Waste Management Review October 2020

OCTOBER 2020

Data drives behaviour Albury City Council’s Andrea Baldwin explains an on-demand waste management journey.

FEATURES Expanding the NTCRS Recycling symbol confusion The social side of CDS Eyes on illegal dumping

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COVER STORY

14

DATA DRIVES WASTE AT THE BORDER

Andrea Baldwin of Albury City Council outlines how Mandalay Technologies’ Resident Product Suite is set to unlock sustainable resource recovery growth and regional collaboration.

26

RE-VITALISING COMMUNITIES Waste Management Review speaks with Return and Earn charity and community return point operators about collective community action and the social side of CDS.

“MANDALAY OFFER A LOT OF HIGH-LEVEL REPORTING CAPABILITIES, SO IT GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THAT SYSTEM AND GET STRONG DATA OUT OF IT TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WHAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE,” - Andrea Baldwin, Albury City Council Resource Recovery Team Leader.

In this issue

Features

18 NTCRS EXPANSION

32 POLYSTAR PLASTICS

Following the release of the Federal Government’s Product Stewardship Act Review, Waste Management Review speaks with industry stakeholders about expanding the NTCRS and boosting e-waste recovery.

Port Plastics is committed to boosting regional processing capacity and eliminating landfill, with help from Applied Machinery.

23 RECYCLING SYMBOL

Jamie Marslen, Founder of Gippsland Soil Solutions, shares how efficient machinery has leveraged the company’s unique organic recycling system.

Waste Management Review explores consumer confusion and the need for recycling label consistency.

30

TWO YEARS OF CDS

On the eve of Containers for Change’s second birthday, Ken Noye, COEX CEO, looks back on the scheme’s achievements.

34 RICH SOIL

36 ERSKINE EXPANSION

Tyrecycle is gearing up for a purpose-built multimillion dollar rubber crumb manufacturing plant in Sydney.

FOR 38 LESSONS AUSTRALIA

AORA believes that Four Corners’ recent Plastic Wars program contains valuable lessons for Australia in better managing its waste and recycling.

48 METRO CLEAN UP

To capitalise on the rapidly growing waste sector, Metro Waste is utilising a hearty fleet of Isuzu waste trucks.

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48 P RODUCT SHOWCASE 61 LAST WORD

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PUBLISHER

Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Melanie Stark melanie.stark@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

From the Editor

The problem with plastic

Holly Keys holly.keys@primecreative.com.au

JOURNALIST

Brittany Coles brittany.coles@primecreative.com.au

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

ART DIRECTOR

As the waste and resource recovery sector gears up for the Council of Australian Government’s export ban, one material stream is dominating the conversation: plastic.

Since 1950, the world has created 6.3 trillion kilograms of plastic waste, with plastic pollution set to double by 2030.

Conservation group WWF-Australia found that 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste enters the Australian environment every year, equating to 600 million plastic bottles, more than seven billion pieces of soft plastics and eight billion cigarette butts.

The August airing of Four Corners’ Plastic Wars, a PBS Frontline investigation into the American plastics industry, painted a similarly dire picture. The program suggests that the American plastics recycling industry is fooling consumers, while drawing parallels to Australia’s own ‘recycling crisis’.

Industry response was swift, with multiple stakeholders critiquing the comparison. Evidence suggests Australia’s plastic recycling efforts are moving forwards not backwards, with the forthcoming export ban likely to accelerate that progress.

That said, the problem of plastic persists, highlighting the need for greater extended producer responsibility that works in tandem with capacity investment and industry, government and community partnerships.

Container deposit scheme’s (CDS) function as positive examples of what can be achieved when such partnerships exist, with both the NSW and Queensland schemes seeing billions of bottles returned. As Tasmania and Victoria prepare to launch schemes by 2022 and 2023 respectively, one could expect to see similar results.

While what form the new CDS’ will take is still in question, as highlighted in this edition, CDS’ have the potential to not only reduce litter and boost recycled content manufacturing, but foster strong community ties and social enterprise investment.

With an estimated 95 per cent of plastic packaging material value lost to the global economy, now is the time to re-frame our thinking and tackle the problem of plastic.

6 / WMR / October 2020

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ARTICLES

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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.

resourceco.com.au TOMORROW’S SOLUTIONS. TODAY

News

The Federal Government has introduced the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 into parliament.

The Bill seeks to phase out the export of 645,000 tonnes of unprocessed plastic, paper, glass and tyres each year.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the “landmark legislation” would see Australia take responsibility for its waste by establishing a national industry framework for recycling.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to remodel waste management, reduce pressure on our environment and create economic opportunity, as we move to a circular economy with a strong market for recycled materials,” she said.

Assistant Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Minister Trevor Evans said the legislation would improve the existing framework for product stewardship, by encouraging companies to take greater responsibility for the waste they generate through the products they design, manufacture or distribute.

“We are making it easier for industry to set up and join in product stewardship schemes. Yet where voluntary product stewardship schemes are not effective, or where they are not created in priority areas, the government will have new tools to intervene and regulate,” he said.

The National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) considers

8 / WMR / October 2020

NWRIC is reviewing the details of the Bill within the context of feedback it provided on the draft in July.

the introduction of the Bill a significant element of the reform process that can contribute to achieving a circular economy.

“Most importantly, this step by the Federal Government acknowledges that waste and recycling services are an essential service,” an NWRIC statement reads.

“The raft of measures and initiatives currently in play are creating much needed momentum for positive systemic change.”

NWRIC is still reviewing the details of the Bill within the context of feedback it provided on the draft bill in July, especially in regard to definitions, objects, charges and the Minister’s Priority Product List.

“The actions of the current Federal Government, in particular Assistant Minister Evans, Minister Ley and the Prime Minister, have gone a long way to demonstrating national leadership and state coordination,” the statement reads.

“Nonetheless, there are still some

Image: Neale Cousland / Shutterstock.com

Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill introduced into Federal parliament

key aspects of the reform process that demand detailed attention and completion, including creating markets for recovered materials through government procurement and requiring companies to increase recycled content in products and packaging, including imported goods.”

According to NWRIC, greater coordination of waste and recycling infrastructure planning across all levels of government and investment of the $1.5 billion state landfill levies collected annually, is an outstanding area of work needing further development.

“Cleaning up what is collected by harmonising collection bin contents, urgently establishing a regulated battery recycling program and removing hazardous substances like PFAS from products, are obvious imperatives at this time,” the statement reads.

“Focused action is also required to harmonise waste and recycling data, definitions, movement tracking, landfill levies and licensing.”

News

LGA SA procurement project buys 17,000T of recycled material Nine South Australian councils have bought more than 17,000 tonnes of recycled materials during the first six months of a circular procurement pilot project.

The project was established in 2019 to support the development of new local markets for products made from recycled materials.

According to Local Government Association of South Australia President Sam Telfer, councils have experienced significant increases in waste costs since China and other countries stopped accepting Australian waste.

He explained that due to changes in the global market, as well as increases to the state government’s solid waste levy, South Australian councils will pay roughly $29 million more in waste costs this year.

“All around Australia, governments and industry are working hard to develop local markets and on-shore processing for recyclable materials

to establish a truly circular economy,” Telfer said.

“The National Waste Policy Action Plan requires governments at all levels to devise specific procurement targets, but this project is one of the first attempts nationwide to make good on this commitment.”

Through the pilot project, councils have identified more than 150 suppliers of recycled-content products and materials, made more than 450 individual purchases of these products and bought more than 17,000 tonnes of recycled materials, including 106 tonnes of recycled plastic.

The City of Onkaparinga has resealed eight roads using glass bottles and plastic bags, while the City of Prospect has purchased 46 tonnes of organics for streetscape upgrades.

Environment Minister David Speirs said the state government welcomed the nine councils “proactive approach” to recycled content procurement.

“The goal of our $100,000 funding for this pilot project was to show our kerbside recycling is a valuable resource and when we reuse our recycling locally, the environment wins and the economy wins,” he said.

“This local government partnership with Green Industries SA is a model for the rest of the state and the rest of the country.”

Most councils have also adopted a rolling target in relation to purchasing recycled plastic materials, to apply from 2020/21 onwards.

“Whilst the target doesn’t apply until the second year, after only six months of tracking, councils have achieved 38 per cent of next year’s target, which shows they are making excellent progress,” Telfer said.

“Reducing our reliance on overseas markets and establishing local demand is a significant change that will take time to achieve, but it’s a great opportunity to make our economy more sustainable.”

LGA SA established the project in 2019 to support the development of new local markets for products made from recycled materials.

10 / WMR / October 2020

Less Landfill Less Carbon Less Traffic Greener Roads Alex Fraser’s recycled construction materials can cut the carbon footprint of new infrastructure by up to 65%.

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News

QLD Govt endorses WRIQ’s highrisk stockpiling works package Queensland Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch has endorsed a package of work led by Waste Recycling Industry Association Queensland (WRIQ) to tackle high-risk stockpiling activities.

The package aims to reduce impacts to communities, develop an industry code of practice and improve resource recovery outcomes for Queensland.

Enoch made the endorsement at WRIQ’s August Business Lunch, where she addressed industry perceptions of the state’s environmental regulator and highlighted the challenges industry is currently tackling regarding fire risk.

Enoch explained that the state government is committed to a sustainable waste reduction and recycling industry for Queensland.

“The waste industry supports more than 12,000 jobs throughout Queensland, and without their vital services, our communities would struggle to function,” she said.

“The partnership between the Department of Environment and Science and WRIQ to educate businesses about fire management and risks associated with stockpiling combustible waste, is a positive way government and industry are working together to support businesses and keep communities safe.”

A recent spate of fires across Australian waste and resource recovery sites has highlighted the challenges faced by many operators managing post-consumer materials including recyclables.

12 / WMR / October 2020

WRIQ CEO Mark Smith and QLD Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch are working to educate businesses about fire risk.

While the issue has spurred proactive responses from government and the private sector, WRIQ CEO Mark Smith said significant media attention has resulted in public scrutiny and further work needs to be done.

“Fires happen. But most of these are managed by the operator and we do not hear about them. But our sector is not judged or regulated by what is going well or when we have succeeded. We are judged and regulated by what has gone wrong. As such, we need to step up and tackle these issues collectively,” he said.

“This initiative is not about superseding waste and recycling businesses current practices, but demonstrating our industry’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the government and the community. This package of work will engage with local councils, landlords and waste generators.”

Significant fires have cost Australian

state governments, private business and local councils over a billion dollars in recent years, and can have significant impacts on communities and emergency respondents.

“Stockpiling is a necessary activity that’s required when we collect the waste and recycling that the community and businesses across Queensland are generating.

The activity is part of our waste management system,” Smith said.

“We must remember that most operators invest time, people and other resources to reduce and eliminate fire risk.”

Smith added that government’s message was clear: community and environment first, compliance and enforcement efforts against dangerous stockpiling will continue to be a major priority and good operators should be recognised.

In parallel, WRIQ will be supported to increase compliance understanding through a package of work to build the capability, capacity and awareness of all stakeholders to identify, reduce or eliminate fire risk.

“Waste generators don’t take enough responsibility for the waste they generate. With the incoming COAG waste export ban we will need to drive greater responsibility in supply chains,” Smith said.

“We need to see more support for the good operators making the right investments to manage fire risk and managing waste safely, and not fund cheaper operators who may be engaged in high-risk activity.”

CRC-P opens $10M funding round for innovative recycling solutions

CRC-Ps can run for up to three years, with grants capped at $3 million.

Round 10 of the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants program is open, with $10 million available for projects that provide innovative solutions for the recycling and reuse of plastics, paper, glass and tyres.

Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews said the funding builds on the $20 million invested in Round 8 to find smart solutions to managing Australia’s waste crisis.

“Recycling our waste is more than an environmental imperative, it presents an opportunity for us to grow the economy and create new jobs,” she said.

“By bringing industry together with researchers, we can develop solutions to environmental problems, while creating products and processes that can be used here at home and potentially be exported to the world.”

Eligible projects must be short term, industry-identified and led collaborative research projects designed to develop a product, service or process that addresses gaps in Australia’s waste and recycling capability.

CRC-Ps can run for up to three years, with grants capped at $3 million.

They must have at least two Australian industry partners, including one small or medium sized business (SEM).

Projects must also have at least $200,000 in total eligible project value, benefit SEMs and increase their capacity to grow and adapt in changing markets and and include education and training activities.

According to Environment Minister Sussan Ley, the research grants will play a key role in the $1 billion transformation of the waste industry.

“Ideas that open up new processes and new markets for recycled products are going to be critical as we change the way we recycle materials for infrastructure, packaging and consumer products,” she said.

“Whether it is waste glass replacing virgin sand in concrete sound walls or waste plastic replacing virgin polymers in asphalt, we are already seeing new technologies emerge, and with support such as this, Australia can play a lead role in reducing the pressure on the earth’s resources.”

The funding is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to establish a timetable with the states and territories to ban the export of plastics, paper, glass and tyres.

Projects that involve other problem materials, such as building waste, will also be eligible for funding in Round 10.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 13

COVER STORY

Data drives waste at the border ANDREA BALDWIN OF ALBURY CITY COUNCIL OUTLINES HOW MANDALAY TECHNOLOGIES’ RESIDENT PRODUCT SUITE IS SET TO UNLOCK SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE RECOVERY GROWTH AND REGIONAL COLLABORATION. On the back of infrastructure developments and educational campaigns, Albury City Council has achieved an average diversion rate of 60 per cent.

A

lbury, one of Australia’s largest regional centres, sits on the border of the nation’s two most populous states: NSW and Victoria. In the waste and resource recovery sector the council is well known, with recent news of a $45 million recycling facility dominating industry discussion.

