What does âwasteâ mean?

Transcription

A
Publication
Official Publication of the
ISSUE 66 | JUNE 2015
www.BEN-global.com/waste
INSIDE
22 Riding the investment
wave
30 Is green manufacturing
the future?
42 Battery regulation
almost a certainty
Inside the first
ERF auction
Cleanaway takes it sponsorship of the
Parramatta Eels NRL Club to a new level with
this co-branded truck hitting the streets in
April. Parramatta Eels players: Tim Mannah (in
vehicle), Chris Sandow (behind the cabin), and
from left Manu Ma’u, Anthony Watmough and
Ryan Morgan. (Photo courtesy of Cleanaway)
What does “waste” mean?
PP: 255003/07055
ISSN 1837-5618
A GLASS processing facility has won
a landmark case in the NSW Land
and Environment Court against the
NSW Department of Planning and
Infrastructure, after what Gavin
Shapiro, senior associate at Henry
Davis York Lawyers said was a “flexible
approach” applied to the meaning of
“waste”.
Glass Recovery Services began
operating a glass beneficiation facility
in Penrith in 2012, which reprocessed
used glass into cullet that was then
sold to glass manufacturer O-I.
According to the department,
the facility was a state significant
development and had operated
unlawfully from 2012 to January last
year as it had not received ministerial
approval, which was required under the
2007 State Environmental Planning
Policy (SEPP) on Infrastructure for
waste management facilities.
The department tried to prove in
court that Glass Recovery Services’
beneficiation plant was a resource
recovery plant, making it a waste
facility.
However, Glass Recovery Services was
successful in arguing that its facility
did not classify as a resource recovery
facility but a manufacturing operation
that remanufactured a resource.
Justice Nicola Pain agreed, saying
the material was remanufactured into
new products, which made the facility
a manufacturing operation.
The crux of the case, Shapiro
said, was what “waste” means under
the Environmental Planning and
Assessment Act.
“Justice Pain applied a flexible
approach to the meaning of waste
in this context, taking into account
factors such as initial processing at the
MRF upstream and a demand for the
used, refined glass as a resource for
making new glass,” he explained.
“The Court of Criminal Appeal took
a different view on the meaning of
waste under the Protection of the
Environment Operations Act, applying a
strict definition and explicitly rejecting
factors such as market demand. However,
that was in the context of a specific
definition under the Protection of the
Environment Operations Act, which is
not the case under the Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act.
However, this did not mean the
meaning of “waste” had changed.
“It is important to realise this
case deals with the issue of planning
approvals under the Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act – not
environmental offences and licensing
under the Protection of the Environment
Operations Act. People should not take
this to mean that the meaning of
“waste” has changed for the purpose
of the Protection of the Environment
Operations Act,” Shapiro said.
THE Clean Energy Regulator has
released the results of the first
Emissions Reduction Fund auction
held on April 15 and 16, awarding 107
carbon abatement contracts committed
to deliver 47.33 million tonnes of
abatement.
The total value of contracts awarded
was $660.47 million, which is about
25% of the total $2.55 billion ERF
budget. The average price per tonne of
abatement was $13.95.
43 contractors covering 144 projects
(36% of the 119 registered proponents)
were successful at the auction and the
majority applied under sequestration
methods as well as landfill and
alternative waste treatment methods.
Successful contractors include LMS
Energy, Veolia Environmental Services,
Landfill Gas Industries, SITA-Resource
Co Alternative Fuels Pty Ltd and the
City of Armadale.
Energy and emissions market analysts
RepuTex considered the $14 “average
price” disclosed by the Regulator to be
a “moderate” price signal, with mixed
implications for the market.
“On the one hand, a $14 average
price may allay the worst fears for
carbon farmers – who have feared
rock bottom prices – yet on the other
hand, that price is unlikely to see high
emitting companies rush to participate
in the scheme,” RepuTex executive
director Hugh Grossman said.
Continued on page 16
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// Editor’s Note
Grabbing the bull by the horns
IN PUTTING this issue of Inside Waste
together, the words “paradigm shift”,
“new opportunities” and “investment
interest” were thrown my way numerous
times. Is the waste sector about to
enter a new era?
