehabilitation and revegetation.

It can be further processed into compost and could be used to fertilise crops specifically grown for energy production, such as biomass crops for bioenergy, fostering a closed-loop approach in the agricultural and energy sectors.

However, plant owners must be aware of regulations and guidelines that could impact the handling and application of digestate, especially on crops intended for human consumption.

“Adherence to waste management regulations is essential to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible use of digestate in Australia,” Heather says.

The advantage of using bio-CO2 from anaerobic digestion is its renewable and sustainable nature, contributing to reduced environmental impact compared to CO2 derived from fossil fuel sources.

Heather says during biogas upgrading the impurities in the biogas, including CO2, are separated to produce a purified methane stream. The separated CO2 can be considered as bio-CO2, as it originates from biological processes. This bio-CO2 can then be used for various applications, such as in agriculture, food and beverage, medical, and industrial processes.

Likewise, liquefied bio-CO2 can be used in a variety of applications across industries, including for carbonating beverages, such as sodas and sparkling water.

“Anaerobic digestion contributes to the Australian economy by creating jobs, attracting investment, and establishing new opportunities in the renewable energy sector. Its economic impact extends beyond waste management,” Heather says.

“Eneraque Renewables believes in the power of renewable gas to help Australia reach net zero ambitions and to create a more sustainable future, while turning waste into a profitable resource.”

For more information, visit: www.eneraquerenewables.com www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 29

FEATURED TOPIC – ENERGY FROM WASTE

Adding value

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Blue Phoenix Australia is ready to launch a breakthrough facility that will change the way Australia treats waste.

small team in Western Australia is just months away from changing the course of waste management in Australia.

Blue Phoenix Australia is ready to flick the switch on an Australia-first incinerator bottom ash (IBA) processing facility at Hope Valley in Kwinana.

After almost 12 months of testing, the $11.3 million IBA project, the first of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, is set to showcase a proven, sustainable, and responsible way to extract, recover and reuse ferrous and non-ferrous metals in high-purity metal products, and aggregates into safe and reliable materials that can be used in civil construction works as a replacement for primary material otherwise lost to landfill.

The importance of the project for Australia’s future waste management is not lost on Site Manager Chris Gee and Operations Supervisor Stephanie Lynass.

“We’re rewriting the way Australia treats waste,” Stephanie says.

“We’re no longer putting waste in the ground. We’re recycling and recovering materials that will go back into the local community.

“It’s a powerful message.”

Australia’s energy-from-waste (EfW) journey is in its infancy. All eyes are on the EfW plants currently under construction in Kwinana and East Rockingham and expected to be operational in mid-2024.

IBA, the end-product of the EfW incineration process, consists of inert brick, rubble, glass, ceramics, and stones that can be refined to create an

30 / WMR / March 2024

The Blue Phoenix Australia plant in Western Australia is the first of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.

Images: Blue Phoenix Australia

Chris Gee, Blue Phoenix Australia Site Manager.

aggregate suitable as a replacement for virgin materials. While the aggregate is widely used overseas, it’ has not previously been recovered in Australia.

The Blue Phoenix plant in Western Australia will have the capacity to process about 140,000 tonnes per annum, of IBA from the EfWs. Chris has 20 years’ experience with Blue Phoenix, working on some of the largest IBA plants in the United Kingdom, United States and Amsterdam. While the opening of new plants is not new, he admits it’s compelling being involved in the first chapter of Australia’s IBA journey.

He says the WA plant, which brings together all Blue Phoenix technology, will be a benchmark for IBA management.

“Each time you build a plant, it leads to new technology and new ideas. Every plant we build is always technically better,” he says.

“In Australia we’ve put all our technology into this plant – it’s right for the materials and the market.

“The Australian East Coast states are observing the operation of the two Western Australian EfWs, however once they see this plant in operation, we’re hoping the uptake will grow. I can’t see why it won’t. It’s no longer waste and has a valuable use in the market.”

Stephanie Lynass, Blue Phoenix Australia Operations Supervisor.

Chris has used the past 12 months to put the WA plant through its paces, recycling testing material weekly to optimise the processing time and material recovery.

He says the plant has had “some good figures” and he’s keen to start running through material from Avertas.

The EfW is expected to process 400,000 tonnes of municipal solid, commercial, and industrial waste under agreements with local governments and other providers in Perth’s greater metropolitan area when it’s commissioned.

The long lead-in to the plant being fully operational – it’s waiting on the commissioning of the EfW – has enabled Chris and Stephanie to fully understand the plant, the site, and the incoming material.

They’ve also established a maintenance plan as well as developed safety and training procedures. They’ll be looking to employ a local workforce within months.

While the plant has grabbed the attention of industry decision makers keen to see it in operation, it’s also intriguing the local community.

Chris and Stephanie say the community is keen to embrace the technology.

Paul Visser, Blue Phoenix Australia Commercial Development Manager.

“It’s exciting to see the public get more enthusiastic about recycling and what happens to their waste,” Stephanie says.

“It’s incredible to be a part of helping people realise there is a different pathway to deal with Australia’s waste.”

While the plant is set to play a key role in the state’s landfill diversion and circular economy aspirations, education and increasing community knowledge is just as important for Blue Phoenix.

Perth councillors and businesses have been invited to tour the site.

There are also plans to introduce a school program. Blue Phoenix welcomes other state’s representatives to tour the plant to gain an appreciation of the opportunity to divert material from landfill through IBA processing.

“Education is the key,” Chris says.

“A lot of people don’t understand what we do. Once they come to the site, see the process and the result, they see the benefits.”

“Australia is on a circular economy path, striving for landfill diversion, less reliance on resources and emissions reduction.

“This is an answer.”

For more information, visit: www.bluephoenix-group.com www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 31

FEATURED TOPIC – ENERGY FROM WASTE

The Sandy Ridge waste management facility is Australia’s only nationwide geological repository, and the only nationwide facility rated Class V Images: Tellus

Clean energy partners

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The clean energy transition is well underway in Australia and environmental services leader Tellus is playing its role.

he Sandy Ridge waste management facility, 240 kilometres northwest of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, is an opportunity for Tellus to play a key role in supporting the development of an Australian energy-from-waste (EfW) industry, says Nate Smith, Tellus Chief Executive Officer.

Tellus has partnered with the East Rockingham waste-to-energy plant, south of Perth, which will soon commence processing 300,000 tonnes of waste and produce 29 MW of energy each year – enough to power 36,000 homes.

Nate says the EfW sector has the potential to support clean energy generation in other Australian regions too. He says rising environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards mean industrial organisations are looking for waste management partners who can demonstrate highest environmental and safety standards increasingly demanded by communities across the country.

New waste streams bring new challenges. As Australia’s only nationwide geological repository, and the only nationwide facility rated Class V, Tellus’ Sandy Ridge operations offer the flexibility, space, and opportunity 32 / WMR / March 2024

to partner with a wide range of industrial customers.

While new to Australia, geological repositories are a tried and tested management method for Air Pollution Control residue (APCr) from EfW internationally. Nate says they are safe enough to take a wide range of hazardous chemical waste material and, in Tellus’ case, even low-level radioactive waste and mercury. Sandy Ridge also provides the safest permanent solution for challenging materials such as APCr, where the complex composition and origin of the waste makes safe and sustainable handling important.

