June 2018

Waste and recycling receive $196M in NSW Budget

The NSW Government has received $162 million more than expected from its waste and environmental levy, while at the same time committing $196 million reduce waste, strengthen recycling and protect the health of the environment in its 2018-19 state budget.

According to the budget papers, the government received a revised $727 million from its waste and environment levy, which it attributes to strong construction sector activity.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority budget for 2018-19 includes $70 million to improve waste management and resource recovery, $8 million for the management of contaminated land and $5 million for asbestos management and emergency clean-up.

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NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said the budget provides support for programs and initiatives to reduce litter and waste, while also strengthening recycling and tackling illegal dumping.

“Diverting waste from landfill is a key priority and the NSW Government has set targets to increase the diversion of waste from landfill from 63 per cent in 2014-15 to 75 per cent by 2021,” Ms Upton said.

“The Premier has also made it a priority to reduce the volume of litter in NSW by 40 per cent by 2020, achieved through Return and Earn, Hey Tosser and council and community litter prevention grants.”

In March, a $47 million support package was also announced for the local government and industry to respond to China’s National Sword policy.

“The support package provides a range of short, medium and long-term programs to ensure kerbside recycling continues and to promote industry innovation.”

Ms Upton said there is also funding for the emergency clean-up of asbestos, managing James Hardie Asbestos legacy sites at Parramatta and support for the Broken Hill Lead program and the management of PFAS.

SV research finds who throws out the most food in Victoria

Young Victorians and parents with children are key contributors to the state’s food waste dilemma, according to new research commissioned by Sustainability Victoria.

The research findings showed that Generation Z throw out $115 of food waste weekly, compared to Baby Boomers who reported just over a tenth of that at $17 per week.

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The research also found that almost half (46 per cent) of Victorians are not aware of how much money they are throwing in the bin in the form of food waste, with nine out of every 10 feeling guilt about how much food they waste.

Men were reported to waste close to twice as much as women, throwing away $54 in food waste compared to $29.

Parents with children under the age of 16 years old were also highly likely to throw out food, with more than one third believing it is their children who are responsible for the waste.

More than three quarters of respondents to the research showed a strong desire to save money on groceries, with the average Victorian household throwing away more than $2000 a year worth of food.

The research was conducted by QDOS research, which surveyed 1001 Australians over the age of 18 years old.

The findings are part of a new campaign which has launched called Love Food Hate Waste, Love a List – which encouraged Victorians to write better shopping lists and stick to them to reduce food waste and save money.

The Victorian Government has also announced an additional $1 million funding for the Love Food Hate Waste campaign to reduce food waste through to 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Wqe6R2NlE

The research findings found that only 43 per cent of Victorians shopped with a list, with 46 per cent admitting they buy food they don’t need.

Sustainability Victoria CEO Stan Krpan said that preventing food from being wasted is the best way to address the costly problem.

“We know from previous research that households that use a shopping list reduce their food waste compared to those who don’t. Through the Love Food Hate Waste, Love a List campaign, we’re giving Victorians the tools they need to reduce their food waste,” said Mr Krpan.

Comedian Cal Wilson hosted a documentary to highlight the issue of food waste, which has significant environmental impacts. She said she was genuinely shocked at how much food is thrown out.

“There’s so much we can do to reduce food waste that doesn’t include overeating, or giving leftovers as presents. A really great first step is making a shopping list and sticking to it,” said Ms Wilson

Sustainability Victoria recommends threes ways to shop smarter, which are planning the week’s meals, writing a list and eating everything that has been bought.

$4.2M Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund announced

The Victorian Government has announced funding for 13 new resource recovery infrastructure projects, comprising more than $4.2 million from the second round of its Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund.

Managed by statutory authority Sustainability Victoria, the new projects, worth more than $47 million and all in rural and regional Victoria, are expected to create 50 jobs and divert around 85,000 tonnes of waste from landfill each year.

Eight of the 13 projects are being delivered by local government which will include $2.4 million in funding. Projects include new or upgraded council resource recovery centres in the rural cities of Benalla and Wangaratta, and the Campaspe, Mitchell, Moira, Toowong and Yarriambiack Shires.

