February 2020

Toxic hospital waste attracts EPA fine

A shipment of hospital waste exposed to toxic chemicals has been secured and sent for proper disposal, during an investigation by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).

According to EPA Western Metropolitan Regional Manager Stephen Lansdell, the waste was found at a container depot in Altona.

“EPA officers found two shipping containers that had been sitting for more than two weeks at the premises of Melbourne Container Transport, in Kororoit Creek Rd,” he said.

“Inside, they found plastic-wrapped pallet loads of cardboard boxes and plastic containers carrying surgical masks, gowns, gloves and other items used by doctors when applying cytotoxic chemicals used in some cancer treatments.”

The EPA has fined the company $8261 for depositing industrial waste at a site that is not licensed to accept that type of waste.

“The contents of the containers were safely incinerated by a licensed company on the day they were opened for inspection,” Mr Lansdell said.

“While it was resolved without any hazard to people’s health, a case like this is disappointing because businesses have a clear responsibility to know the rules and do the right thing by the environment and the community.”

Under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Infringements Act 2006, the company has the right to have the decision reviewed, or alternatively to have the matter heard and determined by a court.

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WA awards $62K under Waste Wise Schools program

A total of 20 Western Australian schools will share in more than $62,000 for projects to reduce waste, after being awarded grants under the Waste Wise Schools program.

According to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson, the program delivers educational resources aimed at changing behaviour to avoid waste generation and encourage diversion from landfill.

“The McGowan Government is committed to a target of 75 per cent of waste generated in WA being reused or recycled by 2030,” he said.

“The Waste Wise Schools accreditation program is an important part of this commitment, as the values we teach our children are the ones that the community will have in the future.”

A total of 505 schools across Western Australia are accredited under the program, Mr Dawson said, which is funded by the state government through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account, administered by the Waste Authority.

“Accredited Waste Wise Schools are empowering their community by spreading the ‘avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle’ messages and providing their students and community with practical activities that raise awareness and reduce waste,” Mr Dawson said.

“The program is part of a wider range of strategic waste reforms, including our ban on lightweight plastic bags, the introduction of a container deposit scheme this year, and consideration of further options for reducing single-use plastics following extensive public consultation.”

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ACOR reveals only eight per cent of waste levy revenue is reinvested

Only eight per cent of the $2.6 billion collected in waste levies over the last two years has been reinvested in recycling infrastructure and technology, according to new analysis by the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR).

An ACOR statement reveals that in 2018 and 2019, a total of $446,093,088 in waste and resource recovery grants funding was given or pledged by state and federal governments.

According to the statement, this expenditure compares to $2.67 billion collected in waste levies by mainland state governments over the 18/19 and 19/20 financial years, representing 16.7 per cent.

“Of the $446.1 million given or pledged in funding, 50.5 per cent was allocated to infrastructure-related initiatives and reprocessing-related initiatives. This represents around 8 per cent of the collected waste levies. Less than $100m of the $225m has actually been given to recipients to date,” the statement reads.

ACOR CEO Peter Shmigel said governments set waste levies up with the explicit aim of incentivising waste reduction.

“But more than 80 per cent of these state-based levies are ending up in consolidated revenue or other purposes,” he said.

“This is problematic because recycling rates have plateaued and Australia will no longer be allowed to export a great deal of material to Asia for recycling.”

Mr Shmigel said that without substantial investment soon, current kerbside recycling services may be put at risk. He added that with the export ban set to begin in less than six months, stockpiling might occur.

“Those who decided on the ban need to realise that without reinvestment in domestically sustainable recycling, and its necessary infrastructure, more material that Australians expect to be recycled – especially plastic – will need to go to landfill,” Mr Shmigel said.

“On independent modelling by MRA Consulting, some $300 million in one-off investment is needed to be able to process and remanufacture the types of paper and plastic we have been exporting.”

While Mr Shmigel said industry is prepared for matching arrangements and low-interest loans, he noted that there has been nowhere near that level of expenditure in 2018 and 2019.

“Australian recycling can be domestically sustainable and a world leader, and it requires waste levies to be expended on what they were set up for: support recycling,” he said.

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Sydney recycling plant to close following “market collapse”

Polytrade Recycling, one of Sydney’s largest recycling plants, will close at the end of March following a collapse in market prices for plastics and paper products, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.

“The company is the second largest recycler of contents from yellow-topped bins in Sydney, after Australian waste giant Visy,” the report reads.

“Polytrade has been operating the Rydalmere plant since 2013, handling tens of thousands of tonnes of kerbside recyclables a year.”

As a result of the closure, four Sydney councils – Fairfield, the Inner West, Willoughby and Lithgow – will be forced to find alternative facilities for their kerbside recyclables.