“Not only does it meet the highest environmental standards, Sandy Ridge has also earned a strong social licence to operate, with community support via its native title agreement with the local Marlinyu-Ghoorlie people of the Kalgoorlie region,” Nate says.

“Along with its dry, stable geology, a unique Financial Assurance Deed that means environmental liabilities will be funded for 100 years post-closure, and a world-class safety case, Sandy Ridge can uniquely safeguard waste producers’ reputation and ESG objectives by certifying that all future disposal liability

is eradicated. This guarantee provides the EfW industry a crucial green checkmark and peace of mind for their communities.”

Working with its flagship EfW customer, Tellus has worked to design a bespoke supply chain and waste methodology from scratch to support the 24/7, 365-days-a-year nature of electricity generation.

“We’re excited about the opportunity for energy from waste electricity supply for the residents of Perth, and that we can play a role in enabling this industry to safely start up and scale up, right here in Western Australia,” Nate says.

“We’re building a true partnership. We have signed contracts and are preparing to receive at Sandy Ridge the first APCr generated from EfW in Australia.”

For Tellus, this will be a positive challenge. Like all waste generated by new industries, the APCr waste generated in Perth can’t be assessed or characterised before the first receival and the material is expected to contain a wide variety of compounds that will benefit from a single disposal solution.

Despite these inherent challenges, this material potentially also contains renewable resources. For example, in some

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Nate Smith, Tellus Chief Executive Officer.

EfW plants overseas, about three per cent by volume of non-ferrous metals has been found in comparable materials.

Partnering to enable new green energy projects is the kind of scenario Sandy Ridge was built for. It aligns with Tellus’ wider mission to support and enable Australia’s clean energy transition by functioning as a critical “backstop” in a systems-based waste management approach. Using this unique position in the green electricity supply chain opens the

opportunity to instigate and accelerate industry-led research.

Tellus’ circular economy approach is led by the establishment of Sandy Ridge Labs, a venture designed to find reuse and recycling opportunities from challenging waste streams.

“In the short term, the APCr materials that arrive in a fine powder form can replace virgin materials such as concrete in our current waste processing, reducing overall carbon emissions,” Nate says.

“To accelerate this circular economy effect in the longer term, some form of processing or resource extraction could be achieved to recycle these compounds for beneficial reuse in other industrial processes.” Tellus is in discussions with technology providers to support this innovation.

With market interest in developing EfW projects in other Australian states,

there have been early concerns from communities and regulators about social licence and environmental best practice.

Nate says the ability to address such feedback marks Tellus and Sandy Ridge as an ideal partner for EfW proponents.

“We believe we have the best facility and the best sustainability practices to enable the growth of this important sector. We’re already learning lessons from our partnership in Perth that will deliver benefits for both of us and can be leveraged by new EfW project proponents and environmental regulators across Australia,” Nate says. “This should hopefully mean plants can come to market much more quickly and be accepted by the community who’ll benefit from greener energy in the grid.”

For more information, visit www.tellusholdings.com

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Fire storm

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End-of-life battery disposal has become a life and potentially death issue for the recycling and resource recovery sector. John McKew, National Executive Officer, Australian Organics Recycling Association, says the sector is united in seeking answers.

atteries – in loose or embedded form – are an increasingly alarming hazard in both kerbside and commercial waste and recycling streams including the organics recycling industry.

The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR), the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) and the recycling and resource recovery sector are concerned about increasing incidents involving batteries causing property damage, serious injury and death – and resulting in skyrocketing insurance fees and financial assurance requirements.

The rapid digitisation of everyday items, the increasing number of ‘smart’ and ‘disposable’ items such as vapes, containing embedded and sealed batteries, and a lack of safe disposal options and poor consumer education, have all contributed to the steep rise in batteries in inappropriate waste streams.

This is causing fires and property damage and compromising the collection and resource recovery operations for recyclers across Australia. It is also a risk to life; battery-related fires are often sudden and ferocious, fuelled by combustible materials within the waste stream – think paper, dry organic material and other materials very easily burnt.

In the year ending 30 June 2023, there were more than 1000 battery-related fire incidents reported in the waste and recycling sectors nationwide, amounting to more than three a day.

Batteries are now part of society’s energy arsenal and everyday lives – and

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Incorrect disposal of batteries poses a risk for waste management staff and the community. Batteries are believed to be the cause of this blaze in a BINGO Industries truck. Image: BINGO Industries

so is their waste. According to a 2016 report commissioned by the Australian Government’s then Department of the Environment, lithium-ion battery waste alone is projected to increase exponentially from 3340 tonnes in 2016 to 137,618 tonnes in 2036.

The days of a few AA batteries in the home are long gone.

Today there are batteries in a variety of uses, including E-cigarettes/vapes, vehicle batteries, car, and boat, general household batteries, mobile telephones, laptop computers and peripheral devises (mouse, keyboard), smoke detectors, products with removable batteries, products with integrated batteries: flashing toys, disposable torches, Christmas decorations, kids shoes, musical greeting cards, and household appliances with rechargeable batteries, such as the stick vacuum. All of these have the potential to cause harm via fire from inappropriate disposal.

ACOR, fully supported by AORA, is calling for government action with

industry collaboration on the issue via four recommendations: COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION Any education campaign to raise necessary awareness around battery and e-waste disposal will be ineffective without ensuring that there is a comprehensive network of collection points.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION As the number of everyday items containing embedded and sealed batteries increases, a critical priority will be ensuring that these items are diverted away from conventional waste and recycling streams, collected in a safe manner, and directed towards facilities that are equipped to safely process them. Currently, there is a lack of public education and resources around safe disposal, the risks of improper battery disposal, and consumer responsibility for end-of-life batteries.

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E-STEWARDSHIP REFORM With rapid digitisation and the market expansion of battery-powered and smart devices, it is essential that product stewardship schemes take the full breadth of products available on the market.

REGULATORY HARMONISATION The recycling and waste management sector has long faced a fragmented, variable, and duplicative regulatory environment across Australia’s states and territories, undermining investor confidence in infrastructure and impeding innovation.

While laws and regulations for waste and recycling are implemented at a state level, there is an increasing need for harmonisation and enforcement at a national level to prioritise circular economy outcomes.

This is especially critical in the battery and e-waste space dealing with hazardous waste components.

Governments have a pivotal role to play in ensuring safe battery disposal.

Critical actions include establishing a collection network, initiating robust education campaigns, reforming e-stewardship practices, and enforcing harmonised regulations.

Deposit schemes have proven successful in driving stronger collection outcomes. Aligning economic incentives with environmental goals, as demonstrated by the success of container deposit schemes (CDS), will serve as a pivotal strategy in encouraging responsible battery disposal and recycling practices.

As more and more batteries enter our homes and our lives, we must consider

John McKew, National Executive Officer, Australian Organics Recycling Association. Image: AORA

their correct and appropriate disposal once they’ve reached their end of life.

A battery’s end-of-life has become a life and potentially death issue for the recycling and resource recovery sector.

For more information, visit: www.aora.org.au

E R E M A G R O U P

T O F U L L R E C YC L I N G S O L U T I O N S

Feasibility and pre-invest studies

Engineering and integration services

Turnkey projects

We have ever y thing covered, regardless of whether your new project is for polyolefin or PET recycling.

