Waste Management Review December 2024

Waste Management Review

DECEMBER 2024

Fuelling the future ResourceCo cements its expansion into Queensland

2024 | DECEMBER | ISSUE 91 www.wastemanagementreview.com.au

FEATURES

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COVER STORY

34

NEW PLANT FIRES UP

Australia’s first Incinerator Bottom Ash processing facility is up and running, rewriting the way the nation treats waste.

In this issue Features PROBLEM WITH 06 THE PLASTICS 08 15

Waste Expo panellists discuss plastics and policy.

THE BREAKDOWN

We ask industry leaders for one key takeaway from this year’s Waste Expo.

CHEMICAL REACTION

Helping Australia safely dispose of dangerous goods.

26 MAKING A MOVE

Helping South East Queensland maximise FOGO.

FUELLING THE FUTURE

ResourceCo cements its expansion into Queensland.

11

“WE’VE MADE A COMMITMENT TO BE A FIRST MOVER TO HELP DRIVE CHANGE AND THE STATE’S SUSTAINABILITY ASPIRATIONS.” Henry Anning, Chief Executive Officer, ResourceCo Energy

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FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE WORK EXPERIENCE 32 46 18 MELTING POT 48 NEW PLANT FIRES UP 20 A WASTE EVORO-LUTION 34 50 AND THE WINNER IS ...

BIGGER IS BETTER 36 ALL GO FOR FOGO 22 PURE PILBARA

Inside Pure Environmental’s latest acquisition.

New company pools talents of industry experts.

Cleanaway is primed to deliver circular solution in New South Wales.

24 NATURAL SELECTION

New compost processing solution promises quality and quantity.

Australia’s first Incinerator Bottom Ash plant is up and running.

Why circular precincts have the potential to unlock value for the industry.

38 A CALCULATED MOVE New tool revolutionises project planning.

Deep dive into Waste Expo Australia.

Inside the Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards.

Regulars

54 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 57 LAST WORD

3 / WMR / December 2024

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

PUBLISHER

Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au

From the Editor

Movers and shakers Time appears to move so quickly, and just like that, another year has passed.

Upon reflection, 2024 has thrown up some challenges – battery fires have escalated, we’re no closer to solving diminishing landfill capacity, and a lack of harmonisation on waste collection and processes across the country continues to cause confusion.

But as we close out another year, the waste, recycling and resource recovery industry has much to be proud of.

The industry has shown its willingness to take risks and think outside the box in the hope of delivering better outcomes. Millions of dollars have been poured into new infrastructure across Australia, all aimed at reducing a reliance on finite materials and our carbon footprint.

ResourceCo has long been at the forefront of resource recovery, and it continues to be a first mover.

In this edition’s cover story, we get a closer look at the company’s newly commissioned alternative fuel plant in Hemmant, Queensland. The solo project is set to play a crucial role in reducing waste and promoting recycling in the region.

Also set to play a crucial role in the way Australia treats its waste is the nation’s first Incinerator Bottom Ash plant. After many years of tireless work, Ian Lynass has finally seen his vision become a reality, officially opening the plant in October. We talk with Ian as he absorbs the enormity of what Blue Phoenix Australia has achieved.

As organics recycling targets edge closer, we examine the advancements being made in South East Queensland and New South Wales, review new technology and find out why introducing the next generation to the industry is so important.

And we salute some of the sector’s brightest minds, bringing you full coverage of the 2024 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards. The innovations, talent and dedication of all finalists and winners is proof the industry is in good hands and I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings.

On behalf of the Waste Management Review team, we wish you all a happy holiday season.

Happy reading!

Lisa Korycki 4 / WMR / December 2024

MANAGING EDITOR

Lisa Korycki lisa.korycki@primecreative.com.au

JOURNALIST

Jennifer Pittorino jennifer.pittorino@primecreative.com.au

HEAD OF DESIGN

Blake Storey blake.storey@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN

Laura Drinkwater

BRAND MANAGER

Chelsea Daniel chelsea.daniel@primecreative.com.au p: +61 425 699 878

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au

HEAD OFFICE

Prime Creative Pty Ltd 379 Docklands Drive Docklands VIC 3008 Australia P: +61 3 9690 8766 enquiries@primecreative.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au

SUBSCRIPTIONS

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ARTICLES

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

COVER

Cover image: Henry Anning, Chief Executive Officer of ResourceCo’s Energy division. (ResourceCo)

COPYRIGHT

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

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

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FEATURE NEWS

Addressing the plastic problem

I

Waste Expo Australia brought together industry leaders ready to discuss all things waste, including one panel on plastics and policy.

was told 12 years ago that the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) would never happen, that it was too expensive, and people wouldn’t use it,” said Toby Hutcheon, Campaign Manager at Boomerang Alliance.

“Witnessing its success now convinces us that’s exactly the right process that we need to apply to plastics and packaging going forward.”

Hutcheon was one of four industry leaders who provided insight into the country’s plastic problem, including policy, reuse and recycling, during a panel session at Waste Expo Australia.

He was joined by Peter Kinrade, Associate Director at Marsden Jacob Associates, Chris Smith, Territory Manager Victoria at Replas, and Steve Morriss, Head of Circularity at Close The Loop.

When talking policy, Hutcheon said unity across the country is needed.

“We need the Commonwealth Government, with the public support of every single state and territory government, to say we want products and materials managed to their highest resource value,” he said.

“It means that every single problematic product is subjected to a circular economy approach, whereby it is managed through its entire life cycle according to the highest resource value.

“Recycling is part of that, but it’s only one of the options that we will see in the future.”

6 / WMR / December 2024

The panel dove into the shift from single-use plastics towards reusable alternatives, discussing the necessary government policies and business practices to support this change.

Morriss said product stewardship in the packaging space needs to become mandated to encourage all brands to be a part of it.

“It’s the most important thing we can do,” he said. “All the brands will be a part of it as long as everyone’s involved.”

Kinrade addressed the development of markets for recycled soft plastics and the importance of circular contracts in ensuring that what is recycled is also purchased and reused.

“We are currently a long way from eliminating single use plastics, despite the ministers agreeing last year on a nationally consistent approach,” he said.

“There is currently a lot of inconsistency across Australia and across jurisdictions when it comes to single use plastic.”

He said these inconsistencies vary from dealing with coffee cups through to heavyweight plastic bags.

“When it comes to working out what we can do about eliminating those, I believe there needs to be a strong focus on harmonisation and consistency,” he said. “At the moment, there are some great programs happening at a local level, but we need to look at a nationally coordinated approach.”

Smith discussed the overall challenges of plastic recycling. He said

Eliminating single use plastics across the country was a key panel sesssion at Waste Expo. Image: Prostock-studio/ stock.adobe.com

contamination was a major problem.

“At Replas we have had experience with mixed soft plastics and contamination,” he said. “The more layers and more films in the packaging, the harder it is for places like Replas and manufacturers to utilise that effectively.

“In the past three to five years I have noticed a policy shift towards procurement policies, and I think that’s where we need to continue to head.”

The panel also spoke about following in the footsteps of European countries to expel single use plastics.

“The recent Paris Olympics gifted every spectator with a reusable cup and a reusable container,” Hutcheon said.

“Germans have brought in a rule where every takeaway food outlet also must provide a reusable cup to their customers if they want it. This has shown people they have a choice.

“We need to start to put those things in place so that we start to change our behaviour.”

OPINION

The Breakdown

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

This month we asked: “How important are events like Waste Expo Australia and what is one key takeaway you have from this year’s event?”

Image: Prime Creative Media

Image: Prime Creative Media

Image: Prime Creative Media

Lacey Webb Founder and Director, Resource Hub

Matt Genever Chief Executive Officer, Sustainability Victoria

John McGuinness Sales, Focus Enviro

This year there is a real focus on embracing new technologies and diving into change.

We’re seeing the same faces that we often see at expos around Australia but we’re also seeing them delivering new technology outcomes, really embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and starting to move into a world where they are talking about how we can integrate with each other.

It’s almost like our technology is supporting collaboration.

These events are incredibly important.

We know we’ve got a diverse industry and people are bringing lots of different angles to it, so it’s great when we can come together and have active discussions about the opportunities that are ahead in the circular economy.

The key takeaway for me is that right now is the time to start the conversation about consumption.

We’re putting so much energy and investment into our recycling sector, and we are hearing a lot today about the innovations and investment, but looking at the trajectory – which suggests 33 million tonnes of waste in Victoria by 2050 – that’s completely unacceptable.

We have to start a conversation about consumption. The time is now to start thinking beyond recycling.

These events are vital to catching up with new and existing customers so we can bring them together.

We should never underestimate the value of discussion and face-to-face meetings.

If you or someone at your organisation is an industry leader and would like to be a part of this monthly column in 2025, please get in touch with Editor, Lisa Korycki lisa.korycki@primecreative.com.au 8 / WMR / December 2024

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COVER STORY

Fuelling the future

ResourceCo is set to make a positive impact on Queensland’s resource recovery industry.

Henry Anning, Chief Executive Officer of ResourceCo’s Energy division at the new Hemmant facility. Images: ResourceCo

R

esourceCo has cemented its expansion into Queensland with its latest resource recovery facility capable of saving more than 250,000 tonnes of residual material from being sent to landfill every year.

The $70 million alternative fuel plant in Hemmant, an eastern industrial suburb of Brisbane, is the first facility of its type in Queensland, and builds on ResourceCo’s growing national footprint of resource recovery operations.

The plant provides a significant opportunity for landfill diversion and emissions reduction as part of its production of Process Engineered Fuel

(PEF), which is used to replace coal in high energy industrial applications, such as cement kilns, both in Australia and globally.

In addition to extracting materials such as metals, heavy recyclables including rock, brick and concrete, the facility has capacity to manufacture about 150,000 tonnes of PEF each year, with an overall landfill diversion rate of 95 per cent.

Henry Anning, Chief Executive Officer of ResourceCo’s Energy division, says the plant will play a crucial role in reducing waste sent to landfill and promoting recycling in the region.

“Queensland is a market with a lot of opportunity in terms of its recycling rate, which means there’s opportunity to capture tonnes of materials and divert them from landfill,” he says.

“Waste policy in Queensland has also evolved significantly in the past five years following the introduction of a waste levy and the State Government’s Waste Strategy 2050.

“We’ve made a commitment to be a first mover to help drive change and the state’s sustainability aspirations.”

The Queensland Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy sets ambitious targets to increase www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 11

COVER STORY

Peter Raftery, General Manager Operations will lead the Brisbane facility.

diversion of waste from landfill and increase recycling.

A 10-year roadmap and action plan provide a framework to accelerate this transition. This is also set to be an important contributor to the national waste diversion target of 80 per cent by 2030.

To achieve this, the State Government has committed to supporting capital investment that increases the region’s recycling rates.

ResourceCo has invested more than $70 million, including a government grant under the state’s Resource Recovery Industry Development Program, to develop the resource recovery plant to service South East Queensland.

All incoming materials will be dry, non-putrescible material from waste businesses or generators, council sites, and commercial waste facilities.

“We recognise the embodied energy in all materials, recovering that energy wherever possible is our priority. Now, for the first time, Queensland has a facility that can provide a higher order solution in terms of the waste hierarchy,” Henry says.

“PEF’s ability to harness the energy value of material currently being wasted in landfill sites is unrivalled.

12 / WMR / December 2024

“Aside from the obvious environmental benefits of less material being sent to landfill, less methane and less fossil fuels consumed by our offtake partners, we’re also helping to extend the life of existing landfills, reserving that important airspace for the critical materials that genuinely have no other reuse or recycling solution.

“The outputs of this facility deliver significant reductions in carbon emissions – every tonne of waste diverted from landfill saves about one tonne of carbon and every tonne of PEF consumed instead of fossil fuels saves about one tonne of carbon as well – two bangs for your buck.”

PEF is a ready-to-use alternative fuel source, generated from select dry commercial, industrial, mixed construction and demolition materials.

The right mix possesses significant calorific value and can be used as a fuel substitute for coal and gas in high combustion facilities.

The ResourceCo Group believes alternative sources of energy to fossil fuels are integral to maintaining a sustainable environment.

The company’s renewable energy biomass fuel sources are used across Asia and Australia, helping to conserve natural resources, reduce

landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The company is an international leader in resource recovery and alternative fuels, manufacturing PEF from various sites.

In South Australia, the current Veolia – ResourceCo partnership enables the production of PEF to supply alternative fuels to AdBri. This plant, the first of its type in Australia when it was opened in 2006, sorts the entire raw material stream into its various components, with more than 90 per cent of the material recovered.