The facility, which will be delivered through a joint venture partnership between Cleanaway, Pact Group and Asahi Beverages, is anticipated to recycle the equivalent of one billion

14 / WMR / October 2020

600-millimetre PET plastic bottles each year.

While the project is welcome news to the sector as it begins to build in anticipation of the 2021 export ban, Albury’s position as a waste management powerhouse is not new.

Albury City Council and its Waste Management Centre have long functioned as an industry case study, highlighting what can be achieved through proactive and future focused initiatives.

At the centre of this is Andrea Baldwin, Albury City Council’s Resource Recovery Team Leader.

Since taking on the role in 2008, Baldwin has implemented a raft of infrastructure development and educational initiatives, including the industry lauded Halve Waste campaign.

Baldwin explains that Albury’s Waste Management Centre receives approximately 200,000 tonnes of material from six council areas each year – three in Victoria and three in

NSW. Collectively, the centre services a population of 180,000 people.

Albury’s Waste Management Centre has traditionally operated as a landfill site, which opened in 1978.

“When I commenced my role, I very quickly identified that there wasn’t enough landfill space,” Baldwin says.

“I then worked out that there was approximately 12-15 years of life left, which gave us the opportunity to embark on a massive infrastructure and education program.”

Since 2009, Baldwin estimates that Albury City Council has spent $2 million each year on facility improvements.

These include the installation of 4000 solar panels on rehabilitated landfill areas, a full recycling centre, secondhand goods shop, green waste facility, new road network, gatehouse, push-pit and a three-weighbridge system.

The council has also worked on cell development, as well as introducing a leachate to sewer and methane gas system.

On the back of these infrastructure developments and education programs, Albury City Council has moved from landfilling 85-90 per cent of its received material to 40 per cent.

“This has enabled us to have another 30-40 years of landfill life,” Baldwin says.

To effectively manage its operations, Albury’s Waste Management Centre has been utilising Mandalay Technologies’ Facility Product Suite since 2011.

“Our facility is very big, so it needed software that could support that level of operations. More specifically, I needed a software system that could provide really good data, so I chose to work with Mandalay,” Baldwin says.

“Mandalay offer a lot of high-level reporting capabilities, so it gave us the opportunity to use that system and get strong data out of it to make informed decisions about what was

happening and what needed to happen in the future.

“I live by data. I don’t do anything without data, and access to that data will support the case moving forward whenever we’ve got to put something to council.”

According to Baldwin, Albury initially implemented Mandalay’s system knowing that it would give the council more options and information than was needed.

“We felt that the facility was heading in a direction that at some point in the future, we would need a lot of that data and those capabilities, so we were happy to embrace that change and move forward with it,” she says.

While Mandalay’s basic ticketing system has remained the same, reporting options and new platforms have developed regularly. Baldwin adds that when Albury implemented a third weighbridge, Mandalay was able to add extra modules to its system.

“Some of the changes have been very unique to Albury. For example, I don’t know of anyone else that has a threeweighbridge system that needs separate software implementation to gather information,” she says.

“We’ve had to work on a few unique items with Mandalay, and they’ve been able to cater for all those changes.”

Baldwin adds that Mandalay has always been very supportive, jumping at the chance to collaborate and develop solutions for unique waste management needs.

“They are very futuristic in their thinking and are always making sure they have the right people dealing with the right levels of staff as needed,” she says.

“A lot of our workers at the landfill are customer service operators, and they have to understand how to develop reports and get information across to me, even though it’s quite analytical.”

While this is an added task and

Andrea Baldwin says Mandalay is a future orientated company.

distinctive skill set, Baldwin says her team has the support of Mandalay, which enables them to take new tasks on and understand high-level analytic analysis.

“I see Mandalay as a very proactive organisation that is always striving for improvements and greater efficiencies,” she says.

“They can see all of the things that we could be doing better more than ourselves. They have a great vision for what can be achieved.

“It’s about getting clients on board to consider those options and the valuable information we can obtain in the longterm to benefit our own operations.”

BEHAVIOUR PROFILES To continue its proactive waste focus, Albury City Council is undertaking a staged implementation of Mandalay’s new Resident Product Suite, with a full on-demand system to be effective from July 2021.

The platform allows users to build personalised waste experiences for residents, which allows them to build and maintain precise information on waste service usage and deliver highquality, efficient and cost-effective services to residents.

That information enables data driven analysis that can confidently lead to behavioural change and inform future

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 15

COVER STORY

Albury’s Waste Management Centre has been utilising Mandalay Technologies’ Facility Product Suite since 2011.

waste education, programs and services.

Mandalay’s Resident Product Suite also allows operators to accurately measure waste generation per household, allowing users to understand community waste habits.

Furthermore, through individual mapping, users can digitise resident information – allowing vital services to be undertaken with ease.

With a more accurate picture of the people and property types that make up a community, Mandalay’s Resident Product Suite facilitates the allocation of specific waste entitlements to the right individuals and properties.

Stage one of the resident platform implementation, which has already been undertaken, was adding QR codes to current financial year 2021 waste vouchers.

“Previously, our vouchers all went out in paper format to residents, but we only have a 34-36 per cent usage of those vouchers,” Baldwin says.

“As such, we’re sending out a lot of paper to people that aren’t using it. So why not target the program to people that actually need it.”

Stage two will involve the execution of on-demand tenant vouchers, which council will issue and manage through the Resident Platform.

Once tenants have been validated

16 / WMR / October 2020

to confirm they live where they say they live, a voucher is created with a unique code associated with that address, which can be issued via email to the tenant.

The final stage of the transition will allow residents to manage their own vouchers via a self-service portal.

The authentication process becomes automated, thereby removing the need to verify addresses manually.

With a property ID and corresponding PIN allocated to eligible residents, Albury’s waste centre will remain secure, while also ensuring that only pre-defined residents can gain access. This function can also be used by staff, contractors and other approved site visitors.

The system also provides access a visual map of total ‘source to site’ movements of all residents in their community and gain insights such as number of tickets, number of vouchers, number of vehicles, weight and total amount of waste for all or specific sites.

Baldwin expects the system will be well received, with the majority of residents already familiar with online processes. Mandalay recently hosted an analytics workshop with the Albury waste team to highlight what they can do with the extra data provided by the new Resident Product Suite.

The system, Baldwin says, provides high-level information on where people are travelling from to get to the facility, as well as how many times people are using the voucher system. She adds that the platform can also help identify peak times at the centre.

“The platform will help us understand what days of the week people are bringing material in, which will allow us to make sure we are efficiently resourced on those days based on the data,” Baldwin says.

“I think that’s a really informative value add of the Mandalay system that will influence our resourcing on site.”

COLLABORATIVE COUNCILS In the future, Baldwin says the Resident Product Suite could enable other councils within the Murray and Riverina region to have something similar in place, including moving to the QR code system. She says this would allow councils to have access to each other’s vouchers.

“Councils are trying to work in collaboration. If someone lives outside our municipality, for example, and comes to Albury for shopping, they can bring their waste to our facility,” Baldwin says.

“We could support that even though they are from another council and could recover the cost back through the Mandalay system.”

Baldwin explains that via discussion with Mandalay, she is looking at one of Albury’s neighbouring councils having a small component of their system.

She adds that this would not come at a huge cost and would enable a more streamlined regional waste management network.

“I think there is a lot of work to be done in terms of collaborating with neighbouring councils to enable a greater part of the region to have access to a range of facilities,” Baldwin says.

UP FRONT

Expanding the NTCRS FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP ACT REVIEW, WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW SPEAKS WITH INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT EXPANDING THE NTCRS AND BOOSTING E-WASTE RECOVERY.

A

review of the Product Stewardship Act 2011 was launched in early 2017, and in June 2020, it was finally released.

Since the act was introduced, Australia’s waste and resource recovery ecosystem has shifted dramatically, with increased activity and discussion on the importance of moving towards a more circular approach that maintains the value of resources for as long as possible.

The long-awaited review makes a series of recommendations, most notably that the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) be expanded to include all electrical and electronic products with a plug or battery. In total, 26 recommendations were made, all of which are supported by the Federal Government.

In addition to expanding the NTCRS, the review recommends calling out manufacturers and importers that are “letting consumers and their industry down,” by not participating in a product stewardship scheme.

The review also suggests strengthening the Minister’s priority

18 / WMR / October 2020

products list to encourage brands to work together towards an industry-led scheme by adding clear timeframes.

Rose Read, National Waste and Recycling Council (NWRIC) CEO, says NWRIC welcome the strengthening of the Environment Minister’s role in listing products on the priority list and calling out organisations not engaging in voluntary led initiatives in a timely manner.

“Together with the Product Stewardship Investment Fund, this will encourage a lot more businesses to step up and take greater responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycle,” she says.

“However, naming and shaming won’t work if the minister does not take quick action when companies choose to ignore government putting them on notice. As in the case of battery companies Duracell and Energiser who have since 2013 refused to meet their stewardship obligations. Actions speak louder than words.”

Shortly after the review was released, the Federal Government introduced

the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 into parliament.

According to Assistant Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Minister Trevor Evans, the legislation will improve the existing framework for product stewardship by encouraging companies to take greater responsibility for the waste they generate through the products they design, manufacture or distribute.

“We are making it easier for industry to set up and join in product stewardship schemes,” Evans said.

“Yet, where voluntary product stewardship schemes are not effective, or where they are not created in priority areas, the government will have new tools to intervene and regulate.”

John Gertsakis, Director and Cofounder of the Ewaste Watch Institute, says he is optimistic about where product stewardship is heading in Australia.

The Product Stewardship Act review recommends expanding the NTCRS to include all electronic products with a plug or battery.

“The recommendations resulting from the review of the Act underscore the importance of product stewardship as a key policy tool to avoid and reduce waste across multiple industries, product classes and material streams,” he says.

“It’s particularly pleasing to see recommendations specifically dealing with product design, durability, reuse and repair, and the need to move back up the supply chain to avoid waste and create new industry-led solutions.

Product stewardship’s potential extends well beyond end-of-life materials recycling.”

Gertsakis explains that product durability, reuse and safe repair are the ‘first responders’ if Australia is serious about waste avoidance and reduction.

“They are also core circular economy principles, so I fully support the review’s recommendation to broaden the objectives of the Act and associated

rules to ensure that durability, reuse and repair become measurable outcomes across all relevant product classes, but especially electrical and electronic equipment,” he says.

ENFORCING E-WASTE While the Federal Government’s announcement that it would ‘name and shame’ companies not participating in schemes dominated public response to the review, the NTCRS expansion took centre stage in the waste and resource recovery sector. Data from the World Health Organisation shows e-waste reached 54.6 million tonnes in 2019, with generation levels expected to climb by 40 per cent over the next decade.

The NTCRS, the only co-regulatory scheme under current legislation, was launched in 2011 with aim of providing Australian households and small businesses access to free industryfunded collection and recycling services.

More than 1800 collection points have been made available to the public since 2011, with over 290,000 tonnes of e-waste collected and recycled.

Annual reports for 2018-19 show three of the scheme’s four co-regulators, Ecycle Solutions, the Australian and New Zealand Recycling Platform and Electronic Product Stewardship Australasia, meet their collection targets. Ecycle Solutions, for example, saw a 60 per cent increase in the amount of e-waste collected in the 2018-19 financial year, compared to the previous year.

The co-regulator also achieved 100 per cent reasonable access Australia wide, collecting 12,143,629 kilograms of e-waste.

The Australian and New Zealand Recycling Platform and Electronic Product Stewardship Australasia also achieved their reasonable access requirements, with 276 and 221 collection points respectively.

Despite this success, Read says expanding the scope of the NTCRS to include all items with a battery or plug is urgently required.

“As highlighted in the review, the type and nature of e-waste has changed significantly since the scheme started,” she says.

“For example, mobile and wearable technologies have displaced traditional computer and television technologies.

Plus, white goods and consumer electronics now contain a greater percentage of plastics – reducing recovery rates and value.”

Likewise, Gertsakis says expanding the NTCRS makes sense and will improve economies of scale.

“All products placed on the market should come with a genuine stewardship action plan. An expanded NTCRS will also reduce confusion in the community, and streamline the collection and education process for local councils,” he says.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 19

UP FRONT

Going beyond televisions, computers and mobile phones is an essential and obvious evolution of the NTCRS, Gertsakis says. He adds that with the advent of the 5G network, any NTCRS expansion must also address the imminent wave of Internet of Things devices and associated network infrastructure.

“Many of these products will also include batteries, so it’s vital to adopt a comprehensive approach to what constitutes electronic waste and ensure such equipment is responsibly managed,” Gertsakis says.

companies Duracell and Energiser refuse to join the proposed voluntary industry-led battery recycling scheme.

Enough is enough, the Federal Government needs to regulate.”

The ACCC has granted two authorisations for the implementation of an industry-led battery stewardship scheme. The scheme will be funded by a levy on battery imports and a system of rebates to accredited collectors and recyclers.

According to Read, however, the ACCC approach will not bring Duracell or Energiser into the fold.

Data from the World Health Organisation shows e-waste reached 54.6 million tonnes in 2019.

PROBLEMATIC BATTERIES When the review was first announced, NWRIC immediately called on the Federal Government to ensure a comprehensive national battery recycling program was in place and funded by all battery brands by the end of 2020. Batteries often incorrectly end up in waste and recycling bins, Read says, causing fires in collection trucks, processing facilities and landfills on a monthly if not weekly basis. She adds that batteries have been on the product priority list since 2013.

“Even now, with much more active engagement by the Environment and Assistant Ministers, major battery

20 / WMR / October 2020

“We have wasted enough time and government funds. A co-regulated approach must be pursued by the government as a matter of urgency.

“The scheme is designed, it just needs to be regulated to ensure all battery importers, distributors and retailers accept their producer responsibility.”