Each of the individual process steps is perfectly tuned to ensure that what you get in the end, is what you were expecting from the beginning. The right sorting and washing equipment, the most suitable water treatment, the perfect extruder. Get the best results from EREMA Group‘s decades of experience in plastics recycling.

www.keycycle.at

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – METAL RECOVERY

Divide and conquer N

Eriez technology works to separate and recover metals from municipal solid waste and shredded tyres, through to plastics and electronic waste.

onferrous metals such as copper, aluminium and brass can be recycled indefinitely, playing a key role in reducing the demand on natural resources and landfilling.

Eriez metal separation technology is used globally by waste management and recycling facilities to achieve high-grade recovery and product from plastics, glass cullet, municipal solid waste, comingled recyclables and mixed metals.

Eriez equipment has been used since 1942 when O.F. Merwin, a travelling grain milling equipment salesman, developed and installed a single permanent magnet in a grain mill to remove wire, nails, horseshoes and hammers from the grain process.

In 1969, Eriez patented both permanent magnetic and electromagnetic eddy current separators. Today, these systems feature improved permanent magnetic circuits with rare-earth magnetic material for stronger eddy currents and better separation of nonferrous materials.

The nonferrous separator uses permanent rare-earth magnets to induce eddy currents into metallic particles. This produces repelling forces that separate the metallics from non– metallics, providing a cleaner product for further processing.

The nonferrous metallic separator consists of an external drum, an internal permanent magnetic rotor, a drive, and a belt conveyor.

The external drum shell of non– metallic composite material rotates at conventional belt conveyor speed. The internal rare earth alternating polarity 36 / WMR / March 2024

rotor turns at a much higher RPM than the external shell.

Through the induction of eddy currents and the resulting repelling forces, the alternating magnetic field selectively repels the nonferrous metals and physically separates them from other materials.

Eriez RevX-E Eddy Current Separators feature an eccentrically mounted magnetic rotor within a nonconductive shell. The rare earth rotor produces a powerful focused field at the end of the belt. The eccentric rotor design reduces any potential longterm wear caused by heated ferrous build-up which occurs in concentric rotor designs.

A cantilevered frame design allows for quick (10-minute) conveyor belt changes and rack and pinion splitter adjustment mean simple and precise splitter placement.

While it’s compact in size, so requires less space, the RevX-E has large access panels all around the machine for easy maintenance access.

RevX-E is offered in two models for fines or coarse material separation. For nonferrous fines, typically measuring less than oneinch, Model ST22 has a highfrequency rotor configuration that concentrates the eddy currents closer to the belt’s surface, improving separation of difficult material.

For coarse material greater than one inch, Model LT2 has a deep field rotor designed for maximum nonferrous trajectory and metals recovery.

The RevX-E Eddy Current Separator is available in two models for fines or coarse material separation. Image: Eriez

Eriez Ultra High-Frequency (UHF) Eddy Current Separators recover ultra-fine aluminium, copper, and other nonferrous fines materials that can be missed on traditional eddy current separators.

A rotor designed to produce high gauss on the belt surface, combined with the high-frequency changes of the permanent magnetic poles, give this unit the ability to consistently recover the smaller nonferrous materials and even bare copper wire.

UHF Eddy can also improve Zorba recovery, the nonferrous scrap mainly of aluminium, without the need for additional sensorbased or optical sorting equipment.

It’s capable of recovering bare copper wire and other nonferrous metals as small as two-to-three millimetres.

Each machine comprises an Eriez Brute Force feeder that ensures even distribution of material across the width of the conveyor.

For more information, visit: www.eriez.com.au

THE PHOENIX HAS LANDED IN AUSTRALIA The Phoenix is an extraordinary mythical creature. At the end of its life when just ashes remain, something magical happens. New life merges out of something that seems lifeless. What we consider to be the end, suddenly transforms into a new beginning.

We give ash a new life in the real world.

What we do

The ash in our line of business comes from the new Energy-from-Waste facility Avertas Energy. Incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW) is an effective way to reduce waste volume and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for energy.

How we do it

We process the remaining ash and extract valuable resources.

With our state-of-the-art technology we recover metals to produce a secondary aggregate used for civil construction work. Environmental protection is at the forefront of our day-to-day operations. We assure the proper use of aggregates, limiting the impact on the environment.

Why we do it

We believe our work is only valuable if it contributes to a better future.

We prevent landfilling and the negative impacts associated with the extraction of virgin raw materials by producing a secondary aggregate that contributes to the circular economy.

Blue Phoenix Australia Mr Ian Lynass, Managing Director Ianlynass@bluephoenix-group.com

0418 290 080 | www.bluephoenix-group.com

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TRANSPORT

In for the long haul

Modern, environmental and operationally efficient equipment is the backbone of a Queensland company that’s found a niche in waste management.

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alking the talk is imperative when you work in an industry where recovery and reuse is paramount.

When Paul Haslam, Ian Bock and Keith Megaw started Complete Waste Solutions (CWS) in 2022 they made a conscience decision to align themselves with companies who share the same philosophy.

When it came to their fleet of trucks, the bulk waste transport specialists turned to DAF Trucks. CWS is now running three DAF CF450 and a CF530 in a fleet of 10 alongside several contracted vehicles used for interstate haulage.

Modern equipment is a big part of being able to do the job properly says Paul, CWS Managing Director.

“Quality of equipment is a consistent commentary for us,” he says. “First and foremost, the trucks needed to tick three boxes – environmental compliance,

Paul Haslam, Managing Director, says modern equipment is a big part of being able to do the job properly.

Images: Marcel/VOSS Photography

38 / WMR / March 2024

fuel efficiency and presentation. But there also needed to be a pedigree of innovation and improvement so that we could plan our future around that brand.”

CWS is built on decades of experience in the waste industry, from working with waste equipment manufacturers and contractors through to operation of heavy vehicles.

The Pinkenba-based company has leveraged the combined industry knowledge of its directors to provide niche waste management solutions.

It specialises in providing bulk solid and liquid transport waste solutions, including hazardous waste, to treatment facilities in Southeast Queensland.

Paul says they are proud to work with large and small companies alike, augmenting their capability.

The company is also about to become a distributor of mobile garbage

bins made in South Australia by Mastec Equipment.

With plenty of kilometres to cover – as far north as Cairns (about 1800-kilometres) – it’s hardly surprising that fuel efficiency is important.

Paul says CWS directors have more than a collective of 50 years working for larger waste companies that included running significant fleets of trucks. DAF has always been strong in fuel efficiency.

The DAF CF range is suited to specialist applications such as tankers, waste, tipper, and pumpers. The driveline features an MX-11 or MX13 PACCAR engine with enhanced electronics, an optimised TraXon automated gearbox or Allison automatic gearbox and PACCAR high-efficiency rear axle. Higher torque at lower revs results in increased fuel efficiency over a range of applications.

A Euro 6 emission compliant engine is also tantamount for CWS. Not only to meet its own environmental standards but those of clients.

“Being able to place the fleet into the lowest emissions category is important for us,” Paul says. “We need to walk the talk. It’s very easy to talk about objectives and visions, but then it’s a different story to put them into practice by adopting the appropriate gear and equipment.

“We also deal with some multinational companies that have expectations of their own fleet and we want to make sure we are marrying up to those expectations.