With similar operations with another joint venture partner in New South Wales, ResourceCo’s new Queensland facility is the first of this type fully owned by ResourceCo. “It’s a major step in our market and a major step for ResourceCo,” Henry says.

ResourceCo worked with Australianbased manufacturer and integrator Ogtec to design and deliver the Queensland plant.

It includes a range of screens, shredders, optical sorters and ballastic separators designed to separate material for recycling and produce a fuel to specifications.

The facility was commissioned in October and Henry says the response has been positive.

“ResourceCo has national waste clients who have been crying out for a landfill diversion solution like this in South East Queensland,” he says.

“We’ve also had good support and momentum from the State Government which is very proactive in getting things done to deliver opportunities like this in Queensland.

“From an employment perspective, the facility will bring additional job opportunities to the region, so it’s not just the environment that benefits from recycling, the economy does too. It’s widely reported that for every 10,000 tonnes of material diverted from landfill into the resource

recovery sector, there’s a three-fold employment benefit.”

More than seven years in development, the facility is a substantial investment in the state. Henry says ResourceCo takes a long-term view of the sector and is excited about the future of operations in Queensland.

“South East Queensland is forecast for major population growth over the next 10 years,” Henry says. “With an already lower recycling rate compared to other states, population growth and the 2032 Olympics adding a little bit of extra boost, there are a lot of opportunities.

“ResourceCo had the vision and commitment to make a call and follow it through.

“By leveraging our expertise in commercial and industrial, as well as construction and demolition waste recycling, we are poised to make a substantial impact on Queensland’s environmental sustainability.”

ResourceCo has operations in every Australian state and aims to deliver multiple resource recovery facilities

around east coast capital cities. Henry describes it as building an ecosystem of sustainability and believes ResourceCo has the experience, scale and strong relationships with offtake partners to have confidence in investing in the sector.

“We could build many more of this type of facility around Australia if the economics and policy settings are right,” he says. “There is 15 million tonnes of construction and demolition and commercial and industrial waste still going to landfill. Even if half or a third of this still went to landfill we could divert millions of tonnes of this waste and save millions of tonnes of emissions from the landfills and energy users.

“It would also drive hundreds, if not thousands of jobs, just with this type of plant. That’s something that often gets lost in conversation, this type of investment is an economic and social opportunity.”

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

All recyclable material will be separated from the feedstock before being turned into Process Engineered Fuel (PEF).

Inside the new resource recovery facility.

The new facility will have capacity to process about 250,000 tonnes of material annually.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 13

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FEATURED TOPIC – HAZARDOUS AND LIQUID WASTE

Chemical attraction Perth chemical engineer Reece Russell is in his element helping Australia safely dispose of dangerous goods.

Perth Chemical Specialists investigates an illegal dumping site in Brookdale, Western Australia.

Images: Perth Chemical Specialists

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adiation, explosives, sulphur hexafluoride – they can send tremors through organisations that don’t have an appetite for risk.

But risk is Reece Russell’s bread and butter. The Director of Perth Chemical Specialists gets a sense of accomplishment from identifying everything from chemicals dumped in the bush to a blue liquid found in a discarded soft drink bottle.

Reece has assembled a team of experienced chemists, environmental and waste experts to handle “all the unusual situations” that arise in the waste industry.

“You’d be amazed at what people put in containers,” Reece says.

“Every week we come across every combination of container with every combination of chemical.

“It’s scary. If you put a bright coloured liquid in a soft drink bottle a child will think it’s a drink. We are set up to identify that liquid so it can be labelled, packaged and transported properly so no one is put in danger.”

A chemical engineer, Reece has always enjoyed finding solutions. He founded Perth Chemical Specialists two years ago as a service-based business for waste

companies after identifying a gap in the market.

Perth Chemical Specialists has a mobile laboratory, which Reece says is the only one in Western Australia, specifically designed for unknown chemical identification, chemical response, explosives, radiation and sulphur hexafluoride management, as well as hazardous and dangerous goods disposal.

It means the team can respond rapidly to waste incidents, big or small.

It currently handles all unknown waste for the Western Australian Local Government Association and was recently awarded a five-year contract

by Western Australia Health Support Services, part of the state’s health department, to dispose of expired medical equipment and COVID test kits.

The company’s niche offerings have also been engaged nationwide, including a pesticide cleanup in Dubbo New South Wales, training waste chemists in Brisbane, and a sulphuric acid cleanup in Darwin in October 2024.

“We offer customised solutions to niche waste problems,” Reece says.

“If someone needs a chemist sent onsite, we have one available. If they need help to manage a bigger job, we can help.

“We really have a lot of technical capability that other companies may not have.”

That technical capability has been highlighted by the development of Blast Breaker – a chemical solution for treating ammonium nitrate emulsion (ANE) waste. (ANE is an oxidising www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 15

FEATURED TOPIC – HAZARDOUS AND LIQUID WASTE

“Every time we do a job successfully, we’ve helped to achieve a better environmental outcome.”

Reece Russell Director, Perth Chemical Specialists

agent used to manufacture a range of bulk blasting agents).

While there are other solutions available, Blast Breaker is believed to be the first retail option for ANE waste treatment. It separates a clear and recyclable hydrocarbon layer from the emulsion, leaving a single watery layer of ammonium nitrate that can be recycled into composting operations or other pathways.

It took 18 months to develop but in the past 12 months, more than 60,000 litres of Blast Breaker have been sold.

“Back in the day, you would put ANE in a hole, or a mine site would burn it or blast it,” Reece says. “You can’t detonate waste anymore, so a lot of ANE was going into landfill.

“Just this year, Blast Breaker has avoided more than one million litres of ANE going to landfill or other unsavoury disposal options.”

The solution has earned Perth Chemical Specialists a Western Australian Waste Sorted Award in the small business category. The company has also been shortlisted for an Australian Institute of Management, Small Business Award.

Based in Waikiki, an outer southern suburb of Perth, the company is punching above its weight and the success has spurred Reece on to continue to develop more chemical solutions for waste treatment.

“There are a lot of elegant chemical and technical solutions for current waste issues,” he says.

More than 60,000 litres of Blast Breaker, a chemical solution for treating ammonium nitrate emulsion (ANE) waste, has been sold in the past 12 months.

16 / WMR / December 2024

“There’s still massive potential and gaps in the waste industry that need to be filled. We’re working on a couple that, if successful, will be industry changing.”

Reece is keen to employ more chemical engineers, believing they have a valuable skillset for managing niche and hazardous waste problems.

He says chemical engineers are taught to look at the whole picture.

Something might work in a laboratory beaker, but what happens when you scale it up? What happens if something goes wrong?

“The engineering skillset is very holistic when solving problems and that’s what we need because for a lot of what we’re doing, there is no playbook.”

But that is also part of the attraction.

“Every time we do a job successfully, we’ve helped to achieve a better environmental outcome,” Reece says.

“We’ve stopped someone getting rid of a something toxic down the drain or into landfill.”

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

Oil drums dumped along the Brookton Highway in Western Australia.

FEATURED TOPIC – HAZARDOUS AND LIQUID WASTE

Pilbara welcomes Pure Environmental P

The acquisition of a key liquid processing facility will expand Pure Environmental’s reach across Australia, growing its efforts to revolutionise how waste is managed and perceived.

ure Environmental is implementing its brand promise to focus on the sustainable management and disposal of regulated wastes, with the addition of another liquid waste facility to its portfolio in Pilbara, Western Australia.

With a strong focus on maximising resource recovery and reducing waste to landfill, Pure Environmental has built a reputation as one of Australia’s leading environmental service providers.

Brad Gornall, General Manager Western Australia, Pure Environmental says the Pilbara facility is a significant piece of infrastructure which is required to support the growing need for sustainable disposal solutions for varying industries in the region.

Karlis Baltpurvins, Chief Executive Officer, Pure Environmental and Kristian Corps, Co-Director, Corps Group. Image: Pure Environmental

18 / WMR / December 2024

Liquid wastes can include anything from waste oil and industrial wash waters to organic liquids, sludges and contaminated drilling muds.

Brad says the facility will receive and sustainably treat a range of liquid and solid wastes, arising from the resources, mining and export sectors in the Pilbara.

The six waste codes include grease traps which cover food waste and water from restaurant drainage systems, septage and human waste, industrial wash waters, heavy saline water and industrial waste residues.

“We provide customised services for materials requiring unique methods to ensure their compliant disposal, and to minimise environmental impact,” Brad says.

“This facility is capable of processing up to 120,000 tonnes a year of liquid waste.”

THE EXPANSION Brad says Pure is looking forward to adding the facility to its growing portfolio.

“We purchased the facility from Corps Group who will continue to run the operations for the next six months under our ownership,” he says.

“We will then transition the facility to Pure’s control, allowing us to expand both geographically and through our existing and new customer base.

“Part of Pure Environmental’s focus is to innovate and do things differently which is why we have invested heavily in

building our technical expertise across the country.”

Pure Environmental has eight existing liquid processing facilities across Perth and Queensland. The Pilbara facility will allow the company to service additional customers in Western Australia.

Brad says improving its customer facing business is also a strong focal point.

“Our existing facilities have been in operation for a number years and our customers have always provided very positive feedback,” he says.

“They are all easy access sites, which provide a quick turnaround time for trucks that enter and exit the facilities.”

HIGH STANDARDS Brad says Pure Environmental has a reputation for building and maintaining facilities at a high standard and the additional facility will be consistent with what it has achieved across the business.

“We will ensure a good experience for all our customers including safe and efficient turnarounds, utilising high quality infrastructure and facilities that our customers can enjoy,” he says.

“We are really pleased to be able to service the Pilbara region. This facility is another critical asset to let us better service our customers and support Australia’s critical resource sector.”

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

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FEATURED TOPIC – HAZARDOUS AND LIQUID WASTE

A waste Evoro-lution

E

New hazardous waste services company Evoro pools the talents of industry experts motivated to make a difference.

voro’s name might be new in the hazardous and liquid waste space, but the company has more than 20 years industry experience behind it, led by new Chief Executive Officer Susie McBurney.

A stalwart of the industry, with notable stints at both Cleanaway and REMONDIS Australia, Susie has taken on the role at Evoro, intent on driving the company forward.

Announcing her move, Susie says she is keen to bring all her experience into a uniquely strategic role.

“I thrive on creating structure and can see the big picture but understand the details,” she says.

“I uncover new opportunities and have the grit and resilience to capitalise on them.

“After 25 years in waste management, I couldn’t be more excited to be taking on this new role.”

The amalgamation of waste management companies Cleanway, EnviroChoice and Lee’s Environmental, Evoro has a complete eastern seaboard presence with operations in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Susie describes it as creating a “powerhouse in total waste solutions” covering everything from bin hire to industrial services. For clients, it means safe, efficient and environmentally responsible disposal solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous waste, and cutting-edge sustainability practices.

“We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously,” Susie says.

A drone image of the Evoro cleanup team in action. Images: Evoro

20 / WMR / December 2024

“We are committed to finding solutions that return and reuse materials.”

Evoro operates across a range of industries throughout Australia, including municipal councils, manufacturing, transport and logistics, oil and gas and infrastructure and construction.

A suite of services is tailored towards hazardous waste such as collection and disposal, emergency and spill response, grease trap and septic tank cleans and hazardous waste treatment.

Susie says the team of chemists, engineers and operational specialists is committed to innovation and excellence and can provide tailored solutions for even the most challenging waste streams.

Case in point – the company’s treatment plant in Victoria specialises in neutralising and recycling hazardous chemicals and can recover reusable product from waste glycol, an organic compound commonly referred to as antifreeze.

The facility has capability to process about 400,000 litres of glycol each month, achieving purity levels of 90 per cent for reuse.

Susie says building a greener future includes adopting eco-friendly waste streams.

“Evoro works to be at the forefront of technical waste treatment solutions, with the aim to provide input into the circular economy,” she says.

Evoro is an amalgamation of four waste management companies across the eastern seaboard.

“Our team pursues strategies in house and through our partners, including resource recovery, recycling, composting and waste-to-energy, to redefine the waste cycle by first approaching waste as a potential source of reusable product.”

Evoro’s chemical neutralisation process safely balances PH levels in acidic and alkaline wastes through a controlled chemical reaction, turning them into a non-hazardous chemical such as water or insoluble salts.

Wastewater treatment includes ensuring industrial wastewater meets regulatory standards before discharge, advanced technology to treat waters with high levels of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and a safe and effective technique to treat and dispose of hydrogen fluoride (HF) chemicals.

Using advanced solidification techniques, the team also stabilises sludges and powders, making them safe for sustainable disposal. Recycling oil helps to ensure that less is wasted, and more is reused, reducing the strain on finite resources.

