Waste Management Review July 2024

Waste Management Review

JULY 2024

2024 | JULY | ISSUE 86

Tall timber www.wastemanagementreview.com.au

Closing the loop on wood waste and growing Australian manufacturing

FEATURES

What really mattress?

Making better possible Picking up the loose threads Think outside the box

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38 IT ALL MATTRESS

Australian Bedding Stewardship Council wants to put unsustainable bedding to rest.

COVER STORY

9

KNOCK ON WOOD reDirect Recycling is closing the loop on wood waste and growing Australian manufacturing.

“WE’RE NOT IN THE WASTE GAME. WE DIRECT OUR MATERIALS FOR ANOTHER PURPOSE – 99.4 PER CENT OF OUR URBAN WOOD RESIDUES (UWR) ARE MADE BACK INTO PRODUCT.” - Aaron Hudson, reDirect Recycling Chief Executive Officer

In this issue Features BETTER 14 MAKING POSSIBLE 16

Green tech company Sircel takes the waste out of e-waste.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY VISION

Hanson supports the circular economy in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

UP LOOSE 19 PICKING THREADS

22 25

E-Thread advances zero landfill agenda with help from IVECO.

A HIGHER PURPOSE

Are you ready for Season Two of Living with Purpose?

INNOVATION MEETS SUSTAINABILITY

Blue Phoenix produces a proven alternative to primary aggregates.

A 28 PIONEERING CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Composting operations exemplify the principle of circularity in action.

UP 30 COOKING SOLUTIONS

Encouraging circular economy thinking for new and used oil.

32 LAND MANAGEMENT

Why land clearing and management are critical for circularity.

34 GOING FOR GOLD

City of Gold Coast makes a bold plan for sustainable solutions.

48 SELF-LOADING BALER A time-saving and sustainable solution for cardboard waste.

50 CONTAMINATION ZONE

FOGO rollout requires responsibility and accountability for everyone.

36 EARNING THEIR STRIPES 52 REIMAGINING WASTE Go behind the scenes of a successful container deposit scheme.

Waste Expo Australia 2024 the launching pad for new ideas and breakthrough products.

38 EVERYTHING MATTRESS 54 INNOVATE, MOTIVATE, Australian Bedding Stewardship Council puts unsustainable bedding to rest.

40 MORE POWER

Liebherr diversifies its product portfolio.

42 REVOLUTIONISING COMPOSTING 44 46

Australian agriculture turns to an age-old solution with a modern twist.

EDUCATE

For three days, Coffs Harbour was the epicentre of the waste management industry.

OUTSIDE 56 THINKING THE BOX

Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo provides a speciality platform for packaging innovations.

WHAT WASTE GOES WHERE

58 EQUIPPED FOR ACTION

ENDLESS INNOVATION

Regulars

Exploring strategies for smarter waste and recycling management.

Two companies united by a commitment to quality.

A new expo for the waste industry gets set to launch.

61 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 65 LAST WORD www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 3

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

PUBLISHER

Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au

From the Editor

What does circular look like?

Australia is transitioning to a circular economy. Some organisations have made measurable commitments, some are taking their first steps, while others are embarking on bold plans that will redefine the way materials are dealt with. reDirect Recycling has built its entire ethos on being able to see the big picture for sustainability. Since its inception, reDirect Recycling has invested in infrastructure to produce new products from old resources and return them to market.

In this edition’s cover story, we look at how everything about the business, right down to the name, is aimed toward landfill diversion, closing the loop on waste and conserving the environment for future generations.

It’s future generations that will also benefit from a project on Melbourne’s northern fringe. Driven by a belief it can do better, Hanson is creating a Resource Park to help tackle the challenges and become a leader in the circular economy. It is hoped the park will be a conduit for other like-minded individuals and councils to contribute to how waste is managed and transformed.

It will have some tough competition from up north, as Australia’s favourite holiday playground eyes off a new mantle of leading the country in sustainable waste management.

The City of Gold Coast is proposing a $1.6 billion integrated recycling and energy precinct that will feature eight individual facilities.

It’s a bold vision, but Mayor Tom Tate says the city sees its role as being beyond just emptying people’s wheelie bins and burying the contents in a hole in the ground. And the community is behind the plan. Tom was re-elected for a fourth term in March this year, with a campaign based on the Advanced Resource Recovery Centre.

Also harnessing people power, Repurpose It is reprising its popular online series Living with Purpose for a second series. A gateway for people to interact and be exposed to some of the challenges and opportunities around the circular economy, the series has garnered national attention.

If these projects have sparked your curiosity about the circular economy, we’ve got plenty more stories to keep you informed inside.

Happy reading

Lisa Korycki 4 / WMR / July 2024

MANAGING EDITOR

Lisa Korycki lisa.korycki@primecreative.com.au

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JOURNALIST

Chris Edwards chris.edwards@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au

ART DIRECTOR

Blake Storey blake.storey@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN

Laura Drinkwater

BRAND MANAGER

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ARTICLES

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

COVER

Cover image: reDirect Recycling

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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Images: reDirect Recycling

COVER STORY

Use

Borg logistics trucks load shredded wood waste destined for Australian Panels in Oberon, New South Wales.

Process

Knock on wood

Collect

Manufacture

S

Return

TOMRA CLEANAWAY STATE SPECIFIC Secondary colour palette is used for state specific comms. These colours may be used to provide variety and visual interest without leaving the recognised palette. This logo is used for communications where the states where we operate need to be spelt out. Example - website.

Delivering value from recycling New South Wales

Tagline State specific bubble

ome people can’t see the wood for the trees when it comes to environmental issues but reDirect Recycling has built its entire ethos on being able to see the big picture for sustainability.

Since its inception in 2020, reDirect Recycling and the Borg Group of companies has invested in infrastructure to produce new products from old resources and return them to market.

Everything about the business, right down to the name, is aimed toward landfill diversion, closing the loop on waste and conserving the environment for future generations.

“To us it’s not a waste, it’s a resource,” says Aaron Hudson, reDirect Recycling’s Chief Executive Officer.

“We’re not in the waste game.

We direct our materials for another purpose – 99.4 per cent of our urban wood residues (UWR) are made back

into product. We’ve opened a new paradigm to find waste a home.” reDirect Recycling is the front collection, de-contamination and shredding side of Borg, an Australianowned business comprising a group of companies including Australian Panels, polytec, Crossmuller, Space Urban, Bettergrow, Direct Pallets and Plantations Pine Products.

A home-grown success story, Borg has manufactured and distributed

Victoria (West Zone)

TOMRA logo lockup

Logo is comprised of several elements.

TOMRA & Cleanaway logo lockup, tagline and the state specific bubble.

reDirect Recycling is closing the loop on wood waste and growing Australian manufacturing.

Cleanaway logo lockup

Delivering value from recycling New South Wales

Victoria (West Zone)

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 9

COVER STORY

timber products across a range of brands for more than 30 years and supports sustainable, fully integrated practices throughout all its companies. reDirect Recycling was born from a commitment to improve performance and the environmental impact on manufacturing products. The aim was to create a circular resource recovery solution integrated into other parts of the business.

State-of-the-art processing facilities across New South Wales accept different types of industry waste materials and achieve recovery rates of more than 95 per cent, creating a range of recycled products that are then used within the Borg Group or back out into the marketplace. reDirect Metal Recycling collects and sorts metals recovered from construction and manufacturing sites. reDirect Recycling also operates one of New South Wales’ largest drill

reDirect Recycling operates one of New South Wales’ largest drill mud recycling facilities at Wetherill Park..

10 / WMR / July 2024

mud recycling facilities at Wetherill Park that is open 24 hours, seven days a week, returning treated mud fines and aggregates to be used as engineered fill, sand, specialist soil and fertiliser products. reDirect Wood Recycling conducts waste management from collection and transport to treatment of pallets, mixed clean timber, particleboard, and picked engineered timber offcuts, with facilities at St Mary’s, Ingleburn, Wetherill Park and Somersby.

Closing the loop, Australian Panels manufactures the end-of-life wood back into two main products, CUSTOMpine and STRUCTAflor, for joinery and carpentry applications that are sold back into the market by polytec and Australian Panels.

Aaron says this is a circular economy success story for this type of waste timber streams – normally destined for landfill in New South Wales.

Wood waste makes up about 14 to 20 per cent of total waste going to New South Wales landfills each year, Aaron says. An audit of commercial and industrial waste streams for the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) found that more and more of this type of material is disposed of at landfill.

“This is a material that can be reused and made back into valuable building products and, more importantly, made in Australia,” Aaron says.

“It shouldn’t be going to landfill.

Reclaimed wood is an environmental win. Not only does it reduce the demand for virgin material but reduces the methane emissions and leachate it would contribute if it was landfilled.

“The use of urban wood is key to Australia going forward to reach waste and emissions targets.”

Recycled wood has been used as a sustainable building product, such as

flooring and in kitchen components, in Europe for the past 20 years.

In Australia, engineered woods such as Blue pine, plywood and black melamine plywood are typically landfilled because they contain adhesives that make them unsuitable for use as mulch for landscape purposes.

“In the past, the adhesives in engineered timber products led the EPA to say there were limited beneficial reuse opportunities for the products and thus permission to recycle it was not granted to anyone,” Aaron says.

“We were able to do multiple stack emission tests in our Oberon facility to prove that when we heat this engineered timber, then flake, feed and manufacture it back into particleboard and structural flooring, it doesn’t create any environmental impacts out of the stacks.”

It’s taken about four years for reDirect Recycling to scale up. In that time the company has built solid partnerships with many wood wasterelated companies and is redirecting about 150,000 tonnes annually of about 400,000 tonnes of timber that goes to landfill each year in New South Wales.

The company’s uniqueness is that it is a vertically integrated company as part of the Borg Group that offers an endto-end solution for waste wood, Aaron says. And it has solid foundations in Australian manufacturing.

“Australian manufacturers are hard to come by in terms of what we do,” he says. “It’s such an important part of reDirect Recycling to supply material in this integrated way on all levels.

“We use our own resources and facilities to stay Australian. We don’t send materials overseas to be reproduced and sent back here. The ethos is to stay Australian made.”

Aaron also contributes the growth to a change in the waste and resource

A typical single-source wood waste project.

This was a project completed by Central Waste in Kurri Kurri for Newcastle University.

A range of vehicles reDirect Recycling has available for the diverse range of customer needs.

recovery landscape. Landfill levies are rising, and big waste companies can no longer just cart and collect, there’s a need to find sustainable back-end solutions to dedicated streams of waste they collect.

Additionally, state and federal government procurement guidelines are changing to include an element of recycled content in products they purchase.

The overall scope of using waste resources and turning them into a product through an Australian manufacturing process is a real winner

for the circular economy, Aaron says.

But it hasn’t been without challenges.

Contamination is often a source of frustration for recyclers and reDirect Recycling was no different.

Early on, many thought reDirect Recycling was a waste company and threw anything its way.

A strict contamination program and the signing of an individual Quality Control Plan by each company supplying waste wood, quickly sorted out the serious players.

Aaron says there were some occasions where reDirect Recycling declined www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 11

COVER STORY

to work with companies because of contamination issues.

“Australia’s ethos has to change when it comes to waste and the way it’s processed if it’s to become a resource for re-manufacturing,” he says. “Do you produce a good clean product that we will take at a third of the price of landfill prices per tonne and turn it into something useful, or do you want to mix it and do what everyone else does, and it will go to landfill?”

Providing a clean stream of materials is one area Aaron is keen to continue to improve. As well as the strict quality control program that all timber suppliers must sign, reDirect Recycling has invested in a cleaning tower at Australian Panels’ Oberon facility to ensure recycled wood is suitable for production.

“The quality process at Australian Panels is very high,” Aaron says.

“Instead of using virgin timber we want people to use recycled timber when they can, but it has to be the same clean quality as virgin products.” reDirect Recycling has three tiers of customers – cabinet makers or joinery companies who provide their timber offcuts; logistics companies who use timber pallets; and manufacturers who import machinery in plywood crates.

It’s also positioned itself to collaborate with the bigger players in the waste industry to process clean timber waste.

The company continues to grow.

The aim is to hit 200,000 tonnes annually of timber waste diverted from landfill.

“At the moment we’re at our maximum. We’ve reached our quota for the first phase of growth for the integrated Borg Group and we’ll keep working with the customers who helped us get here,” Aaron says. “Phase two is more facilities, and more manufacturing plants to produce more product.”

And phase three?

“Watch this space.

“Current strategy – more facilities in more states,” Aaron says. “That’s an incredible story for a company that only started 35 years ago because two brothers, Michael and John Borg, didn’t think it was right to send wood waste to landfill.”

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

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Thirty-cubic metre bins are available for commercial wood waste customers.

12 / WMR / July 2024

FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

A

Green tech company Sircel is taking the waste out of e-waste.

nthony Karam describes walking through a European e-waste recycling plant as an epiphany.

“I realised this is where we need to get to,” the Chief Executive Officer of green tech company Sircel recalls. “They had 60 tonnes of e-waste on the floor and by the end of the day it was all recycled or processed.

“There’s no way to deliver the capabilities that we need to make a dent in e-waste in Australia with manual dismantling. We need this.”

E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world. A record 62 million tonnes was produced in 2022, up 82 per cent from 2010, and is on track to rise another 32 per cent, to 82 million tonnes, in 2030, according to global e-waste monitor UNITAR.

In Australia, the statistics are just as daunting – an estimated 21 kilograms of e-waste is generated by each person every year.

Anthony dedicated years to solving the e-waste problem by asking: What if we could do better? What would it take?

And what would it look like?

He says Sircel has lofty ambitions – to eradicate electronic waste from landfill, redirecting the valuable commodities back into the circular economy.

Through trial and error over the past eight years the company developed a world-first end-to-end solution that diverts up to 100 per cent of e-waste from landfill. And with the recent acquisition of Scipher Technologies’ business, including plant, it has the facilities and machinery to process larger volumes than all known Australian e-waste recyclers and processors.