Take the case of South Australia,
for example. In March, Zero Waste SA
(ZWSA) released a new five-year draft
waste strategy, which interestingly
dwelled little on traditional waste and
resource recovery targets but focused
on the sector’s economic value and
performance.
ZWSA director of operations Ian
Harvey told Inside Waste the narrative
was shifting and the sector was
becoming more focused on resources
and not waste, remanufacturing and
not just recycling.
This shift drove ZWSA to develop a
strategy that both provided a sense
of “business as usual” and captured
opportunities in areas such as
remanufacturing. For instance, one of
its new objectives is to build a resource
efficient economy where the best or
full value is secured from products
and materials produced, consumed and
recovered across the state.
This idea of progressing from
“traditional recycling” was also
reiterated by UNSW scientia professor
and director of the Centre for
Sustainable Materials Research and
Technology (SMaRT) Veena Sahajwalla,
who proposed the sector begin to look
at end-of-life products as resources of
elements.
Her take is that given the increasing
complexity of materials, traditional
recycling methods may no longer work
for newer products made up of a mixture
of fibres. Instead of downgrading these
materials for the sake of returning
them back to their original form, she
believes they can be “unpacked to
a point” where their composition is
understood and each element used as
an input for another product.
She has the science to back her up
and says councils, which are perfectly
placed to capture green manufacturing
opportunities, could be the microfactories of the future.
Then there’s energy from waste. We
are all well aware that interest in this
space has ramped up in recent years.
But there are some in the sector who
are certain that investment interest
in the renewable space has increased
substantially.
Superannuation fund and investment
company Australian Ethical reported a
22% growth in its membership earlier
this year when the super industry was
experiencing shrinking membership.
The company credited its success
to its ability to generate returns for
investors “who care about the future
of our planet”. Based on its research
on ethical businesses to invest in, the
company said EfW was a viable part of
a sustainable future.
Australian Ethical currently invests
in Covanta, one of the world’s
largest owners and operators of EfW
infrastructure, and believes projects
here will attract investors.
To sum up, it is worth noting that
the sector has experienced a number
of highly priced acquisitions and
transactions in the last decade and
Re.Group commercial director and
co founder, Dr Dan Chesson, says
investment interest in the sector has
increased “quite substantially” and
this is likely to continue as investors
look to close the loop on the circular
economy.
However, he cautioned that every
investment cycle has a finite life and
if we are indeed facing a boom, then a
sense of urgency needs to be captured.
Official Publication
of the
www.BEN-global.com/waste
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APP023
JUNE 2015 INSIDEWASTE
3
News //
Profile | Ashleigh Morris
Ashleigh Morris is a University of the Sunshine
Coast (USC) Environmental Health Science graduate
currently completing her Environmental Management
Honours at the University of New South Wales and
interning with TerraCycle. She recently received USC’s
highest award for a graduating student: the Chancellor’s Medal.
Why are you pursuing a career in waste?
I want a career that is challenging, dynamic and purposeful and the waste sector
encompasses all of those elements. I aim to make a marked difference to the
health of the world’s environment through changing how waste is viewed and
managed.
How did you get an internship at TerraCycle and what are you working on?
On one of my many nights spent scouring the net for inspiration, I stumbled
upon Tom Szaky’s inspiring TED talk and my interest was piqued. I was initially
offered an unpaid internship; however, after recognising my enthusiasm and out
of the box thinking, Anna Minns (manager of the Australian TerraCycle branch)
offered me a paid position. Currently, I am leading a national oral care waste
project sponsored by Colgate and Australia Post.
Favourite part of your internship?
Having the creative freedom to design and manage an innovative national
project for oral care waste.
What do you think is the key driver of future change in the sector?
Societal change as research has shown that people prefer to support
environmentally friendly companies. If this continues there will be a huge change
in how companies manage the life cycle of their products.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Live a life of purpose.
Ashleigh Morris can be contacted at [email protected]
E-waste targets must be
sharply increased: Gertsakis
THE National Television and Computer
Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) is currently
undergoing an operational review
and many stakeholders are expecting
the recycling targets to be sharply
increased, says Infoactiv chief
sustainability officer John Gertsakis.