“In the future, whether it be electric or hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, we’d certainly see that as the next step. But

Keith Megaw, CWS Director, on site with one of the fleet.

for now, this is the best step we can take toward environmental responsibility.”

The DAF CF range has been described as redefining versatility. Paul says the truck is an excellent allrounder – delivering good performance around the city and on rural roads.

What’s elevated the CF is the cab. He says it’s not just a matter of creating an environment where drivers are comfortable, they need to be safe.

The DAF CF includes a suite of features that make driving easier and safer such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automated emergency braking system, forward collision warning and protective cab suspension.

“We’re mindful of the safety and wellbeing of drivers – ergonomic health as well as mental health,” Paul says. “A lot of companies don’t always think about how their drivers feel about their job. When they feel safe, valued and are driving modern, safe, and efficient equipment such as a DAF, they have

a sense of pride about themselves and their job.

“You need equipment to be fit for purpose, but too many times procurement teams focus on how many vehicles they can get for a certain amount of money, rather than focus on the overall value package, which includes a driver’s physical and mental wellbeing.

“For us, it’s an overall value package, not just about the drive train.”

A big part of that value package is the commercial and operational support provided by DAF truck dealers, in the case of CWS, it was Brown and Hurley Caboolture.

Paul says Brown and Hurley are knowledgeable in DAF products and were pro-active in understanding CWS and its requirements.

“We were aware of DAF products, but they have evolved. Introducing us to the modern DAF was on Brown and Hurley.

When we looked at the data and drove a CF, we knew this was the right fit.”

Advancement is not unusual in the waste industry. In the past decade Paul’s witnessed a shift in focus toward recovery and reuse, as opposed to recycling.

He says while recycling is still valid, the narrative needs to change to prioritise recovery and reuse.

The lack of economic scale to invest in some of the equipment needed to produce recycled products remains a challenge in Australia, but those companies that are investing are making inroads.

Inroads CWS plans to be a part of.

“We’re an Australian-owned, small family business that has its roots in tremendous experience in some of the biggest companies in the world for waste management,” Paul says.

“We’re proud of that. It’s given us the experience and the skills to operate at a different level in the industry.”

For more information, visit: www.completewastesolutions.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 39

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION - COMPOST

Covering all bases

Capital and operational costs, along with stormwater and leachate control, are critical in organic waste processing. Sustainable Generation’s Chief Executive Officer Scott Woods discusses the options for aerated static pile composting.

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he introduction of a food organics and garden organics (FOGO) collection service to every Australian household underpins a National Waste Plan target to halve organic and food waste going to landfill by 2030.

Recycling facilities and councils are developing and implementing plans now to ensure there’s the infrastructure needed to process organic waste.

Scott Woods, Chief Executive Officer Sustainable Generation, says the organics management industry faces many challenges including costs and complexity of composting, site constraints, process time, energy consumption and community acceptance.

One paramount consideration of any FOGO plan is the evaluation of the total cost of ownership of the facility over its useful life which is typically 20-plus years.

A Net Present Valuation (NPV) of the facility, which includes all upfront capital costs, ongoing capital reserves, and operational costs are evaluated to determine in today’s dollars what is the total cost of ownership over the facility lifetime. The lower the NPV while meeting all environmental and operational requirements is the desired outcome.

Physical structures such as concrete tunnels or buildings with a negative air biofilter have high capital and operational costs due to the physical infrastructure cost, ongoing maintenance of the biofilter and ongoing energy cost of running the biofilter fan 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

A cross-section of an SG/GORE System showing how temperature, oxygen, and moisture are managed through the compost process. Images: Sustainable Generation

ASP’s that are not enclosed in a tunnel or building such as positive air, negative air, or reversing air require at a minimum a roof structure to provide clear separation from stormwater from leachate and have high capital costs of the roof and ongoing operational costs similar to tunnels and building with biofilters.

Scott says an exception to this is the SG Advanced Composting Technology System which uses the GORE Cover to eliminate the need for tunnels, buildings, roofs, and biofilters, thereby lowering both the capital and ongoing operational costs.

Another critical aspect is the management of stormwater and leachate to prevent potential environmental contamination.

“It’s important that facility operators understand the strengths and limitations of the options available to separate stormwater and leachate so they can make informed decisions about composting infrastructure that prioritise environmental protection,” Scott says.

Sustainable Generation provides advanced composting technology to help global operations accelerate the natural

composting process and make what is best for the environment. The team has experience as owners and operators of organic waste processing facilities and understand the challenges.

When it comes to Aerated Static Pile (ASP) composting, one of the most efficient and cost-effective approaches to organic waste processing, there are several options to separate stormwater and leachate. These include with a biofilter (negative or reversing air), with biolayer cap (positive air), in-building or a tunnel system with biofilter, and GORE Cover.

TUNNEL SYSTEM WITH BIOFILTER Tunnel systems are designed and operate according to a different composting approach. The object is not only to degrade the organic material but also to reduce its temperature and thus accelerate the process.

This is done by continuous high throughput aeration providing convective cooling, driving off moisture and removing the latent heat of evaporation in the vapour.

Scott says this requires a powerful and costly aeration system, a biofilter or www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 41

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION - COMPOST

scrubbing system, an irrigation system to replace the water vapour driven off, a process-water collection and recirculating system, a water filtration and/or water treatment system and a sophisticated control system monitoring and operating these activities to achieve the desired composting environment.

“So, while the tunnel keeps rainwater and stormwater outside, the process water inside is part of a much more expensive system both in its construction and operation.”

ASP WITH BIOFILTER The ASP composting method with a biofilter uses a negative or reversing air system to aerate the compost piles.

Stormwater is generally managed through a combination of strategies, including proper site design and implementation of drainage systems.

However, Scott says the efficiency of leachate separation in this system can vary, as it relies on a separation system or the biofilter’s ability to capture and treat any excess liquid generated during composting.

The biofilter’s organic material helps to filter out particulates and organic compounds but is not a reliable mechanism to reduce the potential for leachate contamination.

In contrast to the biofilter method, ASP composting with a biolayer cap employs a positive air system to aerate the compost piles. This system generally exhibits better

The SG/GORE Cover is suited to all types of feedstock including food waste, green waste, biosolids and source separated organics.

stormwater management due to enhanced aeration and more controlled moisture levels within the compost.

The positive airflow helps to minimise excess moisture build-up, reducing the likelihood of excess leachate formation.

However, the efficacy of leachate separation still relies on the overall design of the composting site and the incorporation of appropriate stormwater drainage measures.

IN-BUILDING WITH BIOFILTER The in-building system with a biofilter provides an enclosed composting environment that is isolated from all rainfall and external stormwater.

Stormwater infiltration is prevented.

To keep the environment within the building suitable for human entry and mitigate corrosion of metal roofing components, a large and continuously

The scoring system: 1 = Can Achieve. 2 = Highly Likely to Achieve. 3 = Definitely Achieve.

42 / WMR / March 2024

operating biofilter system is required.

This is a significant cost. Additionally, regular monitoring and maintenance of the biofilter and air extraction system are crucial to ensure its continued effectiveness.

“The additional construction cost of the building, along with the added maintenance requirements, typically result in a solution that is much more expensive than the other open ASP composting facility options,” Scott says.