Higher value metals and components are extracted from all forms of e-waste.

14 / WMR / July 2024

Images: Sircel

Making better possible

The Sircel system breaks down e-waste into all its commodity parts and regenerates those back into the circular economy.

“Sircel has invested tens of millions of dollars in a unique process that is ethical and sustainable,” Anthony says.

“This acquisition provides us with an undeniable platform in dealing with a national footprint for clients. Our primary focus was to lock down our process. We’ve done that. This fasttracks establishing ourselves as a major player in Australia.”

The Sircel system breaks down e-waste into all its commodity parts and regenerates those back into the circular economy. Up to 100 per cent of items can be processed without the need for prior dismantling.

Nothing that comes through the facility is waste. The irony is not lost on Anthony, given Sircel operates under an Environment Protection Authority licence that deals with waste.

He says it’s fundamental for Australia’s circular economy ambitions to change the language and access resources that have already been mined and used.

“Nothing in our facilities is ending up as anything other than a resource,” he says. “We want e-waste to be relabelled to e-resources, so we drive change in the community and how businesses think about electronics.

“When you get an understanding of some of the higher value metals and components that are included in manufacturing these devices, you understand if that material is in there, surely there’s a way to get it back out without losing its value or putting it

in landfill. We wanted to find the best environmental and sustainable way to access each of those commodities. Our outputs are designed, or on the pathway, to being those industrial inputs that can be reused again in the marketplace.”

Anthony says Sircel has deliberately positioned itself to deliver a solution for the broadest definition of e-waste – anything with a battery or cord – and it’s scalable.

An estimated 170,000 tonnes of e-waste is collected annually through the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. Under a planned

scheme expansion that is estimated to increase to 600,000 tonnes. Across multiple sites, Sircel is licensed to process in excess of 50,000 tonnes per year.

You begin to get a sense of the gap in the market. A gap, Anthony says, Sircel could fill tomorrow with certainty of feedstock.

“If someone said, ‘work with us, we’ve got 100,000 tonnes earmarked here’, we know we would invest in five plants to deal with that,” Anthony says.

“Our solution is very modular and scalable. There’s no reason why we

Sircel has developed a world-first endto-end solution that diverts up to 100 per cent of e-waste from landfill.

shouldn’t have capabilities to deal with the whole volume. The solution is available if all the right resources and stakeholders are on the same page.”

When it comes to having stakeholders on the same page, Sircel is advocating for policy and legislation changes to actively drive the circular economy. It made a submission to the recent Federal Government Senate Inquiry on waste reduction and recycling policies calling for e-waste to be treated as its own discreet category, not rolled up in a broader waste discussion.

Anthony says there needs to be a holistic approach to understanding and managing e-waste from manufacturing, product stewardship, lifecycle usage, collection and recycling, and a nationally consistent policy framework for the treatment of e-waste.

“Australia can be at the forefront of solving the e-waste challenge,” he says. “At the heart of the Sircel brand is a deep desire to make better possible.”

For more information, visit: www.sircel.com www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 15

FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Hanson’s circular economy vision

Hanson continues to find innovative ways to improve its environmental impact while creating a circular economy hub set to become a state asset.

Chris Lynch, Project Manager, Wollert Resource Park

H

anson’s Wollert Quarry and Renewable Energy Landfill on Melbourne’s northern fringe could be the poster child for modern waste management.

Since opening in 2000, the landfill has provided a safe end-of-life for waste generated across Melbourne and Victoria. At the same time, Hanson has established itself as a leader in sustainability – creating and restoring natural habitat, powering homes with green energy, and diverting useful and valuable waste streams from landfills.

“But we believe we can do even better,” says Chris Lynch, Project Manager of Hanson’s Wollert Resource Park. “Ideas like the Resource Park will help Melbourne tackle the challenges to become a leader in the circular economy.”

16 / WMR / July 2024

Hanson is dedicating more than 20 hectares of its current site to the Wollert Resource Park, creating what Chris hopes will be a circular economy powerhouse for Victoria.

Locating the Resource Park on the same site as the landfill will take advantage of the existing waste streams.

It will divert recyclable materials such as organics, metals, and soils from landfills while creating products that provide increased circularity for the construction materials business.

Chris says the legislative framework, particularly in Victoria with the Circular Economy Act, provides the right environment to invest in circular economy activities. The Resource Park will expand waste processing and disposal infrastructure, help provide clear streams for increasing waste volumes, and improve the public’s knowledge of recycling practices.

“There are so many exciting developments in waste technology that are focused on recovering waste for as long as possible through repair and reuse before it enters the environment through disposal,” Chris says.

“Hanson wants to be at the forefront of this type of service offering, ensuring valuable resources such as building materials and tyres can be recovered and repurposed for new uses.”

It’s an ethos that runs companywide. Hanson is part of the Heidelberg Materials group, which is driving

circularity by reducing and reusing materials and natural resources through its Sustainability Commitments.

Its aggressive target is to achieve 50 per cent of its revenue from sustainable products that are either low-carbon or circular. By 2030, it also wants to offer circular alternatives for 50 per cent of its concrete products.

“Our Sustainability Commitments 2030 support our vision to build a more sustainable future that is net zero, safe and inclusive, nature positive, circular and resilient,” Chris says.

He says proper waste management, like the types overseen at Wollert, is critical to ensuring that waste is disposed of appropriately. It also seeks to minimise its impact on human health and the environment.

Hanson is still in the early design and development phase of the regulatory approval process to allow for recycling activities at Wollert and hopes to partner with councils and businesses that share the company’s vision.

The company is meeting with several waste suppliers who are interested in providing services for the Resource Park. Chris is also keen to speak with other like-minded individuals and councils who want to join the journey to transform the way waste is managed.

Hanson currently supports several local councils in safely disposing of their waste through landfill operations.

Chris is aware of the challenges

faced by local government, including increased littering, illegal dumping, and environmental pollution. All these issues can impact local communities and budgets. In 2019-20, Victorian councils alone spent more than $706 million on delivering waste management services, according to the Victorian AuditorGeneral’s Office.

“Local councils can be at the forefront of this new waste management approach, too,” Chris says. “By collaborating with initiatives like resource parks, councils can benefit from alternative options to expensive landfill and treatment.

“We’re here to help councils to process and dispose of their waste responsibly and hopefully create new resource streams through projects like the Wollert Resource Park.”

The Resource Park will be delivered in two precincts; general resource recovery and waste-to-energy.

Work on a development licence and planning permit for the waste-to-energy facility are underway. Chris says it will be the last piece to the puzzle to make the Resource Park circular.

“By locating waste-to-energy at the landfill site and integrating it with other resource recovery activities, we will extract truly residual material from each waste stream,” he says.

“We would have done everything we can to recycle waste up to this point.

Our last chance for recovery before landfill is waste-to-energy. It’s aligned with the government’s waste hierarchy and a way for us to provide baseload renewable energy back into the grid.”

There are two ways in which waste-to-energy can be transformed into useful resources: energy and construction material.

The energy produced will supplement Hanson’s existing landfill gas-to-power station, which is already generating energy back into the grid for more than 10,000 homes from gases captured from the landfill.

Hanson is dedicating more than 20 hectares of its site to the Wollert Resource Park. Images: Hanson

The bottom ash left after the wasteto-energy process could also be used as a virgin material substitute and offered as one of Hanson’s construction materials.

While Hanson is still in the early design and development phase, Chris says there’s potential to create a colocated repair café and maker space for some difficult-to-recycle materials, such as textiles.

An education space and a regular site tour schedule are also being developed to support school curriculums, tertiary courses, industry interest groups, and research projects.

Hanson has also entered a partnership with local social enterprise Whittlesea Community Connections to collect seeds from native plants growing at Wollert landfill.

The seeds will be propagated at nugal biik plants and seeds nursery and eventually find their way back to the landfill revegetation project. In the past 20 years, Hanson has planted hundreds of thousands of trees on the site.

Chris says the partnership with nugal biik has helped deliver a good outcome for Hanson and the nursery.

It provides job pathways for members

of the community who may have been disadvantaged, and profits that can be reinvested back into community programs.

Hanson’s goal is for the Wollert Resource Park to operate indefinitely as a critical asset for Victoria and the local community.

“The Resource Park will bring us one step closer to creating new jobs, energy and investment in Whittlesea.

But we appreciate that the circular economy can be a new idea for people to understand. So, we are committed to developing a community engagement approach to ensure people are provided with clear information about the Resource Park and opportunities to have any concerns they have understood,” Chris says.

“We want to inspire the community to play a positive role in waste management and help us contribute to becoming a circular economy.”

A Wollert Resource Park website is in development and is expected to go live in 2024.

For more information, email resourcepark@hanson.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 17

FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Picking up the loose threads

THE PHOENIX HAS LANDED IN AUSTRALIA

We give ash a new life in the real world.

The textile recycling company has a fleet of 10 Daily 50C vans.

Images: Iveco

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.

E-Thread advances zero landfill agenda with help from IVECO.

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

W

hile recycling is most associated with reducing glass, steel, plastic, paper and cardboard waste, Australians on average discard 23 kilograms of clothing per person, per year – companies such as E-Thread are working hard to eliminate these textiles from being dumped in landfill.

A family-owned business with considerable experience in textile recycling, E-Thread is committed to

finding new and creative solutions to garment waste, offering clothing recovery programs that reduce waste and encourage upcycling.

And it’s experiencing strong growth, particularly since the COVID period, where travel restrictions and falling volunteer numbers meant many organisations had to cull or cease clothing collection services.

E-Thread now has a network of collection bins across New South

Wales, Victoria and Western Australia, with services in Queensland to begin shortly. Along with collection bins that are easily accessible to the public, E-Thread provides local government services, school programs, and partners with retailers to pick up and recycle excess stock and unwanted returns.

The company’s dedication to achieving zero landfill is matched by the professional way it goes about its business, including full environmental, www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 19

FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

social and governance reporting and an ingrained company culture of sustainability.

E-Thread Director Zac Banks, one of four brothers who oversee the business, explains the process further and discusses the important role of the company’s fleet of 10 Daily 50C vans.

“Every 10 minutes an estimated 6000 kilograms of textiles and clothing end up in Australian landfill, and we want to put an end to that,” Zac says.

“We operate completely transparently and offer 100 per cent tracking of all donated apparel. Our vertically integrated supply chain ensures all donated items are either reused – both domestically and internationally – repurposed or recycled with zero waste.”

The service begins with the regular and careful maintenance of collection bins to eliminate unsightly overflow.

When the IVECO Dailys arrive at the collection points, the garments are collected, photographed and stored in customised compartments within the vans, before being taken to sorting facilities.

The garments are then unloaded, weighed and hand sorted – depending

on their grading, they’re sold to shops and markets (a and b grade) and what doesn’t make it (c grade), are cut into rags to be used as stuffing, for cleaning, or used to make items such as tote bags.

“The cataloguing also gives us an understanding of the volumes each collection point is generating and we can adjust collection frequency that’s specific to that bin; it varies from twice daily to four times per week,” Zac says.

E-Thread’s IVECO Daily fleet all feature 180hp Euro 6 engines, matched to the popular 8-Speed fully automatic transmission; opting for 16 cubic metre volume capacity sees the Dailys strike a happy medium between payload and manoeuvrability in car parks and other restrictive collection zones.

“Having a vehicle that was car-like to drive, that could be driven with a car licence and still gave a payload of around two tonnes was attractive for us,” Zac says.

“The Daily is versatile in that it can handle the busy city streets and metro areas, going just about everywhere a car can. It also provides good loading access and is comfortable on longer

routes, where they can cover more than 600 kilometres in a day. They’ve been a reliable van for us, and the drivers enjoy using them.”

E-Thread’s commitment to recycling extends beyond just textiles. Anybody who regularly uses collection bins will know that all manner of goods can end up in and around the bins.

“We look after the space at collection sites and partner with other likeminded companies with the same objectives – they help recycle the other items that come in during the process including metals, plastics and paper products,” Zac says.

The IVECO Daily fleet was purchased from IVECO Sydney, a dealership that Zac says E-Thread has enjoyed a great relationship with.

“The team at IVECO Sydney are fantastic to work with, especially Antonio who is the representative we deal with for everything,” he says.

“We receive quick response times and great service when it comes to service and parts.”

For more information, visit: www.iveco.com.au E-Thread Operations Manager Ahmed Banks and Director, Zac Banks.

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20 / WMR / July 2024

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FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Horticulturalist and landscape designer Jamie Durie returns as host for a second season of Living with Purpose.

Images: Repurpose It

A higher purpose A

George says where the series broke new ground was to use marketing that informed and inspired rather than trying to ‘sell’ a product to consumers – an approach that industry and local councils have applauded for its positive impact on the way Australians think about what they use.

“We know it’s important for the community and stakeholders to have confidence that their efforts are being recognised down the line and their materials are being recycled effectively,” George says.

“The first series sparked some curiosity in people about learning more about the circular economy and becoming engaged with it in a meaningful way.

“Councils are sharing the work we’ve done in the first series, which benefits us further down the line. A more engaged community leads to better recycling outcomes.”

Production of the 2024 series is under way. Jamie Durie returns as host, with a focus on stories that show sustainability in action and how consumers can get involved in the circular economy.

George says there is still some confusion about concepts such as food organics garden organics (FOGO) and how to be more sustainable in the home.

“We want to help consumers understand these concepts better.

In doing so we will shine a light on work being done by organisations in this space.

“A lot of things industry deals with really starts with community, and in homes. This education piece can help to change behaviours and get people asking questions.”

The podcast, hosted by Jamie and George, will involve conversations with businesses and innovators who work at organisations with purpose and are helping transition Australia towards a circular economy.

More used to running a large corporation than being behind the microphone, George says he won’t be giving up his day job anytime soon.