In addition to expansion, the review recommends the Federal Government consider options for improving administration and compliance of the NTCRS. Read says consistency in compliance is very much welcomed.

“This not only gives the co-regulatory arrangements clarity and certainty, but ensures collectors, transporters and

recyclers are operating to both national and international standards in handling, processing and reporting,” she says.

Similarly, Gertsakis says ongoing monitoring and audits across all relevant NTCRS stakeholders is key to effective compliance.

“In short, this is about resourcing the compliance process to identify and pick up potential breaches before they become a problem,” he says.

“Improved compliance not only avoids undesirable environmental problems and impacts, it builds confidence in consumers that their efforts to recycle e-waste are taken seriously. A dedicated compliance policy with ‘teeth’ and resources can help eliminate rogue operators.”

While details on what the Federal Government’s compliance policy might look like are yet to be determined, Gertsakis says effective assurance requires robust systems and methods that are independently managed, transparent and accountable.

“A potent option would be to introduce random unannounced audits across the supply chain as a priority, on a cost-recovery basis charged to operators,” he says.

Clarifying reporting requirements for downstream recycling is also recommended. Read says the most effective way to improve transparency of downstream recycling is to process Australia’s e-waste in onshore.

“Currently, most e-waste is dismantled and then exported for further processing, which makes downstream recycling transparency very difficult and expensive,” Read says.

“As with waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, NWRIC is calling on the Federal Government to ban the export of unprocessed e-waste, and together with liable parties and the recycling industry, invest in developing local e-waste parts recovery and processing capacity facilities.”

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MAKING CHANGE FOR GOOD RECOVERED PER DAY, ON AVERAGE*†

54% DECREASE

700+ NEW JOBS

IN REFUNDS BACK TO QUEENSLANDERS*‡

IN BEVERAGE CONTAINER LITTER

CREATED FOR QUEENSLANDERS

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*Figures from 1 November 2018 to 31 July 2020 † Container refund points and material recovery facility volumes combined. ‡ Through the container refund point network.

AINE NT

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To find out how Containers for Change is benefitting everyday Queenslanders, visit containersforchange.com.au/changemakers

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Change is best when it’s shared. Shared with charities, clubs and school kids.

Shared with locally owned businesses and their employees. Queensland’s container refund scheme Containers for Change is designed to ensure the positive impacts of recycling are shared across our state.

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RETURNED ACROSS THE SCHEME*†

$204+ MILLION

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2.65+ BILLION 4.3 MILLION CONTAINERS CONTAINERS

CHAN

UP FRONT

Recycling symbol: is it cynical?

INFORMATION ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING IS SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON RECYCLING OPERATIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW SPEAKS WITH INDUSTRY TO DISCUSS CONSUMER CONFUSION AND ACHIEVING LABELLING CONSISTENCY. Pete Shmigel says recycling logos are inconsistent and trigger consumer confusion.

A

re Australia’s recycling operations and packaging fooling consumers?

Environmental groups and industry insiders have recently been speaking out about the cynicism at the heart of consumer focused recycling strategies.

An independent audit commissioned by the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) has fuelled conversation surrounding current recycling labels.

Pete Shmigel, ACOR CEO, told

Waste Management Review that Australia is better than it’s ever been in terms of policy, investment and stakeholder engagement.

Shmigel commented that sensationalist views that reflect an antirecycling narrative are disappointing, with ACOR and other industry associations focussed on improving plastic packaging recycling from less than 20 per cent at present, to ambitious and unprecedented national

targets, such as 70 per cent recycling of plastic packaging and 30 per cent recycled content for PET and HDPE. Shmigel says the sector agrees that recycling labels on products – while somewhat improved in the recent era – need to significantly improve.

CONSUMER CONFUSION On August 20 this year, ACOR released findings from an independent national audit of recycling information on consumer products and packaging.

“The audit shows a dog’s breakfast of consumer information about what products and packaging components are or aren’t recyclable,” Shmigel says.

He adds that the “the dog’s breakfast” undoubtedly leads to some material going to the wrong place such as recyclables to waste bins and nonrecyclables to recycling bins.

“That means recycling rates that aren’t as high as they could be, contamination that is too high, and it’s harder to achieve national targets such as 70 per cent plastics recycling (from our current 12 per cent).”

Additionally, the audit found that 55 per cent of imported products and 64 per cent of Australian sampled products displayed a recyclability claim, including 23 per cent with the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL), 29 per cent with a Mobius Loop recycling

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 23

UP FRONT

symbol and 29 per cent with a resin code system that is often mistaken for a recyclability symbol.

Shmigel says the recycling logos are inconsistent and a pain point that’s triggering consumer confusion.

“Although the majority of products had a recycling claim, the logos were commonly only on outer packaging rather than on each packaging component,” the report reads.

Furthermore, 52 per cent of products sampled consisted of more than one packaging component.

The report states that this was a significant finding with respect to inconsistent recycling labels relating to one or more packaging types.

The audit identified that some labelling is incorrect or non-existent, and that terminology used to explain the recyclability of packaging is not consumer friendly, for example, “this packaging is recyclable” when only one component is actually recyclable.

“Other incorrect statements included liquid paper board packaging

that claimed to be recyclable and soft plastic packaging that contained a recycling logo with no explanation or guidance on separating from other recyclables and where to recycle it,” the report reads.

The assessment concluded that ambiguity is influencing consumer’s ability to effectively recycle packaging through recycling programs, and that recyclability labels need to be specific about the disposal methods of all components, with instructions included to avoid contamination.

UNIFORM APPROACH “If we have such arrangements for nutrition, we can have them for consumer recycling,” Shmigel says.

Consumers are increasing their awareness and directing concerns to the manufacturers of the products they buy, actively asking company consumer hotlines: what is your approach to recycling labelling?

“And, those companies who specify products and packaging must also step

ACOR’s audit found 23 per cent of sampled products display the Australasian Recycling Label.

24 / WMR / October 2020

up to correctly label their products, while the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission should ensure accuracy in environmental claims and labels,” Shmigel says.

Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) CEO Brooke Donnelly says there are gaps in the current recycling system’s capability, but the good news is that Australia has a clear plan in place to solve them.

Currently, 88 per cent of packaging placed on the market in Australia is able to be recycled within the existing infrastructure, technology and systems in place.

However, only 49 per cent of that packaging actually gets recycled.

“That gap - between something being recyclable and something being recycled - is not a result of failed packaging design. It is a failure of the processes that packaging goes through once it enters the bin. That includes the way it is collected, recovered and reprocessed,” Donnelly says.

Australia needs solutions that are systemic and transformative in nature, Donnelly says. She adds that challenges do exist in the recycling label space, with the number of different labels on packaging contributing to consumer confusion.

“Responsibility for change of this magnitude is not owned by a single entity, actor or stakeholder. Rather, its effectiveness relies on action from a diverse range of stakeholders, sometimes in the thousands and in the case of consumers, the millions,” Donnelly says.

She adds that APCO are excited to see the leadership and hard work of Australian industry being recognised, with the ARL featured on approximately a quarter of all products sampled in the ACOR audit.

“This is an incredible achievement within a short time frame. The ARL Program is continuing to grow rapidly

and tracking well compared to similar programs being implemented globally.”

As of July, this year, the ARL Program had 436 Members, including many of Australia’s major household brands and retailers.

In comparison, the United States’ How2Recycle Program, which began in 2012, reported 225 brand owner and retailer members across North America in 2019.

Meanwhile, the UK’s OPRL Program, which launched in 2009, reported 500 members in 2020.

Planet Ark CEO Paul Klymenko says Planet Ark is impressed with the level of ARL uptake, after launching the program with APCO and PREP Design just two years ago.

“The uptake has been significantly faster than comparable international labels, and the ARL has been recognised by international bodies like the United Nations Environment Program as best practice when it comes to informing consumers how to best dispose of their packaging,” he says.

IMPROVING RECYCLING CAPABILITIES “We have sent a lot of waste overseas for recycling only to discover that some of it was being buried or burnt or thrown in the river. We have to step-up and make a change for the sake of our own environment, and to show regional and global leadership,” Josh Wilson, Shadow Assistant Minister for the Environment, told Waste Management Review.

He says the exports bans have shone a light on the fact that a significant amount of Australia’s waste management industry consists of collection and transportation.

Wilson believes Australia has a long way to go when it comes to improving its entire approach to waste.

“There is no doubt we need to

significantly reduce the amount of plastic we produce, and we need to stop using single-use pernicious plastics altogether. State and local governments in Australia have been prepared to target single-use plastic, but the Federal Government has so far been a laggard in this space,” he says.

Shmigel added that millions are being invested in this regard to get an environmental outcome – but not to

Although a national approach is essential, Rose Read, National Waste and Recycling Industry Council CEO says Australia also needs more investment of state waste levies into recycling infrastructure and related programs.

Read explains that while the Federal Government, together with state governments, are helping with the new Recycling Modernisation Fund, it is

Industry is targeting a 70 per cent plastic packaging recycling rate by 2025.

deride from sustainable consumption.

Nationally, Australia is working to implement the 2019 National Waste Policy Action Plan, which includes the 2025 National Packaging Targets.

The last 12 months have seen significant investment from brands and governments to drive progress in the space, including the Recycling Modernisation Fund which will see the Federal Government invest $190 million.

When matched by state governments and industry, this will leverage $600 million in recycling infrastructure investment and drive a billion-dollar transformation of Australia’s waste and recycling capacity.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the Recycling and Waste Reduction “landmark legislation” would see Australia take responsibility for its waste by establishing a national industry framework for recycling.

the private sector that has the capacity to invest for the long term.

“To build the new plastic processing facilities needed by the time the plastic waste export bans come in to place in June 2021 and 2022, we also need states and territories to better manage their planning and licencing processes in such a way that it does not deter private investment in these new recycling plants.”

It’s clear a major challenge for recycling does exist with contamination, which can be addressed through improvements to packaging.

Industry and government need to continue to educate consumers and ensure responsible management of their materials throughout the supply chain.

As Mark Smith, Waste Recycling Industry Association Queensland CEO says – waste, recycling and all its elements are a collective challenge that needs to be tackled collaboratively .

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 25

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEMES

Re-vitalising communities with bottles and cans WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW SPEAKS WITH RETURN AND EARN CHARITY AND COMMUNITY RETURN POINT OPERATORS ABOUT COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY ACTION AND THE SOCIAL SIDE OF CDS.

L

ightning Ridge, home to the famous Black Opal, is a small outback town in north-western NSW. While perhaps best known for its Artesian Bore Baths and Chambers of the Black Hand, the remote town is also the site of one of Return and Earn’s most celebrated return points.

Established as an over-the-counter collection point for Return and Earn in December 2017, the Royal Flying Doctors Service’s (RFDS) Lightning Ridge Support Group has raised over $277,000 through the scheme.

Terry Clark, RFDS Dubbo Support Group President and Board Member, of which Lightning Ridge is a subcommittee, says the goal of the RFDS is to provide a full spectrum of medical services to regional and remote communities.

Through its fund-raising activities, the RFDS subcommittee has financed a mobile dental clinic, shed to house patient transfer vehicles and a Lightning Ridge Wellness Centre to support mental health.

When Return and Earn was launched, the group partnered with network operator TOMRA Cleanaway – manually collecting bottles and cans for recycling.

“It’s a way of maximising the conversion of bottles and cans from the scrap metal part into a more profitable recycling remuneration,” Clark says.

“The big bonus is that a lot of

26 / WMR / October 2020

Return and Earn has raised over $10.4 million for charities and not-for-profits via donations and revenue.

people turn up to our collection days to process their bottles and cans.

“The group also collects bottles and cans that are donated, so we get 100 per cent of the refund.”

Clark explains that all funds raised get redirected back into the community via medical equipment and services.

“If you’re putting money into a system that circulates back to improve and support your medial services, well I mean, wow,” he says.

Clark’s sentiments are mirrored

by James Dorney, CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway, who says container deposit schemes (CDS) are about a lot more than just producing positive environmental outcomes.

They have the ability, he explains, to function as streamlined donation points.

“The design of Return and Earn allows for benefits to be shared by

return point hosts, their partners and the wider community. Providing a financial incentive to individuals who recycle and an easy way for donations to occur,” Dorney says.

“Return and Earn is providing new opportunities for social enterprises, community groups, sporting clubs, schools and charities to raise funds in a time where money is pretty tight.”

In early August, Environment Minister Matt Kean said that when the NSW Government introduced Return and Earn as a litter reduction initiative in 2017, they knew it would be successful.

But, he added, they could not have imagined just how successful.

Kean went on to highlight how the NSW community had embraced CDS, with three-quarters of residents now participating and over four billion containers returned.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE The Wilcannia Aboriginal Land Council, located in the Central Darling Shire of north-western NSW, established an over-the-counter return point 18 months ago as part of a wider waste management program. As a result of the return point, CEO Jenny Thwaites says the Council has been able to employ an extra individual to manage counting and packaging in a remote part of NSW. “The money is a big encouragement in a community that has such high unemployment levels and degree of socio-economic disadvantage, but it’s also reduced the number of bottles and cans lying on the street,” she says.

While the scheme’s environmental outcomes are noteworthy, for Hugh Packard, Valmar Industries CEO, it’s the social benefits of Return and Earn that are most significant.

“Anything like this has a triple bottom line, but the thing that drives us is the social side of it. The primary goal of our operation is to support people with disabilities, and we saw this as a great way to enhance that employment,” Packard says.

Valmar originally joined the scheme as an over-the-counter collection point, but matured into an automated depot return point that processes millions of

eligible containers each year.

According to Packard, the return point has enabled Valmar to create four full time jobs. He adds that the organisation is committed to employing people in roles that give them a valued profile in the community.