ASP WITH GORE COVER Scott says the Sustainable Generation ASP composting system with GORE Cover offers an innovative, and reliable, approach to stormwater and leachate separation.

The GORE Cover, a breathable membrane that is impermeable to water, prevents rainwater from infiltrating the compost piles while allowing thorough aeration. This characteristic reduces stormwater management requirements and eliminates contact between stormwater and organic material.

“By containing and controlling moisture levels with efficacy superior to in-tunnel or in-building system, the GORE Cover contributes to a robust stormwater and leachate separation system at reduced costs,” Scott says.

He says that using a simple, integerbased scoring system that compares three

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basic sets of standards of composting technology – enhanced stormwater control, effective leachate separation and reduced environmental impact – Sustainable Generation’s Advanced Composting Technology with GORE Cover comes out on top.

“The GORE Cover’s impermeability to liquid water ensures superior stormwater control compared to traditional ASP composting methods. By preventing rainwater from entering the compost piles, it reduces the risk of stormwater runoff carrying nutrients and contaminants into surrounding areas, safeguarding local surface water from pollution,” Scott says.

“Sustainable Generation’s Advanced Composting Technology with GORE Cover can collect leachate and divert it for treatment or reuse during the composting process. This system offers clear separation between stormwater

and leachate, contributing to a safer and more environmentally friendly composting process.

“With better stormwater and leachate separation, the system helps minimise the environmental impact of composting operations. By preventing the escape of nutrients and contaminants, it promotes sustainable waste management practices that protect surrounding ecosystems.”

Suitable for all types of feedstock including food waste, green waste, biosolids and source separated organics, the GORE Cover delivers a few other environmental advantages for ASP composting systems.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from organic and liquid waste and can cause odours. Scott says the GORE Cover can sequester VOCs to meet or exceed local regulations

through the reduction of emissions by more than 90 per cent during the initial covered phases of the process. It also helps to maintaining the proper pile temperature to produce Class A or AA compost at 55 degrees Celsius (131oF) or higher for a minimum of three continuous days.

Reusing process water and/or leachate within the system helps maintain optimal levels of moisture and the cover ensures optimum free air space (FAS) in the pile to promote the growth of oxygen-consuming bacteria. Scott says optimal process management shortens the time to inished compost from several months in windrow composting, to as little as six to eight weeks in the SG/ GORE System.

For more information, visit: www.sustainable-generation.com

Comfort, power and efficiency in one package Your Partner In Waste Management Wanless Waste Management’s Fleet of Volvo Excavators, Wheel Loaders and Articulated Haulers makes work easy with the superior level of operator comfort.

“The decision to purchase Volvo Construction Equipment was operator driven. Our staff agreed that the Volvo machines offered superiour levels of comfort, which is incredibly important given the time spend in a machine each day” - Peter Toole, Wanless Project Manager Safe and comfortable operators are productive operators.

The Volvo cab affords the operator a commanding view of the jobsite with its superior all-around visibility. The Volvo cab offers class-leading low noise levels, and less vibrations with the shock-absorbing cab mounts, for even greater operator comfort.

Big Enough to Trust, Small Enough to Care

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH FOR MORE INFORMATION CJD.COM.AU | 1300 139 804 | ENQUIRIES@CJD.COM.AU

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – GRINDERS

Tried and tested

The first Peterson horizontal grinder sold into Australia was by Komatsu Forest and it’s still cutting through some of the toughest waste thrown at it.

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ith more than 11 years and thousands of hours of operation under its belt, the first Peterson 2710C horizontal grinder sold into Australia is still going strong.

Now on its third assignment, the grinder has found a home in the Riverina region of New South Wales, churning through anything and everything that’s thrown its way at Smallmon Brothers Waste and Recycling.

And by everything, think tyres, mattresses, green waste, and gravel – among other things. Anything that needs to be processed gets fed through

the Peterson, says Chris Smallmon, one of the founders of the waste and recycling company.

Chris and brother Nigel bought the grinder secondhand a few years ago. At the end of 2023 they added to their fleet, purchasing a brand-new Peterson 2710D horizontal grinder from Komatsu Forest.

“We bought a secondhand horizontal grinder through word-of-mouth and have been pretty happy with it,” Chris says.

“When it came time to look for a second machine, we didn’t think of anything else.”

Smallmon Brothers, based in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, offers a full suite of waste management and recycling services, from collection through to processing.

The company was founded on a commitment to create a cleaner, greener future and is dedicated to responsible waste disposal, recycling, and sustainable practices.

Understanding the importance of reducing waste

volumes and maximising the potential for recycling, the brothers offer onsite crushing, shredding, and grinding services. It’s the grinding service where the Peterson 2710 horizontal grinder comes into its own.

“Through grinding, we transform waste materials into finer particles, facilitating their use in recycling and resource recovery processes,” Chris says.

“Landfill and waste management centre processing, commercial projects, farm clean-ups, bulk scrap or solar farm projects, we do it all.”

Brenton Yon, Komatsu Forest’s Peterson Sales Representative, says the Peterson 2710D is more than just a machine. Its features, adaptability, and efficiency make it an asset for waste management organisations.

The Australian version is fitted with a Caterpillar Tier II C18 570 kW (765 hp) engine and has a large feed opening that allows it to manage a range of materials.

Measuring 153 x 81 centimetres, when boosted by Peterson’s high lift feed roll, C

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The Peterson 2710 horizontal grinder’s adaptability and efficiency make it an asset for waste management. Image: Komatsu Forest 44 / WMR / March 2024

the feed opening’s maximum lift of 11 Chris says the Peterson has always centimetres is one of the largest in its been user-friendly, but operators are class. This is followed by Peterson’s upturn impressed with a new remote control three-stage grinding process, providing that displays operational functions such better material fracturing and a more as oil temperature, oil pressure, revs and consistent product. The quick-change coolant levels. It gives them peace of mind multiple grate system makes it easy to about how the machine is operating and customise grate configurations to produce lets them make an informed decision on a variety of finished materials. whether it needs to be slowed down or if Chris says the size of the end-product maintenance is required. depends on the requirement of jobs – “Grinders are a funny thing – anyone local government green waste tends to can turn them on, but it’s knowing what be smaller material to start with, while a to watch for when they’re working that commercial job site will have larger logs makes a good operator,” Chris says. and wood to grind.

Performance is high on the wish list for “Every project is different, but the a company such as Smallmon Brothers Peterson has proven adaptable and – it can be operating the grinders up to adjustable to any job,” Chris says. seven-days-a-week, depending on the “The touchscreen computer makes for contracts at any given time. easy adjustments and the new remote “At the moment we’re running both lets you control the feed speeds as grinders in 35-to-40-degree temperatures 2403_WMR_HalfPage.pdf 1 23/01/2024 8:28:34 AM you’re going.” and it’s not worrying them,” Chris says.

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“As long as you keep the maintenance up to them, they keep on performing.”

When it comes to maintenance, Komatsu Forest is on call for advice and spare parts. It has a central spare part warehouse and offers an ‘uptime kit’ that includes several critical components to minimise downtime if maintenance is required in a remote location.

For occasions when Chris has required expert advice or parts, Andrew Watts, Peterson Technical Specialist at Komatsu Forest’s Sydney office, has been on hand.

When asked if he’d recommend the 2710D, Chris says there’s no need to – they sell themselves.