However, filming was exciting, and he’s enlivened by the podcast content and the discussions it instigated.

A Recycling Victoria advisory committee member, and key

industry player, George has first-hand insight into some of the challenges to be addressed. The podcast series examines major infrastructure, sustainable timber and garden supplies through to the circular economy for commercial food waste and driving better outcomes.

As the series evolves, George hopes it will take on topics that are adjacent to Repurpose It and promote product stewardship, such as batteries. He says while batteries aren’t a particular waste stream Repurpose It is involved with, the company still deals with batteries that are incorrectly disposed, causing risk to facilities and staff.

“There’s a whole range of topics we can address that focus on how we can tread more lightly on the planet,” George says.

“It’s pretty exciting where we can take the series.”

The 2023 series and new episodes can be viewed online at: www.repurposeit. com.au/living-with-purpose For more information visit: www.repurposeit.com.au

Passionate about making a positive impact on the way Australians think about what they use, Repurpose It is launching series two of its online series, Living with Purpose.

n online series aimed at addressing the scepticism around recycling has inspired more than 3.2 million Australians to take part in the circular economy.

Off the back of the successful 2023 Living with Purpose series, resource recovery champion Repurpose It is launching series two in 2024. It’s also introducing a Living with Purpose podcast that has attracted the interest of some industry ‘heavy hitters’ as guests.

“It’s an opportunity to engage people in longer, deeper conversations,” 22 / WMR / July 2024

Repurpose It Chief Executive Officer George Hatzimanolis says of the new format.

“It’s a gateway for people to interact and be exposed to some of the challenges and opportunities around the circular economy. Hopefully that will spur them on to want to increase their participation.”

Repurpose It is on a mission to eliminate waste and pollution through closed-loop resource recovery. It creates repurposed materials from a range of waste streams including food organics,

garden organics, hard green waste, mixed rubble, concrete and brick.

Research by the company in 2022 showed that Australians were sceptical about where their waste goes. Living with Purpose, hosted by horticulturalist and landscape designer Jamie Durie, aimed to inspire and educate on how to take part in the circular economy and live more sustainably.

The innovative nature of the series earned it national print, radio and television coverage, reaching millions of people nationally.

George Hatzimanolis, Repurpose It Chief Executive Officer, and Jamie Durie, team up to host a new podcast as part of the second season of Living with Purpose.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 23

Images: Blue Phoenix

FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Circular Economy Powerhouse Hanson’s Wollert Resource Park will be an agent for change, diverting recyclable material from landfill and creating circular construction materials.

Blue Phoenix technology transforms Incinerator Bottom Ash minerals into a sustainable source of aggregates.

Innovation meets sustainability

Park plans include: ■ Recycled aggregate production ■ Soil washing/soil remediation ■ Organics recycling ■ Material Recovery Facility ■ Metals recovery ■ Resource Recovery Shop ■ Repair café ■ Waste to Energy Facility

A

Contact us today and help shape the future Chris Lynch Resource Park Project Manager E: chris.lynch@hanson.com.au

hanson.com.au

WE’LL MAKE IT HAPPEN

Blue Phoenix produces a proven alternative to primary aggregates that is circled back into the economy.

s a processor of Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA), Blue Phoenix is responsible for diverting millions of tonnes of waste material each year from landfills.

Working closely with partners in the energy-from-waste (EfW) sector, the company has designed and developed operational facilities to process IBA from EfW plants to produce aggregates in urban located sites, preventing greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction, production, and transport.

“Globally, we have made huge steps forward towards our mission of building a sustainable future,” says Paul Knight, Chief Executive Officer.

Blue Phoenix designed and developed a technology that treats IBA by extracting the mineral fraction and recovering ferrous and non-ferrous metals that can be circled back into the economy.

The effective removal of metals allows Blue Phoenix to transform IBA minerals into a sustainable source of aggregates that can be used for construction

and civil engineering projects as a replacement for primary material.

Not only does this reduce the volume of waste that goes to landfill, but it also reduces the demand for the mining of primary resources.

Paul says the low carbon alternative to primary aggregates diverts waste from landfills and contributes to the circular economy on a large scale. After decades of experience in UK, Europe and US, Blue Phoenix has expanded its horizons.

“There are strong markets for IBA operations across Europe, and we’re now www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 25

FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

working toward expanding globally into new and developing markets,” Paul says.

“We’ve most recently built Australia’s first IBA processing facility, working hand-in-hand with Australian authorities on the regulation around the safe and responsible use of IBAA (IBA aggregates) in the Australian market.”

LOW-CARBON ALTERNATIVE When compared against the use of primary aggregates, IBAA has less material usage, fewer vehicle movements, lower carbon dioxide emissions, and provides cementitious and mild pozzolanic performance benefits.

“Due to these properties, and to the fact that it compacts readily and does not segregate, IBAA is a great material for building pavement foundations as a capping or subbase,” Paul says.

“Furthermore, it also works very well as an aggregate for hydraulically bound mixtures (HBMs) with cement, lime/fly ash or slag binder, and has been used extensively in Europe as an embankment fill material or a backfill to structures.

“Overall, IBAA provides a greater resource circularity and promotion of government recycling initiatives through resource extraction from waste streams that would otherwise have been disposed of.”

The facility in Hope Valley, Western Australia is the first in Australia to bring together all of Blue Phoenix’s technology.

Blue Phoenix processes millions of tonnes of material worldwide. Paul says the global scale of operations requires continual research and innovation to maintain a reliable, high-quality output. Blue Phoenix has introduced a research and innovation (R&I) team, focused on looking at new technologies and applications.

The differences between countries produces varying qualities of input material, or IBA, and they often have different requirements for output quality.

Blue Phoenix has grown with mature IBAA markets and is working to introduce alternative aggregates in new markets that are now discovering the benefits of IBAA. ADVANCING AUSTRALIA Australia is at a turning point in allowing energy recovery from nonrecyclable waste. Paul says the knowledge and experience of Blue Phoenix contributes to the responsible use of IBA aggregates in Australia, improving the circularity of the wider waste management sector.

Ian Lynass, Managing Director of Blue Phoenix Australia, says the primary focus will be working with government departments, agencies, customers, and users to evolve regulation and support the development of sustainable aggregate markets.

Ian Lynass, Blue Phoenix Australia Managing Director.

As a waste management platform, Blue Phoenix believes that improving waste treatment and the use of secondary resources from waste products is critical to limiting GHG emissions, pollution, and land-use changes.

“Our new facility in Hope Valley, Western Australia is the first in Australia, and the world, to bring all of Blue Phoenix’s technology together in the one plant. This facility will process 100 per cent of the IBA – about 80,000 tonnes per annum – from Acciona, our EfW partner” Ian says.

The plant recovers metal down to minus two millimetres and returns the residual aggregates into bound and unbound civil applications.

This process seeks to liberate agglomerated slags and metals to allow for further refinement and valorisation, but importantly the residual minerals are recovered to provide a proven aggregate for reuse in the civil construction industry.

Working closely with Australian regulators, Ian says Blue Phoenix puts environmental protection at the forefront of business operations.

He says with the plant expected to become operational this year, it won’t be long before IBAA is safely applied to a range of future infrastructure projects across the country.

For more information, visit: www.bluephoenix-group.com

26 / WMR / July 2024

GCM Enviro FP.indd 1

6/12/21 11:09 am

FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Compost: Pioneering a circular economy State-of-the-art composting operations at one of Canada’s largest facilities exemplifies the principle of circularity in action. of-the-art composting operations that convert waste into resources, creating a closed-loop system that benefits both the environment and the economy.

Walker, one of the largest composting, soil blending and packaging facilities in the province of Ontario, diverts more than 1.1 million tonnes of waste annually from landfills.

This waste is processed into organic fertiliser, compost, mulch, and renewable natural gas, among other products, reducing landfill

All Treat Farms has invested in an SG Advanced Composting System with GORE Covers to manage up to 88,000 tonnes per year of these municipal wastes.

use and contributing to a more sustainable environment.

“By turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, we close the loop on our food consumption cycle,” says Diana Aquino, Municipal Relations Manager for Walker’s Environmental Division.

“Kitchen scraps, garden clippings, and other biodegradable materials – from municipally collected kerbside waste to commercial food waste – are gathered and transformed through a Images: Sustainable Generation

A

circular economy diverges from the traditional linear economy by emphasising the reuse, recycling, and regeneration of materials. This approach ensures that resources are used for as long as possible, extracting maximum value before recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of their service life.

Through its subsidiary All Treat Farms, Walker Environmental exemplifies this approach with state-

meticulous composting process. This compost is then used to enrich our gardens, fostering healthy soil and vibrant plant growth.

“The plants, in turn, produce fruits and vegetables that feed our community, completing the cycle and reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.”

ALL TREAT FARMS All Treat Farms is at the forefront of Walker’s circular economy initiatives.

The farm’s Thorold composting facility uses Sustainable Generation Advanced Composting technology to convert organic waste into compost, used in soil amendment products.

This technology ensures efficient processing and management of organic materials in compliance with composting regulations and guidelines.

In addition to the Thorold facility, Walker operates composting sites in Arthur, Ontario, and Caledon, Ontario, which accept a range of organic materials and yard waste from residents, municipalities, and industrial, commercial, and institutional partners.

Scott Woods, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Generation, says Walker’s innovative use of the SG Bunker System at All Treat Farms is an example of how the principles of a circular economy can be applied in practice.

“By converting organic waste into high-quality compost, Walker reduces landfill usage, enriches the soil, and supports sustainable agriculture,” Scott says. “This closed-loop system epitomises the environmental and economic benefits that can be achieved through sustainable practices.”

FROM WASTE TO RESOURCE All Treat Farms transforms thousands of tonnes of Ontario’s leaves, yard

28 / WMR / July 2024

The SG BUNKER System from Sustainable Generation produces high-quality compost that is packaged in bags for retail sales.

clippings, digestate from large municipalities’ anaerobic digesters, and household organics into compost each year.

This compost is a critical ingredient in lawn care products and garden soil amendments, closing the loop by returning valuable nutrients to the soil and supporting agriculture.

The composting process begins with collecting organic waste, which is then processed using the SG Bunker System from Sustainable Generation. This system produces compost packaged in bags for retail sales and sold in bulk to the landscaping and agriculture markets, effectively turning waste into a marketable product.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Walker’s efforts are bolstered by the active participation of local communities. Many residents in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) now have access to green bin programs that facilitate the diversion of food and organic waste from landfills.

All Treat Farms has invested in an SG Advanced Composting System with GORE Covers to manage up to 88,000 tonnes per year of these municipal wastes, including Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) and institutional (ICI) waste.

This model of resource efficiency and environmental stewardship inspires other industries seeking to adopt circular economy principles.

Walker’s impact extends beyond composting. As Canada’s largest resource recovery company, it provides gas from the Niagara landfill to power an automotive plant. Additionally, it converts biowaste into organic fertiliser, which local farmers use to grow crops. Walker ensures that waste streams are reused sustainably by collecting processed waste from commercial kitchens and digesting it from anaerobic digestion.

For more information, visit: www.sustainable-generation.com www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 29

FEATURED TOPIC - CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Cooking up a circular solution

Cooking oil is necessary in tens of thousands of restaurants, cafes, bars and stadiums. Dealing with new and used oil can be a challenge, but one company seeks to encourage circular economy thinking.

T

he transport and management of cooking oil can be hazardous.

That’s particularly the case in the hospitality industry, where occupational health and safety concerns intersect with young people who may not have had sufficient training on how to deal with it.

That’s where Cookers Bulk Cooking Oil Management Systems, or Cookers, comes into play. It is one of several companies seeking to create circular economy solutions for cooking oil.

“We bought the business of a sole operator in late 1999 and got started in 2000,” says Peter Fitzgerald, the Managing Director of Cookers. “I felt it had great potential and could scale it up over time. In 2000, we had one fresh oil truck and one used oil truck operating from a site adjoining a rendering works in Laverton. We had a couple of tanks,

Cookers vans are now commonplace across Australia, whether delivering fresh oil or collecting used oil. Images: Cookers Bulk Cooking Oil Management Systems

30 / WMR / July 2024

and it was a very low-key beginning.

However, we’ve gradually moved to have an Australia-wide presence.”

Experience with start-ups and established businesses has put Peter and the Cookers team in good stead.

THE CHALLENGES Any business operating in the cooking oil transport space faces many challenges, one of which is regulatory in nature.

“Every state has its own rules and regulations regarding environmental protection and compliance,” Peter says.

“There is no uniformity across the country, so we need to keep a close eye on that. That also extends to the road rules, as we can only carry so much in Victoria and less in Queensland, for example.”

Another issue with regulation is access.

As Australia increasingly urbanises, the windows to deliver or pick up products are smaller to minimise the impact on residents. However, this results in issues for the companies.

“Some councils will not allow us to make deliveries before 7am,” Peter says.

“That can occur even in CBD areas, where traffic is picking up, and public transport is making plenty of noise outside. That’s before we start talking about the reduced number of parking bays and the limited access.”

Cookers is not alone with this sort of issue, as many companies and industry

sectors have limited access. Peter hopes local and state governments will be more consistent in the coming years.

CIRCULAR SOLUTIONS One thing that makes Cookers stand out is its commitment to circular economy solutions. Peter believes that it is an important part of the whole business.

“We have spent time on research and development to ensure that we can identify the source of all our oils both in and out of venues,” he says. “We can also point to where it goes once it leaves the venue. For the most part, used cooking oil is being turned into sustainable renewable diesel (hydrotreated vegetable oil or HVO) or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Most of that is exported at the moment.”

People want to know the provenance of the oils they consume and use, so it’s critical for businesses such as Cookers to properly communicate and integrate their circular economy strategies.

“Since cooking oil cannot be recycled into a fresh food product once used, it has to go somewhere else,” says Peter.