“Anything other than a significant
increase will continue to exacerbate
stockpile
creation,
questionable
recycling practices, and the appalling
situation of co-regulatory arrangements
terminating or minimising collection
and recycling services to local councils
across urban and regional Australia,”
Gertsakis said.
He noted that while the majority
of participating stakeholders wished
to see the NTCRS expand and thrive,
continuation of ‘easy-to reach’
recycling targets did nothing to
demonstrate genuine corporate social
responsibility goals or address the
volume of television and computer
waste continuing to “flood” landfills in
all states and territories.
Moreover, Gertsakis said Infoactiv
www.600cranes.com.au
received calls every week from
“frustrated” councils that had their
collection and recycling services
withdrawn by industry arrangements
and were now having to bear the cost
burden of recycling.
“Minister for the Environment
Greg Hunt is perfectly placed to
significantly increase the enforceable
targets under the NTCRS and swiftly
deal with several issues that require
prompt and decisive attention,”
Gertsakis said.
“Low-level target increases will
continue to aggravate key issues
at a time when the scheme needs
proactive adjustment by the Australian
government.
“The environment minister’s option
is very clear; sharply increase the
enforceable collection targets and do
it swiftly.
“This will not only meet community
expectation, it will also address
the genuine needs of local councils
nationwide, especially those that have
been ignored by industry.”
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News //
Company Profile | Green
Distillation Technologies
Green Distillation Technologies has won a bronze
medal in the Edison Awards for its destructive
distillation technology that recycles waste tyres into
saleable commodities such as carbon, oil and steel. It is
the first ever Australian finalist in the global awards.
When was the company founded and why?
GDT was founded in March 2010 to enhance and commercialise the technology
of energy recovery from end-of-life car and truck tyres.
How does the technology work?
The technology uses heat in the absence of oxygen to remanufacture the
components in a tyre into oil, carbon and steel.
Can you provide a progress update on the upgrading of your pilot plant?
GDT is currently commissioning its commercial plant in Warren New South
Wales, which will be capable of processing 19,000 tonnes of tyres per year.
What are GDT’s key projects and who are your key clients?
Key projects include contributing to properly dealing with the 22 million end -of
-life tyres produced each year in Australia, as well as resolving the significant
problems associated with the many tyre stockpiles already existing. GDT’s
key customers include fuel refiners and manufacturers for our oil, the steel
manufacturing industry for our carbon and the tyre manufacturers for our steel
What are some of the activities or initiatives planned for 2015?
GDT plans to advance the opportunities currently in progress
for an additional two plants in Australia, as well as
advancing the opportunity to roll out the GDT technology in
the USA.
Contact: 03 9826 2335,
GDT CEO
[email protected] or www.gdtc6.com
Craig Dunn
ALOA on safeguard mechanism
THE Australian Landfill Owners
Association (ALOA) has argued that the
waste sector should not be covered by
the proposed Emissions Reduction Fund
(ERF) safeguard mechanism.
The federal government released a
consultation paper in March proposing
landfill facilities be covered if emissions
from new waste deposited after July 1,
2012 exceed 100,000 tonnes of carbon
dioxide equivalent emissions a year.
Under its proposed approach,
emissions from new waste would also
be used to determine whether a landfill
facility had exceeded its emissions
baseline and these baselines would
be calculated using the highest level
of reported total direct emissions over
2009-10 to 2013-14.
ALOA said the waste sector,
whose emissions amount to 1.4% of
Australia’s non-electricity emissions,
should not be covered by the safeguard
mechanism for the following reasons:
• It is not a significant contributor to
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions;
• It has demonstrated over the past
25 years the ability to reduce its
emissions;
• It continues to demonstrate its
commitment to reducing greenhouse
gas emissions through the recent
success of landfill gas destruction
and waste diversion projects in the
ERF auction;
• A small number of larger landfills
will trigger the 100,000 tonne
baseline and consequently create a
commercial disparity with smaller
landfills;
• NGER modelling is a useful tool for
recording Australia’s greenhouse gas
emissions; however, there remains
a number of discrepancies with the
measurement tool when applied to
individual landfills;
• The historic NGER reported data
available is likely to have inaccuracies
due to significant changes in the
methodologies over time and should
not be relied upon to establish
individual landfill baselines; and
• The widespread adoption of the
Carbon Farming Initiative, and
now the ERF, by the landfill sector
is a more reliable approach to
encouraging
and
maintaining
pressure to reduce emissions.