Campaspe Shire is being funded $275,000 for two projects to expand its combined collection of food organics and garden organics for composting. It will also invest in collecting and compressing soft plastics and expanded polystyrene to increase the capacity to recycle these products.

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Private sector projects funded include large-scale composting operations near Camperdown, Shepparton and the Latrobe Valley, and a waste to energy plant using commercial and industrial waste and other products near Bacchus Marsh.

A Mildura based recycling company that makes a range of products from recycled plastics is also receiving support to increase its production capacity.

Sustainability Victoria Chief Executive Officer Stan Krpan said the $13.6 million Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund aims to support the development of infrastructure which improves the collection and processing of recycled materials.

“The Victorian government is investing at record levels in programs to develop markets for recovered resources, facilitate private investment in resource recovery infrastructure and educate households and businesses about how to better manage waste,” Mr Krpan said.

“With recent changes to international recycling markets, infrastructure investments are crucial to ensuring we continue to develop our local industry and in doing so, facilitate innovation and create jobs,” Mr Krpan said.

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the Victorian Government is developing a circular economy that maximises the reuse of materials, increases recycling and reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfill.

Fourteen round one projects were announced in July 2017. They received $5 million and will divert at least 350,000 tonnes of waste materials from landfill and create an estimated 85 jobs.

NEW FUNDING APPLICATIONS OPEN

Applications for the third round of the Resource Recovery Infrastructure Funding have also opened. Up to $3 million is available for infrastructure projects across Victoria. Grants of between $40,000 and $500,000 are available.

Information about how to apply for round three funding can be found by clicking here. 

FUNDED PROJECTS                                                                                                               

Grant recipient Project description Government funding Total project cost
Benalla Rural City Council A best-practice resource recovery transfer station will be built at a council’s landfill site, significantly improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Benalla landfill and lift the amount of material not going to landfill from 35 per cent to 55 per cent. $440,000 $900,00
Campaspe Shire Campaspe Shire is being funded for two projects, including a new opt-in kerbside food and garden organics collection service for 2000 households and a food organics collection for nearly 6000 residents who now have a garden waste collection service.

Two compactors to compress soft plastics and expanded polystyrene will be installed at the Mt Scobie and Echuca resource recovery centres increasing the recovery of these materials which are expensive to transport if not compacted.

Collection bins for flexible plastics will be installed at eight resource recovery centres and later at council offices, schools, neighbourhood houses, disability services and businesses to maximise convenience for residents.

 $295,155 $555,288
Mitchell Shire A new resource recovery centre will be built on council-owned land, next to its Hilldene landfill and prioritise waste minimisation, resource reuse and recovery over disposal. $500,000 $2,585,000
Moira Shire Cobram’s resource recovery facility will be upgraded to enable industrial waste sorting which accounts for 45 per cent (6000 tonnes) of the waste that is currently disposed at the landfill. The project aims to divert half of this material (e.g soft plastics, cardboard, soil, concrete, metals and timber) from landfill. $495,000 $993,000
Towong Shire Towong Shire is upgrading Corryong’s resource recovery centre and Tallangatta’s transfer station, diverting up to 30 per cent of priority materials like rigid and soft plastics, e-waste, glass, timber and cardboard from landfill. Towong Shire will also establish two resale shops, public access to recycling skips at Corryong and improve storage capacity at each site. $40,000  $480,000
Wangaratta Rural City Council A new organics processing facility will be built at the Bowser East landfill which will be capable of processing up to 12,000 tonnes of material each year. $500,000 $3.58m
Yarriambiack Shire Warracknabeal’s transfer station will be upgraded and the neighbouring landfill closed to allow for more recyclables to be collected, including agricultural soft plastics like grain bags and tarpaulins. $140,000 $290,000
Camperdown Compost A facility upgrade includes development of improved compostables receival and storage areas, upgraded screening and pre-sorting processes including plastic extraction equipment, new aeration and watering systems to maximise the effectiveness of the composting process. $500,000 $2.67m
iGas Operations Pty Ltd  A new waste-to-energy facility will be established at the Maddingley Brown Coal site near Bacchus Marsh. The plant will process 100,000 tonnes of waste a year, including material from plantation timber processing, construction and industrial waste, plastics and product left over from paper making. $500,000 $29.86m
Integrated Recycling This Mildura company makes timber replacement products from recycled plastics. It is upgrading its raw material storage area and upgrading one of its production lines to double production capacity. Its products are sold throughout Australia. $130,000 $420,000
Pinegro Products An enclosed tunnel composting facility will be built near Morwell on the company’s existing 8.9-hectare site. Compost will be made in climate-controlled tunnels which manage leachate waters and reduce odour. The project includes construction of buildings, four composting tunnels, air and water treatment systems and a computer-controlled processing and management system. The company currently has an open windrow composting system. $500,000 $5m
Western Composting Technology The company plans to boost production of compost made from food and green organic material at its Shepparton site. This will include diverting an extra 4500 tonnes a year from landfill by using commercial food waste from commercial collections in the Barwon and South West Victoria regions, the Goulburn Valley, Loddon-Mallee and north-east Victoria. $215,302 $717,675