“We financed a research program with RMIT University a couple of years ago to see if it can be used in asphalt. There were positive outcomes from this, but the business case and commercial scalability came into question. I know that a company is trying to make cling wrap out

of used cooking oil and potato starches.

There are many options out there for used cooking oil, and it all forms part of the circular economy.”

THE FUTURE One movement that Cookers is making is plumbing directly into the friers. This allows businesses that deal with significant volumes of oil to get fresh oil or remove used oil where necessary.

“It’s important to point out that this is an expensive exercise for any business,” Peter says. “They need to deal with a lot of oil on a regular basis to make this work. However, it’s becoming increasingly popular due to the safety aspect.

“Companies do not have to worry about having properly certified and trained staff deal with hot oil. We can manage all of that for them.”

This is just a small example of how Cookers continues to innovate and evolve. Peter says any small improvements are critical for its continued success.

“We’ve also been tracking our trucks live back to base since we started,” he says. “For example, if we do a delivery in Cairns, the data goes back to the head office in Melbourne, and all the systems are updated. The IT department is an important part of keeping our drivers and the community safe.”

In the future, Peter wants to stick to the recipe that has served Cookers well.

“Good equipment, good oil, good service, and good people – that’s the key to the business,” he says. “We will only accept losing a business on price.

As long as we get the opportunity to respond to a price challenge, we can accept that. However, if we lose a customer because of service or quality,

that’s where we have to look internally to see what has happened. It’s why we measure everything to identify potential problems early on.”

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

Properly disposing of used cooking oil requires specialist training, and Cookers has this in spades.

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www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 31

FEATURED TOPIC - CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Land management supports circularity M

Land clearing and management are critical for creating a circular economy for waste managers. The right equipment is vital to achieving that goal.

oving from window and gutter cleaning to becoming one of the largest companies in green waste recycling and vegetation is an unusual operational path. One that CJ Murphy Group has achieved using the best industry-wide methods and technology.

As the green waste industry evolves, the need for sustainable solutions is pressing. These solutions provide efficiencies to clients while preserving the environment, and companies such as CJ Murphy Group have a collective responsibility to advocate for them.

Through its Eco Veg Land Management brand, CJ Murphy Group removes trees to create space for construction projects. It’s one of several brands owned by the group making a difference across multiple industries.

Owen McGillivray, Land Clearing and Vegetation Manager, and Rhett Hahn, General Manager, are examples of the people at CJ Murphy Group pushing for more sustainable outcomes and playing a crucial role in developing a circular economy around green waste.

“When we first started tree clearing, we usually left the waste on-site. It was up to the client to deal with it,” Owen says. “However, a lot of it was going to landfills. Even worse, some was dumped on farms or rural properties. We started to look at it because we could be paid to take it away and take it to other green waste facilities. We decided to purchase our own green waste facility.”

This 100-acre facility is believed to

32 / WMR / July 2024

The Petersen 2710D is one of the most popular models. Image: Komatsu Forest

be the largest in Australia and has been approved by the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (NSW EPA). It also has a food and organic waste licence.

“Having that licence makes us unique in that we can demonstrate the full circular economy,” Rhett says.

“If we can show that we are taking material, tagging, and turning it into composted soil that will be used back on the original site, that can improve the communication with local communities. More often than not, we see communities and local stakeholders supporting such a project where they previously may not have.”

One of the challenges associated with community discussions about land-clearing projects is determining what contaminants exist in the ground.

Owen and Rhett are aware of the issues

and are taking steps to help with this.

“When you have contaminated lands, you need to work out a way to clean it,” Owen says. “It might be a shed made from asbestos that was knocked down, some old irrigation pipes, or some other contamination. It needs to be cleaned by us or the client.”

Peterson chippers and grinders are renowned for their efficiency and productivity in wood salvage, land clearing, and plantation rotation.

Komatsu Forest has been distributing Peterson machines since 2010.

Peterson has a four-model range of horizontal grinders – 2710D, 4710D, 5710D and 6710D – available as either wheeled trailers or self-propelled tracks.

Each horizontal grinder comes with the same unique features: • Upturn 3 stage grinding process; • Impact Release System incorporates

a patented airbag protection for He also pointed to the evolution of contaminated feedstock; and Peterson machines, which made their • Impact Cushion System protects the devices more economically viable. mill from catastrophic damage from “They are simple machines in that large items in the feedstock. they don’t have lots of electrodes and All Peterson models sold in Australia electrical problems,” Owen says. “That are self-propelled tracked grinders fitted makes it easier to maintain and repair.”

CJ Murphy Group’s recent acquisition with Tier II CAT engines. The most of Clean & Green Organics has popular models are 2710D and 5710D. expanded its provision of sustainable The Peterson 2710D is powered solutions for all organic waste streams. by a Caterpillar C18 570 kW engine.

“Our offerings have been accepted It weighs 30,900 kilograms and by several Tier 1 clients looking to is designed for mobility and high showcase their commitment to a circular production, making it ideal for Eco Veg economy,” Rhett says. “Our licence is Land Management’s operations. unique because we can add food and “We’ve been working with Peterson green waste into our compost to create a for 10-15 years,” Owen says. “It was the good organic product. We also provide first grinder we bought. They’ve always customised solutions.” been a good product for us, and we have Another aspect of the group’s use received good support. We’ve continued of the Peterson grinder is ensuring our relationship because we know they thatPM its clients have good products and machines.”1 5/7/24 4:40 ERIEZ_AU_CPTPAd_WMR_5_24.qxp_Layout Page 1clear their waste and get

it back in a better form.

“We have clients who are building overpasses, underpasses, roads, bridges… they need the trees removed to do their work,” Owen says. “We take the material, tag it, and test it. We can ensure that we provide clean and green organic compost that can go straight back to the site for landscaping.”

Rhett says different timber and green waste have different organic outcomes.

That’s why the Peterson grinder is critical to the group’s work.

“We can generate a compost that allows for oxygen circulation and faster composting,” he says. “That’s the difference that having the right equipment makes.”

For more information, visit www.ecoveglm.com.au/and www.komatsuforest.com.au

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FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY An aerial view of Queensland Government’s Stapylton Recycling Enterprise Precinct that will be home to the Advanced Resource Recovery Centre.

Image: City of Gold Coast

Going for gold

M

The future of waste management looks circular on the Gold Coast as the city’s council makes a bold plan for sustainable solutions.

ost famous for its stunning beaches and being Australia’s favourite holiday playground, the Gold Coast is eyeing off a new mantle of leading the country in sustainable waste management.

With its local landfill capacity set to run out within the next decade, the City of Gold Coast has unveiled an ambitious plan for a $1.6 billion integrated recycling and energy precinct designed to attract industry and businesses to close the loop in the recycling and reuse cycle.

The Advanced Resource Recovery Centre, or the ARRC, will feature eight individual facilities including a new materials recovery facility (MRF), organics processing facility, C&D waste recycling facility, a new sewage treatment plant (STP) and recycled water treatment plant (RWTP), and a green hydrogen electrolysis facility.

While these facilities will be the engine room of the recovery process, the ARRC also includes a ‘top and tail’, in an undertaking to be fully circular.

A residual waste-to-energy facility is planned for what cannot be recycled, minimising the waste to landfill to

as low as three per cent, although city officers are investigating further recovery innovation that could improve that figure to as low as one per cent.

Looping all back to the beginning of the cycle, a community education centre will be established to provide resources and programs to encourage behaviour change and waste avoidance. It will also be used to foster training and research in sustainability and related industries with potential partnerships with local TAFE and universities.

Embedded in the project concept is the idea that as much as possible is recovered and then reused or remanufactured to protect natural resources and lower environmental impacts.

The new MRF will reduce contamination and increase the amount of recycled material available for remanufacture, further enhancing the current end-to-end product stewardship of the city’s recycling partner Visy.

Sewage from the STP will be treated and then through the connected RWTP, Class A recycled water will be used throughout the ARRC operations and surrounding area for non-residential,

industrial, or agricultural activities. The aim is to use as much of the recycled water as possible, limit what is released to the environment, and prevent the use of potable water for non-residential use.

The recycled water will also be used at the hydrogen electrolysis facility to generate hydrogen, which will be used to fuel the city’s waste collection and heavy transport fleet, to allow a move away from fossil fuels.

The water will also be used in the waste-to-energy facility to generate steam, and the energy generated from there will not only power the ARRC facilities but will be enough to offset 100 per cent of the council’s operations city-wide. Design and capability investigations for the waste-to-energy facility include the option for carbon capture as a vehicle to reuse the carbon for beneficial purposes.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, who was elected for a fourth term in March with the ARRC as a major policy initiative, says the council isn’t waiting for solutions but proactively trying to pave the way for them.

“Landfill is yesterday’s solution and local governments need answers that are

better for the environment and for their ratepayers,” Tom says.

“Technology has come a long way and we know the recycling and recovery industry has a lot to offer, so I see our role is to not only look for a better way to manage waste for our community, but to do it in a way where we partner with, or support, the businesses that can help us do it better than how we’re doing it now.

“We’re Australia’s sixth largest city and we’ll have a population of one million people by 2041. Our goal is that as much waste as possible that is disposed of within our local government area will be reused, recycled, or remanufactured at local businesses.”

The ARRC project is in feasibility stage, with technical reports and assessments being undertaken as

part of regulatory approvals. At the same time, the city is investigating opportunities to expand the recycling and remanufacturing options, including in solar, plastics, construction and demolition, organics, textiles, mattresses and e-waste.

As a member of the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program, the city is also looking into ways of reusing the air pollution control residue from the proposed waste-to-energy facility, as well as an investigation into soft plastics recycling options.

“The ARRC isn’t about building eight new facilities and saying the job is done,” Tom says. “It’s an overarching concept where the goal is to take the idea of the circular economy and make it a reality.

“Where there’s a troublesome product, such as plastics, we will partner with someone to set up on our land and see recycled plastic remanufactured into new products like drink bottles.

“Through our education centre, if someone has an idea for example, for soft plastics, we will look to help them investigate that idea to see if it’s viable and scalable and work with them to get established.”

Tom says the ARRC is a bold move for a council, but the city sees its role as being beyond just emptying people’s wheelie bins and burying the contents in a hole in the ground.

The ARRC is projected to be operational by the end of 2031.

For more information, visit: www.cityofgoldcoast.com.au/arrc

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34 / WMR / July 2024

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FEATURED TOPIC – CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Cheers to automated container depots

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A peek at TOMRA Cleanaway’s container deposit scheme.

he sound of industry is in full force as we arrive at one of New South Wale’s regional container recycling hubs. The constant hum of a conveyor belt is interrupted only by the occasional hiss of air and the thunk of a can or bottle falling into a bin below.

In just a fraction of a second, three gigabytes of information are gathered.

The size, colour, barcode, and shape of a container has been analysed. The ‘unique’ rejections are gathered later, some destined to join the wall of fame – a collection of unusual and oneoff bottles or containers that line the shelves of Coffs Harbour’s Return and Earn Depot.

The eligible containers travel along a network of belts to bulk bins ready for reuse in Australia’s burgeoning circular economy. It’s a scenario repeated throughout the day.

Waste 2024 delegates went behind the scenes of the Coffs Harbour Return and Earn scheme. Image: TOMRA Cleanaway

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More than 20 million containers pass through the Coffs Harbour Return and Earn Depot site every year, according to James Dorney, TOMRA Cleanaway Chief Executive Officer.

Coffs Harbour is one of five bulk drink container processing sites contracted by TOMRA Cleanaway to Sell and Parker. The Coffs Harbour Return and Earn Depot has been part of the New South Wales container deposit scheme since day one. Colocated with a scrap yard, a public weighbridge and a battery recycling point, the automated drink container processing site offers a unique opportunity for customers to return bulk drink container volumes.

“Co-locating all of these services in regional areas like this works well,” James says.

And according to Luke Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Sell and Parker, “it’s turned a pretty good scrap yard into a very good site that offers plenty of opportunity to recycle”.

Return and Earn launched in 2017 as the most ambitious litter reduction program implemented by the New South Wales Government.

Delivered in a tripartite partnership arrangement between network operator TOMRA Cleanaway, scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and the government, represented by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, the scheme has recycled more than 11 billion cans and bottles at return points across the state and contributed

more than $54 million in donations to community groups and charities.

Millions of people have used the scheme’s reverse vending machines or visited a depot, but few get the chance to see what happens to their containers once they are deposited.

A behind the scenes tour of TOMRA Cleanaway’s network for Return and Earn during the recent Waste 2024 conference in Coffs Harbour, gave delegates an opportunity to witness the back-end technology and logistics capability that underpins TOMRA Cleanaway’s container deposit scheme network success.

The tour emphasised the importance of automation and manned collection points for recycling outcomes, along with the need for a foolproof system to prevent fraudulent activity.

Cloud-based technology tracks and verifies every container collected. And it’s not just the mechanics of how cans and bottles are moved around on site that relies on automation. Every person that deposits containers into the system receives a receipt with a barcode. Within that barcode is the time, date, and container count of what’s been deposited. A barcode reader inputs the information into the onsite computer system enabling transactions to be monitored, shutting down fraud opportunities.

A robust and fraud resilient network of return points that delivers on consumer centric principles is, according to James, at

the heart of TOMRA Cleanaway’s network design.

“Making sure we have the right partnerships in place is important,” he says. “We choose to partner with organisations that are embedded in community service. This includes not for profit and social enterprise organisations – but also commercial operators like Sell and Parker here in Coffs Harbour.”

Designing and delivering a network to achieve so many outcomes may seem overwhelming, but ensuring core principles of consumer centric, automated, convenient, and aligned to community needs and populations means TOMRA Cleanaway is delivering the right mix across the state.

Reflecting back on the local experience at Coffs Harbour, James says

automation is a key component at all depot sites, but the Coffs site is a little different. As a manned collection point using high speed automation, it’s set up to make it easy for customers to get direct eyes on the recycling process.