Facility upgrades in Laverton, Victoria, New South Wales and Stapylton, Queensland are set to strengthen the line-up.

The Laverton project, five years in the making, was set to commence construction in November 2024 and will modernise the facility, improve access and increase processing capacity.

For Stapylton, Evoro has approvals to expand onsite treatment capabilities, with the project set to start in 2025.

All Evoro facilities and operations comply with environmental regulations and are Environment Protection Authority certified. The team also conducts waste audits to help customers better understand their waste streams and provide them with an efficient and eco-friendly solution.

Susie says the company strives to minimise the amount of waste going to landfill.

The team has a commitment to sustainable waste management practices and clients can be assured that their waste is managed in line with professional and legal standards.

“Implementing the highest safety standards when dealing with waste also helps to ensure our clients, employees and the wider public do not come into necessary harm,” Susie says.

“By setting ambitious goals, embracing technological innovation, and collaborating with stakeholders, we ensure our waste management practices evolve in sync with the latest advancements.

“This commitment drives positive results for us and our customers.”

For more information, visit: www.evoro.com.au An Evoro treatment plant in Victoria specialises in liquid hazardous waste.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 21

FEATURED TOPIC – ORGANICS

Cleanaway’s Eastern Creek facility has transitioned from red-bin waste treatment to processing Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) into compost for the agricultural sector. Image: New Africa/shutterstock.com

All go for FOGO

O

Waste solutions provider Cleanaway is primed to deliver a circular solution for Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) in New South Wales.

rganics is one of the fastestevolving segments of the waste industry as councils adopt kerbside collections in line with State and Federal government mandates to keep food waste out of landfill.

This will be the biggest change in the waste industry for the past 20 years.

For Ash Turner, State Manager for Resource Recovery at Cleanaway’s organics facility in Eastern Creek, it’s an opportunity to play an important role in enabling Australia’s transition to a circular economy.

Ash is leading the shift of Cleanaway’s Eastern Creek facility from red-bin waste treatment to processing Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) into compost for the agricultural sector.

Facility upgrades occurring as part of the transition will increase Cleanaway’s processing capacity at the Western Sydney facility by 35 per cent.

22 / WMR / December 2024

“Cleanaway believes in circularity and the environmental benefits of removing organics from landfill,” Ash says.

“Our process is true circularity. We take food and garden waste, process it into compost and return it to agriculture to improve the soils and yield.

“Additionally, diverting food waste from landfill and processing into compost is a great way to reduce greenhouse gases.”

Organic waste in Australian landfills generates about 13 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide equivalent) annually – about 2.5 per cent of Australia’s total annual emissions – according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

In 2021, the New South Wales Government introduced The NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041, which aims to recover

more FOGO to reduce landfill waste.

Under the strategy, all councils must roll out a FOGO collection service by 2030.

Ash says the upgrade of the Eastern Creek facility to include FOGO processing is crucial to supporting the state’s transition to FOGO, accounting for almost 30 per cent of the infrastructure required to meet forecasted capacities.

“Cleanaway has invested about $200 million into the FOGO transition in New South Wales,” he says.

“There has been a commitment and an understanding within Cleanaway that this is the right thing to do for the environment and our communities.”

Cleanaway has a history of delivering at-scale waste solutions that provide environmental benefits. Its Blueprint 2030 strategy sets out a goal to be the

most sustainable waste management provider in Australia, using innovation to see all waste as a resource and asking, ‘what can it be next?’

To reach that goal it has invested in recycling and landfill diversion infrastructure and the rollout of new waste stream services. In August 2022, Cleanaway acquired Global Renewables Limited (GRL) and has rebranded it to Cleanaway.

Ash says the Eastern Creek facility had a proven track record of removing contamination from waste materials and was well placed to make the change to FOGO with minimal disruption.

During the past two years, the facility has been upgraded to increase processing capacity. This will output larger volumes of compost to a higher standard, in anticipation of growing customer demand.

In October 2024, the facility started processing FOGO from a number of Sydney metropolitan councils, with more expected to sign on before the end of the year.

Up to 220,000 tonnes of organics can be processed annually, with capacity to expand on application approval.

“Cleanaway saw the need and value for a facility like this and has committed to organics processing in a significant way,” Ash says.

“The move to FOGO alleviates some of the stress on the diminishing landfill space in New South Wales, providing a way to remove organic material from landfill, which has a significant impact on carbon emission equivalents.

“That’s underscored by the fact it is absolute circularity. Food and garden material is processed into compliant compost that goes to agriculture and comes back as quality food products.

There are very few steps from kitchen table through to farmland and the benefits are significant.”

Those benefits are being backed up by science. Various trial plots around

the state are visibly demonstrating improved soil quality when the compost from Cleanaway’s Eastern Creek facility is applied.

Ash says farm trials with oats indicate a 100 per cent increase in yield when compared to standard fertiliser. A Brassica trial indicates a 240 per cent increase in yield when compared to no compost.

“We’ve adjusted the process to produce a higher bulk density compost,” he says. “It spreads beautifully.

“Farmers have a real earthy connection with it. They say it feels and smells earthy and natural, not like a chemical.”

The secret to a high-quality product, Ash says, is a wellmaintained composting process and early decontamination.

At Cleanaway’s Eastern Creek organics facility, quality, compliant product can be produced in four weeks – two weeks in a compost hall and two weeks maturation.

It is monitored for moisture and undergoes a thorough screening process. Feedstock also undergoes various levels of decontamination prior to composting.

The rate of contamination has been raised as an ongoing concern for the Australian Organics Recycling

Association because it is difficult and costly for organics processors to remove.

Ash says as the former GRL site, the facility was already well equipped to sort through general waste, remove recyclables and isolate contaminated material. These capabilities have been carried over to the organics processes, giving Cleanaway the ability to reduce contamination and produce a cleaner compost product.

However, education is a crucial way to drive engagement and encourage the right recycling behaviour.

A contamination feedback loop provides reporting on the rate and types of contamination. Cleanaway’s in-house team of educators work closely with a variety of stakeholders such as schools, councils and businesses to build confidence around waste disposal and resource recovery.

Additionally, there is a suite of education resources available to assist the community in reducing FOGO contamination and improving overall recycling rates across Australia.

Ash says this is just another way Cleanaway is working together with local communities, to make a sustainable future possible.

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

The Biomax system used to create compost at Cleanaway’s Eastern Creek facility. Image: Cleanaway

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 23

FEATURED TOPIC – ORGANICS

Natural selection A new compost processing solution promises quality and quantity.

The Aeroselector in operation.

Images: Material Processing Solutions

C

ontamination remains an ongoing concern in organic waste processing, but European manufacturer IFE Material Handling has developed technology that will not only screen contaminants but turn any overflow into usable fractions.

The Aeroselector combines wind sifting, ballistic separation and screening in one machine and has been proven to separate plastic foils, stone, and structural material from the screen overflow in several European composting plants.

Simon Sherwood, Managing Director of Material Processing Solutions, an exclusive distributor of IFE equipment in Australia and New Zealand,

Clean structured material after being fed through the Aeroselector.

24 / WMR / December 2024

says the Aeroselector is specifically designed to simplify the organics refinement process.

“Using one-of-a-kind technology, the Aeroselector can increase compost quantity, purity and quality,” he says.

“Its throughput, compact design and efficiency will make it popular in Australia’s organics and recycling sector.”

At the core of the Aeroselector is a magnet, flip-flop screen and air separation system which allows the purification of compost in one simultaneous process. Ferrous metals, stones, plastic foils and films are removed from the stream while making a high-quality final product.

Extracted plastic films.

As the final component, a star screen removes any remaining elongated, structured material which can be placed directly back into windrows to allow additional aeration and decomposition, saving costs of re-grinding a percentage of the oversize material.

The compact, stationary system is ready for use in any weather, even with moist raw compost.

Each machine is also flexibly integrated into existing recycling processes and can be expanded as required.

Optional features include a modular feed hopper, various size flip-flop screens and magnetic pulley, all specifically sized to the processor’s requirements.

Simon says due to easy handling and low energy consumption, the operating costs for compost processing can be significantly reduced by using an Aeroselector.

Optimal selection and co-ordination of components also means the machine is easy to maintain and clean.

For more information, email: sales@mpsbulk.com.au

Final compost product, produced using the Aeroselector.

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• Direct import and stocking of consumables for waste industry clients, such as sample bottles, and filter cartridges.

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FEATURED TOPIC – ORGANICS

Making a move

SOILCO is leveraging 50 years of operational experience to support South East Queensland’s infrastructure requirements for source-separated organics.

A

bout 300,000 Queensland households have an organic waste bin, mostly used for garden waste. By 2030 the State Government wants more than 1.6 million households collecting both food and garden waste to assist in meeting national and state waste reduction targets.

The state’s Organics Action Plan 2022-32 sets out a roadmap to transition to a circular economy and build economic and market opportunity for the organics recycling industry.

With a proven track record of transforming organic resources into quality-assured, life-giving soil products, SOILCO is an early mover

in the South East Queensland market, investing in strategic locations that will deliver key infrastructure and technology to bring its source-separated organics processing services to councils, commercial waste generators and local communities.

In 2022-23 the company secured three greenfield sites – Badgerys Creek in Western Sydney, Pinkenba in Brisbane, and Bromelton, in the Scenic Rim – that are now well on their way to being developed into large-scale organics recovery facilities.

Roslyn Florie-George, Executive General Manager – Strategic Growth & Infrastructure, says each site has been carefully chosen to meet

SOILCO’s Wogamia Compost Manufacturing Facility. This facility uses aerated static pile technology, which will be replicated at Bromelton.

26 / WMR / December 2024

the infrastructure needs of the surrounding region.

The combined capacity of these new facilities will exceed 900,000 tonnes per annum and will bolster SOILCO’s existing networks that span New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. Importantly, they will deliver proven results in helping communities increase the diversion of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) from landfill.

“We successfully transitioned from public drop-off/self haul feedstocks to kerbside garden organics (GO) 25 years ago, and more recently, we’ve assisted our council partners to navigate the transition from GO to FOGO,” Roslyn

says. “We’ve needed to overcome challenges and collaborate closely with our council partners. We feel that all of our learnings as a business will be beneficial to Queensland, and we’ve invested significant capital in the region.”

The designs for a new intersection and road extension have been accepted and procurement for the initial infrastructure works is progressing for the 161-hectare Bromelton Compost Manufacturing Facility (CMF) site.

The Development Application for the CMF was submitted in October 2024. Designs include a 400,000-tonne capacity facility comprising 250,000 tonnes of organics processing and 150,000 tonnes of additional valueadd products, such as sand and soil, to blend with composted products.

SOILCO’s Bromelton CMF will use aerated static pile technology, which, Roslyn says, has proven to work effectively for feedstocks containing food in more regional locations.

“It’s a technology we are familiar with and we have successfully used since 2018 at our Wogamia facility, near Nowra in New South Wales,” she says.

“It’s the sweet spot between open windrow composting and in vessel systems. It provides the required environmental and process controls, without the need for capital investment in enclosed tunnels.”

The facility will fill a gap in South East Queensland and northern New South Wales which, Roslyn says, are currently lacking organics facilities.

SOILCO’s Tweed Heads Organics Processing Facility (located at Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre) is nearing its licensed capacity. SOILCO is regularly approached by councils on both sides of the border seeking a solution for organic waste in the region.

She says the biggest challenge in Queensland is that landfill levies

A render of SOILCO’s Bromelton Compost Manufacturing Facility. Images: SOILCO

do not yet provide an economic incentive for local government to transition to FOGO. At the same time, strict legislative frameworks are being introduced, resulting in less appetite for organics processors to invest in expensive enclosed technologies alongside pre- and post-sort decontamination processing equipment.

However, if the industry is to meet legislative requirements and resource recovery targets, additional capital expenditure is needed.

“Self-haul GO is a relatively clean waste stream that can continue to be managed by existing infrastructure, however, we anticipate that councils will see a change in feedstock quality when kerbside GO services are introduced more broadly. With the move to FOGO, there will likely be another shift in the feedstock characteristics, which will require further investment in the industry,” Roslyn says. “SOILCO is a legitimate player. We have half a century of experience, and we are developing

facilities locally to get the most out of this valuable resource.”

While the kerbside organics recycling landscape continues to evolve, SOILCO is broadening its service offering and is finalising the Material Change in Use application for its Pinkenba facility, which will allow it to receive and aggregate a range of waste streams, in addition to organics.

It plays to a broader objective for the company to become a national resource recovery platform.

“SOILCO has an excellent reputation for recycling domestic and commercial organic feedstocks in southern New South Wales, and more recently the Northern Rivers and Canberra,” Roslyn says. “In the past three years we’ve broadened our footprint and crossed state borders.