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// News
Mark Speakman – NSW’s new environment minister
NSW Premier Mike Baird has announced
his cabinet, bringing in four new faces
including the state’s Environment
Minister, Cronulla MP Mark Speakman.
Speakman has been given environment,
heritage and assistant planning while
former Environment Minister Rob Stokes
has taken over the planning portfolio as
part of the cabinet reshuffle.
Speakman is a senior counsel and
this is his first cabinet role.
One of his tasks would be implementing
the government’s proposed container
deposit scheme, which would likely
result in the installation of 800 reverse
vending machines by 2017.
“I have been a strong advocate for
a container deposit scheme for some
time, including by lobbying ministers
and organising a forum in Parliament. I
have seen first-hand from my tours of
Towra Point Nature Reserve, Botany Bay
and Port Hacking the shocking amount
of plastic and other container pollution
littering our waterways,” Speakman
said prior to the March 28 elections.
“The government’s preferred model
is a cost effective scheme in which
consumers, or a charity of their choice,
receive a small financial reward for
depositing a drink container in a
reverse vending machine; but we are
open to better alternatives.”
NSW Environment Minister Mark
Speakman and Premier Mike Baird.
(Source: Mark Speakman)
NSW waste education strategy to complement council plans
The NSW EPA’s draft waste education
strategy will neither undo the good
work that some councils have done
nor “run over the top” of their
initiatives. Instead, it aims help local
government and waste operators
deliver consistent and practical
behaviour change programs, says EPA
director of waste and resource recovery
Steve Beaman.
In March, the EPA released its draft
Changing Behaviour Together strategy,
which sets out the educational
opportunities and directions for
programs
delivered
under
the
government’s Waste Less Recycle More
initiative.
“This [strategy] will allow us
to start thinking about statewide
campaigns in local government on
recycling, resource recovery, e-waste,
community recycling centres. We can
use our scale with Waste Less Recycle
More to do the social research and
help
build
community/marketing
campaigns. Our partners, being industry
and local government, can deliver
those campaigns,” Beaman said.
The strategy may have 56 action
plans but its aim is simple, to deliver
a positive and consistent message in
order to “bring the community along”
on its waste journey.
Additionally, while the look and feel
of these campaigns and messages will
be consistent, the EPA understands
that local councils may need to
tailor each program to suit their
circumstances.
“It shouldn’t be driven out of one
office in Sydney. The community
really needs to own some of these
programs for them to work,” Beaman
said.
“We won’t run over the top of
really good work like what Danielle
Santucci does in Bankstown with her
community. So there’s always going to
be these community fits where councils
have done some really innovative work
and it’s partly them dovetailing with
us and us dovetailing with them. It’s
about partnerships.”
Beaman expects the household
engagement programs to deliver the
biggest changes in the short term.
JUNE 2015 insidewaste
7
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Changing the Face of Waste Management
// News
Green industries SA should focus on waste: summit
NOT only is money constraining the
operational scope of Green Industries
South Australia but its core scope
should be waste, say delegates who
attended the SA Waste Summit in
March.
The
summit,
convened
and
introduced by Minister of Environment
Ian Hunter and supported by the
EPA and Zero Waste SA (ZWSA), was
designed to provide an update on the
state of play in the waste management
and resource recovery sector and
facilitate discussion on key issues.
Delegates comprised a mix of
senior representatives from the sector,
local government, urban renewal,
community and interstate government
(NSW and Victoria), as well as the EPA
and ZWSA boards.
Now, a draft report has been released
highlighting the issues discussed and
concerns identified. This report will be
used to help inform the consultation
process for directions for Green
Industries, the state’s waste reform
program, future EPA project priorities
and what the regulator will consult on
in the future.
A number of topics were discussed
including the application and use of
the waste levy.
The general theme was the levy
should be used as an effective
economic instrument to promote
reduced disposal, increased recycling,
waste innovation and projects.
A number of submissions calling
for the levy to be increased were also
made.
Green Industries, which replaces
ZWSA this year, was also discussed.