“Not only does it make our life a little bit easier, but it also helps people feel involved in the process,” James says. “People are happy to see what happens to their product and that it is being recycled.”

It’s a different format of return point, but the technology of the TOMRA Cleanaway Reverse Vending Machine is just as impressive. The behind-thescenes tour continued at Coffs Home Co, one of the additional local Return and Earn machines for the town.

Here James unlocks the machine, where within the confines of what looks

like a shipping container, multiple bins of glass and plastic drink containers and aluminium cans are accurately scanned, counted and separated.

From local technology hubs and logistics centres, customer drink container returns are monitored in real time and sensors send out notifications when bins are approaching fill levels to trigger collections.

There are eyes on every element of the operation.

James says that beyond the level of visibility the automation gives the container deposit scheme is a clean stream of recyclables that is contributing to circular economy outcomes.

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

GS KE THIN A M E W

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FEATURED TOPIC – PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP

Nothing really mattress Yes it does! Australian Bedding Stewardship Council wants to put unsustainable bedding to rest.

Manual dismantling of mattresses achieves 70 per cent recovery and those materials have limited resale value.

Images: Australian Bedding Stewardship Council

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andfills don’t want to take them, councils don’t want them, and large waste operators don’t like them.

According to the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC), about 1.8 million mattresses are disposed of each year. If placed end-to-end, they would stretch from Darwin to Hobart.

To address this mounting issue, the ABSC’s Director of Innovation, Tracey Pryor works to find solutions and grow the national bedding recycling network.

“We’re trying to keep as many mattresses out of landfill as possible,”

38 / WMR / July 2024

Tracey says. “But making it commercially viable and appealing for someone is not easy. We need to find something that’s not just cottage industry but is scalable to deal with the volume.”

The ABSC is a voluntary, industryled product stewardship scheme backed by the Federal Government. It consists of members from across the bedding industry – retailers, importers, manufacturers, and their supply chains.

It aims to move the industry towards a circular economy. The key focus is mattresses because they are the

most problematic; but other bedding products, such as bed bases and topof-bed products, will be included from FY26 onwards.

Mattresses in landfills are an environmental disaster. They take up volume, cause subsidence or collapse, and float to the top. Tracey says a lot of damage can be caused if springs from a mattress get caught in the axle of a tractor driving over a landfill.

She says the ABSC is building a national network of ethical mattress recyclers, particularly in regional areas, but mattress recycling is high-cost

and low-return. Currently, a mattress cannot be 100 per cent recycled; physical dismantling achieves 70 per cent recovery and those materials have limited resale value. Shredding only recovers about 40 per cent – being the steel, with the floc (shredded foams and fabrics) going to landfill.

While the ABSC supports existing mattress recyclers in expanding their services to mattress retailers, councils, and consumers, it is also working on solutions for the recovered materials.

In 2023 the scheme conducted a study on mattress floc to identify potential uses as a feedstock for other products, and this research is continuing into 2024-25.

Another project involves designing a fully recyclable bed base. Made from recycled polypropylene, the bed will “click together” like building blocks and can be made into a single, double, or queen bed. It will be repairable, easily washed, and fully recyclable at the end of its life, making it a totally circular product.

The ABSC is also working with Remote OpShop Project to develop a fit-for-purpose mattress for First Nations people living in remote communities.

“What they have access to at the moment is not suited to the conditions they’re living in. We know we can do a better job to give them something that meets their needs,” Tracey says.

The First Nations project will start with consultation with communities.

The ABSC team is passionate about the project and see multiple benefits coming from this work.

As well as focusing on specific opportunities in the bedding industry, the ABSC’s Chief Executive Officer Kylie Roberts-Frost is committed to driving collaboration across product stewardship schemes, both in Australia and overseas, where there are opportunities to maximise funds,

knowledge and opportunities. Tracey says many of these schemes face similar problems, including getting the industry to recognise that more can be done to ensure full use of products before they reach the end of their life.

“Recycling alone won’t fi x the problem in moving to a circular economy. Australia needs to address product longevity at the point of design, as well as overconsumption.

“There’s a reluctance to reuse or refurbish due to perceived hygiene issues. For example, ‘comfort returns’, mattresses that are returned after a short trial period, cannot be sold as new items. While some are donated to charities, others end up with recyclers or in landfill, which is not a win for the environment,” she says.

“There is an increasing trend that we are seeing with mattresses presented for recycling that are not at end-of-life.”

The ABSC is planning to establish a program to check and appropriately clean these mattresses so they can be reused through social programs. One charity in Sydney alone is rehousing up to 80 women a week who are fleeing domestic violence.

“That’s 80 beds a week needed from one charity, in one city,” Tracey says.

“We’re passionate about diverting mattresses to people who need them.”

Mattresses were added to the Minister’s Priority List 2023-24 for the second year in a row. Tracey says scheme membership funds are crucial for the ABSC to drive product stewardship in this space.

“If we have limited funds it impacts what we can achieve in expanding the recycling network and supporting research to find solutions for problem materials,” she says.

But while the government says industry needs to take responsibility for its products, Tracey points out that the understanding of product stewardship is lagging in Australia. Cutting through will require education and recognition by the entire supply chain that it’s time to be responsible.

“Those people who design, manufacture, import and put a product on the market all have to be responsible,” she says. “It’s good for businesses and brands to take responsibility and talk about the good things they are doing for social and environmental reasons. They need to align their businesses to the future by putting strategies in place. Younger people care about sustainability and do their research before they purchase.”

For more information, visit: www.beddingstewardship.org.au Mattresses in landfill are an environmental disaster, taking up volume and causing subsidence or collapsing.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – MACHINERY

More power

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Liebherr’s expertise in high-performance machines has enabled it to diversify its product portfolio.

apid growth of the recycling industry and demand for efficient and sustainable solutions has motivated the development of new technology and specialist machines.

Leveraging its expertise in advanced technology and digitalisation, Liebherr provides a range of high-performance equipment tailored for waste disposal, scrap, and raw materials management.

The versatility and range of Liebherr wheel loaders has made them a preferred choice across waste management and recycling operations globally.

Image: Liebherr

XPOWER SERIES The XPower series is highly favoured, particularly in waste and recycling sectors in Australia and New Zealand. It’s here that the L 550 XPower and L 556 XPower come into their own.

Liebherr XPower sets new standards in terms of fuel efficiency, power, robustness and comfort and consists of six models: L 550, L 556, L 566, L 576, L 580 and L 586. Like all Liebherr wheel loaders in the XPower series, the L 550

XPower and L 556 XPower feature a power-split travel drive as standard. The power-split travel drive combines the hydrostatic drive, which is optimal for short loading cycles, with the mechanical drive, the advantages of which come to the fore when driving long distances and uphill. It works variably and adapts the blending ratio of the two drive paths automatically to suit the task at hand, ensuring maximum efficiency.

Low fuel consumption and maximum power delivery are the result, even if steep climbs or long paths need to be mastered in combination with short loading cycles.

The Liebherr L 550 XPower and L 556 XPower wheel loaders are suitable for demanding industrial applications such as waste disposal, handling paper, bulky scrap metal or refuse slag. They have reinforced kinematics, which provide a higher tipping capacity.

Powerful working hydraulics enable dynamic lifting and tilting functions, regardless of the size or weight of the attachment.

The L 507 E is Liebherr’s first battery-electric wheel loader.

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The machine operator can handle challenging materials such as scrap metal, paper, compost or logs, especially in the upper lifting range.

BATTERY-ELECTRIC LOADER Liebherr’s first battery-electric wheel loader, the L 507 E, combines the demonstrable advantages of a Liebherr Stereoloader with a battery-electric drive.

Its performance equals that of a conventionally powered Liebherr wheel loader in the same size class, but it emits no carbon dioxide onsite. In addition, noise emissions are kept to a minimum, making the new wheel loader suitable for any application where noise or exhaust fumes can be a concern.

Liebherr relies on a high voltage battery system – specially developed for L 507 E wheel loader applications – for powerful performance and efficient charging.

SMART ASSISTANCE Liebherr telescopic handlers are characterised by their versatility and high mobility, setting new standards in industrial use. The infinitely variable hydrostatic travel drive, robust overall structure and visibility ensure safe and comfortable operation.

Thanks to the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), fewer emissions are released during use compared to a machine powered by fossil diesel fuel. Entry or changeover barriers for customers is low because of the telehandlers’ compatibility with all engine components and the miscibility with fossil diesel – it’s even possible to

switch fuels during operation. The drive concept remains unchanged meaning there’s no loss of performance, no additional maintenance steps or extra technical training required. Maximum lifting power, precise control and smooth machine operation are also unchanged.

New EcoMotion and MultiMotion assistance functions act as efficiency boosters. EcoMotion offers increased convenience with load-free lowering of the telescopic arm without having to increase the speed of the diesel engine.

With MultiMotion, the telescopic arm is retracted automatically in proportion to the working movement during lowering. Direct, load-independent control of all functions using the multifunction joystick is still possible.

EFFICIENT GOODS HANDLING The Liebherr multi-tine grapple GMM 35-5 is designed to ensure the best grappling on mixed and shredded scrap, as well as chips with dimensions of up to 0.6 cubic metres.

It was developed with input from customers and is available for material handling machines with an operating mass of 22 to 35 tonnes.

Arrangement and shape of the shells has been improved to ensure penetration and a secure grip on bulky yet loose material. Three shell shapes are available: open shells for large and bulky scrap, semi-closed shells for medium-sized pieces, mixed materials and shear scrap, and closed, heart-shaped shells for small, fine-grained materials and chips.

DIGITAL SURROUND VIEW Liebherr has been developing and producing digital cameras for mobile machinery at its Lindau site for more than a decade. The digital camera systems are not only used in Liebherr machines but can be used across waste management, winter services and many more sectors as they are adapted to their demanding working conditions. Drivers can rely on the consistently high quality images, even in dark and changing light conditions, making their daily work easier and contributing to efficiency and accident prevention.

Different product variants are available. The 360-degree version combines front, rear and side area monitoring, giving operators a comfortable surround view of their working environment. They don’t only monitor driveways and operations from a bird’s eye view perspective but ensure timely recognition of obstacles and people.

The multicast function offers additional efficiency and convenience. Liebherr cameras simultaneously transmit identical video streams to multiple remote work stations.

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

23-24 October 2024

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

Waste Expo Australia is the ultimate gathering of waste management and resource recovery professionals in Australia, with a premium free-to-attend business-tobusiness conference and targeted networking events, hosted alongside an exhibition packed with over 100 local and international suppliers.

3,532+*

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION - COMPOSTING

Revolutionising composting

As the world grapples with the challenges of waste management and sustainable agriculture, Australia is turning to an age-old solution with a modern twist.

INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS MECBIO is a full-service provider for the recovery of organic and commercial and industrial waste, and plastics. It designs, builds, and services mechanical and biological waste recovery facilities converting wastes into new streams of use. The company also provides a range of sorting and processing lines and specialist recycling equipment.

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Images: MECBIO

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he process of recycling organic matter into nutrient-rich soil is not new to Australian farmers and gardeners. With the increasing awareness of environmental sustainability, and the need for efficient waste management, composting has become more than just a practice – it’s a statement of intent for a greener future.

In the context of Australia’s diverse climate and expansive agricultural sector, the adoption of self-propelled windrow turners is particularly advantageous, says Dean Dowie, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of MECBIO. These machines can operate in various conditions, from the arid outback to more temperate coastal regions, making them a versatile tool for Australian farmers.

The policy framework set by the National Waste Strategy to halve food waste by 2030 also provides an impetus for innovation and investment in composting technologies, including selfpropelled windrow turners.

SPM turners have a large trapezoidal tunnel and a strong, powerful rotor so they can work with windrows of every height, offering maximum aeration and composting quality.

MECBIO partners with global suppliers to assist Australian and New Zealand entities transition to the circular economy. One of those partnerships is with Menart, a Belgium-based company that specialises in the design and construction of composting and waste treatment equipment for the environment and agricultural sectors. One of Menart’s premier offerings is the SPM series of selfpropelled windrow turners.

EFFICIENCY AT ITS CORE Self-propelled windrow turners are used for large-scale composting. They are designed to handle large volumes of organic waste, turning and aerating windrows with precision and speed making the composting process run smoothly.

Dean says the robust construction and powerful engine ensure that even the most challenging materials are processed

SPM turners can work with all types of waste including green waste, manure, wastewater biosolids, poultry and more.

effectively. The SPM turner is equipped with powerful track clearers to improve traction grip. It can process huge windrows at high speed due to its large tunnel.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP SPM turners have been designed to optimise the aeration and mixing process: larger trapezoidal tunnel, powerful rotor

drum, no compacting effect, left-right crossing flow.

Dean says that by enhancing the composting process, self-propelled windrow turners play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The turning action introduces oxygen into the compost, accelerating the breakdown of organic matter and minimising the production of methane – a potent greenhouse gas.

USER-CENTRIC DESIGN Ease of use is a hallmark of the SPM turner unit. Models are equipped with ergonomic cabins, intuitive controls, and autopilot features, allowing operators to work with minimal strain and maximum productivity.

SPM turners can tilt forward or backward for ease and safe movement in slopes. The left and the right traction

(wheels or tracks) are independent and can adapt to the ground.

THE FUTURE OF COMPOSTING As the demand for sustainable waste management solutions grows, the selfpropelled windrow turner is poised to become integral to composting operations worldwide, Dean says.

“The combination of efficiency, environmental benefits, and user-centric design make it an indispensable tool for anyone serious about high-quality compost production,” he says.

“The self-propelled windrow turner is not just a piece of machinery, it’s a symbol of the composting industry’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and a greener future.”

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

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TRANSPORT

What waste goes where in the Top End T

The load of Australia’s waste is only growing, and for those dedicated to the task of keeping the country clean, exploring strategies for smarter waste and recycling management is more important than ever.

ransitioning to a circular economy is the theme at this year’s Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo (AWRE) at the Sydney International Convention Centre from 24-25 July.