“10 or 15 years ago, working in waste would not have been a highly valued position – but that’s now shifted to recycling and Return and Earn,” he says.

“Being involved in Return and Earn is seen as a really worthwhile and useful activity. It’s amazing how the community has responded to it, it’s exceeded our most optimistic projections.”

Lisa Crothers of Bourke Laundry Service feels similarly, explaining that the organisation’s involvement in Return and Earn has allowed them to diversify what employees do during the day.

“Being in a remote area, we’ve been very badly affected by long periods of drought, so we’d been looking for something that could support our work and make us more viable as a business,” Crothers says.

“The option to host a Return and Earn collection point came up in Bourke and we were asked if we would be interested and jumped at

Over four billion containers have been returned since Return and Earn launched in 2017.

the opportunity.”

Crothers adds that the scheme has been very well received, with other groups in the community using the program as a fund-raising mechanism.

Across its 635 return points, Return and Earn has paid more than $10.4 million to not-for-profits and community groups via handling fees and donations.

One of those not-for-profits is Hoxton Industries based in South Western Sydney, which currently provides meaningful employment to more than 100 people who face barriers to mainstream employment, including people living with disabilities.

Hoxton has been involved in the scheme since day one, primarily to provide opportunities for its employees to learn new skills.

“It kicked off very well. The community supported our organisation because we support people living with disabilities. A lot of people are also trying to help the cause environmentally, which is a big tick,” Hoxton General Manager George Boutros says.

To boost its collection volumes, Hoxton has partnered with a number of sports clubs and community groups in the area.

“We go to their sites, collect cans and bottles and they generously donate that back to us,” Boutros says.

“We give them monthly reports that show how much they’ve donated to the community and how many people with disabilities they’ve supported in terms of employment, so that’s a real positive.”

Boutros adds that Hoxton has been pleasantly surprised by feedback from its employees. He explains that for people with intellectual disabilities, the retail sector can be daunting, however, many of Hoxton’s employees have asked to participate in the consumer

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 27

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEMES

facing side of the return point.

“That was a big positive for us, knowing that our employees jumped at a chance to serve customers and be able to communicate with them, it really helps to give them that confidence,” Boutros says.

SUSTAINABILITY HUBS Peter Quarmby, St Vincent de Paul Society’s Director of Commercial Enterprise, says the charity got involved in Return and Earn to support its work with people suffering the effects of poverty.

The charity now runs a number of automated depots and bulk container return points across the state, in both metro and regional locations “It’s given us a different profile.

People see what we’re doing, and it enables them to donate their containers to Vinnies and further the assistance we’re able to provide to people most in need,” Quarmby says.

While Return and Earn has fundamentally benefited Vinnies through an increased revenue base, Quarmby says it has also heightened the charity’s profile in the community.

This, he adds, allows Vinnies to demonstrate its commitment to environmental, social and cultural sustainability.

“It’s been amazing. We have hundreds of partnerships that have emerged out of this,” he says.

“We’re working with many schools and sporting groups – all these community-based organisations that are looking to generate income to support their causes and their purpose.”

Quarmby adds that the response Vinnies has seen from the community has been greater than expected.

He explains that their willingness to donate containers has been heartening.

“It’s given us another avenue to engage with the broader community

28 / WMR / October 2020

and has also opened up other possibilities,” he says.

“Being able to go down this path and do something new that we weren’t involved in before, but when we stopped and thought about it, we have been recycling for years.”

Quarmby points out that Vinnies have actually been recycling clothes for years.

As such, Quarmby says Vinnies has begun thinking about what else it can do in the recycling space to enable the charity to be as environmentally responsible as possible and generate new income streams.

Resource Recovery Australia (RRA) is another not-for-profit benefiting from the scheme, with General Manager Matthew Curtis telling Waste Management Review that the organisation’s participation in Return and Earn has led to the creation of four jobs.

He adds that the CDS also creates an income stream that gets reinvested into other community projects.

Starting with an over-the-counter return point in 2017, Curtis explains that RRA switched to an automated depot once return volumes became too large to be managed manually.

He says uptake across the facility has been impressive, with Return and Earn facilitating wider engagement with RRA’s other community projects.

“Within our site we have green bikes, a green communal garden and a Men’s Shed across the road.

“Running the CDS point gives us a surplus that can go back into those other community projects,” he explains.

“One of the other things that’s really positive for us is that through Return and Earn, we can support other local charities.

“They have accounts set up – two rural fire services, a local women’s shelter, riding for the disabled and the

Salvation Army – and people donate their containers to those accounts.”

DELIVERING FOR COMMUNITY When Return and Earn launched, the University of NSW (UNSW) was the first educational institute to support the scheme.

Arifa Sarfraz, UNSW Environmental Sustainability Manager, explains that as one of Australia’s global universities, it’s UNSW’s responsibility to support actions that have positive effects on the community.

UNSW’s RVM has been very well received, Sarfraz says, with a larger than expected number of people wanting to recycle. She explains that when UNSW installed the RVM, they assumed the university’s community would be its key users, which was quickly highlighted as an incorrect assumption.

“Very soon we realised that the wider community wanted to use it as well – which is the purpose of the machine,” Sarfraz says.

“The biggest benefit, personally, is it solidifies our commitment to providing the best possible services to our community and campus.”

Sarfraz adds that many Sydney basin and Group of Eight universities have reached out to UNSW to gain insight into their experience of hosting an RVM on campus.

The experiences of UNSW and other charity return point hosts demonstrate that Return and Earn is a proven and increasingly valuable new income stream for charities and community groups in NSW. The scheme also provides opportunity for communities to connect, reinvigorating community spirit while delivering social, economic and environmental benefits – all powered by the ability of people to access funds quickly and easily through Return and Earn.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – CONTAINER REFUND SCHEMES

Two years of change ON THE EVE OF CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE’S SECOND BIRTHDAY, KEN NOYE, CONTAINER EXCHANGE CEO, LOOKS BACK ON THE SCHEME’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND SHARES WHAT’S NEXT FOR THIS RECYCLING SUCCESS STORY.

I

n November this year, Queensland’s Containers for Change will celebrate its second year in operation.

Launched in a bi-partisan effort to tackle high levels of beverage container litter and low recycling rates, the container refund scheme (CRS) has seen over 2.65 billion returns across more than 300 refund collection points.

Before the scheme’s commencement, kerbside recycling was offered by only 31 of Queensland’s 77 council areas. As such, Key Noye, Container Exchange (COEX) CEO, explains that

containers previously had a greater chance of ending up in landfill or litter, than being recycled.

“The introduction of the Containers for Change scheme gave around 45 local government areas access to recycling for the first time,” he says.

The CRS, which is run by COEX, has a daily collection average of 4.3 million containers. As a result of the Queensland community’s enthusiastic uptake, the state has seen a 54 per cent decrease in beverage container litter since the scheme’s launch. While these numbers are significant, for Noye, it’s

Cooktown Lions Club has successfully raised funds for their community through Containers for Change.

30 / WMR / October 2020

the scheme’s community and social benefits that are most noteworthy.

Noye highlights Central Queensland Pet Rescue, which through a band of volunteers collecting containers in the Central Highlands region, has raised almost $30,000 to fund their work. He also notes Oshan, a young boy from Cairns, who by collecting containers with his father, has saved up enough money to buy a brand-new motocross bike.

“In doing so he’s learnt about recycling, the importance of commitment, having a target and the value of 10 cents and turning that into a dollar,” Noye says.

“An 11-year-old, Flynn Emerson, has been collecting containers in the town of Gympie and donating the refunds to support children in palliative care.

“These are just some of the many examples of Containers for Change’s positive social impact.”

Opportunities for individuals, communities and social enterprises to benefit from the scheme is built into its design, Noye says. He adds that since Containers for Change began, 700 new jobs have been created across the state, many in rural and regional economies. Furthermore, as of July 31 this year, more than $204 million has gone back into the pockets of Queensland customers, community groups and charities.

In Northern Queensland’s Ayr, a

Auswaste’s Ken and Steffi Reid, pictured with students from Western Cape College, operate two return depots in Far North Queensland.

small town of less than 8000 people, NQ Green Solutions has created eight full time jobs through the scheme.

Importantly, Noye explains that 70 per cent of NQ Green Solutions’ work force is comprised of people living with disability or health conditions.

“In a small town like that, the impact it has had on the community is quite powerful,” Noye says.

“Last year we opened a depot in Weipa, Cape York, and it’s quite amazing because when I went up to visit last year, I drove around, and it was spotless – there was no litter.

“That COEX can create jobs, reduce litter and give purpose back to some of these communities is very satisfying.”

As a not-for-profit organisation, COEX operate via the product responsibility and stewardship model.

Routed in extended producer responsibility, the model places recycling accountability on the producers of products. As such, Noye explains that COEX can focus on maximising participation and growing a circular economy.

“Our objective is to keep the cost of the scheme as low as possible, because while it’s the beverage companies that fund COEX, it’s the consumer who

ultimately pays. And we are committed to ensuring that cost is low,” he says.

While COEX is not-for-profit, Containers for Change has over 80 separate contractors that deliver collection, handling and processing services for-profit.

These are primarily family businesses, Noye says. He adds that because COEX is not competing with its contractors, those businesses receive all handling, logistics and processing fees.

“Maximising the return for those businesses ensures the scheme is truly sustainable,” Noye says.

“While environmental sustainability is key, you can’t have a sustainable CRS without operational sustainability.

“When our operators and consumers are happy, that makes the scheme politically sustainable as well, which is critically important.”

Looking forward, Noye says COEX is determined to continue building on its success. In late July, for example, Containers for Change launched the Wave of Change program. Run in partnership with Plastic Oceans Australasia, the program will provide 50 schools across the state with free access to circular economy educational resources. Schools that register also

sign up to increase their recycling and fundraising efforts through Containers for Change.

“We’ve also launched a partnership with the Queensland Rugby League to offer support to more than 400 community clubs to fundraise through the scheme. We’re very excited about that and are hoping to engage with the AFL and Football Australia as well.”

COEX is also working with remote island communities and Indigenous Shire Councils to develop bespoke solutions to suit their communities and share the benefits of the scheme.

“We are working with the Queensland Government to establish refund points in all of those areas, and have recently opened an Indigenous council-run site in Wujal Wujal,” Noye says.

“COEX will continue to expand our network to provide as many Queenslanders as possible with access to get a refund and the ability to make change.

“We’re also committed to exploring opportunities in the circular economy to use the material collected through our scheme in industries such as manufacturing, construction and road infrastructure.”

Noye adds that Containers for Change is on track to meet COEX’s strategic target of 85 per cent of containers sold into Queensland being recycled by 2022.

“After a short decrease in volumes when the COVID- 19 pandemic hit, our collections have bounced back strongly,” he says.

“In January we peaked at a 7882 per cent rate of sold containers recycled, and while reaching the 85 per cent target will be a challenge, we are determined to hit it.

“When we do, we will be one of the first schemes in the world to achieve such a high recycling rate in such a short space of time.”

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 31

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – PLASTICS

Eliminating landfill in Port Macquarie RICHARD MAINEY OF PORT PLASTICS IS COMMITTED TO BOOSTING REGIONAL PROCESSING CAPACITY AND ELIMINATING LANDFILL, WITH HELP FROM APPLIED MACHINERY.

T

he costs associated with transporting recyclable material to metropolitan areas for processing has long been a burden on Australia’s regional communities. Resource recovery infrastructure is heavily concentrated in specific areas, meaning recycling viability is constrained and landfill becomes an attractive option.

Tackling that challenge is the central focus of Richard Mainey, who since starting at Port Plastics as an apprentice in the 1980s, has been working towards eliminating plastics from landfill.

Operating primarily as a custom injection moulding and tool making company in Port Macquarie, Port Plastics has been involved in plastics recycling since the late 1970s. Mainey explains that over the last 15 years, however, the company has been

ramping up its recycling efforts.

“There is a big call for more plastic recycling in this area. It’s ok if you’re in Sydney, there are facilities close by, but for regional areas it’s a real challenge,” he says.

“When you put these materials on a semi-trailer and send it to Sydney, it’s very hard to break even, meaning the cheapest option is to send it landfill, or as I call it land-kill, which is a crime as far as I’m concerned.”

Mainey says as soon as operators put any milage on plastics, revenue potential is significantly diminished.

He adds that boosting processing and end-market capacity in Port Macquarie was the motivation behind the recent purchase of a Polystar re-pelletiser from Applied Machinery. The Polystar is designed to be simple to operate and easy to maintain, with output taking

Richard Mainey says Applied Machinery went above and beyond to help Port Plastics acquire the Polystar.

32 / WMR / October 2020

the form of high-quality plastic pellets that can be fed back into manufacturing processes – saving raw material costs as well as waste to landfill.

At Port Plastics, Mainey says the machine is primarily used to eliminate contaminants.

“Contaminates, such as labels, metals and even gravel and tar, are a natural part of the plastics recycling process,” he says.

“The Polystar filters out all the contaminants through the screens the plastic has to run through, and as such, makes the moulding side of things much easier.”

Prior to purchasing the Polystar, Mainey says he was doing a lot of re-grinding. The recycled material was then sold onto another company that was using it to manufacture reo-bar chairs that sit underneath reo-bar in concrete. Because of contamination however, Mainey explains that the material could not be used, as the contaminants were blocking the gates the plastic had to travel to get to the component being moulded.

“I needed to get around that problem, hence the reason for the Polystar Repo Direct,” he says.

While the Polystar has been performing beyond expectations, Mainey says it was Applied’s commitment to its customers that really drove the purchase.

“We’ve been working with Applied

for many years. We know how they work with customers and know that no matter what, you’re going to end up with a product you’re very happy with,” he says.

“They’ve been a great company to work with over the years, we’ve never had a problem.”