According to the report, Willoughby Council said it “may consider an increase in rates in the future,” due to the cost of an alternative recycler being more than double the price of Polytrade.

“Last week the council began sending recyclables to iQ Renew, which has a plant on the Central Coast, after Polytrade cited China’s waste ban and “subsequent collapse of the international and local recycling market” as reasons for the closure,” the report reads.

Polytrade Group General Manager Tony Lyons told the Sydney Morning Herald that it had become more expensive to recycle in Australia, and “someone needs to pay for it.”

“The lease is ending at Rydalmere and the intention to build a large-scale materials recovery facility in Sydney has been put on hold until we are confident that the gate fee being collected creates a price mechanism that allows that investment,” he said.

Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association of NSW Executive Director Tony Khoury said that with world-wide demand for recyclable commodities at a low point, prices have plummeted.

“At the same time, there is a need to clean-up these recyclable materials, as the buyers of these commodities are demanding much lower contamination rates. Our own Federal Government is currently proposing export bans on all manner of mixed recyclables,” he said.

“With councils across NSW currently proposing budgets for the 2020/2021 year, it would be very prudent for them to make a provision for additional recycling processing costs. The extent of these additional funds should be determined by councils in meaningful consultation with their processing contractors.”

The reality is, Mr Khoury said, that the cost of recycling is on the rise, and contractors require additional funds to process materials from kerbside recycling.

“To ensure that we have a sustainable recycling industry, local government, and indeed all waste generators, have to accept that price increases. If not, then it is likely that at some point in time there will be failures in the recycling system.”

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Genox PE Film Washing Lines: Applied Machinery

Applied Machinery’s PE/PP plastic washing system facilitates high-performance recovery of difficult-to-recycle plastic films.

The PE/PP Film system is designed for washing plastic films with contamination levels exceeding 80 per cent. The process works to minimise the recycling waste flow rate and evaporation losses.

The process begins with pre-shredding and pre-washing, which removes a large portion of abrasive material, such as sand and grit to protect the rest of the system. Underwater force-washing paddles in the washing tanks then work to maximise washing efficiency.

Next, a high-speed washing system optimised according to specific material type liberates and separates contamination from film flakes. This is followed by mechanical (centrifugal and squeezing) systems that control the moisture content of the finished product. At less than five per cent moisture, the material output is suitable for high-quality pelletising.

The system features a film press, float-sink washing tank, centrifugal dryer, inclined friction washer and pre-washer. Intelligent system automation ensures all component actions are sequenced and monitored.

The correct combination, sizing and equipment configuration of the equipment results in a reliable, efficient plastic recycling system producing high-quality materials ideal for sale.

The system is suitable for agricultural films, films recovered from MSW or MRFs, films recovered from landfills, post-industrial or post-consumer films and large raffia bags.

JCB delivers its first-ever electric excavator

JCB in late 2019 made history after unveiling its first-ever electric excavator – the quietest digger in its range and offering zero emissions.

The machine sees the replacement of a diesel engine with an efficient, 48-volt electrical driveline with the latest generation automotive battery cells.

As part of its shift towards lower emissions, the zero-emission JCB 19C-1 E-TEC will allow the waste sector to maximise productivity in emissions-sensitive inner city environments.

A huge advantage is external noise. At 7dBA lower, the machine is five times quieter than its traditional diesel-powered counterpart.

Importantly, performance is not compromised on digging, with a fully charged electric machine capable of putting in a full shift in normal operation.

The machine also supports maximum uptime with no daily checks of coolant and engine levels required. On that front, the high efficiency of the advanced electric-hydraulic combination means considerably lower cooling requirements. A small hydraulic cooler with a thermostatic electric fan and no engine radiator works to contribute to longer battery life and lower noise levels.

Initially, the mini excavator will be available with the ROPS/TOPS and FOGS certified canopy. As the electric excavator is based on the premium specification 19C-1, the excavator comes with proportional rocker switches for auxiliary functions and boom offset swing.

Its key features include a standard load-sensing hydraulic system delivering powerful digging performance. A convenient on-board charger with 230-volt input allows for six-hour recharging capability.

The Dominator Depackaging Machine: ELB Equipment

The Dominator Depackaging Machine is designed to separate food and liquid from outer packaging, and allows the reuse of waste material that would otherwise be sent to landfill at high cost. Developed after a bag of food accidentally fell into a pellet press conditioner, the machine can handle food waste, plastic bottles, tetra pak, tin cans, plasterboard, sachets and pharmaceutical and bakery waste.

Expired or rejected food and faulty packaging can all be processed by the machine and used for anaerobic digestion, added to animal feed or in compost facilities as a wet additive. The machine can also depackage municipal waste for later waste-to-energy application. Municipal waste is loaded into an intake hopper where it begins the conditioning process. The waste is then augured to the Dominator and pumped into a holding tank, before being used to generate renewable energy.