VTG drivers enjoy being behind the wheel of an Isuzu.

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As a national platform, AWRE is attended by waste suppliers and equipment manufacturers such as Isuzu Australia, with the intention of showcasing how the collaboration between supplier and buyer can help drive a circular economy for a cleaner future.

VTG TEAMS UP WITH ISUZU While the concept of creating something new from something old is nothing new, in this day and age what materials can be recycled or reused is a much trickier prospect.

VTG Waste and Recycling is a specialist waste outfit based in the Northern Territory that is providing a range of recycling and environmentally conscious solutions for the population of the Top End. It offers services from commercial recycling and waste disposal through to handling hazardous waste, construction and manufacturing waste, medical and e-waste and more.

A key focus for VTG is helping other businesses solve their ‘too-hard’ waste problems.

“A lot of things get put in the toohard basket, particularly when it comes to environmental solutions. If there’s some sort of contamination, we love to help find the right fi x and provide the whole service, including collection and disposal,” says Managing Director James Prakash.

Operating in the environmental conditions of the Northern Territory presents a unique challenge for any business, and in the punishing game of waste and resource recovery, equipment and vehicles need to be rock solid.

This is a critical aspect of the design and manufacturing process of Isuzu product – to support local operations in Australia’s unique environmental conditions, such as those present in the Top End. As regular customers at CJD Isuzu in Darwin, VTG Waste and Recycling has been supported in its recent purchase of multiple Isuzu FYJ 300-350 8 x 4 trucks with Allison auto transmission, and a FVD 165-300, replacing several older trucks in its fleet.

The heavy-duty FYJs clock in with a GVM of 30,000 kilograms (28,000-kilograms on-road legal limit) and hefty GCM of 45,000 kilograms, which offers VTG a big payload. This translates to better overall efficiency for the business as fewer trips back to homebase are required.

The FYJ’s Meritor twin-steer front axle and load-sharing front suspension offers superior driveability and control. Hendrickson HAS461 airbag suspension at the rear further assists with load control.

The rugged 8 x 4 platform is also underpinned by Isuzu’s powerful sixcylinder 6UZ1-TCN engine which

The VTG team has come together from across the waste industry. Images: Isuzu

hits max power at 257 kW (350 PS) at 2000 rpm and offers 1422Nm of torque at 1400 rpm, meaning they have no concerns over the trucks’ capacity to pull large loads up hills.

The full fleet line-up is an impressive sight with each truck customised in a one-of-a-kind colour scheme known as “VTG Green”. They’ve become a cheerful and welcome sight on their rounds visiting customers about the Top End. “We find Isuzu is best suited to our environment and needs, particularly the tough conditions of the Top End where we have two seasons, wet and dry, and a whole lot of humidity to consider,” says James. “We currently have 14 Isuzu trucks and more on order for a strategic rollout as we expand. We will eventually be at the point where we run an exclusively Isuzu fleet.”

With the VTG team having come together from across the waste

industry, James says their goal is to create a community-minded business that treats its staff and clients with respect.

This includes not only disposing of waste in a sustainable and environmentally ethical way but also providing advice and guidance for those struggling to find the right methods and encouraging ways to implement green protocols.

Expanding the fleet with Isuzu Trucks is just one of the steps involved in VTG’s expansion plan, which will allow capacity for larger contracts supporting the recycling and sustainable waste needs of businesses and homes in the Northern Territory.

It’s also keen to keep its dedicated drivers, who enjoy even the smallest creature comforts during their rounds, happy behind the wheel.

“Isuzu trucks are reliable, easy to use, our drivers love them, and you know

they just keep going no matter what,” James says.

Isuzu Australia will be at the Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo, July 24-25 at stand C32.

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

VTG has recently updated its fleet with multiple Isuzu FYJ 300-350 8 x 4 trucks.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 45

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – EQUIPMENT

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Endless innovation A commitment to quality has united an Australian equipment supplier with one of Italy’s oldest manufacturing companies.

rom the outside, it may look like any other mixer. But the Beccaria vertical silo mixer has 70 years of engineering ingenuity behind it.

“We’re not the first to make a mixer, and from the outside it might look the same as others, but on the inside is something brand new,” says Davide Pagliero, Beccaria Sales Manager.

“The difference is how you listen to the customer, take your experience, and apply it to the machinery.”

It is this continual refinement of products that, Davide says, sets the Italian-based “old company” apart.

The Beccaria vertical silo mixer is popular in plastics recycling plants.

Images: BK Sales Australia

Big Bag loading and unloading structures have a range of optional accessories.

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With its roots in the agricultural field in the 1950s, Beccaria has evolved and adjusted its equipment to service other markets. As the world grapples with a rising tide of plastic waste, Beccaria products are increasingly in demand for raw material storage, dosing, mixing, cooling and final storage for plastic recycling.

In partnership with BK Sales Australia, Beccaria is now bringing its expertise Down Under.

“We see the Australian market, particularly in waste and recycling, as having high potential,” Davide says. “It’s an area where there is less mechanical production, but quality equipment is highly requested.”

BK Sales Australia prides itself on providing products and services that go above and beyond. It has served the recycling and flexible packaging industries for more than 30 years.

Robert Cobban, BK Sales Australia Director, says Beccaria products will sit well in Australia’s flourishing plastics recycling market because they are tailored to specific processing requirements.

Over the years Beccaria has developed various systems for mixing large batches with externally positioned equipment, Big Bag unloading and filling structures, screw conveyors and pneumatic conveyors suitable for short- and longdistance capacities, and internal and external storage systems.

Robert predicts the vertical mixing silo will be of particular interest. The mixer has capacities from 3500 up to 100,000 litres, for homogenising granular or powdered products. The flat-bottomed silos have special agitators for the storage

of light and low-flowing products, and there’s a range of devices for extraction and transport.

Big Bag loading and unloading structures have a range of optional accessories such as a shaking or vibrating system to help discharge non-free-flowing products, clean connection for dust detention, load cells to weigh products and a walking station around the loading station.

“I’ve seen this equipment installed at customer facilities, mainly the mixing silos, and they are all impressed with the quality,” Robert says.

That quality is not by accident.

Beccaria has maintained its reputation by maintaining control of its production process from design through to engineering, assembly and maintenance.

Davide says this control gives Beccaria two main advantages – it can customise everything it manufacturers and because of this, all spare parts, servicing and maintenance are available as required.

“As an old company, we decided always to focus our engineering and production on quality,” he says.

“We’re not a specialist in a single field but we are a company that has experience from a long history that we can bring to specific projects.”

All machines are certified to meet regulatory standards in the country of destination or for specific industry applications.

BK Sales Australia and Beccaria will be at the Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo at stand D52.

For more information, visit: www.bksalesaustralia.com

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – BALERS

Self-loading baler handles it all T

Developed specifically for retail, the AutoLoadBaler offers global markets a time-saving and sustainable solution for cardboard waste.

Now CEMAC technologies is bringing the equipment to Australia. the AutoLoadBaler offering up to 2000 hours labour savings for larger retailers.

“Strautmann’s innovative baling solutions are a quantum shift for labour reduction as proven over thousands of installations,” says Eric Paulsen, CEMAC technologies Managing Director.

“The AutoLoadBaler sets itself apart as a time-saving and safe cardboard baler by eliminating the manual loading of cardboard into the baler, eliminating the need for manual pre-crushing and

by further automating the press cycles.

This allows focus on revenue generating activities as opposed to dealing with cardboard at the back of store.

“The machine avoids repetitive lift and twist actions that can lead to physical strain and other occupational health and safety issues.”

Germany’s largest supermarket chain, EDEKA Ernst Markt is using the Strautmann AutoLoadBaler to save time, money, and space across its stores.

Images: Stratumann

here is a lot going on in retail.

Labels must be inserted, cash registers covered, and shelves stocked. The list is long. Time spent disposing of large quantities of cardboard waste also takes staff away from the most important element – customers.

The newly formed partnership between CEMAC technologies and Strautmann will focus on Strautmann’s game changing AutoLoadBaler and the fully automatic BaleTainer. Both solutions are unique in the market with

A filled cart is pushed into position at AutoLoadBaler.

48 / WMR / July 2024

Bruns is the manager of the EDEKA Bruns store in Friedrichshafn, near Oldenburg. Every year, the store disposes of 40 tonnes of cardboard packaging. What used to be done manually with a lot of time spent waiting at the bale press and a lot of running around is now done by the AutoLoadBaler.

In the past, cardboard packaging was collected on trolleys and employees walked long distances to a press container. The cardboard often fell off the trolleys on the way and had to be picked up again. Outside, the cardboard was thrown into the press container in all weather conditions.

Bruns says the AutoLoadBaler has three major advantages: short distances, clean aisles and, thanks to the automatic filling system, more time for highquality activities, such as putting away merchandise, providing advice and sales.

“The AutoLoadBaler solves the problems of cardboard disposal in one fell swoop: no more tearing the cardboard, the customer is not disturbed by cardboard scraps lying around, and we have a clean appearance,” he says.

“We want to take care of our customers, not our cardboard.”

Anja Seger, Deputy Store Manager of the Garching market, agrees one of the biggest disruptions was the numerous walks to the previous press located in the external warehouse. It was not uncommon to lose five-to-ten minutes each time.

The AutoLoadBaler is positioned in the warehouse, which not only shortens walking distances, but the associated collection carts have a larger filling volume, so there is room for more cardboard boxes.

The collection cart itself is pushed into the machine in a matter of seconds. A push of a button and the baler does the rest. No refilling, no manual re pressing.

A cart being filled on the shop floor, no pre-crushing needed.

Floor and storage space are also important in the food retail industry.

Thomas Kowalski, Managing Director of EDEKA Kowalski in Gersthofen, was at first sceptical as to whether the semiautomatic baler would fit into the small existing storage space. However, the AutoLoadBaler is designed for in-house recycling and requires less than five square metres, so it can fit into even the smallest of rooms.

It was also important to be able to sell the recyclable cardboard material in a compact bale form that recyclers can use without having to re-process.

“It wasn’t just the off take of the material that was important to me, but also the idea of sustainability,” Thomas says. “The 400-kilogram bales generate high profits and can then be recycled and reused.”

Thomas says machines made by Strautmann enjoy their reputation.

The presses are of high quality, easy to operate and durable.

“Quality and functionality are important. With Strautmann machines, that’s exactly what I get. Since using

the AutoLoadBaler, employees have had more time for important tasks,” he says.

Eric says the partnership with CEMAC technologies enables Australian and New Zealand customers to have access and full support of the technologies.

He sees Strautmann balers benefitting supermarket, retail or distribution centres that handle cardboard, helping save labour costs and improving working conditions.

The user-friendly interface and automatic operation require minimal training, which means large businesses with high staff numbers and rotating shifts can continue to operate the machine safely and efficiently with little supervision.

CEMAC technologies will have suitable stock levels to meet the expected growing market demand. As with all CEMAC technologies machinery, training and after sales service, as well as spare parts, is available.

For more information, visit: www.cemactech.com www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 49

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – ORGANICS

Contamination zone

There is a great deal of good to come from the introduction of food organics, garden organics (FOGO) but it’s not without responsibility and accountability for everyone.

T

he transition taking place to Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) at the local government level is not without challenges.

Broadly, this transition is important for many reasons, most notable is that any diversion of organics away from landfill is of significant benefit to the environment.

In 2021-22, the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) Capacity of the Australian Organics Recycling Industry report indicated that Australia had an organics recycling rate of 52.3 per cent, equivalent to 7739 kilotons of organic material being processed and, equally important, diverted away from landfill.

This rate of organic recycling has been increasing by 2.4 per cent year-on-year over the past decade; a commendable achievement, says John McKew, AORA National Executive Officer.

In addition to the important economic contributions of the Australian organics recycling industry, the total estimated greenhouse gas emissions savings from organic recycling of materials in Australia in 2021-22 is about 3.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to planting 5.8 million trees or taking 902,311 cars off the road to achieve the same savings.

John says a greater level of organic recycling through the introduction of FOGO is a good thing for the environment, but there are caveats.

The rate of contamination (nonorganic material in the FOGO feedstock stream) is an ongoing concern. Removing this contamination is difficult and costly for organics processors and it is impossible to achieve complete removal.

50 / WMR / July 2024

“Removal of contamination from FOGO at an organics processing facility is largely a manual process, requiring people standing at a conveyor belt picking contamination out of a steady stream of materials moving past them,” John says.

“We are not at the stage of machines or Artificial Intelligence (AI) being able to do this – yet. The human eye is still the best detector of visible contamination.”

He says that until there is a shared understanding and responsibility for contamination, there will continue to be problems. And by shared, he means households, councils, collection, organic processors, governments and their regulators.

“Contamination is not the problem of organic processors alone and nor is the solution,” he says.

“If we cannot collectively work to solve the contamination problem, the problem could easily become one where there is no other solution but to send it back to landfill and the environment continues to suffer from increasing greenhouse gases.

“Surely we can do better than that?”

The other caveat of note is the products produced from the organics processing sector – compost, mulches and soil conditioners. These products are important as this is the commercial component of the Australian recycling industry – how the money is made – which allows these businesses to continue to operate, employ, invest and pay taxes (the economic contribution alluded to earlier).

These products are also increasingly important inputs to Australia’s agriculture, horticulture and viticulture sectors.

John says mulch production is particularly difficult from contaminated feedstocks. The products from organic recycling increasingly help to grow the food Australia needs and, not surprisingly, these producers want high-quality compost, mulches and soil conditioners to ensure production of quality products that they can sell.

Let’s say goodnight to unsustainable bedding.

Mattresses need urgent action - added to the Ministers’ Priority List for the second year in a row in 2023-24.

The ABSC is working on:

New solutions for end-of-life mattress materials.

Supporting mattress recyclers to expand services to retailers, councils and consumers.