Mainey adds that following a COVID-19 set back, Applied went above and beyond to help Port Plastics

acquire the Polystar.

“We had investors for the Polystar lined up prior to Christmas, but because of COVID-19 they backed out at the last minute,” he says.

“Applied came up with a solution to help us get out of that situation.

“To get that kind of support in this type of industry climate is just amazing.

Why wouldn’t you want to work with a company like that?”

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According to Mainey, Port Plastics intends to continue the relationship over the long-term, and are now in the process of purchasing a new Genox V1200 single shaft shredder designed to handle both soft plastics and ridged materials. He adds that he recently received an inquiry from a local area council to see if Port Plastics could make bollards out of recycled milk bottles, which the Genox shredder and Polystar pelletiser will help facilitate.

“We’ve been recycling milk bottles for a couple of years and I’ve made a few bollards, so it’s just about refining that process to turn plastic commodities into something useful,” Mainey says.

“I’ve got a vein running though my body that wants to recycle every bit of plastic going to landfill, and the goal is to get enough equipment to do that.

The sky’s the limit.”

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – ORGANICS

Rich soil with the

TEREX ECOTEC TTS620T JAMIE MARSLEN, CO-FOUNDER OF GIPPSLAND SOIL SOLUTIONS, SHARES HOW EFFICIENT MACHINERY HAS LEVERAGED THE COMPANY’S UNIQUE ORGANIC RECYCLING SYSTEM.

H

ome and garden retailers are seeing a dramatic surge in consumer demand, as more people use extra time at home to complete outdoor projects and maintenance. According to a recent worldwide survey by the Australian Retailers Association, 72 per cent of respondents said they’re buying more sustainable-friendly products.

Unsurprisingly, quality and price led consumer considerations, noted by 89 per cent of respondents respectively.

Jamie Marslen, Co-Founder of Gippsland Soil Solutions, says the company’s clients have seen an uptick in demand for its premium soil, due to more consumers engaging with garden supply centres during stay at home restrictions.

“People are definitely doing more gardening, but they’re also realising the importance of high-quality topsoil and organic compost, which we manufacture to AS4419-2018 standards,” Marslen says.

He credits Gippsland Soil Solutions’ Terex TTS620T Trommel, purchased through Finlay Waste and Recycling, as critical to the company’s operations.

“The Trommel can easily meet our flexible demands for screening soil.”

Marslen and his father established the company in 2009 and have continued to build the business from the ‘soil’ up.

The operation is based in Morwell, and Marslen says as an innovative

34 / WMR / October 2020

Since introducing the TTS620T Trommel in 2019, Gippsland Soil Solutions has seen greater material output.

and environmentally conscious organisation, Gippsland Soil Solutions recycle carefully assessed paper pulp products as part of their manufacturing process, adding value to resources and reducing landfill.

“This organic recycling system is unique to Gippsland Soil Solutions, increasing valuable organic matter levels in both our Premium Topsoil and Topsoil products,” Marslen says.

Backed by some of the most experienced agronomists, soil science and technical support in the industry, Marslen says the company is at the forefront of the manufacture and distribution of premium topsoil.

He explains that Gippsland Soil Solutions’ partnership with Finlay is vital to collaborating as market leaders. Marslen adds that the company knew they needed to elevate

operational efficiency onsite with high quality processing equipment.

In 2019, the TTS620T Trommel was first introduced into Gippsland Soil Solutions’ operation and Marslen says it has been the “ultimate machine” ever since. With an intuitive push button control panel, the TTS620T allows operators to easily configure the machine to suit required applications, while an intelligent feeder control system continually adjusts the feeder speed to optimise screening rates.

Special consideration has also been given to minimise change out time for the screening drum. The process, which takes a matter of minutes, places the TTS620T as a market leader.

The Trommel model is ideal for Gippsland Soil Solutions, due to its focused design for compost, biomass, soil, gravel and waste operations.

“Organic matter and recycled paper compost are added to our premium topsoil for improved water and nutrient holding capabilities, which is then screened to 16-millimetre minus for product consistency and conformance to AS4419-2018 – soil for landscaping and garden use,” he says.

Marslen adds that the company required a modern trommel design

with unrivalled application flexibility to enhance its manufacturing process.

“Compared to our previous operation before the TTS620T Trommel, we have seen a greater output. We needed a bigger machine as our business was expanding and I’m confident now that our operation is at its best level of efficiency,” he says.

The advanced material processing control system has been particularly important to meet client needs in the garden supply industry, as it experiences an influx in demand.

“It’s absolutely important our machinery can provide our clients with the capacity and quality they’re looking for so we can always deliver a consistent product,” Marslen says.

He highlights the TTS620T Trommel’s ease of maintenance and ability to maximise Gippsland Soil

Solutions’ production in a costeffective manner. All conveyors are built to a modular design allowing each one to be removed independently.

Marslen says the wheeled or tracked machine benefits flexibility, commenting that the swing out engine cradle gives operators unrestricted ground level access to all service components.

Hinged doors on both sides of the trommel drum also offer unobstructed access.

“Our aim is to increase our client’s business productivity, safety and help find sustainable solutions to environmental challenges,” Marslen says.

“Systematic machinery such as the TTS620T Trommel is essential to our operation and innovative organisation.”

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TYRE RECYCLING

Erskine expansion TYRECYCLE MOVES TO EXPAND ITS OPERATIONS IN SYDNEY WITH A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART MANUFACTURING PLANT.

A

ustralia’s leading Tyre recycler, Tyrecycle is gearing up for a purpose-built multi-million dollar rubber crumb manufacturing plant in Sydney, following significant growth in the uptake of its products produced from end-of-life tyres.

Tyrecycle Chief Executive Officer Jim Fairweather says the move is to cater for strong demand over the past two years, with the company experiencing a 30 per cent growth in sales of rubber crumb.

That product is currently manufactured at its Somerton processing facility in Melbourne – Australia’s largest crumbing plant.

“With a ban on the export of whole baled tyres due to take effect from December next year and the resultant push by government to drive domestic consumption of tyre derived products via government procurement levers, we will see an even greater number of tyres remaining in Australia,” Fairweather says.

“It’s vital we increase our capacity to recycle, reuse, convert and recover more of the country’s waste tyres.”

The crumbing plant is proposed for the Erskine Business Park, approximately 42 kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD, and will see Tyrecycle’s existing local processing facility at St Mary’s transferred to the new site.

The plant will enable rubber waste collected locally to be processed onsite into new higher quality tyre derived fuel streams and rubber crumb product

36 / WMR / October 2020

used for roads.

“It will eliminate the need to transfer almost 10,000 tonnes of shredded tyres annually from New South Wales to Victoria for further processing at our Melbourne facility.

“Due to the increased demand and insufficient truck tyre feedstock, we will be using advanced fabric separation technology to allow the use of passenger tyres in the rubber crumbing process,” Fairweather says.

“At Tyrecycle, we offer a major point of difference by proudly continuing to deliver and guaranteeing full chain of custody and transparency for all the materials we process and supply.

“Our main driver is to reduce Australia’s environmental impact by increasing awareness of the importance of tyre recycling and providing solutions on how to reuse waste tyres

generated here to create value through other products.”

The new plant will have the capability of processing 50,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres annually into products used for road resurfacing, as well as sporting and playground surfaces and fuel.

“We’re really excited about the potential growth in demand for products repurposed from end-oflife tyres, especially if supported by government procurement targets.”

The industry is awaiting news on state government funding agreements as part of a newly launched Recycling Modernisation Fund that the Federal Government anticipates will generate $600 million in investment. The Federal Government has pledged $190 million towards new recycling infrastructure to divert more waste

Approximately 20 million end-of-life tyres are collected and recycled by Tyrecycle each year.

The new plant will have the capacity to process 50,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres annually.

tyres and plastic away from landfill, subject to matched funding from state and territory governments and industry groups.

“So far, $1.5 million in funding

under the NSW Environmental Trust’s Waste Less, Recycle More program has been secured for the project,” Fairweather says.

It’s anticipated the new plant, which

will create an additional 15 jobs, will be built and operational by mid-2021, subject to approval.

Tyrecycle is part of the highly regarded ResourceCo Group, which is a global leader in the recovery and re-manufacturing of primary resources, working work with governments, communities and multinational companies to progress the circular economy and preserve natural resources for a sustainable future.

Approximately 20 million of end-oflife tyres are collected and recycled by Tyrecycle per year. Its processing and collection capabilities service every state of Australia and is in accordance with environmental regulations. Presently, Tyrecycle is the only tyre recycling company that has long-term contracts for collection with the major tyre manufacturers and repair retailers.

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – RECYCLING

Plastic wars has lessons for Australia

AORA advocates that Australian governments urgently ban singleuse plastics that are not recyclable, reusable or compostable.

THE AUSTRALIAN ORGANICS RECYCLING ASSOCIATION BELIEVES THAT FOUR CORNERS’ RECENT PLASTICS WARS PROGRAM CONTAINS VALUABLE LESSONS FOR AUSTRALIA IN BETTER MANAGING ITS WASTE AND RECYCLING TASKS.

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lastic Wars, a PBS Frontline production, was featured on Four Corners in August and provided an overview of the “disastrous state” of reduction, reuse and recycling of plastics in the United

States. The program illustrated how clever marketing campaigns were created to persuade consumers that they should carry the burden of plastic pollution by recycling, rather than expecting industry to reduce the

Peter Wadewitz says the circular economy works in organics recycling because it is the industrialisation of a natural process.

38 / WMR / October 2020

amount of plastic it manufactured.

The program suggested that tactics brought in decades ago are still fooling consumers.

“At the bottom of all these plastic containers is this little chasing arrow – the little recycling symbol with a number…there are no kerbside programs that would accept any of these tubs,” an environmental scientist said on the program.

The Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA), the national voice of the organics recycling industry, believes that the Four Corners program contains valuable lessons for Australia in better managing its waste and recycling tasks.

“Obviously, the story was specific to issues in the United States. However, it would be wrong to claim that there are no common issues between Australia and the United States,” Peter Wadewitz OAM, AORA National Chair, says.

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“And a greater mistake not to pay heed to the lessons to be learnt from their errors.”

According to Wadewitz, the Australian recycling crisis following the China National Sword bans, and forthcoming COAG waste export bans, have brought home the challenges facing several Australian waste streams.

“In the midst of addressing the challenges in plastics and other streams, it must be remembered that there are parts of the Australian recycling industry which consistently deliver on their promises,” he says.

“The circular economy works best in organics recycling because it is the industrialisation of a natural process.

“Uniquely among recycling streams, the supply of the organics recycling industry’s products such as composts and mulches does not always meet demand.”

Wadewitz adds that most major organic recycling processing facilities are located within 90 minutes travel time from their largest input and end user markets.

“Both supply of feedstocks and demand for the industry’s products are domestic, and usually local,” he says.

“The organics recycling industry does not export its problems.”

AORA and the organics recycling industry are targeting a national organics recycling rate of 95 per cent by 2030, up from the current 51.5 per cent.

At that level, the industry would generate an additional $1.6 billion in supply chain opportunity, with an extra $612 million in industry value add towards the Australian economy.

This would deliver 4094 extra jobs paying $309 million in livelihood to Australians, Wadewitz says.

He adds that an extra 3.2 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions would be saved.

This is equivalent to 4.8 million trees planted or 742,000 cars taken off the road each year.

The biggest challenge in achieving these significant benefits is the contamination of organic feedstocks, usually by plastics.

For this reason, AORA advocates that Australia’s governments must urgently ban single-use plastics which are not recyclable, reusable or compostable, with exemptions for plastics used in medical and similar devices.

“Our industry’s products are needed for programs to meet state and national targets to reduce waste to landfill, mitigate the impacts of drought, retain water, improve soil quality, address soil salinity, improve agricultural productivity and to deliver the benefits of soil carbon capture,” Wadewitz says.

“These opportunities must not be lost with the current focus on other, more problematic recycling streams.”

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COUNCIL IN FOCUS

Eyes on Canterbury-Bankstown WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW SPEAKS WITH BRAD GRAY, CITY OF CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN SUSTAINABLE FUTURE MANAGER, ABOUT THE COUNCIL’S INNOVATIVE EYES ON IT ANTI-DUMPING CAMPAIGN.

Canterbury-Bankstown council hope the Eyes On It campaign can help other areas facing similar illegal dumping issues.

Why did council decide to develop the Eyes On It Anti-Dumping campaign?

The Eyes On It Anti-Dumping campaign, which launched in 2019, was developed to combat illegal dumping through education rather than punishment. A survey of Canterbury-Bankstown residents found 90 per cent were concerned about illegal dumping and generally wanted a “clean and green’ city.

Having a clean and green city also had a positive effect on our city’s health and economy.

40 / WMR / October 2020

How did your community respond to the campaign?

There was a fantastic response to the campaign. At the conclusion of 16 weeks, illegal dumping was reduced by 39 per cent and reports from the community on illegal dumps tripled to more than 2700 calls.

What actions did council engage in under the campaign?

Firstly, the campaign was driven by data. We gathered data on illegal dumps across Canterbury-Bankstown and looked at related demographic

information. This allowed us to identify hot spots to target for educational materials.

Like many councils, we offer free booked clean-ups, which people needed to know about. It also helped us realise the importance of translated materials for new migrant areas.

When we identified a dump, it was taped with warning tape and stickered to state it was illegal. Shockingly, 43 per cent of dumps were removed by the dumper themselves and we even received apologetic calls from people who didn’t realise it was illegal.

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At the conclusion of the 16-week campaign illegal dumping was reduced by 39 per cent.

How has the campaign effected the issue of illegal dumping in Canterbury-Bankstown?

A total of 6686 illegal dumps were taped, reported and removed. At the end of the campaign, 3.5 million people were reached. People are more aware about illegal dumping and that was clear from the increase in reports we received.