We’re working hard to establish a largescale strategic network and are on the cusp of achieving so much more. 2025 will be our biggest year yet.”

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

FEATURED TOPIC - ORGANICS

Scholarship success

The recipient of the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) scholarship discusses her motives for applying and reflects on her time at the AORA Conference.

Violet Edwards receives the scholarship from Deon Cope, of Komptech CEA. Image: Paul Benjamin

E

ach year the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) holds the AORA Annual Conference, a forum for education, discussion and networking related to organics recycling.

Now regarded as the principal conference in Australia for the organics recycling industry, it is also an opportunity to celebrate outstanding achievements in the industry.

To encourage growth for the next generation of waste leaders, AORA offers a $3000 scholarship to help a young professional attend the conference which features workshops, presentations, social functions and an equipment demonstration day.

Themed Collaboration for Success – Securing our industry’s future, the 2024 conference was held across three days from June 5-7 at the Seaworld Conference Centre, Gold Coast, Queensland.

28 / WMR / December 2024

Violet Edwards, a 26-year-old agronomist, who was working at Verterra Ecological Engineering at the time, was this year’s Komptech CEA Young Professionals Scholarship recipient. She says it was a privilege to be awarded the scholarship and attend the conference.

During her time at Verterra Ecological Engineering, Violet worked as an agronomist, focusing on recycled organics and the beneficial reuse of biosolids via direct land application in agriculture.

It was here she discovered the AORA scholarship.

“I wanted to apply for the scholarship for several reasons, one was primarily due to working in the space of biosolids and the beneficial reuse of what most people consider a waste product,” says Violet.

“The stigma around recycled products can be somewhat influenced by negative public perception. Being able to highlight the benefits of recycled organics and learn more about their valuable contribution to the circular economy was extremely important.”

Violet says the scholarship also provided a unique opportunity.

“There is a lot of talk around composting FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) and recycled green waste, but not a lot of information on biosolids and the benefits it has to an agricultural production system,” she says. “We are actively trying to break down the community perception of it being waste and trying to highlight the benefits.”

As a young professional in the industry, Violet says she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to network with other industry professionals.

“It can be difficult to network and leverage in smaller industries, so I was glad to have the opportunity to attend the AORA conference where there was a concentration of industry people who are willing to pass on knowledge and have valuable discussions,” she says.

“It is very important to make those connections and speak with people in the space to leverage and learn. Particularly for young professionals.”

Violet describes the conference as an in-depth display of topics and discussions pertinent to the industry.

“A demonstration day sponsored

by Focus Enviro kicked off the event and offered a fantastic display of technological innovation. I think it covered all bases and was quite in depth.”

More than 20 machines were on site for the demonstration, including shredders, compost screens, loaders, and excavators.

“The first day of the actual conference focused primarily on regulations and legislations, as well as the application of recycled organics,” Violet says.

The presentations began with a keynote presentation by Professor Sally Brown on the versatility of compost, which turned out to be one of Violet’s favourite presentations.

“Presentations and sessions on this day centred around shaping the industry’s

future while analysing its current standings,” she says.

“Janine Price from Scolexia was another speaker who broke down and reviewed current state regulations on soil amendments and specific feedstock from each state’s EPA’s (environment protection authorities).”

Violet says this presentation was a standout for her as it shed critical light on discrepancies between each state’s regulations.

“Janine discussed many areas for improvement and standardisation within those regulations,” she says.

To finish off the conference, day three centred around primary producers, highlighting the application and significance of compost products in agricultural production systems.

Violet says as an agronomist, she enjoyed the presentations throughout

the third day as they focused primarily on agronomic topics, diagnostics and the research that’s going on within recycled organics.

“Learning of the positive advancements that recycled organics are having on Australia’s agricultural, horticultural, and viticultural industries was eye-opening and rounded out the conference perfectly,” she says.

With time to reflect on her experience, Violet says she is looking forward to the growth of the industry.

“In the grand scheme of things, the industry is still small, so I am looking forward to seeing positive growth within the recycled organics industry in the coming years,” she says.

“For an industry that is still evolving, it is poised for substantial

growth. I enjoyed learning about the quantity of research going into the recycling industry.”

For those looking ahead to next year’s scholarship and conference, Violet couldn’t recommend the experience enough.

“The opportunity to speak with like-minded people within the industry is enough of a reason to apply for the scholarship,” she says.

“On top of that, all the information and knowledge that you take in from the conference itself is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I would definitely recommend it to young people in the recycled organics space.”

For more information, visit: www.aora.org.au and www.aoraconference.com.au

FEATURED TOPIC - ORGANICS

Windsifting reaches new levels

WESTERIA brings the advantages of windsifting technology to a small, mobile machine.

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ecycling and resource recovery engineering experts CEMAC technologies are always looking to advance technology to boost Australia’s circular economy.

Its newest offering from German expert in windsifting and materials handling, WESTERIA, is the AirBasic windsifter system.

The Airbasic is an ideal plug-andplay solution for sifting applications, and is also used to clean up compost to a high quality product that meets customer need.

By bringing the advantages of well proven windsifting technologies to a small, mobile machine, the AirBasic is able to clean all forms of wastes including organics, The WESTERIA AirBasic windsifter system is a portable, plug-and-play solution for windsifting materials. Images: CEMAC

30 / WMR / December 2024

construction, household, slag and even scrap metal.

Organics processor SOILCO has 40 years’ experience in designing, building and operating organics recycling facilities, recovering and transforming organic waste into products to regenerate and give life to soil. To continue its goal to diversify its operations and meet the challenges of Australia’s dynamic waste and resource recovery sector, SOILCO partnered with CEMAC technologies to install an AirBasic system.

THE AIRBASIC Eric Paulsen, Managing Director, CEMAC technologies says SOILCO installed the AirBasic system to

address contaminants across its different sites.

“This machine is a portable, plugand-play solution for windsifting materials,” says Paulsen.

“SOILCO’s byproducts from composting Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) is oversize material, including a range of physical non compostable contaminants such as different forms of plastic, that have been thrown into household green bins.

“Materials such as plastic and FOGO must be reliably separated.

The AirBasic achieves the highest possible removal of film and other light contamination, allowing a larger quantity of marketable size fractions then what has been achieved to date.”

The AirBasic is customisable with the option to add several attachments to meet the company’s needs. Pictured is a AirBasic with no attachments.

The AirBasic is available on a hook lift skid or tracks, and features a patented adjustable and precise nozzle system to ensure optimum separation results. It is a two-way separation system, with the option to integrate conveyors or other modules, such as the AirLift or DiscSpreader, to accommodate operator needs.

The AirLift vacuum system creates a third fraction by separating ultra-light impurities from the light fraction.

At speeds of up to three metres per second, material is propelled over a bend in the conveyor belt as the AirLift, positioned above, vacuums up any lightweight items, while heavier biowaste stays on the sloped belt.

The DiscSpreader material distribution system ensures uniform flow and distribution, independent of the feed type and direction.

In the main part of the machine, an acceleration conveyor belt brings the material up to three metres per second, while the Air jet system ensures high purity of the output fractions through the smallest deviation of the blowing speed.

The SOILCO project was customised to meet the company’s needs and included a DiscSpreader, Airlift and the heaviest power conveyor.

Eric says one of the attractions of the AirBasic is its portability.

“Having a mobile machine like the AirBasic is an optimal choice for companies like SOILCO,” he says.

“The machine arrived on a skid lift for easy transportation, and it can be positioned directly behind a screening trommel, which allows the operator to clean up oversized material very easily.

“The lightweight components and compactness of the machine means the AirBasic can be moved from site to site, with the option to be integrated into a processing plant at a later stage.”

Eric says the AirBasic brings new technology to Australia and is an exciting step forward in the windsifting space.

AIRSTAR EVOLUTION AirStar Evolution is the stationary version of the AirBasic, also known as the big brother of the AirBasic.

This year, the entire machine was redeveloped to allow better access to all components.

The AirStar features an adjustable fan that allows precise control of air speed and is equipped with an extra-wide nozzle opening for a broader and more even airflow, contributing to improved separation. The AirStar is also fitted

with an optimised air guidance system to direct air flow into the lightweight chamber. Parameters are automatically adjusted by the PLC control, allowing simple program changes by central plant control or touch screen operation.

Eric says one key aspect of the AirStar is the ability to adjust the nozzle angle and pressure controls for separation of different materials.

“All materials recycled on the machine can be saved for the ideal processing settings on the machine.

Once in the system, these settings can be chosen at any point in time.”

CEMAC welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate the AirBasic.

For more information, visit: www.cemactech.com

The AirBasic cleans and recycles several forms of wastes including organics, construction, household and mulch as seen in this image.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 31

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – FIRE PREVENTION

First line of defence

As the risk of battery-related fires increases in waste and resource recovery facilities, an engineered solution is helping to keep them safe.

The Fire Rover is a 24/7 monitoring service that detects heat variations in waste and alerts facility operators. Images: Fire Rover

T

hree key phrases are often repeated

by Fire Rover customers – risk reduction, peace of mind and asset protection.

“The waste and recycling industry is facing a surge in fires caused by batteries,” says Scott Russ, National Business Development Manager for Wastech Engineering. “The Fire Rover detects a heat source and stops it before it turns into something dangerous.

“Within seconds, it will pick up variations of heat in waste material and send an alarm to the control centre, which then immediately looks at the cameras to determine what’s going on.

“Customers are paying for a 24/7 monitoring service for Fire Rover to make the determination of the next steps. You could potentially have an incident that is over and done with before you even know about it.”

There are between 10,000 and 12,000 battery-related fires a year across waste

32 / WMR / December 2024

and recycling facilities in Australia, according to an industry survey.

The survey, released in June 2024 by the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association (WCRA), estimates costs of more than $400,000 for facilities that experienced battery-related fire and heat events in the past 12 months.

Aside from the financial impact – including facility damage, rebuilding and clean-up costs – these events interrupt business and cause a loss of revenue.

Scott says the Fire Rover Fire Suppression System is a key piece of the puzzle to reducing major fires and a game changer for the industry.

Wastech Engineering, exclusive distributors of the Fire Rover in Australia and New Zealand, recently installed Fire Rover’s fire suppression system at Re.Group’s facility in Dandenong, Victoria, a busy waste management site handling 65 trucks of waste daily.

The system, featuring three 20-foot containers with multiple cameras and nozzles, has been well-received, leading to commitments for additional installations in Sydney and other Australian sites.

Scott says what’s unique about the Fire Rover is the environmentally friendly F5 100 fire suppression agent. With a density of nearly 100 times more than water, the agent acts as a foam blanket, neutralising the threat of fire within seconds.

“Fire Rover is setting a new benchmark in safety at Re.Group, a critical recycling site,” he says.

“With Fire Rover, the Dandenong recycling facility has improved safety for site teams and first responders, protected valuable equipment and infrastructure, minimised fire-related disruptions and has 24/7 protection.

“Re.Group can rest assured that the facility is secure, even in highrisk environments.”

The Fire Rover is an engineered solution for specific facilities. Scott says the Re.Group project had particular challenges, including limited space and installation at a site that operated 24 hours a day, six days a week.

“Working around existing infrastructure like a material recovery facility (MRF) is not easy,” he says.

“We designed a number of versions to get the ultimate setup for Re.Group.

As you can imagine, a 20-foot container within a MRF does take up space, so we had to put it in the right location.

“And we could only install the system on a weekend when the facility was a lot quieter.”

Following installation, Wastech works with facility staff to ensure they understand the system and can work in tandem with it.

One unique aspect of the Fire Rover is the installation of emergency buttons in key locations throughout facilities so if staff do notice something unusual, they can quickly alert Fire Rover.

“We work closely with the on-ground staff, so they’re aware how the system works and how they can use it to help their facility,” Scott says.

“Each customer has their own emergency protocols for staff to follow.

Fire Rover can be considered the first line of defence prior to the fire department attending.

“If you’re talking about a potential window of five to 30 minutes for a fire department to turn out, a fire can get out of control a lot quicker than that. Fire Rover will engage instantly.”

The Fire Rover system has a built-in battery pack as redundancy for a power outage and 4G backup for internet outages. If either are activated, it is

included in a quarterly customer report that outlines all alarm activations and callouts.

Wastech Engineering has offered the Fire Rover since 2022. Scott says momentum is building as recycling and resource recovery operations look to protect their infrastructure from rising contamination of waste streams.

“People are just not educated enough in Australia about how to handle batteries,” he says. “That’s one of the big issues.”