Become an ABSC approved recycler or help support the scheme today.

beddingstewardship.org.au

For more information, visit: www.aora.org.au Organic recycling in Australia has increased year-on-year over the past decade. Image: Luigi Bertello/ shutterstock.com

Product design for easier dismantling and recycling, using recyclable materials.

Approximately 1.8 million mattresses are disposed of in Australia each year.

Laid end-to-end, they would stretch from Darwin to Hobart.

Australian Bedding Stewardship Council Limited. Phone 02 8076 9325.

WASTE EXPO AUSTRALIA

Reimagining waste W

Waste Expo Australia 2024 will be the launching pad for new ideas and breakthrough products.

aste Expo Australia has always provided a platform dedicated to advancing best practices in waste management.

It’s the go-to event for industry stakeholders and decision-makers who want to transform materials, increase recovery, and reduce landfill waste.

The 2024 event, to be held in Melbourne on 23-24 October, is raising the bar and will be the launching pad of breakthrough technology set to revolutionise the food industry and reuse system.

Jeff Lang, Managing Director of Agentel, a company specialising in commercialising new Australian technologies, describes the expo as “the most profound show in Australia in relation to waste management”.

“We’ve been to these expos the past few years and knew this was the show we need to be in when we were ready to showcase our tech,” he says.

This year, they’re ready.

Jeff will unveil new technology that mills waste materials into a fine powder.

What makes the Vortek different from anything else on the market is that it uses an air vortex to break material down at an atomic level instead of mechanical blade shearing.

Trials so far have been successful on plant-based waste, glass, and rubber. Jeff says they’ve just begun to scratch the surface of the technology’s benefits for the commercial food industry.

“If you look overall at plant-based food coming off the farm, more than 50 per cent of what is grown never sees the consumer – it’s all going to waste,”

Join Waste Expo Australia for two full days of free education.

Images: Reed Exhibitions

Jeff says. “We’re looking at how we can redefine waste reduction protocols. Can we turn it into a viable commodity?

When you mill these materials back into a super fine powder, it opens opportunities for what previously was a waste material.

“We’re all realising the importance of waste reduction, but it can sometimes be put in the too hard basket. We’re putting our hand up; we have the technology.”

Jeff says Vortek is commercially viable, and he’s keen to test the market at Waste Expo Australia. The cross-section of attendees, from councils to bigger players in the packaging sector, makes it an ideal proving ground.

Brent Murray, Strategic Account Manager for TOMRA Collection, agrees that the culmination of key industry partners and those in the emerging circular economy is a key attraction for many exhibitors.

Previously, TOMRA demonstrated its small-format reverse vending machine

at Waste Expo; it’s now been rolled out in Container Deposit Schemes across Australia.

This year, the company will showcase what Brent describes as a game changer in the circular economy.

TOMRA Collection deployed the world’s first city-wide reuse system in Denmark early in 2024 and will bring the technology to Waste Expo to gauge domestic interest.

“It will showcase how a larger-scale reuse system could operate in the right legislative conditions,” Brent says.

“We’re hoping for some positive feedback and heightened engagement in our service offering.”

It’s positive feedback that has put Waste Expo firmly on Scott Russ’s radar.

The recently appointed Acting General Manager of Sales and Marketing for Wastech Engineering, says Waste Expo has always been a premier event for the company because of the calibre

of suppliers demonstrating their product range. This year, Wastech is going bigger to provide an overview of the solutions and technologies it can offer the industry. All of the Wastech team will also be at the expo to ensure engagement.

“That’s one of the things about Waste Expo. There are good discussions to be had. People want to talk and understand the products,” Scott says.

“We had quite a few inquiries about new technology last year that we’ve taken on board. It helps us consider other products and solutions we might need to represent to assist the market.

“One of the key things that we’re really focusing on is being the leading provider of solutions for Australia’s waste and recycling sectors. So, if we have to take on other products that support the market, then we will.”

Waste Expo is a free event co-located with All Energy Australia at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The two-day event will feature hundreds of exhibitors, products, and services.

You will also hear from leading voices in the industry with a complete

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

One of the key attractions of Waste Expo Australia is engaging in meaningful conversations with peers.

The first electric compact Wheel loader in Australia

ELECTRIFY YOUR PERFORMANCE The Volvo L25 Electric delivers all the performance you would expect from a wheel loader in this size class, but with less noise and zero emissions. The integrated onboard charger allows the machine to charge from 0 to 100% in under 6 hours. Fast charging solutions are also available for both indoor and outdoor use.

WHY CHOOSE THE VOLVO L25 ELECTRIC? Zero exhaust emissions from use Significantly lower noise levels Reduced energy costs Premium warranty coverage

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CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH FOR MORE INFORMATION 52 / WMR / July 2024

conference program of tailored content across four stages. The expo is held in conjunction with the 2024 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards.

CJD.COM.AU | 1300 139 804

Celebrating 50 years 1974-2024

WASTE 2024 CONFERENCE

Innovate. Motivate.

Educate For three days, Coffs Harbour was the epicentre of the waste management industry, hosting Waste 2024.

M

ore than 700 people streamed into Opal Cove Resort.

Exhibitors made the most of networking opportunities, talking with potential clients and catching up with old friends.

Costa Georgiadis, the host of ABC’s Gardening Australia, opened with a challenge, urging attendees to redefine their relationship with waste.

“We are the diapers of directionless design,” Costa says. “We’ve been granted the right to mop up and wipe up the backsides of poor design.

“But it’s only when we shift the relationship with waste that we can start to develop systems to become circular.”

The themes of collaboration and community were strengthened by Fiona Glenn, General Manager of the Sebastian Foundation, which is tackling textile waste while giving young Australians the resilience to grow and be their best.

Through a partnership with E-Thread, a circular economy fashion recycling program, the Sebastian Foundation is preventing landfill and using the proceeds to fund community youth mental health programs.

“It helps councils deal with waste while supporting mental health programs,” Fiona says. “It supports sustainable, generational change.”

Generational change is also what’s needed to permanently reduce total waste generated nationwide. Leanne Wiseman is an Australian Research Council (ARC) 54 / WMR / July 2024

Thought-provoking panel sessions were well attended. Image: Impact Environmental

Future Fellow and a Professor of Law at Griffith University.

She said the expansion of the right to repair movement over the past 10 years has reinforced repair and repurpose as part of waste prevention.

“Repair is a first responder for electronics, appliances, machines, and equipment,” she said. “The ability to repair extends the lifespan of products, saves money, opens service and repair markets, reduces waste and the need for new resources.”

She pointed out that Australia is behind many jurisdictions across the globe when it comes to legislating for repairability.

Circularity was the key word on the second day of the conference – from how the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) is transitioning to a circular economy to the need for a national infrastructure plan and what the data is telling us. Anne Prince, the

Director of APC Waste Consultants, is a veteran of the industry and has led the delivery of more than 1000 projects for APC over 25 years.

“Data provides the foundation for evidence-based decision-making that underpins and informs public policy and planning,” Prince said. “It tells us where we are, what we got right, and where to focus our future endeavours. Data is critical to making the right decisions.”

The story of what Australia is discarding in landfills makes for some sobering thoughts. The overall commercial and industrial recycling rate for 2021-22 was 49 per cent, with a target of 80 per cent by 2030.

Tony Chappel, Chief Executive Officer of NSW EPA has played a critical role in delivering the EPA’s Climate Change Policy and Action Plan and is committed to working collaboratively with each sector to reduce emissions while driving new opportunities.

He said the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy would guide the state’s transition to a circular economy over the next 20 years. This transition is vital for the NSW Government to meet its climate change commitments of a 50 per cent reduction in emissions on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

Joan Prummel, the International Circular Economy Advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, is no stranger to accelerating circular economy initiatives.

He was involved in implementing a circular economy in the daily operations of the Dutch national government since 2010, and later became the first category manager for waste management contracts for the government.

He said there is an urgent need to reduce the impact of human activities on the planet through sustainable material use and circular economy practices.

“We need to acknowledge and act on the importance of designing products with recycled materials, reducing waste through extended producer responsibility, and promoting recycling and separation of materials.”

Bronwyn Voyce agreed. The founder of Civic Futures Lab, an impact lab for government, ASX, and SME leaders seeking to address climate risk and accelerate the transition to a circular economy, said business as usual is the enemy of sustainability and circularity.

“Throwing money at the problem will not necessarily solve it, so we must look at it differently. We need a bipartisan approach to this national strategy.”

Encouraging local communities to join the journey will also play a big role, said Alexandra Geddes, Executive Director of Programs and Innovation at NSW EPA. Delivering the keynote address on the final day of the conference, Alexandra said NSW EPA had established programs designed to help the community learn how to dispose of waste and allow the government to partner with industry, councils, and stakeholders as the waste and resource recovery sector evolves.

As attendees started to make their way home, the founder of what has grown to be a beacon of industry excellence quietly handed the mantle over to his son, Thomas Freeman.

Greg Freeman didn’t want to make a fuss as he announced this was his last Waste Conference as Convenor, but his legacy resonates.

“It’s been terrific,” Greg said reflecting on the past 28 years. “It started out as a family occasion, and I think that’s the way to finish.”

For more information, visit: www.coff swasteconference.com.au

AUSTRALASIAN WASTE AND RECYCLING EXPO

Think outside the box The Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo (AWRE) will provide a speciality platform for the latest packaging innovations when it returns to Sydney in July.

L

ike any waste stream, the packaging industry faces several key challenges.

One is ensuring that everyone follows the same harmonised design standards, which helps eliminate waste at the start of the new product development process.

Nerida Kelton, Executive Director of the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and Vice President of Sustainability and Save Food, World Packaging Organisation (WPO), says it’s also important that packaging designers and technologists understand the end of life for their materials and packaging types according to kerbside collection and Materials Recovery Facilities capabilities within Australia.

“The AIP believes that all packaging should be designed for circularity to ensure that virgin materials are used less, materials already in the market are used as many times as possible, the materials are seen as a valuable resource, and we have available end markets,” Nerida says.

Several steps need to be taken to achieve a circular economy for packaging.

It’s not just for the exhibits that people from the industry flock to AWRE, but also the seminars, workshops, and presentations.

Image: Diversified Communications

56 / WMR / July 2024

One is designing out waste at the start of the process by ensuring packaging is recycle-ready. The industry also needs to work to eliminate chemicals of concern while reducing the use of virgin materials as much as possible.

“The objective is to keep all packaging out of landfill,” Nerida says. “We want to keep it out of waterways and the environment, to ensure that we stay within our planetary boundaries.”

She says that this year’s AWRE theme, Transitioning to a Circular Economy, is an ideal platform for AIP to help visitors find new packaging opportunities.

WHAT IS THE INDUSTRY DOING? Under the WPO and AIP, much of the packaging industry is already working hard to redesign packaging for a lower environmental impact.

“Since the 2025 National Packaging Targets were established, we have seen some very innovative and intuitive sustainable packaging placed on the market,” Nerida says. “Through the AIP education and training programs, the

institute works with all sized brands to embed the 10 Sustainable Packaging Design Guidelines into their business.

The changes are evident yearly through the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards program that the AIP co-ordinates for the industry in Australia and New Zealand. The shifts are also seen globally through the WorldStar Packaging Awards, co-ordinated by the World Packaging Organisation, with PIDA winners sitting in the top three innovative countries in the world for the past four years.”

The AIP is a non-profit educational institute that has served the industry for more than 60 years. The institute covers Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, and its single purpose is to train everyone who works in and around packaging to design better packaging that is fit for purpose, functional, and offers the lowest environmental impact.

“The AIP educational portfolio is open for everyone in the industry,” says Nerida. “It is not just members, as it is important that everyone can fill their knowledge gaps in all packaging areas.

The AIP has developed successful training programs designed for SMEs so that they can learn about the 2025 National Packaging Targets, how to embed the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) on all packaging and how to use the 10 principles for Sustainable Packaging Design in any sized business.”

AT AWRE The AIP is sponsoring a pavilion at AWRE and welcomes other packaging companies to join it. Nerida believes this

is a fantastic opportunity for the industry to collaborate more with government agencies, councils, resource recovery, waste, and recycling businesses.

“We need to come together more often to learn from each other and to collaborate on achieving a circular economy for packaging in Australia.”

During AWRE, the AIP will also offer two packaging sessions and one minitraining course.

On July 24, the AIP will host a packaging session on how to meet global and regional packaging design standards.

The session will guide attendees on how to design their packaging to consider the implications of the upcoming Federal Government-mandated National Packaging Design Standards, the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations, and the Sustainable Packaging Design Guidelines.

It will also use global design guides that are intuitive and easy to use, such as the WPO Global Packaging Design for Recycling Guide.

The second packaging session will take place on July 25, focusing on the future growth of the Australasian Recycling Labelling Program. More than 500,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) across Australia and New Zealand use Australasian Recycling labelling on their packaging. This session will discuss the changes and updates to the ARL program, the ARL Marketplace, and consumer insights into the ARL program.

It will be a panel discussion with several experts in the ARL program.

The mini-training course, on July 25, will educate attendees on the value of embedding ARL on packaging. Nerida says if brands moved to incorporate the ARL on all packaging across Australia

and New Zealand, it would increase the chance to improve the recovery of recyclable materials and reduce contamination in the waste stream.

THE FUTURE OF AIP The AIP aims to continue to be the peak professional body for packaging training and education.

“When the mandated National Packaging Design Standards are finalised, I suspect there will be an even greater need for the AIP to help the industry design better packaging that is fit for purpose, functional, and offers the lowest environmental impact,” says Nerida.

“The AIP education team is always available to help guide anyone who needs assistance.”

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

WASTE & RECYCLING EQUIPMENT IN ACTION EXPO

Equipped for action

Trade shows are great, but when it comes to seeing equipment, we rarely get to see how they work. A new expo for the waste industry is looking to turn that paradigm upside down.