“The proof is in the product,” he says.

“You’ve only got to use one to know they’re a good thing.”

For more information, visit: www.komatsuforest.com

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION - RESOURCE RECOVERY

Redefining recycling reDirect Recycling’s Wetherill Park facility is setting new standards in waste management within western Sydney. The question is, how have they remained at the cutting edge?

The undercover tipping bays complement the processing capacity of the Wetherill Park facility. Image: reDirect Recycling

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ince its inception in 2022, the reDirect Recycling resource recovery facility in Wetherill Park has set the benchmark for waste management and environmental sustainability standards.

As part of the BORG Group, this facility stands out with its customdesigned, state-of-the-art wash plant and capacity to handle a wide range of waste materials.

At the heart of the facility, the wash plant represents the pinnacle of recycling technology. Aaron Hudson, reDirect Recycling Chief Executive Officer, says its advanced design ensures thorough cleaning and processing of materials and contributes significantly to the facility’s 97.5 per cent plus recovery rate.

46 / WMR / March 2024

One of the facility’s key features is its ability to accept four vacuum trucks simultaneously, ensuring quick turnaround times. This capacity is pivotal in managing the high volume of trucks that need to complete multiple loads a day to keep clients and major projects on track.

Undercover tipping bays equipped with high-pressure and high-volume wash hoses complement the processing capacity. These bays are designed to protect the materials and operations from external elements and ensure that the waste handling and washing processes are carried out in an environmentally controlled and safe manner. Aaron says this setup underscores reDirect Recycling’s commitment to excellence in both service and environmental stewardship.

Understanding the dynamic nature of waste management needs, reDirect Recycling’s facility operates 24/7. This round-the-clock availability is crucial for catering to various industries that operate beyond standard business hours, ensuring that waste management solutions are always accessible. This feature also enhances the appeal to a broad range of clients, including those with emergency or after-hours requirements.

Aaron says one of the most impressive aspects of the Wetherill Park facility is its more than 97.5 per cent recovery rate – a testament to the effectiveness of the technology and processes in extracting maximum value from waste materials.

By achieving such a high recovery rate, reDirect Recycling minimises the volume of waste sent to landfills and demonstrates

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the potential of advanced recycling technologies in resource recovery.

The facility specialises in processing an array of waste materials, including Non-Destructive Digging (NDD) mud, directional drilling mud, stormwater, and street sweepings. Moreover, it is equipped to handle Virgin Excavated Natural Material (VENM), Excavated Natural Material (ENM), and General Solid Waste CT1 soils. This versatility is suited to addressing different sectors’ varied waste management needs, ranging from construction to municipal services.

In line with its commitment to sustainable and responsible waste management, reDirect Recycling offers sealed mud bins designed for vacuum truck unloading, removing the need for trucks to leave the site and ensuring they are back to work as soon as possible.

These bins are efficient in containing

and transporting waste and comply with stringent regulations. Aaron says that this ensures the transportation of waste materials to and from the facility is carried out safely, with environmental and transport compliance in mind.

A pivotal aspect of reDirect Recycling’s operation is its initiative to sell recycled products back into the construction industry. This practice exemplifies sustainable resource use and creates a closed-loop system that reduces the industry’s environmental footprint. The recycled materials, including processed soils and aggregates, are repurposed and meet the quality standards required for construction use.

“This approach not only diverts waste from landfills but also provides a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for construction materials,” Aaron says.

“By reintegrating recycled materials

TRUSTED RELIABILITY. CONTINUED SUPPORT.

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“This initiative is a shining example of how waste management and recycling facilities can be crucial in promoting sustainable development and fostering a more circular economy.”

Aaron says reDirect Recycling is redefining what it means to be a leader in sustainable waste management solutions.

The facility’s commitment to efficiency, environmental responsibility, and customer service makes it a model for future recycling and waste management developments.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – WASTE PROCESSING

A new benchmark

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When it comes to waste processing machinery, it’s essential to be as efficient and versatile as possible. Komptech CEA exceeds expectations.

n the realm of waste processing machinery, the Komptech Nemus 2700 stands out as a class unto itself.

Combining the proven virtues of its predecessors with innovative solutions, it’s redefining industry standards with unmatched convenience and performance.

At the heart of the Nemus lies a series of design enhancements that elevate its functionality. The large steep-walled hopper is paired with a screen drum featuring improved material feed and a high-performance discharge system.

Together, they seamlessly integrate with the robust diesel-hydraulic drive. This synergy ensures optimal efficiency in handling diverse materials.

Operational ease is a focus, thanks to the visualisation control that simplifies user interaction. Extended discharge conveyors, reaching up to 3.5 metres, enhance flexibility in usage. Practical details, such as the two-stage radiator induction screen for easy cleaning, larger material intake support wheels, and accessible maintenance points, are in response to customer feedback.

“The sturdy hopper, equipped with a belt drive on the drum intake side, ensures uninterrupted feeding even under heavy

loads,” says Deon Cope, Brand Leader.

“Instead of a push system, the conveyor’s pull mechanism optimises friction engagement, guaranteeing a reliable and continuous process.”

A leap in throughput is achieved within the drum itself. It features improved material flow, resulting in up to 10 per cent more efficiency.

The increased clearance between the drum and sidewall accommodates a wide range of materials with hole sizes up to 100-millimetres.

A cross belt and a profiled discharge belt, or a one-piece corrugated edge belt, facilitate the Nemus 2700’s clean discharge.

This design prevents material trickling at transfer points, maximising capacity while minimising wear.

Drum choices are made more flexible, allowing users of previous drum screen models to seamlessly transition. The Nemus 2700 accommodates drums from its predecessor, the Mustang.

“Maintenance becomes a breeze with features that reduce effort, time, and expense,” says Deon. “Simplified diesel engine radiator cleaning, easy hopper belt replacement, a fines collection

belt presented as a one-piece cartridge, and eliminating rubber wear elements on discharge belts all contribute to hasslefree upkeep.”

The Nemus 2700 offers versatility tailored to user preferences. Available in semi-trailer configuration or with a tracked chassis, it ensures better handling, easier shunting, and the ability to navigate challenging terrains with a reinforced chassis, wider tyres, and a stiff frame.

The Perkins diesel engine, renowned for its power, can be ordered to meet the latest exhaust scrubbing standards. The electrical control with visualisation and an automatic start/stop function further enhances operability. The option to fold up the side wall separately or with the drum for changes and cleaning without needing tools adds to the machine’s user-friendly design.

With practical options such as hopper sensor controllers, central lubrication, and magnet drums on discharge conveyors, the Nemus 2700 empowers users to configure the machine precisely to meet their needs.

For more information, visit: www.komptechcea.com.au

The Komptech Nemus 2700 is a cuttingedge machine for waste management facilities. Image: Komptech CEA

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www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 49

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EVENTS

The Dutch experience

Joan Prummel has more than 10 years’ experience stimulating and accelerating the international circular economy. A keynote speaker at the Waste 2024 Conference, he offers a unique perspective on the industry.

A

s a program manager, Joan Prummel has been involved in implementing a circular economy in the daily operations of the Dutch national government since 2010. Later, he became the first category manager for waste management contracts for the government and was one of the original founders of the European learning networks on circular economy that simultaneously stimulated local implementation and accelerated international development, using (public) procurement power as a lever.