How did council feel when the campaign was recognised at the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards?

We are pleased this campaign has been recognised across the state at the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. We hope it can be useful to other areas facing similar issues.

What advice would you offer other local governments looking to address the issue of illegal dumping?

What made Eyes On It successful was its integrated campaign. That is, our media, waste operations and onground teams worked together to send a consistent and cohesive message: putting items on your kerb is illegal and you could be fined up to $4000.

What are council’s next steps to improve waste and resource recovery in the region?

We are constantly looking to educate residents in different and interesting ways. We’re exploring food waste bins to create a more waste conscious city and are even providing by-laws for apartment blocks struggling with illegal dumping inside private property.

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PROFILE

Keeping up Cleanaway’s reputation

42 / WMR / October 2020

FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF CLEANAWAY’S EARNINGS, CEO VIK BANSAL SHARES HOW THE LEADING WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY GREW AND REMAINED RESILIENT THROUGH DELIVERING ITS 10-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN.

W

hether it’s our food production, waste collection or supply chain logistics, we need some things to continue – but they’ve got to do so safely,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said in August, at the height of the state’s second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many Australian businesses and industries have come to a halt, but as hospitals around the country have increased operations and PPE requirements, waste management has too been at the forefront of the epidemic as a vital service to enhance health and safety of all communities.

The waste and recycling industry has continued to provide critical waste services to the public. As Australia’s leading total waste management, industrial and environmental services provider, Cleanaway Waste Management (Cleanaway) has the responsibility to keep its people safe and employed while servicing its customers on the frontline.

Following the end of the 2020 financial year, Cleanaway released its full year results, which included earnings growth through operating leverage and cost discipline.

Through the company’s acquisitions, partnerships and ongoing sustainable objectives, investors and industry decision makers were eager to find out how the company continued financial growth in its services and how the current climate was reflected in both profit and achievements.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Cleanaway,

Vik Bansal, is pleased with how the company has been able to deliver on its commitments whilst delivering a strong financial performance in the circumstances. He credits the Cleanaway Way – a strategy for the why, what and how – giving the company alignment across its business to focus on performance.

“Nothing that’s happened through COVID-19 has given us a reason to question our strategy. It continues to serve us well and has contributed to our success,” Bansal says.

“We benchmark ourselves against the leading global waste management companies and strive to be the company that sets the standard, which inevitably leads to a strengthened waste management sector.”

EARNINGS GROWTH DURING COVID-19 Cleanaway’s financial results for the year ending 30 June 2020 (FY20) saw a 8.7 per cent net profit rise to $152.9 million, due to an increase in its solids, liquid waste and health services.

The company announced its statutory profit after tax as $112.6 million, down 6.6 per cent on a year ago. However, its full year revenue increased 2.1 per cent to $2.3 billion.

The company comprises three operating segments – Solid Waste Services, Industrial and Waste Services and Liquid Waste and Health Services. Bansal stated in the full year results released on 26 August that Cleanaway’s financial results highlight the defensive characteristics of its revenue streams.

Solids Waste Services reported increased net revenue and earnings.

Excluding commodities, FY20 net revenue increased 2.4 per cent from $1.26 billion to $1.29 billion. The result reflects the impact of COVID-19 and lower commodity prices, which were partially offset by reduced rebates to customers. The introduction of a landfill levy in Queensland on 1 July 2019 resulted in reduced landfill volumes in the state, which were partially offset by higher collections and resource recovery volumes.

“Over the past year we strengthened our position as Australia’s leading integrated waste management business through our acquisition of most of the SKM Recycling Group’s resource recovery assets, and the successful integration of both those assets and the Toxfree business,” Bansal says.

“These acquisitions largely completed our Victorian and Tasmanian resource recovery footprints.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly generating tonnes of medical waste. There is a global shortage of PPE and the Federal Government is working with industry to increase local production of PPE in a sustainable manner. Due to heightened PPE requirements and increased disposal of medical waste from the health workforce, it was expected that Cleanaway’s Liquid Waste and Health Services would report earnings growth.

Liquid Waste and Health Services reported net revenue increased 3.8 per cent to $513.6 million, compared to FY19.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 43

PROFILE

“We benchmark ourselves against the leading global waste management companies and strive to be the company that sets the standard, which inevitably leads to a strengthened waste management sector.”

Vik Bansal CEO, Cleanaway

Cleanaway’s Health Services continue to grow, with the re-signing of some of its major customers for a further three to five years.

Cleanaway’s Industrial and Waste Services reported lower net revenue and earnings, with net revenue decreasing 8.3 per cent to $313.4 million.

Data from Roy Morgan showed that over 4.3 million people, nearly one third of Australians, have been ‘working from home’ during the last few months since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down large parts of the Australian economy.

While COVID-19 has created challenges, it has not changed Cleanaway’s strategy.

“We will continue to grow all segments of our business and look to improve both the quality and quantum of our earnings.

“This includes ensuring our capital is appropriately invested and delivering the returns that our shareholders expect,” Bansal says.

TREKKING TOWARDS FOOTPRINT 2025 Bansal says Cleanaway remains a leader in every waste stream in which it operates.

However, he notes that being a leader comes with responsibility, and

44 / WMR / October 2020

the company strives to maintain the highest standards and work towards its mission, “to make a sustainable future possible.”

“We’re excited about the potential of on-shore closed loop recycling solutions enabled by partnerships and some of the government incentives.

Circular economies are growing and becoming more mature across a number of waste streams, and they represent a real opportunity for economic growth in Australia,” he says.

Bansal says the company’s objective is to drive a circular economy in Australia and it will pursue several key projects that are strategically important for the business.

In 2017, Bansal laid out Cleanaway’s Footprint 2025, a roadmap to ensuring Australia has the right infrastructure in place to support communities in managing their waste, while continuing to improve resource recovery.

“Our society will always produce waste in some form, and Footprint 2025 will continue to respond to those needs while extracting value from the various waste streams through our infrastructure, resulting in sustainable outcomes,” he says.

For example, Bansal says Cleanaway has proposed an Energy-from-Waste

facility in Western Sydney to recover resource from residual waste, which otherwise goes to landfill.

“We’re also building a plastic recycling facility in Albury, which will turn used plastic bottles into new containers as part of a genuine circular economy.

“This is part of how we achieve our mission,” Bansal says.

Bansal says Cleanaway is looking forward to partnering with government, industry and the private sector to make a circular economy possible.

He notes that it’s important to include product stewardship in that plan and that there is a need for product manufacturers to participate in waste reduction and resource recovery strategies.

Cleanaway recently announced a joint venture with Pact and Asahi to build a $45 million PET plastic pelletising facility, Circular Plastics Australia, which will use plastic from recycled bottles to manufacture new drink containers for Asahi products.

He says harmonising standards and definitions across the sector are measures Cleanaway strongly supports to improve compliance and regulation.

“This would also enable national consumer education campaigns to improve community understanding of waste streams, thus reducing contamination and improving recycling rates,” Bansal says.

Trading conditions remain unpredictable for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19.

However, Bansal is confident in saying that Cleanaway is a market leader in every sector in which it operates, and its network of prized waste infrastructure assets across the country will continue to grow until the final footprint is cemented in 2025 and beyond.

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APCO COLUMN

Progress to 2025 continues DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020, AUSTRALIA HAS CONTINUED TO DELIVER IMPRESSIVE GAINS ON ITS JOURNEY TO DELIVERING THE 2025 NATIONAL PACKAGING TARGETS, WRITES APCO CEO BROOKE DONNELLY.

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or many, 2020 has been a year of uncharted territory – professionally, economically and socially. Yet despite its challenges, Australia has continued to deliver impressive gains on our journey to delivering the 2025 National Packaging Targets. Here is a snapshot of activity APCO and our wider community are delivering to build a circular economy for packaging in Australia.

Work is well underway on our program of FY21 Priority Projects – a series of dedicated projects co-designed with our community of working groups to address systemic challenges and drive action in the following key areas: reuse, recycling, recycled content, composting, singleuse and unnecessary and problematic plastic packaging phase out.

Some of the exciting initiatives we are looking forward to unveiling in the next twelve months include:

46 / WMR / October 2020

• A reuse resource and case study analysis to support industry with the implementation of reuse systems.

• A range of new industry best practice design guidelines covering soft plastic, rigid PP, rigid HDPE, fibre based packaging/PCPB and problematic small items.

• A new project to build industry awareness, education and responsibility regarding the benefits and importance of B2B packaging recovery.

• New research and projects to map and plan effective strategies to increase recovery or reduce the use of soft plastics.

• The new Pledge Project, which calls on organisations from the packaging supply chain to publicly pledge the volumes of specific materials they will transition from virgin materials to recycled content.

Internationally, pledge projects have

proven to be an effective tool in demonstrating the powerful market potential for recycled content uptake.

The European Commission’s 2019 Plastics Pledge is not only driving major investments in the industry, but is on track to triple the EU’s recovery of plastics within five years. The Pledge project is part of a series of projects addressing the recycled content issue – with other initiatives including recycled content traceability, verification, labelling, procurement and design guidelines.

It’s been two years since we launched the ARL program to our APCO members and the scheme has much to celebrate, with overwhelming support from both government and industry.

Over 470 Australian businesses have now adopted the program and a report developed by the Australian Council of Recycling in August found in their test sample nearly a quarter

of products contain the ARL - an incredible achievement within a short time frame.

This year the program was also recognised internationally as a worldleading consumer education initiative in a report from the UN Environment Programme, commended for its clarity, reliability and accessibility.

Looking ahead to 2021, we are excited to be rolling out the next iteration of the label – which will expand to encompass recycled content and reuse.

Training and education have continued to be a major focus for APCO in 2020. Through our training partner, the Australian Institute of Packaging, we delivered 25 training events in QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, NZ and the Philippines during the 2019-2020 period, involving 885 participants. The sessions are designed to build industry understanding and capability around critical sustainable packaging topics and resources, including the 2025 Targets, the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines and the ARL Program.

Since lockdown started in March, APCO has hosted weekly webinars covering all things sustainable packaging. The popular sessions have brought together over 3500 attendees, and covered issues ranging from sustainable communications and investment, through to behaviour change and reporting. All session recordings are available on the APCO website.

In October, we are very excited to be launching a new creative campaign in partnership with Planet Ark to build awareness of the ARL and promote better recycling behaviours.

The ‘Check It, Before You Chuck It’ campaign will aim to improve recycling behaviours by encouraging all Australians to look for the ARL every time they are at the bin.

“Through our training partner, the Australian Institute of Packaging, we delivered 25 training events in QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, NZ and the Philippines during the 2019-2020 period, involving 885 participants.”

APCO CEO Brooke Donnelly

The launch is the first major focus of APCO’s National Consumer Education Campaign, a two-year program to promote better consumer awareness and behaviour relating to sustainable packaging. Alongside recycling, the campaign will seek to improve sustainable packaging awareness and behaviour in Australia by addressing six core topics: recycling, recycled content, reusable packaging, packaging reduction and avoidance, compostable packaging and the functional role of packaging,

Brooke Donnelly says work is well underway on APCO’s program of FY21 Priority Projects.

such as the relationship between packaging and food waste avoidance.

At the time of writing, APCO’s members are in the process of finalising their annual reporting process – a core requirement of the membership process.

With more than 1600 members tracking and assessing their packaging sustainability, the annual reporting tool is fundamental for keeping Australian industry transparent and accountable.

It’s also a critical data gathering exercise that allows us to build a systemic picture of packaging in Australia – and will form an important part of our annual Packaging Consumption and Resource Recovery Data report that will be published in Q4.

Finally, in November, we are looking forward to again celebrating (virtually) the industry high achievers that are leading the way in sustainable packaging design and innovation at the APCO annual awards. This year we are also very excited to launch three new categories. The new Our Packaging Future Awards will highlight innovation and leadership from members in areas of sustainable packaging education, improved collection and recycling systems, and end-market development.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 47

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – TRUCKS AND VEHICLES

Metro Waste cleans up with Isuzu TO CAPITALISE ON THE RAPIDLY GROWING WASTE SECTOR AND BOOST ITS MINI BIN CONCEPT, METRO WASTE IS UTILISING A HEARTY FLEET OF ISUZU WASTE TRUCKS.

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ccording to the latest National Waste Report, Australians generate an estimated 67 million tonnes of waste over a 12-month period. This translates to a staggering 2.2 tonnes of waste per person every year.

Analysing these figures, it’s no surprise that there’s been renewed focus on established waste and recycling management and solutions.

The microscope continues to be applied to key industry stakeholders and their waste and recycling operations, and the rest of the nation is watching.

Operating in this space and contending with the rapidly changing waste and recycling conundrum is Metro Waste.

Arguably one of the more recognisable waste and recycling management businesses in Adelaide, Metro Waste, with its fleet of branded Isuzu Trucks, services Adelaide city and the greater Adelaide region.

They collect all manner of waste and recycling materials, before returning to their Thebarton-based transfer station for sorting, cleaning

48 / WMR / October 2020

Anthony Callipari, Carmelo Rositano and Justin Castelluzzo of Metro Waste developed the mini-bin concept to better cater for the diverse needs of their customers.

and categorisation.

Metro Waste has operated throughout Adelaide for more than three decades, headed by co-owners Anthony Callipari, Carmelo Rositano and Justin Castelluzzo.

Business partners and friends, the trio have a shared vision of growing and evolving with the waste and recycling landscape, and have added a mini bin service offering, so as to better cater to the diverse needs of their customers.

The mini bin service began as a straightforward concept, but Callipari describes it as the spark that kickstarted the beginning of their real success.

“The three of us went to school together and ended up purchasing

the business. We then introduced the mini bin service to the mix and we’ve kept growing ever since,” Callipari says.