Re.Group Chief Development Officer Garth Lamb says the main game is getting hazardous items and batteries out of household bins, but in the meantime the company continues to do all it can to manage risks at its sites.

“The ability to retrofit this rapid-fire suppression system at an operating site with minimal service disruption is a key benefit to helping us address this huge problem,” he says.

Wastech Engineering has installed a Fire Rover system at a transfer station in North Sydney, a transfer station in Western Australia, an e-waste recycler in Sydney and is about to install a first system in New Zealand.

The system has also proved successful in rural and remote areas where hardwired internet connectivity is an issue.

The Fire Rover can work via Starlink – a satellite network developed by private spaceflight company SpaceX to provide low-cost internet to remote locations.

The Fire Rover is currently geared toward material recovery facilities, transfer stations, waste stockpiles, construction and demolition waste, waste-to-energy, electronic scrap and more.

A landfill-specific version called the OnWatch has been launched in America to early detect and verify fires on the working face of a landfill, outdoor stockpiles and windrows.

Scott is now keen to lobby Australian fire regulators and insurance companies to recognise that the Fire Rover containerised solution is a compliant system, with the hope it could eventually help reduce insurance premiums.

“If we can get it compliant, it would be a massive game changer.”

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

Fire Rover Fire Suppression System features 20-foot containers with multiple cameras and nozzles.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 33

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – WASTE-TO-ENERGY

New plant fires up

Australia’s first incinerator bottom ash processing facility is up and running, rewriting the way the nation treats waste.

I

an Lynass has finally seen his vision become reality.

In October, the Managing Director of Blue Phoenix Australia flicked the switch on an Australian-first facility that has been five years in the making and is set to change the nation’s waste landscape.

Ian has been the driving force behind the Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) treatment facility in Kwinana, Western Australia and has been patiently waiting to be able to showcase a proven, sustainable and responsible way to recover and reuse materials otherwise lost to landfill.

He got that chance when the $11.3 million IBA project at Hope Valley in Kwinana, Western Australia powered up.

34 / WMR / December 2024

A formal ceremony marked the plant’s official opening. Images: Blue Phoenix Australia

“I am extremely proud to bring Australia’s first incinerator bottom ash treatment facility to life in support of our partnering customer Acciona, owners of the Kwinana Energy Recovery Project,” Ian says.

“This new patented and proven technology will bring about a truly circular economic outcome for our customers and the community.”

The opening was attended by Ardi Stoios-Braken, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, and Elizabeth Carr, Chair of Western Australia’s Waste Authority, along with local and interstate industry leaders. Ian says it’s a major step for Blue Phoenix and Australia’s waste management landscape.

“We are excited to bring our global expertise in IBA processing to Australia, where we see tremendous potential for reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability,” he says.

“This facility will also be available to help educate local communities about the recycling of waste and the responsible recovery of construction materials that, until now, simply ended up increasing the landfill debt for future generations.”

The state-of-the-art plant will process 100 per cent of the IBA – about 80,000 tonnes per annum – from its Ef W partner, Acciona, transforming it into valuable secondary materials, such as aggregates for use in the civil construction industry.

For the past 20 years, Blue Phoenix Group in Europe has recovered and safely reintroduced 15-million tonnes of aggregate, predominantly into road base, with no detrimental environmental effects.

“Blue Phoenix Group focus on responsible and sustainable solutions.

We liberate the resident metals in the ash and deliver a high-quality aggregate into the civil construction industry,” Ian says.

“For 25 years we have proven the benefits of this material both mechanically and environmentally.”

As well as spearheading the IBA plant construction, Ian established the Manufacturers of Incinerator Bottom

Ash Aggregate of Australia (MIBAAA) Association, to bring together industry players to ensure sustainable and responsible pathways for the reuse of incinerator bottom ash.

The association is supported by Manufacturers of IBA Aggregates Association in the United Kingdom, which has worked with regulators and industry to set standards for the reuse of more than 2.5 million tonnes of ash each year.

“IBAA is a resource that has not previously been recovered in Australia. This is an exciting time to really tap into recycled materials that we didn’t even know were there,” Ian says.

The first ash was received at the Western Australian plant on 13 September 2024, and the official commissioning started on

Ian Lynass, Managing Director of Blue Phoenix Australia, addresses the crowd at the facility opening.

1 October 2024. It was a proud moment for Ian, and his family, who have shared his vision. Daughter Stephanie is taking on the role of operations supervisor at the plant.

“My most sincere thanks go to my wife Fiona and my family who have all been very actively involved in bringing this dream to reality,” he says.

“I could not have done it without their support.”

Perth councillors and businesses have previously toured the site.

Blue Phoenix welcomes other state’s representatives to tour the plant to gain an appreciation of the opportunity to divert material from landfill through IBA processing.

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

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – WASTE-TO-ENERGY

An impression of what the Abu-Dhabi WtE facility will look like once complete.

A bigger party is better

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Circular precincts have the potential to unlock significant value for the waste and resource recovery industry. Amal Jugdeo, Business Development Manager for Kanadevia INOVA, explains.

t is an exciting time for the wasteto-energy (WtE) sector. Western Australian projects in East Rockingham and Kwinana lead the way. From 2025 onwards, these facilities will jointly treat more than 760,000 tonnes of residual waste per annum (tpa) that would otherwise go to landfills.

Victoria is not far behind. The Maryvale WtE facility is licensed to process 650,000 tpa of residual waste, and a few more projects are in the permitting phase.

Plans are also afoot for WtE facilities in New South Wales and South Australia.

36 / WMR / December 2024

The standout is Queensland’s City of Gold Coast, which has bold ambitions to reduce its reliance on the Stapylton and Reedy Creek landfills and aspires to achieve 97 per cent landfill diversion. It proposes an Advanced Resource Recovery Centre (ARRC) circular precinct with recycling, composting/anaerobic digestion, hydrogen production, and a WtE plant of more than 500,000 tpa residual waste.

It’s all well that project developers are pursuing WtE projects across Australia as a more sustainable waste

management solution than landfills.

However, some harsh realities must be considered when exploring the viability of such large and advanced WtE facilities, says Amal Jugdeo, Business Development Manager at the Sydney office of Kanadevia INOVA. Amal says it is all too easy for project developers to jump into costly design and engineering studies only to realise at the end of the exercise that the business case is challenged.

He says landfill levies in Australia are simply too low to justify investment in a conventional stand-alone WtE

solution – we therefore must think bigger and smarter!

CIRCULAR PRECINCTS “Circular precincts make for a bigger resource recovery party,” he says. “Colocating a WtE facility with other waste processing facilities, such as a material recovery facility (MRF), an organics processing facility, and other industrial facilities requiring steam or heat, has the potential to unlock significant value.

“In this way, waste receival can be centralised to take advantage of shared infrastructure such as weighbridges and workshops; non-recyclables and reject waste streams can be processed at the WtE facility while the WtE facility can provide ‘behind-the-grid’ electricity to the nearby facilities.

“The centralised processing of various waste streams will positively impact the business case.”

PLANT SIZE He says when it comes to ‘bigger’, look no further than the world’s largest WtE facility in Dubai. Kanadevia Inova (KVI) designed the five-line 126MWth boiler facility that will process 1.9 million tpa of residual waste.

KVI has hundreds of WtE references, a strong balance sheet from Japanese parent Kanadevia Corporation, and invests significantly in research and development. It is no surprise that WtE plants have increased considerably

in throughput per line over the years – from 300,000 tpy/line in the early 2000s (Greatmoor, United Kingdom), to 325,000 tpy/y (FMI1 and FM2, UK) to 360,000 tpy/y (Dubai) to now 450,000 tpy/line for the two-line 140MWth Abu-Dhabi plant currently in construction.

These ultra-large combustion boilers yield the lowest capex per ton of waste processed.

CONSTRUCTION COSTS Amal says increases in construction costs are a significant challenge for the industry. In Victoria, for example, the largest construction union negotiated a 21.5 per cent pay rise for workers over five years, and similar arrangements have been reached by unions in New South Wales and Queensland.

“This alone places significant cost pressure on labour-intensive projects such as WtE plants. Add to these, fluctuations in the international steel and process equipment market, and it becomes clear that it is no easy task to peg construction costs for a WtE plant that has a large mechanical, electrical and piping component with a high degree of certainty as one would a commercial office building or bridge for example.

“Project financiers need price certainty; without this, projects are simply not bankable. It is imperative that credible players conduct

Ground works are underway at the Abu-Dhabi WtE project site. The facility will have two 140MW boilers – one of the largest single-line WtE boilers in the world when operation commences in 2027. Images: Kanadevia INOVA

comprehensive engineering and project management studies to quantify construction costs with a high degree of certainty and derisk the project before proceeding with project execution.”

AGGREGATE RE-USE Approximately 20 per cent by mass of the waste treated at the WtE facility will result in Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA).

Once metals are recovered from the IBA for recycling, the resulting IBA is processed into aggregate suitable for use in the road and construction industry.

This is also well established in the UK and provides a precedent in a similar jurisdiction when seeking regulatory approval in Australia. Victoria and Western Australia have made progress in this regard. Without regulatory approval for the reuse, the IBA aggregate must be disposed of in a landfill, weakening the business case, Amal says.

Again, bigger is better. A centralised large IBA treatment plant processing IBA from multiple WtE plants further reduces the unit cost of IBA disposal.

This approach is common in Europe.

“It is clear that a bigger party is better when it comes to WtE in Australia,” Amal says. “WtE should be seen as central to the success of circular resource recovery precincts. We must push the technology boundaries and increase the scale of WtE and IBA treatment facilities.

“IBA must be seen as a resource for the construction industry, and there should be a clear regulatory pathway to enable this. We should partner with credible players and only after sufficient design work is done to quantify construction costs adequately.

“It is the only credible pathway to an environmentally and financially sustainable alternative to landfill for our ever-increasing residual waste.”

For more information, visit: www.kanadevia-inova.com www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 37

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION - TECHNOLOGY

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A calculated move

Volvo introduces a new tool to easily calculate charging and battery runtime for compact electric construction equipment.

JD Equipment continues to revolutionise project planning in the construction industry with the Volvo Electric Machines Charging and Runtime Calculator.

This handy tool allows operators to estimate battery runtime and charging time for electric machines, helping optimise operations and reduce environmental impact.

With the growing demand for electric construction equipment in Australia and worldwide, understanding how to use this calculator effectively is crucial for project success, says Reid Gibson, Product Manager, Electric and Sustainable Technologies CJD. That’s where CJD product managers come in. Reid says CJD product managers will guide operators through key components of the calculator and how to customise calculations for specific project needs.

“Whether corporations are considering an electric mini excavator or planning large-scale sustainable

construction projects, this calculator will help operators harness the power of electric excavators to boost productivity and achieve zero emissions on the worksite,” he says.

KEY COMPONENTS The Volvo calculator is a user-friendly tool designed to help operators plan their workday efficiently. It consists of three main steps, each allowing for customisable calculations based on individual needs.

Step one involves selecting the Volvo electric machine and preferred charging option.

“This step is crucial as it sets the foundation for accurate runtime and charging estimates,” says Reid.

In step two the operator will provide details on the intended use of the machine.

This includes daily operating hours, idling percentage, and workload intensity.

Reid says the calculator considers that a machine can be idling for up to 70 per cent of its operating time, helping operators estimate actual usage.

“Step three allows operators to switch between charging and runtime results, giving instant insights into how to plan a workday effectively,” he says.

“This feature helps ensure a machine is fully charged and ready to go when needed.”

CUSTOMISING CALCULATIONS Reid says operators need to input accurate data about the project to tailor the Volvo Electric Machine Calculator to specific worksites.

“Start by estimating your daily operating hours and idling time, remembering that machines often idle up to 70 per cent of their operating time,” he says.

“The calculator adjusts active operating hours to the nearest half hour, providing a realistic view of usage. The calculator estimates a machine’s usage, energy consumption, and available charging power.”

Alternating current (AC) charging assumes a maximum rated power of

The Volvo Electric Machines Charging and Runtime Calculator is designed to help on any worksite. Images: CJD

38 / WMR / December 2024

that aligns with your project’s needs, ensuring your electric machine is always ready when needed.

“The Volvo Electric Excavator Charging and Run Time Calculator significantly impacts project planning and execution in the construction industry.”

Reid says this tool is particularly valuable as the industry shifts towards more sustainable practices, allowing companies to harness the power of electric excavators to boost productivity and achieve zero emissions on worksites.

“As the demand for electric construction equipment grows, understanding how to use this calculator effectively becomes crucial to project success,” he says.

“It empowers construction professionals to make informed decisions about machine usage, charging

11 kilowatts, however Reid says it’s crucial to factor in any on-site power limitations, and the capacity of a machine’s onboard charger.