Delegates said money was constraining
the scope of Green Industries and,
for the body to achieve its desired
outcomes, sufficient funding and
adequate resources were required.
Additionally, the core scope of
SA Environment Minister Ian Hunter.
Green Industries should be waste and
recycling within a broader strategy on
green industry market development.
Link to the draft report:
http://bit.ly/1Et8bZC
Vic EPA enforces stricter tyre rules
THE Victorian EPA has tightened
regulations around the storage
of
waste
tyres,
implementing
new rules that came into effect on
April 29.
The
Environment
Protection
(Scheduled Premises and Exemptions),
(Industrial Waste Resource) and (Fees)
Amendment Regulations 2015 will
require premises that store more than
40 tonnes or 5000 waste tyres to
obtain a works approval and licence
from the EPA.
EPA acting CEO Chris Webb said the
new regulations would help ensure
tyres were stored in a safe manner.
“The number of used or waste tyres
generated in Victoria each year is
growing; approximately six million
waste passenger car tyres were
unaccounted for in Victoria in 2012-13,
believed to be stockpiled or illegally
dumped,” Webb said.
“The regulations will place EPA in
a strong position to take action by
enforcing stringent rules on how they
are stored. We will be working closely
with industry to ensure that they
understand their requirements under
these new regulations.”
The development of the new
regulations was led by EPA, with support
from the Department of Environment,
Land, Water and Planning, Victoria’s
fire services and industry associations,
as well as tyre recycling businesses.
9
// News
Photo courtesy of
Highway Patrol Images.
NSW Police fined $100,000
following investigation
THE New South Wales Police Force
will contribute $100,000 to the
Environmental Trust following an EPA
investigation into the disposal of
police evidence exhibits.
The EPA began its investigation
following an allegation from a former
police officer about the improper
storage and disposal of evidence and
drugs seized during a case in July
2012.
EPA director for hazardous incidents
and environmental Health Craig
Lamberton said the investigation
confirmed some exhibit wastes had
been taken for destruction at facilities
that could not lawfully accept the
material.
“Under the Protection of the
Environment Operations Act all waste,
including evidence collected by police,
must be disposed of at facilities that
are licenced to handle these kinds
of materials. Evidence materials can
include things like hazardous chemicals
or illicit drugs and it is important they
are disposed of in such a way that they
will not pose a risk to the environment
or human health,” Lamberton said.
“Once NSW Police were made aware
of the disposal requirements officers
immediately stopped sending the
materials to these facilities.
“In addition to the $100,000
commitment, NSW Police has also made
changes to its policies and procedures
to ensure best practice is applied to
drug exhibits, including appointing an
assistant commissioner to oversee the
management of exhibits and developing
a training program for all staff.”
The contribution will assist the
Environmental Trust to develop projects
that address environmental legacies
such as hazardous chemical incidents
and contaminated soils.
Truegain could be slapped with
more than $1M in penalties
THE NSW EPA has commenced
proceedings in the Land and
Environment Court against Rutherford
waste oil refinery Truegain Pty Ltd and
one of its directors. The company and
director are charged with two offences
which, if proven, carry a maximum
penalty of $1 million each.
The EPA alleges that Truegain
and its director failed to comply
with environment protection licence
conditions and provided false and
misleading information to the EPA.
Truegain’s Environmental Protection
Licence requires it to conduct air
emissions monitoring for dioxins and
furans, gases that could pose potential
harm in uncontrolled concentrations.
“The monitoring is an important
requirement under the licence and is
there to ensure that the processing
plant is operating effectively and
is not posing a threat to the
environment or community,” the EPA
said in a statement.
The EPA alleges that in 2012-13,
Truegain had not undertaken this
monitoring and had provided false
and misleading information to the
regulator in its 2012-13 annual return.
Additionally, the annual report did
not disclose that the company had
failed to carry out the monitoring.
The matter will first be listed for
directions in the Land and Environment
Court on Friday, May 15.
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11
News //
TPI confirms Vic landfill expansion; EPA investigates stink
Between April 13 and 20, the Victorian EPA
reportedly received 19 odour complaints.
Transpacific Industries Group has
confirmed it will apply to expand its
recently acquired Melbourne Regional
Landfill in Ravenhall, 22km west of
Melbourne, later this year. TPI acquired
Melbourne’s largest landfill from Boral
at the end of last year for $150 million
and, prior to the acquisition, Boral
had tried and failed to expand the site
twice due to community resistance.