The Dominator uses a motor to drive a solid steel shaft lined with paddles. Using mechanical and centrifugal forces, material is depackaged and forced through a mesh screen leaving two separated waste streams for further processing.

The Dominator is available in two different models, with an arrangement of different sizes depending on throughput and space requirements. Both models have a potential throughput of up to 25 cubic metres an hour. The machine is available in mild or stainless steel, with motors ranging from 15 to 75 kilowatts. Different screen sizes can be achieved depending on finished product requirements. Effluent injection points can also be added to the barrel to assist with wet waste. The Dominator is an effective, easy-to-use solution for separating packaging.

For more information click here.

Sustainable pavements: ARRB

Margaret Brownjohn from the Australian Road Research Board takes a look at lifecycle assessment and promoting the uptake of innovative recycling materials in roads. 

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Recycling Modernisation Fund

VIC offers $2M in grants to improve e-waste infrastructure

The Victorian Government is offering $2 million in grants for local councils and industry to improve e-waste infrastructure across the state.

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the funding will work to strengthen Victoria’s collection, storage and reprocessing of electronic goods.

According to Ms D’Ambrosio, the new round of funding will focus on building e-waste reprocessing capability and capacity, while continuing to ensure the collection of e-waste is conducted to the highest standard.

“The state government introduced a ban on e-waste to landfill in July 2019 to pave the way for electronic items to be safely disposed of and reduce the harm these items have on the environment and human health,” she said.

“We’re supporting local councils and industry to keep potentially toxic e-waste out of landfill. This funding will allow e-waste to be reprocessed locally into valuable products – boosting jobs, supporting local businesses and helping divert more waste from landfill.”

Sustainability Victoria CEO Claire Ferres said the latest round of funding is a part of the state government’s $16.5 million investment to strengthen the e-waste sector and raise public awareness about how to dispose of e-waste correctly.

“With e-waste growing three times faster than standard municipal waste, it is vital we build a strong Victorian e-waste sector that our community trusts to deliver safe and secure management of e-waste,” she said.

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QLD awards industry development grants

Two businesses in Queensland’s timber forestry region will share in more than $600,000 of state government funding to investigate projects that will transform waste into products.

Laminex Australia will receive $559,000 via the state’s Resource Recovery Industry Development Program (RRIDP) to conduct a feasibility study into an energy cogeneration plant at its fibreboard manufacturing facility.

According to State Development and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Dick, the business currently produces 310,000 metric metres of fibreboard (MDF) and laminates approximately seven million square metres of MDF and particleboard each year.

“Laminex is already a major employer in the region, and we’re committed to helping them create more jobs for locals,” Mr Dick said.

“The proposed plant would support the electricity and thermal energy requirements for Laminex’s entire Gympie fibreboard manufacturing facility.”

Mr Dick said Laminex will draw from a wide selection of waste resources as feedstock for the cogeneration plant, including demolition wood waste and green waste.

“Once operational, the cogeneration plant would divert up to 100,000 tonnes of waste from landfill annually,” he said.

Laminex Group Executive General Manager Justin Burgess said the company, which last year expanded its manufacturing operations in Gympie, wanted to continue backing the regional community and reduce its carbon footprint.

“To do this, we need to ensure our flagship plant continues to be at the forefront when it comes to using innovative energy-efficient equipment,” Mr Burgess said.

“Supported by this grant funding, we expect to use up to 100,000 tonnes of biomass otherwise destined for landfill to generate electricity and thermal energy for production processes, achieving the highest possible energy efficiency.”

Addtionally, Queensland’s largest forestry plantation company HQPlantations (HQP) has been awarded $50,000 through the $5 million Waste to Biofutures Fund, to help test the use of forest-floor materials as feedstock for a biomass plant.

Mr Dick said HQP is the largest forest plantation owner in the state, with around 200,000 hectares of timber forests, more than half of which comprise the Fraser Coast pine plantations extending from east of Gympie to near Bundaberg.

Mr Dick said over 1.25 million tonnes of timber is harvested annually from the area, so being able to turn the waste from this work into energy would deliver strong economic and employment outcomes for the region.

“Queensland’s southern pine plantations support an estimated 1670 primary production and processing jobs, and for every job created by the forest and timber industry, another job is indirectly created in the broader economy,” he said.

“If we can help unlock new revenue streams for our plantations and associated timber businesses, local communities that rely on our forestry industry will reap the benefits of the seeds being sowed.”

HQP Science Manager Ian Last said treating treetops and other offcuts as a resource rather than waste is a research priority for the company.

“The Queensland Government’s funding will support field trials, including further sampling to better define residues, as well as trialling residue recovery equipment such as mobile in-field chippers and grinders,” Mr Last said.

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