“To optimise an electric excavator’s performance, it is recommended storing it indoors overnight, to help maintain battery temperature, improving efficiency in cold or hot conditions,” he says. “If outdoor storage is unavoidable, rest assured light elements won’t damage the batteries.”

LEVERAGING DATA Integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can also reduce costs – achieving a high level of cost reduction compared to scenarios without renewable energy, Reid says.

“By leveraging the calculator’s data, you can develop a charging strategy

Charging compact electric construction machine has never been this easy – just plug in and power up with the Volvo Electric Machines Charging and Runtime Calculator.

strategies, and project timelines. By embracing this technology, construction companies can stay ahead of the curve and contribute to a more sustainable future in the industry.”

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

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TRANSPORT

Charging into the future

As Australia seeks to minimise its carbon footprint, Garwood International is helping to bring the next generation of waste vehicles online.

Garwood International has earned a reputation for going above and beyond to fulfil customer requests. Images: Garwood International

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arwood International has tailormade waste compactors for customer needs for the past 40 years. Its latest project answers the call for lower emissions, fuel security and reduced traffic noise.

The team developed and delivered an electric garbage truck for a Victorian council. The truck, the first of its kind produced by Garwood, features an electric motor coupled with a hydraulic pump instead of the usual diesel engine and transmission.

Ian Pinney, Garwood Sales Manager for Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, says the call for electric trucks is growing, mostly driven by local councils seeking a greener footprint.

40 / WMR / December 2024

“This is a progressive council,” Ian says. “They want to do the right thing by the environment and be the driver of change so have chosen to go electric for all their transport operations.”

The compactors are the same, but the way it operates is different. Ian says the compactor drive would normally pick up off a diesel engine with a power take-off (PTO), a device that transfers the engine’s mechanical power to the transmission. The electric truck – a Hino – has an electric power cell instead of a transmission.

“It’s a lot more complicated,” Ian says.

“There had to be a little bit of innovation and adaptation from our behalf.

“Our compactor body system is the same as what we build for every

customer, electric or diesel, but the way it’s powered is different.

“It’s been challenging, and we’ve learned a lot along the way. But there was always going to be development on the run with the first one.”

The council took delivery of the first truck in October, a six cubic metre Bantam rear loader. A second, larger truck (an eight cubic metre compact rear loader) is expected to arrive within months. The council will monitor the performance of both with the potential to order more.

Ian says with the first one under their belt, the engineering team is well versed with what is required for future fleets. He praises Garwood’s engineering team for delivering on the

council’s requirements. “Personally, I think the council is going to be very happy. It will serve them well and delivers what they want as far as a green footprint and zero emissions,” Ian says.

“They’ll also be saving money because there is no need to fill the tanks with diesel every day – it’s just a matter of charging the battery. You’ve literally just got to plug it in and charge it.”

As for the truck itself, the body’s still the same size as Garwood’s traditional builds, so there’s no loss of volume for rubbish collected.

Moving forward, Ian’s keen for similar projects, given the opportunity.

But that will be driven by the customer.

“We’re not selling the electric product. We’re building the body to suit customer needs. That’s what we’re all about, a customer-driven service operation that is providing solutions,” he says.

“Sometimes they’re easy and straightforward, sometimes they’re challenging, but the challenging ones are rewarding.

“Garwood is known for giving customers what they need, especially

those one-off inquiries. We’d like to think that’s a good point of difference.”

While the council project was a first for Garwood’s engineering team, it’s not the company’s first foray into electric vehicles.

Earlier this year Garwood launched the newest sweeper to its range, a 100 per cent electric compact sweeper.

The Boschung Urban Sweeper S2.0 sets new standards in the twocubic metre class and is distributed exclusively by Garwood. It is the first Boschung-engineered sweeper fully powered by onboard batteries and has an ten-hour operating time, producing zero emissions.

“The innovatively engineered battery defines a whole new intelligence management system, making the boundaries between work and charging times hard to discern,” Ian says.

The unit has articulated steering with oscillating suspension between front and rear frame for safe ascending and descending sidewalks.

Additionally, two 20-kilowatt wheel motors can reach top speeds of 45 kilometres per hour. The sweeper has

a maximum payload weight of 1200 kilograms, an 800-millimetre suction mouth and sweeping width between 1150 and 2300 millimetres.

A walk-through cab for entering on both sides offers maximum operator comfort and security, while the central sweeping control console is easily operated with a single hand. Reverse and suction mouth cameras aid in safe and efficient operation.

Electrically driven wheel motors, broom motors and a turbine motor require no active cooling, smaller construction and have the ability to provide dynamic charging while in free spin.

With the ability to recharge on car charging stations, and with the Supercharger option, the unit has a charging time of two hours for 10 hours work.

Ian says the sweeper is revolutionising the industry and interest has been high as the sector searches for greener outcomes.

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

The electric-powered street sweeper and garbage truck are a sign of the times.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 41

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TRANSPORT

Taking it to the J-MAX

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Byrne Trailers launches a new walking floor trailer designed for maximum performance, versatility, and diversity.

ou can’t have all your eggs in one basket,” says Mick Bray, National Sales Manager for Byrne Trailers.

“You have to diversify.”

It was for this reason the New South Wales-based trailer manufacturer turned its attention to the waste industry, introducing walking floor trailer technology – a hydraulically powered floor composed of moving slats.

It was a fortuitous move. Now, 20 years after the company’s first major waste project in Tasmania, Byrne Trailers is pushing to be one of the big players in the sector, launching a new trailer at this year’s Waste Expo Australia.

Mick says the drop deck trailer, with Keith J-MAX steel flooring, has been in development for about 12 months and will set Byrne Trailers apart.

“In today’s world, it’s all about compliance and better utilisation of equipment,” he says. “We’re building better units with bigger capacity that can carry more weight and give customers more profitability.

“In transport, that’s what it’s all about these days.”

From small beginnings in Peak Hill, New South Wales almost 50 years ago, Byrne Trailers has a national footprint with manufacturing facilities in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Sam Gwynne, Sales Representative and Mick Bray, National Sales Manager for Byrne Trailers, at Waste Expo Australia.

42 / WMR / December 2024

and Toowoomba in Queensland. It has a solid reputation for building revolutionary trailers for the agricultural industry and has made inroads into the waste sector as a leading supplier of leak-proof trailers that minimise leachate from municipal waste contaminating roads and waterways during transit.

The introduction of the walking floor brought increased safety and ease of waste disposal.

“Times were changing,” Mick says. “Councils were more focused on operator safety and liked that the trailers didn’t have to be tipped to move contents out.

“You just walk the waste out.”

Byrne Trailers are built around a walking floor and drive unit from Keith Manufacturing Co, an American company that introduced the first commercially viable moving floor unloading system under the Walking Floor brand name in 1973.

Byrne offers two walking floor variations, the heavy-duty sheet and post trailer – suitable for heavier products such as construction and demolition waste – and the Euro trailer, another Byrne innovation, for carting lighter products such as recycling and mulch.

Both trailers can vary in size and capacity, ranging from smallest length to longer Performance Based Standards (PBS) dimensions. The company’s standard 45-foot trailer can take on 94 cubic metres, while the 48-foot trailer

can take up to 104 cubic metres and the new drop deck up to 134 cubic metres under PBS. Custom designs are also available.

The new drop deck trailer is a combination of the Euro trailer and a heavy-duty walking floor. A lower profile and suspension allow for maximum capacity inside the trailer, while the Keith J-Max steel flooring is designed for longer wear when unloading abrasive material.

Mick says the Keith system is one of the fastest and strongest for unloading. But you don’t just have to take his word for it. If you’re not able to take a J-Max for a test drive, promotional videos of the new walking floor in action are the next best thing.

The videos clearly show the walking floor in action, pushing out sand, gravel, wood waste, glass, construction debris and “sticky” material

UP TO 65% reduction in energy costs

with ease. About 35 tonnes of municipal solid waste is cleaned out in under five minutes; 48 tonnes of bauxite, with four to six per cent moisture, is unloaded in little more than four minutes from a 38 cubic metre box; and 31 tonnes of fly ash unloaded in three minutes.

“We believe Keith are the superior brand for walking floors,” Mick says. “The new J-Max is built for performance, versatility, and diversity.

“We’ve already had strong interest from across Australia.”

The Byrne Trailers team has a wealth of experience in new builds, servicing and restoring trailers with representation in New South Wales and Queensland.

Keith also has a representative based in Melbourne to help with inquiries.

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

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Inside the new drop deck walking floor trailers. Images: Prime Creative Media

Byrne Trailers launched the new drop deck trailer at this year’s Waste Expo Australia.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – WHEEL LOADERS

Loaded with features

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Komatsu’s WA475-10 Wheel Loader is a proven fuel-efficient performer.

omatsu’s WA475-10, a 26-tonne wheel loader, has made a strong impact on Australian worksites since its release, quickly establishing itself as a versatile machine that blends power with advanced technology to offer efficiency and productivity for waste and quarry operations.

Offering an impressive 30 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to its predecessor, the WA475-10 has become a preferred choice for hauling and loading tasks.

It delivers an ideal combination of fuel economy, productivity, and operational ease, making it a valuable addition to any fleet.

Nick Vrontas, Komatsu Australia’s National Business Manager, highlights the notable upgrades, including

Komatsu’s Hydraulic Mechanical Transmission (KHMT) that make the WA475-10 a standout model.

“The KHMT is cutting-edge technology that enhances both power and fuel efficiency,” Nick says. “With variable speed control, operators can adjust the loader’s top speed based on specific site needs.

“Additionally, the adjustable variable traction control minimises wheel spin on unstable and slippery ground, which is often encountered in waste and quarry sites.”

This model also introduces enhanced power control, simplifying the process for operators to balance traction with lifting power. The loader allows for independent control of hydraulic speed via the hydraulic lever, while The WA475-10 has become a preferred choice for waste operations.

Image: Komatsu Australia

boom speed can be adjusted using the accelerator pedal – creating a more intuitive experience for operators.

The WA475-10 features an optimised Z-bar linkage system, which boosts lift force and enables higher tonnes-per-hour productivity.

Its hydraulic response time and the dumping or lifting operations can also be customised to fit specific job requirements.

Built to meet Tier 4 emissions standards, the WA475-10 engine provides high power at low engine speeds, with increased engine torque and overall performance. An advanced electronic control system manages airflow, fuel injection, combustion parameters, and aftertreatment functions. This results in optimised performance, reduced emissions, and enhanced diagnostic capabilities, making it both a powerful and environmentally responsible choice.

Beyond its core capabilities, the WA475-10 can be adapted to suit specific applications – whether facing the demanding conditions of waste sites or the abrasive environments found in quarries.

Komatsu offers customised solutions to meet various operational needs, from initial inquiry to post-delivery service, ensuring that maintenance requirements are met efficiently.

The WA475-10 has quickly proven itself across a range of Australian sites, bringing new levels of efficiency and productivity to waste and quarry operations nationwide.

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

44 / WMR / December 2024

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – WHEEL LOADERS

LiuGong now lending hand to recycling

The versatility and performance of LiuGong wheel loaders is expanding its workplace experience across Australia, including into the yards of scrap metal recyclers.

I

mmix Integrated Metal Management has built a strong history in the scrap metal sector in Melbourne and regional Victoria, as well as into New South Wales.

In addition to Melbourne, the familyowned business has sites at Shepparton, Wangaratta, Hallam, Wodonga and Wagga Wagga.

The company has contracts with regional councils, helping to reduce scrap metal loads in landfill, has bins placed with numerous building and mining industry organisations, and collects scrap metal from the farming sector.

Most typical scrap metal is processed and exported, while recycled, non-ferrous material is generally sold locally.

At its Wodonga site, Immix recently invested in a LiuGong wheel loader for the first time as part of its fleet renewal.

A high-spec 835H model was selected by the company to join the working rigs at the site, which include excavators and material handlers.

The LiuGong loader works with a mesh screen to sieve dirt out of scrap

metal collections before processing, while a large bucket with grab also assists to push up and tidy the scrap metal piles.

LiuGong wheel loaders are renowned for their build quality, featuring Cummins engines, German-engineered transmissions, simple operation – particularly in relation to their electrical systems – as well as their performance and comfort.

The turbocharged and airto-air intercooled, six-cylinder,

The LiuGong 835H wheel loader “at work” pushing up and tidying scrap metal piles at the Immix site at Wodonga.

Image: McIntosh Distribution

46 / WMR / December 2024

Stage III Cummins engines offer speeds up to 40 kilometres per hour, while the countershaft, power shift transmissions provide four forward speeds and three reverse speeds.