Having kicked things off with only one Isuzu truck on the road, Metro Waste now have a nine-strong Isuzu truck fleet covering the length and breadth of Adelaide and surrounds.

The latest additions are an Isuzu FVR 165-300 and the robust sixcylinder FSR 140-260, both fitted with skip bin loaders and adorned with livery – all facilitated by the team at North East Isuzu in Burton.

Metro Waste’s Isuzu fleet directly supports the mini bin segment of the business, with bins that range from two to 40 cubic metres in size available seven days a week.

“They work in dusty and dirty environments, and are sometimes required to go off road. They’re definitely put through their paces.”

Anthony Callipari Co-owner, Metro Waste

“Our trucks pick up and drop off bins throughout the suburbs, as well as waste from the bigger commercial construction jobs in and around the CBD,” Callipari says.

“They work in dusty and dirty environments, and are sometimes required to go off road. They’re definitely put through their paces.

Each truck will cover a minimum of 600 kilometres each week, clocking anywhere between eight and 15 bin

Metro Waste operate a nine-strong Isuzu truck fleet.

shifts.”

Callipari and his partners recently returned to North East Isuzu with the need to “fill the gaps”, so that Metro Waste could facilitate a full range of bin sizes and capacities. With an extensive range of Isuzu trucks on hand at North East Isuzu, they were well assisted in selecting the best solution for this unforgiving task.

“Without trucks, we haven’t got a business,” Callipari says, explaining

the innate reliance of the waste management industry on the capital equipment charged with transporting materials from point A to point B. “We’re obviously dependent on trucks, without them we’ll have stockpiles of waste and we wouldn’t be able to service our customers.”

Contact – Isuzu

P 1800 035 640 W www.isuzu.com.au

Metro Waste’s fleet of branded Isuzu Trucks services Adelaide city and the greater Adelaide region.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 49

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – LANDFILL EQUIPMENT

Wastech’s Flexus Balasystem’s can increase usable landfill volume by up to 40 per cent.

Maximising landfill life I

AS THE EXCLUSIVE AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR OF FLEXUS BALASYSTEM’S, WASTECH ENGINEERING IS WORKING TO OPTIMISE SUSTAINABLE LANDFILL MANAGEMENT.

n the spring of 1997, Flexus Balasystem was asked to install its unique integrated bailing and wrapping machine in a small town on the Mediterranean coast of France. At the time, Adge produced an average of 25 tonnes of municipal solid waste each day, with daily peaks of over 150 tonnes in the summer months. The goal of the municipality was to manage waste in an environmentally safe way, while not disturbing the regions

50 / WMR / October 2020

booming tourism industry. The project was a success, with similar installations now complete in over 53 countries.

While Flexus Balasystem’s technology has advanced significantly since 1997, the ethos of the company remains the same: building waste handling technology that produces positive environmental outcomes.

The unique Flexus round-bale technology was pioneered in Sweden, with several hundreds of installations

world-wide. The system provides an optimum solution for the handling and disposal of municipal solid waste, offering significant advantages over traditional bailing in terms of cost efficiency and environmental safety.

To capitalise on these advantages and fill an identified gap in the Australian market, Wastech Engineering recently developed an exclusive distribution partnership with Flexus Balasystem.

According to Chris Andel, Wastech National Product Manager – Projects, the partnership will provide Australia’s waste sector with access to sustainable landfill solutions. He explains that as the country begins to grapple with declining landfill space, the distribution deal could not have come at a better time.

“By utilising the Flexus system, landfill densities are radically improved and day-to-day landfill problems such as wind control and litter are eliminated. Odours are also controlled, and vermin issues resolved,” Andel says.

The Flexus system is a complete heavy-duty unit for bailing and wrapping, storing and transporting compressed waste in round bales, allowing the material to be buried or stored for incineration at waste-toenergy facilities.

“Material is rolled or milled and naturally compressed with no external pressure, with the natural filling effect allowing desired density to be achieved,” Andel says.

With a processing capacity of up to 30 tonnes per hour, the Flexus system has a helicopter-style wrapping component, with bale ejection at either

side of the machine. Finished bales are then ejected onto a bale conveyor that holds up to three finished bales at once.

“As an all in one system, the Flexus is cost effective, with a single machine fulfilling all tasks along the chain,” Andel says.

“The result is significant waste volume reduction and no leachate during round baling. Because of the compressed nature of the bale chemistry, contents are rendered biologically inert, leaving no methanogenic activity inside the bale.”

This is a particularly salient fact, Andel explains, as state governments across Australia attempt to reduce the harmful effects of landfill methane gas via reduced organics to landfill targets.

“By preventing oxygen and waste from penetrating the waste, Flexus bailing and wrapping systems halt the biochemical process,” he says.

In a study conducted by the University of Lund in Sweden, no considerable temperature increase or methane production was observed from the bales after a year, with most biological and oxidation reactions virtually stopped. Andel adds that the system has a small footprint and

low civil costs, with compacted and wrapped bales sealed in modular cells that can be stored on site. The Flexus is particularly suited to municipal solid waste landfill remediation, he says, while also offering the ability to optimise landfill space at functioning sites. Andel explains that the unit can increase usable landfill volume by up to an extra 40 per cent.

Standard bale weights range from 600-1600 kilograms, with rapid handling and full manoeuvrability.

The system can be designed for stationary installation and be fully integrated into waste treatment plants.

The installation is designed to meet the demands and conditions of each specific case, Andel says. He adds that the mobile baling system can be easily transported from site to site.

“This provides operators with the flexibility to handle both smaller and larger baling commissions,” he says.

The system is available in three different models, with each designed to provide clients with many years of reliable service.

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

ONBOARD AXLE LOAD INDICATOR DISPLAYS AXLE AND GROSS WEIGHTS SIMPLE COLOURCODED DISPLAY

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ph: 02 9623 1800 e: chris.coleman@twsaust.com.au www.twsaust.com.au

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – TRUCKS AND VEHICLES

Safety and flexibility in the field ZYGGY REINOGA, KEITH WALKING FLOOR AUSTRALIA MANAGER, OUTLINES THE SAFETY BENEFITS OF THE COMPANY’S PROVEN WALKING FLOOR TECHNOLOGY.

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ustralia generates over 67 million tonnes of waste each year, with more than a third created by the construction and demolition (C&D) industry. In 2017, the industry generated 20.4 million tonnes of waste, with much coming from road and rail maintenance projects and the booming infrastructure pipeline.

C&D waste is typically abrasive and heavy, comprised of bricks, concrete, metal, timbre, asphalt and rock. As such, transporting C&D to recycling facilities for processing can be a challenge.

To meet that challenge, Zyggy Reinoga, Keith Walking Floor Australia Manager, says operators require heavy-

Walking Floor technology is a horizontal loading and unloading system.

52 / WMR / October 2020

duty and versatile trailers.

Designed to handle a variety of bulk products, Reinoga says Keith Walking Floor systems offer many benefits over conventional tipper trailers.

Since launching the system over 45 years ago, Keith has adapted its proven Walking Floor technology to the waste, recycling and aggregate industries, resulting in a safer, more efficient and versatile trailer.

According to Reinoga, the horizontal unloading action of a moving floor system eliminates many of the hazards of using tipping trailers to unload products in the field.

“Several factors can cause tippers to become unstable when raised for tipping. A ground surface that is not level, material that shifts or does not evenly unload and wind gusts – all can contribute to overturned trailers,” he says.

Trailers with Walking Floor systems safety unload on uneven ground, provide a controlled material discharge and can unload in windy conditions. In addition, Reinoga says these trailers can unload adjacent to other equipment, which is not recommended for tipping trailers due to the increased risk of overturning the trailer.

“Another benefit of unloading trailers with a Walking Floor system is that there is no risk of hitting

overhead power cables or trees during unloading,” he says.

“Trailers can also unload in tunnels, under bridges and inside buildings.”

A trailer outfitted with a Walking Floor unloader provides operators with flexible unloading options.

Unloading can be stopped or slowed as needed, allowing for the delivery of partial loads or loads at multiple locations. The systems also handle a variety of bulk materials, from abrasive products such as C&D waste to lighter materials such as organics and compost.

“This provides operators with nearly unlimited waste hauling opportunities,” Reinoga says.

Walking Floor technology is a horizontal loading and unloading system. While in motion, the floor slats remain horizontal, reciprocating sequentially and then in unison to convey the load. Advantages include an increase in the floor area that actually moves the load and a significant reduction in the weight of the slats.

Keith has more than 45 years of experience engineering trailer unloading solutions for its customers.

All systems are backed by a standard two-year warranty on hydraulic components.

Contact – Keith Walking Floor P 0404 041 883 E zreinoga@keithwalkingfloor.com W https://www.keithwalkingfloor.com/

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WHEEL LOADERS

CAT’S DURABLE 966M WHEEL LOADERS In the harsh and demanding environment of waste handling applications, operators require wheel loaders that can meet daily challenges.

With the high demands of inbound and outbound tonnages, feed line production rates and limited manoeuvring space, Cat’s 966M Wheel Loader provides safe, productive and reliable service.

The loader meets local emission standards and is designed to improve fuel economy while lowering long-term costs and facilitating un-interrupted performance.

The 966M is also equipped with new designed easy to load buckets and an integrated PAYLOAD system.

Additionally, the loader features a next generation adjustable seat and a revolutionary suspension system. Controls are easy to use, intuitive and user-friendly with joystick steering.

The 966 Range offers a planetary transmission as standard, or an optional XE model where power is transmitted through a hydraulic variator unit alongside a parallel mechanical gear path to maximise transmission efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions at lower rpm, saving fuel by up to 25 per cent.

The Waste Handler configuration comes standard with specific industry guarding to protect critical areas of the

The 966M is equipped with easy to load buckets and an integrated PAYLOAD system.

machine for working in waste. Hydraulic cylinder guarding, front frame, powertrain and crankcase guarding are all included together with durable axle seal guards for added protection.

All Cat M Series Wheel Loaders meet or exceed safety standards in waste handling applications and include features such as a rear-view camera, reverse lighting, standard anchorage points and back-up alarms.

With up to 15 per cent lower maintenance costs, operators benefit from extended service intervals, which in turn, saves businesses time, money and energy.

Contact - Cat

W www.cat.com/en_AU.html

CJD’S HIGH-POWERED VOLVO L260H WHEEL LOADER An asset to demanding waste operations, the Volvo L260H wheel loader is a reliable machine that has been upgraded with innovative technologies and increased payload capacity for greater productivity.

Available in Australia though CJD Equipment, the L260H boasts a range of features to enhance the operating experience.

For increased productivity, the Volvo cab can be customized to operator preference, with additional cameras and radar detect systems providing visual and audible alerts to operators to streamline safe waste handling.

Engineered for efficiency, the L260H is fitted with a powerful D13 engine, delivering six per cent more power and five per cent more torque than the previous L250H model.

Operators can achieve shorter cycle times with next generation load sensing hydraulics, designed to enhance the responsiveness of attachments and improve the lifting and lowering speed of the boom.

The L260H has also been upgraded with a new HTL310 transmission, which works in harmony with the powerful engine and axels. The new torque converter delivers increased torque output, resulting in enhanced performance.

For faster acceleration and smooth operation, the steps between gears have been reduced.

Operators can achieve shorter cycle times with next generation load sensing hydraulics.

For strength in demanding applications, Volvo’s proven Z-bar linkage provides high breakout force.

Additionally, the robust lifting arm enables fully loaded buckets to be elevated to maximum height and fast hydraulic speeds offer quick cycle times.

Contact - CJD Equipment P 08 9478 0000 E enquiries@cjd.com.au W www.cjd.com.au/

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 53

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WHEEL LOADERS

SUEZ and Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia have enjoyed a healthy relationship since the delivery of an ZX200LC-3 hydraulic excavator seven years ago.

Machinery to close the loop TO BOOST SYDNEY’S RECYCLING NETWORK, WASTE MANAGEMENT GIANT SUEZ HAS WELCOMED 11 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINES TO ITS FLEET.

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panning approximately 13.4 hectares, SUEZ’s NSW Chullora Resource Recovery Park sees over 157,000 cars and trucks each year.

Opened in 1997, the recovery park, which incorporates a transfer station and organics processing site, is currently under redevelopment.

The $40 million project includes plans to develop a state-of-the-art materials recycling facility (MRF), with the view of increasing the capacity and resilience of Sydney’s recycling network.

Through the implementation of a pull-through model that conceives of the sorting, reprocessing and specified end uses of processed materials as an integrated, closed loop solution, the new facility aims to deliver on the principals of a circular economy.

The Chullora MRF will sort

54 / WMR / October 2020

recyclable materials into different streams, which will then be transported to manufactures for reprocessing into new products.

Operating globally for 160 years, SUEZ aims to help businesses, governments and communities shape a sustainable environment through the reuse and recycling of water and waste.

Employing over 2800 people in Australia alone, SUEZ operate more than 100 waste management facilities across the country.

As a result, this enables them to provide solutions that supply seven million Australians with safe drinking water, while diverting 1.2 million tonnes of waste from landfill each year.

SUEZ prides itself on innovation and always looking forward, globally investing $175 million every year into

cutting edge technology.

As a company strongly committed to innovation, SUEZ recently engaged Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA) as a like-minded provider of construction machinery to assist their waste management operations.

SUEZ has purchased 11 machines from HCA, including six ZW180-5wheel loaders and five ZX135US-5 excavators. Prior to this purchase, SUEZ acquired a ZW250-5-wheel loader for its Spring Farm, NSW facility, along with purchasing an ZX490LCH-5 excavator and ZW330-5 and ZW370-5wheel loaders for its Victorian business.