Joan’s primary assignment is accelerating the international uptake of circular economy in and outside Europe. As a program manager for international collaborations and partnerships, he works on creating awareness of circular opportunities, accelerating their implementation, developing partnerships, programs and projects that support the implementation of circular principles, and stimulating ecosystem collaboration (designer-producer-(re)user-recycler) and international exchange of knowledge and experiences.

CIRCULAR SOLUTIONS In the Netherlands, the circular economy is seen as an essential approach to positively contribute to global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Systemic changes are needed to mitigate the negative impact of a linear

Amsterdam’s newly built De Keuvel floating housing development has its own floating wastewater treatment facility, a world-first. It depollutes wastewater for 550 households and is energy-neutral. Image: DeSaH

economy and use resources in the smartest possible way.

“The Netherlands is among the front runners in implementing circularity,” Joan says. “When we look at the flows of raw material moving in and out of our economy, the Circularity Gap Report describes the Dutch economy as about 25 per cent circular. The Netherlands is in a relatively good position when we compare that to the global average of 8.6 per cent, but we are a long way from being fully circular.

“The national aim of the Netherlands is to have an economy ‘within planetary boundaries’ by 2050,” he says.

“We still have a long way to go.

Therefore, we are implementing a comprehensive National Circular

Economy Programme that translates the broad circular ambitions to specific policies and measures in a broad range of sectors of our economy.”

The appeal of circular economic thinking is that it looks at sustainable development through an economic lens.

The Dutch (and European) view considers circular economy a systemic approach to tackle global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

“A circular economy stimulates innovation in all sectors of the economy, both in products and technologies as in processes and alliances,” says Joan. “Specifically, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can benefit from the transition to circularity.” www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 51

EVENTS

SYSTEMIC CHANGE Joan points out that the circular economy is not waste management 2.0.

“It’s a systemic change of the whole economic system (in the end),” he says.

“Circular waste management means that the waste management industry is shifting from collection and landfill or incineration to collection and separation and recycling.

It also means a change in disposed material flows.”

Products designed for circularity use less materials and have a longer useful life.

The used materials are easily separated for recycling at the end of the product’s life. This means slower and maybe smaller cycles for the waste management industry but with better recyclable materials of higher value. It will be a slow change because waste collection and proper disposal are needed while building a future-proof infrastructure for separation and recycling.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION In the eyes of Joan, international collaboration is essential for at least two reasons.

“Global value chains play a crucial role in the transition towards a circular economy,” he says.

“In our interconnected world, you can only be circular if you actively collaborate with your supply chains. This creates exciting opportunities for like-minded trading partners, such as Australia and the Netherlands.”

A plastics sorting facility is contributing to circular economy outcomes. Image: Dutch Government

52 / WMR / March 2024

Furthermore, the circular economy will substantially contribute to global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. However, it will only deliver these desired impacts if circularity develops to a massive international scale.

Individual small-scale innovations and improvements are essential, but they need scaling up to create volumes leading to global impact.

“Being circular in isolation does not make sense,” says Joan. “That’s particularly the case when you have a country twothirds the size of Tasmania. That’s why collaboration is vital to learning and sharing. Working together to avoid new pitfalls reminds the industry that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

“Every municipality is different.

However, we can work towards the same aims from those differences.

Collaboration accelerates learning, as does sharing best practices. To support collaborative learning, we support local learning networks in Europe, the so called Green Deals. They facilitate the sharing of learnings and best practices.

Furthermore, we developed the national platform ‘Circular Accelerator’ for sharing experiences and connecting people and organisations. Both instruments are open to public and private organisations.”

THE AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE Creating a collaborative environment is one of the most important things for

Joan Prummel will be a keynote speaker at the Waste 2024 Conference.

Image: Paul Voorham/paulvoorham.nl

progressing a global circular economy.

“We want industries, governments and knowledge institutions to work together to develop a step-by-step model for driving the transition,” Joan says. “Producers and retailers will need to change the design of products and their business models.

The goal will be to support products with a longer useful life and better end-oflife recycling.

“Similarly, users and consumers will change their behaviours accordingly. This will require the waste management sector to consider how this impacts them. The industry must be an equal and active partner to this collaborative discussion, avoiding being blindly dependent on whatever the pace of change will be.”

Looking at the situation in Australia, Joan believes that time is one of the biggest and most important barriers. Political will and matching policies can consume a lot of time to develop a great idea.

It then takes a lot of time and effort to implement systemic changes, he says.

“You have to look at the harmonising instruments that align with policies and ambition, such as procurement policies and subsidies.”

When looking at the Dutch models, one of the main activities at a national level is having the private sector involved at the earliest opportunity.

“When we drafted the first national plan for the circular economy in 2016, we decided to work from five priority sectors, the so-called ‘transition agendas,” Joan says. “They were biomass, food,

THOR

plastics, manufacturing, construction, and consumer goods. Not all were real business sectors, but we invited representatives from businesses, knowledge institutions and non-profit organisations to develop agendas around these priorities. These collaborations still exist, although in different forms.”

CIRCULAR PROCUREMENT Procurement as a cross-cutting process is one of the most logical, direct, and visible extensions of vision and ambition when a government or company wants to improve its environmental, social and governance.

“Public procurement, as a policy instrument, can drive change,” Joan says.

“Governments can steer and stimulate suppliers by their demand to produce and create better-designed products and circular business models that match

their policies and aims. If Australia truly wants to adopt a circular economy that delivers on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, a global approach is needed. It will be a long and bumpy ride, but if we really want to contribute, the stronger economies need to do a big chunk of the hard work. They need to explore innovations, implement them, and then scale them up to a substantial level for global use. Exporting knowledge, experience, and solutions to the so-called ‘Global South’ will support investment in those solutions.”

COFFS HARBOUR CONFERENCE As a keynote speaker at the Waste 2024 Conference, Joan believes that any conference or summit is an important platform for exchanging ideas, experiences, and knowledge. “New and different

approaches to waste management are being shared and discussed at all these events, including their supporting technologies and solutions,” he says.

“Conferences such as Coffs Harbour can show how to bridge the gap between holistic ambitions and practical measures.

Hopefully, it will inspire governments at all levels to consider the circular economy as part of the solution towards a sustainable country.”

The circular economy envoy from the Netherlands will speak on a range of topics at Coffs Harbour.

You can see Joan Prummel at the Waste 2024 Conference which will be held from 14-16 May at Opal Cove Resort.

For more information, visit: coffswasteconference.com.au/2024

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

WASTECH ENGINEERING, BRAMIDAN BALER B50 XL SD The Bramidan Baler B50 XL SD is an efficient baler that handles waste quickly. It’s ideal for large amounts of materials. With a wide sliding door of 1.82 metres and a deep chamber of 1.1 metres, there is no need to break down boxes before loading.

It’s also optimised for truckloads of waste. The compacted bales are designed to be transported, as they can be stacked in piles of two and two rather than three and three. The compacted bales measure 1825 x 1066 x 1200-1300-millimetres, making them easier to transport.

The B50 XL SD can be used in larger retail shops and various industrial companies. It has a strong press force and is designed for efficient waste handling of cardboard and dry soft plastic.

Bramidan balers are recognised throughout Europe as one of the best waste and paper baler solutions because of their design and quality.