SA EPA disrupts illegal waste operations

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) South Australia, with the assistance of South Australia Police (SAPOL), the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and local government have disrupted illegal waste operations in late May.

The crackdown involved a number of search warrants executed at businesses and residential premises across metropolitan and regional SA in relation to the illegal activities.

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EPA Chief Executive Tony Circelli said this has been a complex investigation with significant outcomes and serves as a warning to those who operate illegally in the waste industry

“The lawful South Australian waste industry provides an essential service for our community and businesses managing around 4.5 million tonnes of waste annually and being responsible for around 5,000 jobs. The legitimate industry works to meet required environmental standards and supports our leading recycling culture,” Mr Circelli said.

“The EPA is committed to maintaining confidence in existing and planned investments by ensuring that unlawful operations are brought to account and do not undercut sound operations.”

Mr. Circelli said the four-month long investigation involved extensive surveillance and resources, and required the EPA to draw on special powers warrants introduced in 2017.

“This law allows the EPA to better regulate waste generated from construction, demolition and earthworks to ensure appropriate and safe transport and disposal,” he said.

The investigation identified more than 1000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste, including material containing asbestos.

“This operation is a great demonstration of the new powers and collaboration across multiple agencies working together to target the illegal operators and support the legitimate waste industry,” Mr Circelli said.

The Waste and Recycling Industry Association of SA (WRISA) President Jim Fairweather said there is no place in the waste, recycling and resource recovery industry for illegal or poor-quality operators that tarnish the reputation of the industry.

“WRISA supports the work of the EPA in upholding environmental standards and licence conditions as steps towards helping to maintain a waste and recycling industry that has the public’s confidence,” Mr Fairweather said.

EPA TAS opens waste minimisation for Sustainability Award

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Tasmania has opened nominations to the 2018 Community Achievement awards.

The EPA Sustainability Award acknowledges businesses from any industry sector who have developed and implemented initiative that minimise waste, maximise resource efficiency, reduce pollution and conserve water and energy.

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Submissions should be a for a project that provides measurable improvements in waste minimisation, resource efficiency, water conservation or energy efficiency and results in wider community or flow on benefits for the sector.

Nominations are now open for the following categories:

  • EPA Sustainability Award
  • University of Tasmania Teaching Excellence Award
  • Ricoh Business Centre Hobart Community Group of the Year Award
  • Prime Super Business Achievement Award
  • Prime Super Employer Excellence in Aged Care Award
  • MAIB Disability Achievement Award
  • Get Moving Tasmania Physical Activity Award
  • Fonterra Australia Agriculture Award
  • Betta Milk ‘Make It Betta’ Health Achievement Award
  • Rural Health Tasmania Innovation in Mental, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Award

Nominations can be submitted here, and close on Thursday 23 August.

NHVR details incoming HVNL changes

A national mass increase for two-axle buses and twin steer tri-axle semi-trailer combinations will be among a number of changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and regulations starting 1 July, according to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto, said the changes would provide nationally consistent mass limits for the two classes of heavy vehicles.

“Mass limits for twin steer tri-axle heavy vehicle combinations will also increase from 42.5 tonnes to 46.5 tonnes, providing more flexibility for operators.”

Among other changes, heavy vehicle operators using tag trailers will be required to operate under 1:1 towing mass ratio, similar to pig trailers and dog trailers.