TPI confirmed its expansion plans
at its first community meeting at the
end of last month, where more than
100 residents turned up air their
concerns.
Odour was the most common
complaint, which was unsurprising
given the Victorian EPA is currently
investigating the landfill after receiving
19 odour complaints in a week.
Transpacific Cleanaway regional
manager Clete Elms admitted that
“a lot of improvements needed to be
made” but says the current 133ha site
only has a life span of up to 10 years,
which means expansion is necessary to
meet future demands. Elms agreed that
odour was “unacceptable” and vowed
to fixed it, announcing the installation
of 20 generators – on top of the four
currently onsite – to capture more
methane gas.
“Capturing the gas is in our best
interest because it is converted to
electricity, boosting our revenue and
reducing the odour,” he said.
TPI will also look at air quality
control measures, extending litter
escape pick up areas, as reported by
the community, and improving road
conditions. Other concerns were raised
around litter escape, truck numbers,
types of waste being dumped and health
concerns. The crowd has called on TPI to
give up its plan to expand the landfill.
by Waste Aid will be involved in the
strategy preparation.
The group includes representatives
from the NSW EPA, NSW Aboriginal
Affairs, Department of Health, NSW
Aboriginal Land Council, Australian
Packaging Covenant, local government
NSW, Resource Recovery Australia and
Waste Aid.
Mark Conlon, who has held a range
of senior roles in government including
group manager of governance,
leadership and community engagement
at NSW Aboriginal Affairs, has been
appointed as NSW program director
and will head up the project for
Waste Aid.
The grant was awarded under the
initiative.
NSW EPA supports Waste Aid
Waste Aid will lead the co-creation
of a waste management strategy for
NSW Aboriginal communities through a
$280,000 NSW EPA grant.
“The NSW EPA funding will enable the
development of a state-wide strategy
for waste services in Aboriginal
communities that will address the
gap in current public policy and raise
the level of understanding of the
12
insidewaste JUNE 2015
issues and challenges facing service
delivery,” Waste Aid CEO Anne Prince
said.
“The implementation plan will
provide clear direction for practical and
realistic actions which we hope will set
a new national benchmark and help
NSW achieve its waste targets.”
The Sustainable Waste in Aboriginal
Communities (SWAC) group initiated
// News
NSW Police target garbos and uncover truck defects
NSW Police officers have issued 40
defects to waste trucks after a joint
operation in April targeting compliance
in Sydney’s west.
The joint taskforce, which included
NSW Roads and Maritime Services
(RMS), conducted a safety and
compliance operation in Eastern Creek
and of the 120 trucks inspected, 40
defects were issued for body/chassis
issues, ancillary equipment and oil/
fuel leaks.
However, there was some good news.
Of the 94 drivers who were drug-tested
and 107 who were breath-tested,
none recorded a positive result.
That said, officers issued a number
of infringements for unsecure loads.
Of note, one truck had loose wheel
nuts with the tyre unsecured, another
had a bald tyre and one was leaking
fluid on the roadway.
Traffic
and
highway
patrol
commander,
acting
assistant
commissioner Bob Ryan said it was
critical that these vehicles operated
safely.
“Recent events in NSW and other
states involving waste vehicles
highlight the need for safety and
compliance on our roads. While
relatively few defects were found
during today’s operation, one vehicle
with loose wheel nuts and another with
a bald tyre is a serious concern and
should be a warning to the industry to
take note of their actions,” Ryan said.
“All parties in the chain of
responsibility including directors of
companies must ensure this culture
of poor loading and load restraint,
poor safety and shoddy maintenance
is eliminated,” RMS general manager
compliance operations Paul Endcott
added.
A third of waste trucks inspected had
defects. (Source: NSW Police Force)
“Confused and angry” garbos send message to council
N
E
W
WASTE workers have dumped a truckload
of rubbish on the doorstep of Ryde
Council, 13km north west of Sydney, to
protest the council’s plans to sack and
then re-engage them as independent
contractors. However, the council said
no consent had been provided to subcontract driving positions.