The 160-horsepower 835H model at the Immix site at Wodonga offers a 7.9-tonne tipping load and has chalked-up about 600 hours.

Comfort, visibility and safety have been other major focus areas for LiuGong with its wheel loaders and this has been recognised by the Immix team.

The 835H model has 360-degree surround handrails and anti-slip steps, leading into an ergonomic, fully pressurised cab with multi-adjustable arm rest, joystick and airsuspension seat. Cabs are similar on all loaders, also featuring curved, panoramic glass windows.

Branch Manager Tim Karpeles, who joined the business about 18 months ago after working in the defence industry, says there was some initial hesitation about jumping in a LiuGong loader from some of the company’s operators, but this was short-lived.

“They are certainly happy to get behind the wheel,” Tim says.

The LiuGong wheel loaders also incorporate easy-toaccess service points that allow for fast maintenance checks. Wide-opening engine hoods reveal the easy service points, while hydraulic hoses and air, diesel and oil filters can all be easily reached and quickly changed.

“We had to look into a few things with the setting up of the mesh screen and we re-routed some of the hydraulics to keep them out of the way, but otherwise we have had no issues or complaints,” Tim says.

Immix purchased the wheel loader through Pacific Machinery Group. Tim says the dealer completed the 500-hour service and had provided good support with the machine. All other services are completed by the Immix team.

LiuGong’s high-spec wheel loaders offer a range of extra features in addition to the standard models, including reversing fans, variable hydraulic transmissions, radial tyres, ride control, rear view cameras, larger buckets on some models, air suspension seats and auto lubrication.

Tim says Immix is considering further LiuGong machines to support a system for farm clean-ups it was hoping to progress into 2025.

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

WASTE EXPO AUSTRALIA

A melting pot of conversations

From standing-room-only conference theatres to a sold-out exhibition floor, this year’s Waste Expo Australia attracted more than 3000 attendees through the doors.

O

ur community needs this industry to be great.”

John Merritt Non-Executive Director of the Victorian Waste Management Association (VWMA), set the scene for two days of thought leadership, professional development, and industry-leading solutions.

John was speaking at the VWMA industry breakfast on day one of Waste Expo Australia, a showcase of everything that is “great” about the sector.

Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the 2024 event had a firm focus on resource recovery and the circular economy with 120 exhibitors and more than 100 speakers across 50 conference sessions.

Kicking off a packed plenary session at the Government and Policy Theatre, sponsored by Sircel, was an industry leaders’ discussion about progress and future directions in waste management.

48 / WMR / December 2024

This year’s conference streams covered circular economy, government policy, waste-to-energy, commercial industrial and construction and demolition waste. Images: RX Global

Tony Circelli, Chief Executive Officer Recycling Victoria, says the panel discussion and conversations across the conference demonstrated the exciting opportunities for the waste management industry to lead the charge towards a more sustainable future.

“Waste management has become a really important part of sustainability around how we recover material, how we reprocess it and how we turn it back into valuable materials that society needs,” Tony says. “Importantly, in that process, we create hundreds of jobs, as well as investment and growth. Waste Expo Australia is so critical in showcasing the industry’s technology, people, and aspirations, but also coupling that with government policy and programs.”

Tony had earlier told attendees at the sold out VWMA breakfast that two years since its inception, Recycling Victoria still has a clear purpose.

“The waste sector is an essential service and economic driver. It’s nearly a $4.5 billion sector in Victoria alone,” he says. “We are focused on creating an environment to attract more investment and improve economic opportunity for the sector.”

Government policy and interaction was a particular focus at this year’s event, from the Government and Policy conference stream to the new Government Lounge on the expo floor, incorporating representatives from Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Sustainability Victoria, and Recycling Victoria.

Matt Genever, Chief Executive Officer Sustainability Victoria, says the Government Lounge was an amazing opportunity for attendees to interact directly with government.

“Individual businesses can’t change sectors on their own, so they need to

understand who’s out there and what are the opportunities for collaboration,” he says.

“I think the same goes for government.

Myself and my colleagues, as well as local government need to understand the initiatives and innovations within this sector. An event like Waste Expo is so fantastic at bringing all those people together.

“It’s a real melting pot of energy and conversation.”

This year’s conference streams covered circular economy, government policy, waste-to-energy, commercial industrial and construction and demolition waste.

Dr Sarah King, GHD Technical Director, Circular Economy, spoke as part of the day two Circular Economy conference stream.

She says that the industry is in the midst of a paradigm shift from a focus on managing waste to activating the circular economy.

“Waste Expo Australia is well-placed to address the changes in our industry, particularly as we begin to treat waste as a valuable resource,” she says.

“As Australia shifts from a linear to a circular economy, events like this

play a significant role in demonstrating the potential for adding value to waste resources through new technologies and highlight the importance of regions and place-based circular economy initiatives.”

The exhibition floor was packed, with exhibitors making valuable industry contacts as well as adding to their professional development.

Brent Murray, Strategic Account Manager at TOMRA, says the exhibition is a key opportunity to connect with government and other interested parties.

“Being able to connect with industry is integral for suppliers so we can learn about what’s happening in the packaging space or the regulatory space,” he says.

“Whether it’s networking on the exhibition floor or being able to attend the conference sessions and hear from industry experts in those subjects, Waste Expo is really important from a professional development perspective for anyone who’s in the waste industry.”

It’s also a chance for attendees to get up close to some key industry equipment available from manufacturers and resellers.

The Government Lounge, a new addition to the expo, proved popular.

On display this year was Komatsu’s 15-tonne excavator and a Rotar Grab attachment, Pacific Materials Handling’s Sennebogen material handler and the new 355E telehandler and Garwood International’s innovative DualPact split chamber compactor truck, which attracted plenty of attention.

Ian Pinney, from Garwood International, says the opportunity to display a tangible product creates conversations and connections with the right customers.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from people who have the product and people who don’t have the product, and they’re inquiring about its capabilities and how it could help them,” he says.

“For us, Waste Expo has helped to facilitate conversations with relevant waste collection users, contractors and councils, and we have tangible business leads to follow up from here.”

Exhibition Manager Sherri Pearson says that Waste Expo Australia has continued to grow thanks to its relevance, strategic industry partnerships, and ongoing adaptation to industry trends.

“The event’s success is driven by its ability to bring together the most influential players in the sector, and future editions will focus on expanding international reach and providing even more value to attendees and exhibitors,” she says.

“Next year’s event will have exciting enhancements, including targeted new content streams and the latest technologies being developed globally.

“As part of an international portfolio of events, Waste Expo Australia will feature an even larger international presence in 2025, making it the industry’s mustattend event.”

Waste Expo Australia will return to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 29-30 October 2025.

Stay up to date at www.wasteexpoaustralia.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 49

WASTE INNOVATION AND RECYCLING AWARDS

And the award goes to…

Some of the waste and resource recovery sector’s brightest minds were recognised at the 2024 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards.

Queensland Corrective Services’ Environmental Management Recycling Program. Images: Dorman Creative

F

Frankston City Council’s separate glass recycling service earned the WARR Project Metro award.

rom an innovative recycling program using prisoner labour, to a dynamic founder with a visionary approach to resource recovery, and a world-first recycling facility, this year’s Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards shone a spotlight on people and projects making a difference.

Industry came together at a packed gala dinner held at The Trust in Melbourne’s CBD, to celebrate excellence across the industry.

More than 30 individuals and projects were shortlisted across eight categories, presented by respected media personality James O’Loghlin.

In 2022 it commenced the Environmental Management Recycling Program, the largest recycling program in a correctional facility in Queensland.

Using prisoner labour, it diverted about 50 per cent of its waste from landfill. With 74 per cent of the population at Lotus Glen, First Nations, the facility is not only looking to protect the environment, but also provide training and opportunities for people on release.

The end goal is to use all resources available to reduce waste to the lowest possible level, offset carbon and provide opportunity to reduce recidivism.

OUTSTANDING WARR PROJECT – REGIONAL Awarded to Queensland Corrective Services for its Environmental Management Recycling Program.

Lotus Glen is the northern most correctional facility in Queensland.

OUTSTANDING WARR PROJECT – METRO Awarded to Waste Circularity Team – Frankston City Council for the implementation of its separate glass service.

Frankston City Council implemented

50 / WMR / December 2024

a separate glass service to all residential households in October 2023.

The rollout was seamless due to planning and communication with the community, which included the implementation of a gender impact assessment, allowing for an intersectional approach to communications, and accurate data for service providers.

Accepting the award, a council spokesperson said the glass bin introduction had been a long journey and the project team was critical to its success.

“People at first thought ‘why do we need a glass bin?’ But the outcome has been huge,” he said. “The markets that we’ve created and supported by having a very clean product has been fantastic.”

He said the community had embraced the journey – of 50,000 bins distributed, just 20 have been asked to be returned in the first year.

Repurpose It’s Thomas Anton addresses the audience.

The team from Bayside City Council.

“Twelve months in, we’ve just recently had a community survey which has basically given us the ‘thumbs up’.”

OUTSTANDING FACILITY AWARD Awarded to Rino Recycling for its new recycling facility.

Rino Recycling is a state-of-the-art construction and demolition waste recycling facility in Pinkenba, Brisbane, transforming 1.5 million tonnes per year of co-mingled waste into highquality recycled construction materials, including aggregates, road base, fill, and sands.

The facility is the world’s largest under one roof by volume and the first of its kind globally.

Setting this facility apart is the integration of wet and dry processing technologies and automated processing, sorting, and separating technologies

Daniel Blaser, MBA Rino General Manager with MC James O’Loghlin.

to process diverse waste streams, enhancing waste recovery rates and efficiency.

It represents a ground-breaking step towards a circular economy by significantly reducing landfill and carbon emissions.

Daniel Blaser, MBA Rino General Manager, said there had been a lot of people pulling together to establish a world-first facility.

“To take the lead in the industry and then be able to make it a success and do it on time and on budget in this current climate has been fantastic,” he said.

“This award is a really big reward and recognition for our staff.”

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUCCESS, PROUDLY SPONSORED BY VISY.

Awarded to Bayside City Council for its Bayside Roving Repair Program.

Bayside launched an exciting initiative focused on reducing waste by encouraging repair and reuse rather than throwing items away.

The program started a repair culture across Bayside, giving the community opportunities to repair items destined for landfill, while building knowledge and social connections through events.

A council spokesperson said a series of repair workshops, supported by volunteer repairers, taught the community how to repair everything from textiles, to electronics and even bicycles.

“We encouraged accessibility and throughout the program ran workshops in a variety of locations across the municipality,” the spokesperson said.

“We really wanted to promote a circular economy and it was a raging success. I’m really proud to receive this award.”

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR, PROUDLY SPONSORED

BY REMONDIS AUSTRALIA.

Awarded to Thomas Anton, from Repurpose It. Thomas, head of customer experience at Repurpose It, is driven by his passion to provide circular outcomes for customers.

He manages the entire customer experience, including the front line of communication, ensuring a positive experience, and fostering long-lasting relationships with customers.

With 15 staff in customer-facing roles across the business, setting expectations and building leadership and autonomy has been paramount to Thomas’ team’s success. www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 51

WASTE INNOVATION AND RECYCLING AWARDS

Vanja Marjanovic, from the City of Melville.

ReSource is the first company in Australia to be energy negative in processing, due to its 860-kilowatt solar system.

WOMAN OF WASTE, PROUDLY SPONSORED BY RE.GROUP

The team works across multiple sites – Epping, Montrose, and Hallam, and Thomas actively participates in the dayto-day activities of all sites ensuring staff are engaged and supported.

INNOVATION AWARD, PROUDLY SPONSORED BY VEOLIA AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Awarded to ReSource for pioneering ethical and innovative recycling.

Recognising that the old way of recycling e-waste isn’t enough to tackle the volume of e-waste and process it as efficiently and sustainably as possible, ReSource has invested in technology to raise the standards.

The e-waste specialist has introduced new technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven battery sorting, recycling of alkaline and zinc carbon batteries, as well as high-efficiency recycling for low-value items.

It has implemented dual-stage activated carbon filters to ensure heavy metal or volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from its processing don’t enter the atmosphere. It’s also implemented AI-powered thermally activated fire cannons to stop any fires that might come from e-waste.

52 / WMR / December 2024

Awarded to Vanja Marjanovic from the City of Melville.

Vanja is the Waste Co-ordinator at the City of Melville. Since moving from Croatia to Perth in 2000 to escape conflict, she’s learned English, completed her studies and quickly risen the ranks of the waste industry.

Industry peers know her for her ability to improve operations, align strategy and respect and support her staff.