Wastech stocks a range of Vertical Balers to compact and bale waste, cardboard, plastic and polystyrene.

Bramidan Baler B50 XL SD. Image: Wastech Engineering

Contact – Wastech Engineering P 01800 465 465 E info@wastech.com.au W https://wastech.com.au/

KOMATSU, WA475-10 WHEEL LOADER The Komatsu WA475-10 wheel loader is a unique solution for the challenges of tomorrow.

Featuring the Komatsu Hydraulic Mechanical Transmission (KHMT), this next-generation 24-tonne class wheel loader is a versatile performer with an EU Stage V engine. Built on the recognised benefits of its predecessor, the WA475-10 is up to 30 per cent more fuel-efficient. With a combination of fuel efficiency, productivity and ease of operation, it is suitable for any moving, transport or loading job.

At low engine speeds, the Komatsu EU-Stage V-compliant engine puts out high power and delivers more engine torque and performance. The aftertreatment system combines a Komatsu Diesel Particulate Filter (KDPF) and Selective Catalytic

The WA475-10 wheel loader.

Image: Komatsu Australia

54 / WMR / March 2024

Reduction (SCR). The SCR system further reduces nitric oxide (NOx) emissions using AdBlue.

The engine’s advanced electronic control system manages the airflow rate and the fuel injection, combustion parameters and aftertreatment functions: performance is optimised, emissions reduced, and advanced diagnostic capabilities are provided.

KOMTRAX telematics and the Komplimentary maintenance program offer fleet management and support, protect the machine against misuse and assist maximum efficiency and uptime.

Contact - Komatsu Australia P 1300 566 287 W www.komatsu.com.au

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

APPLIED MACHINERY, MEYER CG.P SERIES RECYCLERS Meyer is a world leader in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) recycling and color sorting.

The CG.P model uses visible light, infrared light and UV light to sort PET bottles and bottle scrap – specifically in relation to color sorting and color purity classification.

The stepless dimming system can remove impurities such as discoloring, ageing, as well as fluorescent and aluminum flakes.

The CG.P series can also be used for flake color sorting in household appliances, storage batteries, PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), HDPE (High-density polyethylene), waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and other materials.

The machine can process up to three to eight tons per hour. It’s easy to learn and simple to operate.

Contact – Applied Machinery

P 03 9706 8066 E sales@appliedmachinery.com.au W www.appliedmachinery.com.au

The meyer CG. P Series.

Image: Applied Machinery

CEA, MULTISTAR XXL

The Komptech Multistar XXL 2.

Image: CEA

The Komptech Multistar XXL 2 is an advanced, robust multi-screen machine designed to separate and sort various materials.

With its large screening surface and high throughput capacity, the Multistar XXL 2 is suitable for applications in waste recycling, composting, and biomass processing industries. Its design incorporates adjustable screening elements, allowing customisation for different material sizes, thereby enhancing its versatility.

Equipped with intelligent features such as loadsensing material feed and automated maintenance systems, the Multistar XXL 2 ensures optimal

performance while minimising downtime. Its durable construction, user-friendly controls, and remote monitoring capabilities make it a reliable choice for tackling demanding screening tasks.

Whether dealing with compost or biomass materials, the Komptech Multistar XXL 2 is a high-capacity solution that contributes to efficient and sustainable material handling processes.

Contact – CEA

P 1300 788 757 E marketadmin@cea.net.au W www.komptechcea.com.au

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 55

THIS IS

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LAST WORD

Government needs to cut the lag between actual data and the reporting date to assess whether national waste targets are achieved in 2030. Image: Kittiphat/stock.adobe.com

Data scrubbing

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MRA Consulting Group Managing Director Mike Ritchie explains why timely waste data is key to meeting national targets.

he National Waste Action Plan was agreed to by all levels of government in 2019. It has three critical targets (among others) to be achieved by 2030: 1. 80 per cent average resource recovery of all waste streams.

2. 50 per cent reduction in organics to landfill.

3. 10 per cent reduction in per capita waste generation.

The graph on this page shows the national trend in waste growth (blue line), recycling (yellow) and landfilling (red).

It also shows where we need to be in 2030 if we are to achieve the targets.

Right now, in 2024, we are about 11 metric tonne (MT) short of where we need to be to achieve the 80 per cent resource recovery target.

Thankfully, we have until 2030 to get our act together.

Considering population growth and rising per capita consumption (and assuming we don’t have a massive

recession in the meantime), it is likely that our economy will be generating about 70 MT of waste in 2030.

An 80 per cent resource recovery rate is about 57 MT in 2030.

That means we need to increase recycling from the 11MT gap now, to about 17MT by the time we get to 2030. In only six years.

I have written elsewhere that achieving those goals is impossible without significant policy changes by governments at both the state and federal levels. Here, I want to focus on a related issue.

We are in 2024 but the aforementioned graph uses 2021 data. That is the most up to date data

National Waste Trend in waste growth (blue line), recycling (yellow) and landfilling (red). Image: MRA Consulting Group

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 57

LAST WORD

Mike Ritchie, MRA Consulting Group Managing Director. Image: MRA Consulting Group

published by the states and Federal Government in the National Waste Action Plan Annual Updates.

This is not an exception. In any given year, the data is generally two to three years old and out of date.

So, the question I want to pose to environment ministers (state and federal) is: “What is the relevant data set to assess whether we achieve the targets in 2030?”

What do I mean by that?

Let’s imagine we wind the clock forward to February 2030 and we are trying to decide if we have hit the targets or whether new interventions are required.

But in 2030 we would be looking at 2027 or 2028 data.

Do we conclude that 2028 data is good enough? Probably not.

Governments will inevitably say “Oh but we have done all this reform in 2028, 2029 and that is not reflected in the data. Let’s wait until we get the actual 2030 data.”

So, we will probably wait until 2032 or 2033 to look backwards to 2030 58 / WMR / March 2024

to see if we achieved the targets. That looks like a free pass on accountability to me.

The answer of course is to cut the lag between actual and the reporting date.

The waste/recycling sector is valued at about $30 billion a year and employs at least 70,000 people directly and many more indirectly.

How do we develop proper policy, make billion-dollar investments, and employ people, without good data?

We don’t.

Having poor and old data is good news for consultants but terrible for industry and investors.

We need to fix it.

It needs to be brought as close to real time as possible.

I accept that there are data quality checks that need to be done and individual facility data needs to be aggregated (and anonymised to protect commercially sensitive information).

But three years is far too long. That is why I have used the term “timely” rather than “real time”.

One of the biggest problems with the data is that some states still use voluntary surveys to assess tonnages.

Others are using volume to weight conversion factors. Many smaller facilities are not required to report at all.

The production of the National Waste data report is dependent on, and held up by, the slowest state. That is ridiculous.

In my view we need to move to automated and mandatory tonnage reporting by all waste/recycling facilities above a certain threshold size (say above 1000t/yr throughput).

That means installing weighbridges on all eligible facilities. That is very do-able (and a useful spend of the $1.4 billion in landfill levies paid to government each year). We should ensure that data is aggregated by the states, reviewed and supplied to the Federal Government within say six months of the end of the reporting period. It would fix the problem.

For more information, contact info@mraconsulting.com.au

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Waste Management Review 2024 | MARCH | ISSUE 82

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