“Two-axle buses equipped with dual tyres on the rear axle can operate up to 18 tonnes, conditional on the bus being equipped with some additional safety features,” said Petroccitto.

“This means buses in South Australia, ACT and Tasmania can operate at the increased mass limit, similar to buses that are currently operated in Queensland, NSW and Victoria,” he said.

The NHVR has also reported that all penalties will increase by CPI and access charges will increase from $72 to $73, also in line with CPI. An access fee will also be applied to all Higher Mass Limit permit applications from 1 July.

The NHVR has provided a summary of some minor changes to the Vehicle Standards, including warning sign requirements for long vehicles and road trains, rear marking plate requirements, condensate drain valve requirements and number plate markings for hydrogen and electric powered vehicles.

The first round of changes to national heavy vehicle registration agreed to by state and Federal governments will also begin, including: a new national heavy vehicle plate and nationally consistent plate fee in participating states and territories (jurisdictions); more jurisdictions removing heavy vehicle registration labels; and the option for fleet operators across all jurisdictions to set common registration expiry dates.

Further changes to the registration system, including free read-only access to fleet registration details on a digital platform will be available later this year.

Strong results for Perth’s first FOGO trial

The trial of a Perth metro first, three-bin Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) system, has yielded higher than anticipated diversion from landfill.

The Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC) alongside three of its member councils – the Cities of Fremantle, Melville and Town of East Fremantle has been working towards the implementation of a three-bin FOGO system.

Commencing in October 2017, the new bin system was rolled out to approximately 7000 households across five areas in the City of Melville.

As part of the rollout, residents received a brand new 240-litre lime-green topped bin for FOGO material, along with a kitchen caddy to help them separate food waste in the kitchen. The kitchen caddy contained educational materials for the residents, along with a year’s supply of compostable liners to line the caddy with.

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Residents also received a brand new smaller red-topped 140-litre bin for general waste items that can’t be composted or recycled. The red bin is collected fortnightly. Residents kept their existing recycling bins with collections changing from weekly to fortnightly. For households who required more room to recycle, larger 360-litre bins were made available free of charge. The old general waste bins were removed and sent for recycling into new bins.

In the first six months of the project, 66.5 per cent of all household waste generated from the trial areas was recovered as compost or recycled into new products, above the state government target of 65 per cent of all household waste diverted from landfill by 2020.

In April, a resident survey was undertaken by independent research company Catalyse. All residents participating in the trial were asked for feedback on their experiences with 30 per cent of residents responding and having their say on the new system.

The findings showed strong support towards the new system with:

  • 79 per cent of respondents wanting the 3-bin FOGO system to continue.
  • 94 per cent of respondents rating weekly FOGO collections positively.
  • 87 per cent of respondents rating fortnightly recycling collections positively.
  • 69 per cent of respondents rating fortnightly general waste collections positively.
  • 80 per cent of respondents satisfied that they received the right amount of information about the new system.

Many residents highlighted the need to reduce landfill, create compost and increase recycling as their key reasons for wanting to keep the system moving forward. One resident said, “It makes sense to produce compost ‘en masse’ if individual households are not providing their own. We need more good soil, not landfill”.

Residents were also asked to make suggestions as to how the system could be improved, and between 10-22 per cent of respondents suggested improvements could be made by investigating the size and collection frequency of the red and yellow bins, odour management and sourcing more robust compostable caddy liners.

In a statement, council said many of these issues highlighted by residents are being addressed on an ongoing basis rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. To date, more than 17 per cent of residents have already opted for a larger 360-litre recycling bin and approximately half of the 4 per cent of households who requested additional capacity have been provided with more room following a needs assessment. Alternative compostable bags have been sourced with many residents now reporting improvements in the strength and durability of the bags.

City of Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said that with mounting global pressures to better manage waste services our surveyed community has expressed a desire to move to an improved, more sustainable waste management model.

“The results show the FOGO three-bin trial by and large has been a fantastic success for everyone involved, noting there are some areas for improvement,” he said.

There is also strong support from those not in the trial areas, with 74 per cent of all residents who took part in a survey across all five SMRC member councils expressing a desire for a third bin for FOGO waste.

Further analysis and reporting will continue over the coming months to help formulate the decision-making process for participating councils.

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