Attendees will be able to see enormous machines in action.

Image: Impact Environmental.

I

mpact Environmental, behind the annual Coffs Waste Conference, will soon be the caretaker of the Waste & Recycling Equipment in Action Expo.

Thomas Freeman, the Managing Director at Impact Environmental, has been part of this family-owned company for more than ten years and understands what it’s like to be at the industry’s coalface.

“In 2007, I started in the industry as a general labourer, trying to save money for a European trip,” Thomas says. “When I got back, I knew I needed a sheet of paper, so I went and got an engineering degree. The foundation, however, has stayed with me; it showed me what it is like to be a hands-on person.”

Thomas points to his original start, which gave him insights into the challenges of the industry.

“There are not a lot of people like me who have been up to their elbows in fresh FOGO waste for weeks on end,” he says.

Thomas believes the waste management industry is more of a sociology than a science. In his mind, this

58 / WMR / July 2024

is because the industry is unlike others, in that it is constantly changing.

“I’ve been to different conferences for other industries, and a lot of things remain the same year on year,” he says. “However, when going to a waste conference, there are many different things happening … there is always something new for people to present.”

HISTORY OF EXCELLENT EVENTS The Coffs Waste Conference has long been Impact Environmental’s flagship event. It does an excellent job of getting people away from the hustle and bustle of city environments and from laptops and other distractions. It is a chance to learn, network, recharge and re-emerge with new ideas and connections.

“The reality is that no one person knows everything. Knowing who to ask or who can help you answer a question is so important,” Thomas says. “Sometimes, it can be your colleagues, but it can also be people you meet at these events.

“And it’s not just for those flying in from the major cities around Australia.

It’s vital for regional councils, particularly those west of the Dividing Range. They are so far apart, and it’s not easy for them to catch up regularly.”

A NEW EVENT The Waste & Recycling Equipment in Action Expo has been developed in response to demand from suppliers and industry professionals seeking to demonstrate large-scale machinery and equipment in action in an outdoor environment.

“It’s a great opportunity to show off machinery and see how it works. It’s

extremely hard, if not impossible, to do this inside an exhibition hall,” Thomas says. “Rather than have everyone trek across the countryside to small demonstration events, we thought it would be far more efficient to bring everyone to one place.

“This will be the first live demonstration expo for the waste and recycling industry in Australia. Attendees will be able to see the equipment in action because we want the machines to make noise and handle the waste.”

Uniquely tailored to the waste and recycling industry, the Expo will combine live ‘in action’ demonstrations and hands-on displays showcasing the latest in equipment and technology and innovative solutions for the future.

“It’s going to be a great spectacle for all the attendees,” Thomas says.

THE OPPORTUNITIES A range of exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are still available for those seeking to showcase their equipment.

As well as outdoor displays there will be an indoor exhibition area.

“We also have sponsorship opportunities for those that want to extend the benefits of their involvement in the Equipment in Action Expo,” Thomas says. “There are still packages for everyone, from our Major and Gold sponsors down to those seeking to advertise in our official trade guide. All of these opportunities provide additional exposure to businesses wanting to get in front of key industry decision-makers.”

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

The journey to zero landfill starts here The City of Gold Coast is working on a plan to end our reliance on landfill. The Advanced Resource Recovery Centre aims to reuse, recycle and recover waste and generate energy from what’s left.

For more information, visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/arrc

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

WASTECH, PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE

Maintaining commercial equipment is crucial to minimise downtime, achieve optimal performance and reduce breakdown costs.

A service agreement with Wastech Engineering means specialist service technicians and the Wastech scheduling team work to complete preventative maintenance around a customer’s operational program.

Site specific maintenance schedules are designed based on equipment type, material type and volume of material processed.

Skilled technicians conduct regular inspections to identify and address potential issues before they arise.

This minimises the risk of an unexpected breakdown, and the cost of potential repairs can be budgeted for in advance.

A Preventative Maintenance Agreement includes travel to and from site; site induction for compliance and safety purposes (up to 15 minutes), complete risk assessment for equipment and work area, and inspection of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic components, and more.

All moving points will be lubricated as per the manufacturer’s guidelines and minor limit switches adjusted as required. An electronic service and compliance report will be provided for each asset.

Preventative maintenance customers receive priority

xxx

Image: Wastech Engineering

response for any unforeseen breakdown or repair works with dedicated customer service, scheduling, and field service teams available 24/7.

The Preventative Maintenance Service covers all products including compactors, balers, shredders, hook lifts, bin lifters, transfer trailers, chute systems, and other equipment for resource and recovery facilities, ensuring comprehensive coverage for all major equipment types used in waste management operations.

Contact - Wastech Engineering P 1800 465 465 E info@wastech.com.au W www.wastech.com.au

GCM ENVIRO, GREMAC E2+ MOBILE DRUM SCREEN The Gremac E2+ Trommel Screen is a compact machine that brings big results – processing up to 75 cubic metres per hour.

With a maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes the E2+ is small enough to be towed behind a 4WD or ute, making it easily transportable from one worksite to another.

Powered by a strong electric motor (optionally available with petrol or diesel generator), with durable galvanised frame and guides the E2+ is suitable for a range of materials such as soil, sand, gravel, stones, green waste, wood chips, compost, recycled materials, construction and demolition and glass.

The Gremac E2+ allows for interchangeable screens and is suitable with mesh sizes from 10-100-millimetres. A one-piece fines discharge conveyor means no loss of materials.

Maintenance-friendly, with a larger door so the drum, lower belt and cross belt are easily accessible the E2+ is very user friendly.

The Gremac E2+ Trommel Screen.

Image: GCM Enviro

Contact - GCM Enviro

P +61 2 9457 9399 E sales@gcmenviro.com.au W www.gcmenviro.com

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31.05.2024 10:36

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

KOMATSU, WA475-10 WHEEL LOADER

Experience efficiency and durability with Komatsu’s WA475-10 Wheel Loader, ideal for waste handling applications. Boasting a powerful SAA6D125E-7 engine, this loader delivers on performance while meeting stringent emissions standards. The strong frame and durable components ensure longevity in harsh waste-handling environments, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Plus, it’s not just strong – it’s smart too. The Komatsu SmartLoader Logic system enhances bucket movements for faster cycles and reduced fuel consumption.

Safety? Covered. A rear view camera and enhanced cab visibility ensure operator confidence and accident prevention.

Komatsu’s commitment to environmental sustainability shines through in the WA475-10, with its fuel-efficient engine and advanced emission control technologies.

Komatsu WA475-10 Wheel Loader.

Image: Komatsu

The reliability and performance of the Komatsu WA475-10 Wheel Loader will transform waste management operations.

Contact - Komatsu

P 1300 566 287 W www.komatsu.com.au

CEMAC, STRAUTMANN AUTOLOADBALER Efficient waste management is crucial for optimising operations and reducing costs in supermarkets and distribution centres.

Strautmann’s AutoLoadBaler offers a gamechanging solution for these settings, delivering labour and time savings while enhancing occupational health and safety (OH&S) measures.

The vertical baler is engineered to reduce the time and effort spent on waste handling. The mobile cart can be filled on the retail floor and transported to the AutoLoadBaler, with no further handling of waste by employees required.

With no need for pre-crushing and an automated bale ejection feature, the machine eliminates the need for manual intervention during the baling process. This not only expedites the process but also minimises the physical exertion required, reducing the risk of strain-related injuries and improving overall workplace safety.

The vertical compression system of the baler maximises space use, making it suitable for facilities where floor space is limited while the compact design allows it to be integrated into existing work flows.

The baler’s user-friendly interface and intuitive operation require minimal training. This simplicity not only reduces training costs but also empowers staff to take ownership of waste management processes.

Compacting recyclable materials into dense 62 / WMR / July 2024

bales facilitates easier recycling and waste disposal, contributing to a greener supply chain and reducing carbon emissions associated with waste transportation.

Strautmann’s AutoLoadBaler is designed to reduce time and effort spent on waste handling.

Image: CEMAC technologies

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LAST WORD

Is the cloud clearing?

Shannon Mead, Executive Director, No More Butts, considers the progress made on vaping reforms in the past year and asks, is it enough?

Despite recent bans on vapes there is no slowdown in litter or landfill rates. Image: SVETOV DMITRII / shutterstock.com

W

ith reports suggesting that Australia imports more than 90 million vapes annually and our own calculations showing that at least one million vapes were being landfilled each week, No More Butts has been advocating for governments to address vape waste for two-and-a-half years. Despite the recent bans, we haven’t seen a slowdown in litter or landfill rates. Worryingly, we have seen a steady

increase in fires caused by lithiumion batteries (such as those found in vapes) in bins, trucks, and facilities across Australia.

AREN’T VAPES BANNED? Just over a year ago, the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler announced that he would take action on vaping. After legislation was passed in late 2023, from 1 January 2024, all

single-use disposable vapes were banned for import. On 1 March, a ban on all other vapes followed, unless they had an import licence and a permit.

However, as vapes weren’t illegal to import or sell (unless they were known, or found, to contain nicotine), vape stores have remained open and able to continue to sell – what they are marketing as – non-nicotine vapes.

There has been further consultation www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 65

LAST WORD

this year and there is now legislation being debated that proposes to ban the production and sale (as well as importation) of all vaping devices, except those available at a pharmacy to people holding a valid prescription, which must be obtained from a licensed medical professional.

There are some individuals, associations and parties that are hoping nicotine vapes instead become regulated, meaning that they would be available for sale at tobacconists and supermarkets, just like cigarettes.

Regardless of the outcome, it’s our opinion that we will continue to see tens of millions of vapes consumed and disposed of each year in Australia and we need an effective disposal scheme.

CURRENT DISPOSAL OPTIONS For years, there has been confusion on what to do with vapes. Some information was directing consumers to drop their used vapes into a B-cycle bin, but this was not an option, due to contamination and funding. Some councils were collecting vapes, but many were unsure how to dispose of them.

The situation has slightly improved, but Australia still lacks a funded, nationally co-ordinated disposal scheme.

On-demand service RecycleSmart includes vapes in the cost of its collections and reports that it collects vapes from many customers across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Users of RecycleSmart across 16 partner councils in New South Wales can include vapes in their limited free collections each year.

Customers are encouraged to separate vapes and other e-waste from anything else being recycled to help them sort things correctly.

RecycleSmart is bridging the gap between recyclers and consumers and is working with e-waste recycler Ecocycle on solutions. Recovering the nicotine liquids is not currently 66 / WMR / July 2024

possible, but they are destroyed with the byproducts driven off through carbon filtration in a pre-distillation process. Ecocycle also pre-treats liquids and salts through thermal distillation under vacuum. These treated vapes then go through a mechanical mill with a series of separation processes that separate ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastic, mixed metal dust and any other rubbish.

Building on existing work, Perth Chemical Specialists (PCS) is involved in a study looking at the amount of vapes collected, including the type, as well as material composition.

The Western Australia Waste Authority is funding this study, with the City of Stirling hosting the collection.

The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) is administering the program and electrical contractor PCS is dismantling the vapes.

Reece Russell, from PCS, notes that the method of dismantling and sending the toxic components for energy recovery is labour intensive but significantly mitigates environmental risks from nicotine contaminated wastewater.

There are solutions being promoted by other battery recycling companies, including those that manage bulk disposal. The hope is that these solutions can be stylised to fit the demands of the market.

But should councils, schools and businesses be expected to pay for the waste created by the vaping industry?

VOLUNTARY, OR MANDATORY? The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) (which runs the voluntary B-cycle battery recycling program) has written a white paper outlining the opportunity to extend the scope of the program.

It notes that funding will be required to include new products such as vapes, as there is simply no way to collect levies

from the producers, unlike legitimate importers and distributors. Six months later, there has been no response shared.

The National Battery Strategy paper that was released in May 2024 doesn’t even mention vaping devices.

No More Butts earlier called for vapes to be included in the proposed Federal Government scheme for Small Electrical and Electronic Equipment (SEEE) and Solar Photovoltaics (PV). The Total Environment Centre (TEC) also made a submission to this effect, believing that the scheme will need to be sufficiently funded to cover orphan products, being those products created prior to the emergence of the scheme, or entering the market through the underground economy without contribution to the scheme, such as vapes.

According to Mark Zihrul from TEC, the longer we delay implementing a mandatory product stewardship scheme covering all e-waste, including vapes and batteries, the greater the cost will be to cover the waste arising from this ever-increasing cohort of waste.

Other groups and associations have called for a refund program, or a deposit scheme, in line with our own call two years ago. However, if the legislation being debated currently gets passed, there won’t be many retailers or a mechanism to charge a levy.

Without a legal importation channel, or retail footprint, a disposal scheme requires funding from the government.

This funding could come from a portion of penalties for intercepted vapes, or from tobacco excise and duties.

We also need the implementation of a return scheme (including a levy), with drop-off points at all pharmacies nationwide, in preparation for the expected foot traffic in the coming months, assuming the legislation passes.

No matter how it is funded, the cost of inaction is destined to be more than the cost of taking action now.

Living with Purpose: Series 2 N o w Live!

Get ready to dive even deeper into the circular economy with the second series of Living with Purpose!

Our research uncovered that 88% of Victorians don't know enough about how recycling is conducted.

That's why Living with Purpose, hosted by Jamie Durie and developed by Repurpose It, is here to educate and inspire. Join over 3 million Australians who have already discovered the series. This year's series will both inform and inspire families, schools, and businesses to actively participate in the circular economy. Don't miss out-watch the new series now and start making a difference today.

Watch the series at: www.repurposeit.com.au

REPURPOSE IT.

Waste Management Review 2024 | JULY | ISSUE 86

20 million reasons why we’re making a difference We recycle almost 20 million used tyres from across Australia each year. Whether helping industries reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, or creating more sustainable roads and surfaces, our products are having a positive impact on our world daily.

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To learn more scan the QR code or visit tyrecycle.com.au