HCA’s excavators will be used at the new Chullora MRF to recover resources from various waste streams, unblock chutes and crush material to

increase payloads.

Additionally, the wheel loaders will stockpile various waste materials and load hoppers with material.

According to Ash Turner, SUEZ NSW Business Manager, SUEZ’s loyalty to the Hitachi brand comes down to the reliability, comfort and ease of operations of the machines, competitive pricing and high-level servicing support.

“The excavators have been well received, are extremely comfortable and perform the required tasks well,” Turner says.

Additionally, he praises HCA’s Barry Cahill, Matt McCarthy and Grant Warren on their structured commitment, professionalism and great detail when delivering the machines, particularly in light of current COVID-19 social restrictions.

McCarthy, HCA National Major

Account Manager, says HCA and SUEZ have enjoyed a healthy relationship since the delivery of an ZX200LC-3 hydraulic excavator seven years ago.

“Since then, our relationship has really strengthened, as both companies enjoy a professional and collaborative approach from site level to senior level,” he says.

Furthermore, McCarthy says HCA’s close relationship with the waste industry allows the company to manufacture machines based on extensive specialised knowledge.

He adds that HCA takes its contribution to the waste and recycling industry very seriously.

“We are committed to doing our part to improve the earth’s environment, and working alongside with SUEZ makes it all worthwhile,” he says.

McCarthy explains that HCA and

SUEZ share a similar commitment towards investing in charities and supporting local communities.

Both are key sponsors of the Clontarf Foundation – a program established in 2000 that aims to improve educational attainment and employment outcomes for indigenous boys and young men.

The Clontarf programs are established as a “home room” in selected high schools where students receive mentoring to improve discipline, life-skills, self-esteem and education.

Through their partnership with the Clontarf Foundation, HCA and SUEZ have provided Clontarf members with workplace experience and job opportunities.

Contact – Hitachi

P 1300 HITACHI E marketing@hcma.com.au W www.hitachicm.com.au/

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WHEEL LOADERS

JCB wheel loaders are designed with customer input at every stage of the process.

Waste never stops COREY JEFFS OF KTS RECYCLING EXPLAINS HOW RELIABLE JCB WHEEL LOADERS AND EXCAVATORS HELP KNOX TRANSFER STATION KEEP UP WITH 24/7 WASTE INPUTS.

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arlier this year, KTS Recycling pledged to TAKE2. Delivered through Sustainability Victoria, TAKE2 is a collective climate change program supporting individuals, government and businesses to help the state achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The pledge is one in a long line of sustainability initiatives from the KTS team, who’s transfer station provides a valuable, local recycling and trading centre for Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs.

Working in connection with the Knox City Council, KTS is committed to reducing Victorian landfill and maintaining the natural beauty of the surrounding Dandenong Ranges.

The transfer station differs from Melbourne’s traditional waste tips by

56 / WMR / October 2020

offering a recycled goods store and employing the philosophy that ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’

To ensure it fulfills on these commitments while serving residents from five different councils, KTS’ Corey Jeffs says his team rely on heavy duty equipment from JCB. He adds that KTS run four transfer stations in Melbourne, all of which operate JCB machines.

Operating a range of JCB wheel loaders and excavators, Jeffs explains that the key benefit of JCB machinery is its reliability.

“JCB machines are very durable and don’t break down as easily as other machines,” he says.

“In our industry reliability is vital because you’ve got waste coming at

you 24/7. The waste never stops and it’s never going to stop, so we need machines that never stop,” he says.

JCB wheel loaders are designed with customer input at every stage of the process, with particular consideration given to safety, efficiency, performance, ease of use and maintenance, reliability and comfort. Performance wise, JCB wheel loaders deliver big power and torque, high power-to-weight ratios, powerful breakout forces and excellent traction.

Throughout JCB’s history, the company has always invested heavily in research and development, keeping them at the cutting edge of innovation.

As such, the latest generation loader’s driveline comes standard, with additional features such as auto

lock axles. This automatically locks the front axle when required, allowing the loader to operate on any surface.

Operators can choose their ideal loading arm with a Z-bar linkage for high breakout applications or high torque for parallel lift and multiattachment use.

Similarly, JCB designs its hydraulic excavators around the principal that success relies on putting the operator at the heart of the design. As such, JCB excavators provide class-leading ease of maintenance, tough components and exceptional operator comfort.

Despite the rugged durability of JCB’s machinery, for Jeffs, it’s the JCB CEA team’s commitment to customer service that is the standout of the company’s ongoing partnership.

“We have a great relationship and they communicate very effectively

with us. I talk to our JCB CEA sales manager at least once every two weeks and he touches base with all the machines and how they’re going,” he says.

Additionally, Jeffs says the JCB CEA team make at least two trips to the KTS site each year to understand how the wheel loaders and excavators are running.

“They jump into the machines and see if anything needs improvement, such as new settings or attachments, and make those changes based on our specific needs,” he says.

“It’s great to have that service because they might see something wrong that we didn’t notice ourselves.

“From my perspective, JCB CEA have all of the bases covered. You get the whole package when you invest in JCB equipment.”

KTS operate a range of JCB wheel loaders and excavators.

Contact – JCB CEA

P 1300 522 232 W https://www.jcbcea.com.au/

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

FLIR’S A400/A700 SMART SENSOR FLIR’s thermal imaging technology has been used in waste facilities across the globe for fire prevention for over 40 years.

With advanced analytics and world-class thermal imaging, FLIR’s A400/A700 Thermal Smart Sensor Camera builds on that technology to provide an efficient screening solution for a range of complex monitoring applications.

Applications include early fire detection at landfills and waste facilities, critical infrastructure and product quality.

The Smart Sensor configuration includes multiple measurement tools and alarms, while also providing computing-on-the-edge. Analytics are performed at the camera level for immediate results.

With a range of lens choices, motorised focus control, and unrivalled connectivity, A400/A700 cameras offer unmatched power and flexibility.

Easy configuration allows users to tailor the monitoring system to specific quality, productivity, maintenance and safety needs.

The camera provides high-level image quality, with up to 307,200 pixels and a measurement accuracy of +/- 2 °C.

FLIR’s smart sensor provides high-level image quality, with up to 307,200 pixels.

Edge analytics with features such as a polygon function help operators make immediate and informed decisions.

Additionally, with flexible measurement features, the A400/A700 advanced includes options to adjust measurements and alarms based on a reference temperature source.

Contact - FLIR

P 1300 729 987 E info@flir.com.au W www.flir.com.au/

KOMPTECH TERMINATOR SINGLE-SHAFT SHREDDER Komptech’s Terminator 6000S is a low-speed, high-torque single-shaft industrial shredder designed to process nearly all types of difficult waste including heavy C&D debris, white goods, mattresses, tyres and municipal solid waste.

The heavy-duty, mobile shredder is powered by a choice of modern CAT Continuous cutting gap adjustment allows for the engines Tier 3 – Tier 5, which precise setting of desired particle size. deliver 600 horsepower to the drum.

The direct drive drum, with load dependent speed Operators benefit from adjustable cutting gaps, control, creates maximum shredding force that can counter combs and swap shredding units, which can reverse at any time to prevent blockages, redistribute be configured from coarse pre-shredding to defined material or clean the drum. shredding.

The intelligent drum design features robust teeth in Available in Australia through Komptech CEA, the a spiral arrangement for maximum cutting and tearing, shredder features a remote-controlled hopper with a 3.4 while keeping shredded material consistent. Overload metre feed opening into one of the larges shredding units protection prevents unshreddable contraries from ruining on the market, facilitating fast and efficient operations. the tool elements.

Contact - Komptech CEA Continuous cutting gap adjustment also allows for the P 1300 788 757 W www.komptechcea.com.au precise setting of desired particle size.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 59

PRODUCT SHOWCASE - METAL RECYCLING

STEINERT’S STEELMASTER OPTIMISED FOR TOUGH CONDITIONS Hand-pickers are generally responsible for separating copper meatballs and ferrous scrap metal.

With hundreds of objects passing over the sorting belt every second, it isn’t easy for hand-pickers to find and sort these problematic items. The purity of the ferrous product, e.g. the basic requirement for use in steel mills, may therefore vary greatly, making the product harder to sell.

By deploying a combination of ballistic and magnetic effects, the new STEINERT SteelMaster is a good and efficient addition for reducing manual work.

Following the tried and tested electric magnetic drums – STEINERT MTE – for recovery and initial cleaning of the ferrous fraction, the use of downstream magnets results in greatly improved quality and much less manual sorting.

The STEINERT SteelMaster is specifically designed based on customer feedback and adapted to the tough conditions experienced in shredder plants. For example, the mechanics of the belt section have been adapted to improve material flow and separation properties, simplify maintenance and reduce the copper content in the iron to < 0.2 per cent.

The robust design, typical of STEINERT, stands for a long service life and good availability of the technology.

RecoveryAd_WMR_10_20.qxp_Layout 1 9/7/20 8:55 PM Page 1

The mechanics of the belt section have been adapted to improve material flow and separation properties.

Common grain sizes are 20 – 400 milimetres with high sorting efficiency. Depending on the material composition the throughput is at 75t/h per meter machine width.

Contact: STEINERT

P +61 3 8720 0800 E sales@steinert.com.au W https://steinertglobal.com/au/

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LAST WORD

Best practice delivers performance and innovation for CDS A CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME THAT FOLLOWS BEST PRACTICE LEADS TO BETTER PERFORMANCE AND INNOVATION AND SHOULD BE TOP OF MIND FOR VICTORIAN AND TASMANIAN GOVERNMENTS AS THEY DEVELOP THEIR STATEBASED SCHEMES, WRITES NWRIC CEO, ROSE READ.

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asmania has signalled its intention to have a container deposit scheme (CDS) up and running by 2022, with Victoria to follow suit by 2022/23. There is now plenty of active discussion on best practice. The National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) has written to both the Victorian and Tasmanian Environment Ministers highlighting the need for each scheme to be fair, equitable and transparent.

Strongly recommending that targets for community access, container redemptions, resource recovery and litter reduction are regulated, that operating and revenue sharing protocols are consistent with existing schemes and that scheme performance is publicly reported each quarter.

NWRIC’s preference has always been for a nationally regulated CDS rather than separate state and territory-based schemes.

With Victoria and Tasmania developing their schemes concurrently, the opportunity to ensure greater regulatory and operational consistency between all schemes should be a priority.

Consistency between state and territory CDS’ removes administrative duplication, creates cost efficiencies and drives innovation in collection, investment in local recycling capacity and greater reuse of materials into beverage containers.

As a minimum, the Victorian and Tasmanian governments should look to and learn from existing schemes for best practice.

NSW’s Return and Earn CDS has clearly set the benchmark in best practice in community access, container redemption and recycling rates, social and environmental outcomes and transparent governance.

The NSW Return and Earn governance model separates the roles of scheme regulator, network operator(s) and scheme coordinator.

Whereas in Queensland and Western Australia, the government has outsourced the network operations role to the scheme coordinator.

By doing this, the Queensland and Western Australian governments have lost control of ensuring community access is delivered.

By being one step removed, the

NWRIC CEO Rose Read says transparency, fairness and equity must be applied to new schemes.

government’s ability to correct and fine tune network operations no longer exists. Likewise, the incentive to innovate and optimise collections and material recovery through an open and competitive process has been removed.

The reason the NSW CDS works well is because of how it is structured.

By separating the roles of network

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 61

LAST WORD

operators and scheme coordinator, it ensures consumer convenience is being delivered and provides a commercial incentive to collect and recycle containers back into the economy.

In Queensland, even with a community access target set by government, customer convenience is still poor, with many collection points only open for limited hours or located in light industrial areas.

This is what you get with too much devolution of responsibility and a least cost compliance approach.

Similarly, when it comes to recycling containers, the Queensland scheme coordinator’s current online auction system, where accredited recyclers bid for material through a secure online portal, is flawed in two ways.

Firstly, the portal is not publicly accessible, thereby raising concerns about how recycled materials are traded and revenue shared between network operators and the scheme coordinator.

Secondly, it’s a closed shop, restricting access to legitimate organisations to purchase feedstock necessary to encourage investment in onshore processing facilities.

It is clear that CDS’ drive better outcomes including investment in onshore processing facilities, such as the recently announced two joint ventures by Cleanaway, Pact and Asahi, and Veolia and Coca-Cola Amatil, to establish recycled plastic processing plants.

This not only creates jobs and adds value to the Australian economy, but also ensures greater transparency of downstream recycling, as processing stays locally in Australia.

It also increases the amount of traceable local recycled content for the manufacture of beverage containers, creating a true circular economy.

Irrespective as to which governance model the Victorian and Tasmanian Governments finally choose, the regulatory instrument must, as a minimum, ensure the scope of containers included and the deposit amount for the proposed scheme is consistent with existing state and territory schemes.

The regulatory instrument should include annual targets for community access, container redemption, resource recovery and litter reduction, as well as fair and equitable operating rules

and cost/revenue sharing arrangements that are consistent with existing schemes.

Finally, to instil community engagement and business confidence, the scheme coordinator and network operators should be required to report publicly every quarter on key targets.

The NSW scheme has done this particularly well. NWRIC has continually advocated for regulated product stewardship schemes such as CDS because of their ability to reduce environmental harm and protect human health by preventing waste and keeping resources circulating in the economy and out of the environment.

Given the community reach, environmental benefits and involvement of the hundreds of local councils, charities, collection and recycling businesses and beverage companies, it is critical that the Victorian and Tasmanian Governments get the CDS governance right.

The principles of transparency, fairness and equity must be applied and the NSW Government approach of separating the roles of network operator (s) and scheme coordinator clearly delivers this.

NWRIC’s preference is for a nationally regulated CDS rather than separate state and territory-based schemes.

62 / WMR / October 2020

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