Vanja is responsible for overseeing a team of 30, more than $10 million in fleet, a further $5 million in assets and plays a key role in behaviour change, best practice innovative waste management and expert guidance on waste management plans to internal and external stakeholders.

She also ensures efficient contract management and contributes to the development of annual operational and capital budgets for the department.

Accepting the award, Vanja said each day offers the opportunity to make small adjustments and help those around you feel valuable, heard, respected and appreciated.

“My intentions are to continue to motivate woman, and those underrepresented groups to chase careers in the industry,” she said.

“The goal is to build a legacy where success is determined by talent and hard work not by gender or background. My team at Melville allows me to accomplish all these tasks to create a better workplace experience for everyone.”

LEADER OF THE YEAR Awarded to Narelle Anderson from Envirobank.

Narelle is the Founder and Managing Director of Envirobank, a company revolutionising recycling in Australia.

Narelle has championed innovative solutions to combat waste, fostering a culture of sustainability. Her leadership has positioned Envirobank as one of the leaders in environmental stewardship, implementing cutting-edge technology and consumer-friendly initiatives to enhance recycling efficiency.

She said that after 16 years at Envirobank and nearly 30 years in the recycling and sustainability industry, the journey had been one of constant learning and growth.

“You can’t be a leader without a fabulous team, and I want to acknowledge all the people that I get to work with at Envirobank,” she said.

“This award is a reflection of the amazing team and community that have supported and inspired me every step of the way. Together, we’ve been able to drive change, push boundaries and work towards a more sustainable future.”

Envirobank’s Narelle Anderson.

NSW, ACT & WA Tony Miller 0429 444 451 tony@garwoodinternational.com.au

VIC, TAS & SA Ian Pinney 0409 905 451 ian@garwoodinternational.com.au

www.garwoodinternational.com.au

QLD & NT Peter VanHeiden 0414 757 563 info@garwoodinternational.com.au

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

FORNNAX, SR- MAX2500 PRIMARY SHREDDER

Fornnax SR-MAX2500 is a tailor-made and multi-purpose machine for the volume reduction of the most rigid materials.

The SR-MAX2500 primary shredder is aimed at largescale municipal waste recyclers, cement plants, waste-toenergy plants, mechanical biological treatment facilities, materials recovery centres, construction and demolition recyclers, aluminium recyclers, and other applications requiring high-capacity machines and robust technology.

It combines ripping and shearing technologies to shred, tear, drill, cut, split, crush, break, and reduce the size of materials.

A high-capacity machine, it boasts advanced engineering and technology, featuring hydraulic motors driving each shaft for optimal power and torque.

Its unique cutter design, replaceable cutting table, and shaft design make it a suitable solution for various applications.

The output size can be controlled by using different knive thicknesses, and there is a wide range of shredding capabilities to handle various materials.

A specific Stop-Auto-Reverse feature controls feeding according to load percentages for high efficiency and protect against damage.

The SR-MAX2500 is aimed at large-scale municipal waste recyclers. Image: Fornnax

Contact - Ankit Kalola P + 91 - 9033077711 E info@fornnax.com W www.fornnax.com

WASTECH, BIN WASH UNIT

The Wastech Bin Wash unit is a safe, efficient and effective way to clean 120-litre, 240-litre, 660-litre and 1100-litre bins.

The bin lift mechanism lifts and holds bins at an angle to promote efficient washing and water drainage, while two rotating spray heads, mounted on fixed arms, spray high pressured water to wash all interior spaces of the bin.

A hand-held lance, included in the system, can be used to wash off the exterior of the bins and wash down the surrounding area.

The lance connects to a 20-metre retractable hose for manoeuvrability, convenience and flexibility.

Mobile and easily moved, the bin wash unit operates with hot and cold water (detergent can be added if required).

The cycle time of the washing sequence is 20 seconds and it’s capable of washing one 660 or 1100-litre bin or two 120-240-litre bins simultaneously.

All surfaces of the bin wash unit are fully galvanized to avoid rust.

54 / WMR / December 2024

All surfaces of the bin wash unit are fully galvanized to avoid rust. Image: Wastech

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

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

MATERIAL PROCESSING SOLUTIONS, IFE FLIP-FLOP SCREENS

The IFE flip-flop screen is suitable for screening difficult to handle material including construction and demolition waste, sand and gravel, municipal waste, compost, and shredded materials, where conventional screening machines may become blocked or stuck.

The unique three-phase oscillation of the TRISOMAT screen ensures rapid break-up of the material in the feed area, efficient screening in the central area and improved material destratification and ‘near-size’ screening in the discharge area.

High acceleration being generated by stretching of the screen mats and over expansion of the openings result in almost clog-free screening.

The screen mats can be bolted or keyed alternatively and come in a variety of sizes specifically designed to guarantee specification requirements are met while maximising throughput.

The IFE Flip-flop screen. Image: MPS

Contact - Material Processing Solutions Pty E Sales@mpsbulk.com.au

JCB, 427 WHEEL LOADER

The JCB 427 Wheel Loader is a powerful and versatile machine. With its robust construction, and advanced features it’s well placed for handling heavy loads and demanding tasks in waste management facilities.

A powerful engine provides ample power and torque to handle even the heaviest loads, including large piles of waste and recycling material, ensuring that the machine can efficiently move materials around a facility, maximising productivity and minimising downtime.

Its durable components and heavy-duty frame are built to withstand the harsh conditions of the industry, ensure long-lasting performance and reliability.

The JCB 427 also offers a range of advanced features that enhance its performance and operator comfort.

These include a spacious and ergonomic cab with excellent visibility, a powerful hydraulic system for precise control, and a variety of attachment options to suit different waste handling tasks.

The JCB 427 Wheel Loader is built on a foundation of quality and reliability.

Image: JCB CEA

Contact - JCB CEA P 1300 522 232 W www.jcbcea.com.au

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 55

STOCK IN COUNTRY PRICES FROM $330K

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LAST WORD

State of waste

Mike Ritchie, Managing Director, MRA Consulting Group, has the last word for 2024.

T

here is a lot of news about individual companies innovating, developing and introducing new initiatives and as an industry we should be very proud of that.

But is this innovation making much of a difference compared to the challenges we face? Not much if truth be told.

At best we are holding our own against a flood of waste, rising industrial emissions and stagnating recycling rates.

Why? Because governments are not innovating at the same rate that private companies are. In fact, governments across Australia are seriously lagging the demands of industry for reform.

How many parliamentary inquiries do we need to have before we will see some serious structural reform in the waste/recycling/circular economy space?

How many government “discussion papers” do we need to read, full of “motherhood and apple pie” statements of intent, but with no substance and no actionable reform.

Here are some basic facts which every minister should be aware of: 1. No government will achieve the National Waste Targets for 2030 based on current policy settings: a. 80 per cent diversion from landfill. b. 50 per cent reduction in organics to landfill. c. 10 per cent reduction in per capita waste generation.

2. South Australia will go the closest with its construction and demolition (C&D) sector and possibly commercial and industrial (C&I) achieving the 80 per cent diversion figure. Western Australia may go

An additional 18 million tonnes of waste must be recycled annually to achieve national waste targets. Image: Juice Flair/ shutterstock.com

close with municipal solid waste (MSW) as the new incinerators fire up. (Yes, that is counted in the 80 per cent).

3. No government will achieve the 50 per cent reduction in organics to landfill.

4. No government will reduce per capita waste generation. In fact, since the 2019 announcement of the National Waste Policy, per capita waste generation has grown by two per cent (rather than falling by 10 per cent).

5. National aggregated recycling rates have stagnated at 60 per cent of waste generation for at least five years. We are swamped by growth in waste generation.

The challenge is for governments to get back onto the reform bus.

There have been some rays of sunshine, so rather than be too critical, let’s start with some positives: Levy – Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania have announced further increases in the landfill levy in

real terms. That creates the economic environment for investment. They explain the investment in C&D processing but are not high enough yet for C&I processing or most Commercial Food collection.

Higher levies shift the behaviour of waste generators, although hypothecation increases would be a bonus.

Organics – Many governments have mandated three-bin Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) for household waste. That is a good start, but it is not enough.

The recovery rate for MSW food is still about 60 per cent compared to 90 per cent plus for garden waste.

A big acknowledgement to New South Wales, which has mandated commercial food collection to start July 2025. Other states need to follow.

Energy-from-Waste – Western Australia has two shiny new incinerators coming on line. Hopefully they will show the Australian community that www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 57

LAST WORD

Mike Ritchie, Managing Director, MRA Consulting Group.

Image: MRA Consulting Group

incineration is a viable and responsible alternative for the disposal of truly residual waste. And I mean residual waste after the recyclables have been extracted including all organics.

So, three-bin systems (recycling, FOGO and MSW) plus additional pre-sorting, should be mandatory precursors of incineration. Again, a big acknowledgement to New South Wales.

If we are going to achieve the National Waste Targets, we will need to recover an additional 18 million tonnes (MT) per year, on top of the 40 MT we are recycling now. The gap is already 11 MT on where we need to be. That gap will grow with population growth and per capita consumption growth between now and 2030.

Put simply we are treading water at best and going backwards at worst.

The thing that really upsets me about the slowness of reform is the missed opportunities for cheap and easy emissions abatement.

We are sleepwalking towards climate chaos. The waste/recycling/ circular economy sector offers enormous greenhouse gas abatement opportunities that are largely unrecognised.

58 / WMR / December 2024

Go to most greenhouse reports and you will see that “waste” represents three per cent of Australia’s direct emissions.

For that reason, it is largely ignored.

But what those direct emissions don’t tell you is that the waste sector can reduce EVERYBODY else’s emissions.

The embodied energy stored in an aluminium can, a car body, a plastic bottle, cardboard etc all contribute to reducing the emissions in the industrial sector (not the “waste” sector). These savings go unrecognised re policy reform.

It frustrates me senseless.

The sector can easily abate more than 10 per cent of Australia’s total emissions.

And yet we ignore it.

What do we need to do?

1. Stop landfilling organics (10MT of current emissions).

2. Capture all the gas from landfills (11MT of legacy emissions per year).

3. Ef W of residual waste – offsetting at least 10 MT of coal emissions.

4. Embodied energy – through better recycling (10 MT at least).

5. Circular economy – savings in manufacture (gazillions of tonnes; currently unmeasured).

6. Sequestration – of compost and biochar in soil (estimated 100 MT/ year or higher).

Our policy makers have not realised the potential or seen the jobs and abatement opportunities.

What do all governments need to do (and this is a minimalist list): Investment 1. Increase the levy in real terms and forward announce those increases.

2. Take the levy and grants to a level that gets us the infrastructure we need to hit the targets.

3. Release infrastructure plans to guide investment.

Organics 5. Mandate three-bin FOGO. 6. Mandate Commercial Food (COFO) separation.

7. Ban organics to landfill (including cardboard, pallets and wood).

8. Set new minimum standards for FOGO contamination.

Landfills 9. Mandate gas capture and flaring at all landfills above say 5kt carbon dioxide equivalent per year (CO2-e/ yr) emissions.

10. Set minimum operating standards for all landfills and apply a levy to all (even if it is a differential levy) Markets 11. Amend the export bans to make them export quality standards (we need the overseas markets).

12. Set higher standards for FOGO compost so we don’t wreck the existing markets.

13. Accelerate research and development funding to grow domestic markets.

Recycling 14. Kerbside Recycling – standardise yellow bin materials.

15. Packaging – national mandatory EPR scheme, eco-modulated levy, recycled content and bans on nonrecyclable materials.

16. Container Deposit Scheme – increase rebate to at least 20 cents and include wine and spirits.

17. EPR – make all schemes mandatory to eliminate the free-rider problems and expand to a wider range of products.

Circular Economy 18. Legislate the “right to repair”.

19. Develop a circular economy plan that has force (not just motherhood statements).

It is not hard to do but it does require government ministers to tell their departments that they want reform. It requires us to tell ministers (loudly) that we demand reform. It will not happen by osmosis or business as usual.

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

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

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Waste Management Review

Extra Large Baler for Easy, Transport-Ready Bales.

2024 | DECEMBER | ISSUE 91

B50 XL SD Efficient and quick waste handling Ideal for large amounts of materials.

Due to the wide Sliding Door of 1.82 metres and deep chamber of 1.1 metres, there is no need to break down boxes before loading.

Optimised for truckloads

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE!

1800 465 465 sales@wastech.com.au

wastech.com.au

■ Extra-large chamber ■ 8 wire tying for a more stable bale

■ Compacted bales measure 1825 x 1066 x 1200-1300 mm

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au

The compacted bales are optimised for transport because they can be stacked two and two.

Additional Highlights