Transport Workers’ Union NSW
assistant secretary Richard Olsen said
Ryde workers were confused and angry
at the independent contractor plans,
which would mean less favourable
terms, including cuts to take home pay.
“The new arrangement will reduce
truck numbers and force fewer drivers
to cover more ground on each shift.
Right across the transport industry, we
have seen that drivers under economic
pressure are forced to drive faster,
more dangerously and even to skip
maintenance just to get the job done,”
Olsen said.
“Ryde garbage services will go
downhill and local road safety will be
under threat.
Responding to the protest, the
council’s general manager Gail Connolly
said: “Council awarded the contract to
SITA Australia [SUEZ environnement]
in December 2014. We awarded that
contract in good faith.
“We expect SITA to honour that
contract when it commences on 1 May
2015, including the current working
conditions of drivers. Council’s consent
is required before SITA Australia is
able to sub-contract any of the driving
positions and that consent has not
been provided.”
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13
News //
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Waste recovery rises: ABS
WASTE recovery in Australia has
increased from 52% of total waste
generated in 2009-10 to 58% in 201011, according to new Australian Bureau
of Statistics figures. Meanwhile, the
value of waste management services
has grown by 8%.
ABS’ 2015 Australian EnvironmentalEconomic Accounts note the economy
generated 53 million tonnes of waste
in 2010-11, representing a slight
decrease of 1% from the previous year.
The ABS said the fall was driven by
declines in waste generation by the
electricity, gas and water (20%) and
waste management (19%) industries.
Mining recorded the largest increase
in waste generation (129%) over 200910 to 2010-11 while the construction
sector generated the largest volume
of waste in 2010-11 (14.5Mt),
representing 27% of the total waste
generated although this is a decrease
of 10% from the previous year.
Households produced 14.3Mt of
waste in 2010-11, an increase from
12.4Mt from the year before.
Of the total waste generated in 201011, 30.8Mt were recovered, including
27.1Mt recovered domestically and
3.7Mt exported. Total waste to landfill
decreased by 14% between 2009-10
and 2010-11, from 25.9Mt to 22.2Mt.
In 2010-11, the supply of waste
management services was valued at
$10.4 billion, an increase of 8% from
2009-10.
Private waste management firms
supplied a little over half – $5.4 billion
– while local government authorities
supplied $2.7 billion.
The remaining $2.1 billion of services
were provided by business not primarily
undertaking
waste
management,
of which 39% was provided by the
construction sector.
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SITA progresses with Allawuna
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14
SITA Australia has lodged an updated
works approval application with WA’s
Department of Environment Regulation
for the planned development of its
Allawuna Farm landfill project, 22km
from the York township.
The project stalled in April last year,
after the Wheatbelt Joint Development
Assessment Panel (JDAP) refused SITA’s
application, questioning among other
things, the suitability of developing a
landfill in the York General Agricultural
Zone. SITA state general manager Nial
Stock said the updated design follows
comprehensive investigations carried
out as part of the normal project
development process.
“The design has been refined so
that the landfill footprint will be
concentrated within the northern
part of the original footprint, up the
slope to raise the floor of the landfill,
which will further assist with water
management. There remains no risk to
drinking water,” Stock said.
He said the landfill footprint would
be reduced by about 31% and volume
of waste received by about 46% less,
reducing the facility’s operation from
the estimated 37 years to about 20
years.
This would also result in the
requirement of less fill for the facility.
Onsite borrow pits adjacent to the
landfill will now be used for this fill
and progressively rehabilitated.
SITA said the proposed facility would
account for less than 5% of the 1516
hectare property, which will remain a
working farm.
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News //
First ERF auction a “very strong start”: RepuTex
Cont’d from cover
ACCORDING to RepuTex, the Federal
government’s first ERF auction is
a “very strong start” in Australia’s
journey towards meeting its 5%
emissions reduction target by 2020.
“Australia requires 47 million tonnes
of abatement per year to meet its
2020 target, so this is a very strong
start; however, it remains to be seen
what happens when the ERF funding is
exhausted,” Grossman said.
“On the present trajectory, the ERF
budget would be eroded very quickly, so
the medium-term sustainability of the
scheme is a concern. And while the $14
average price may not be compelling
enough for high emitters to ‘rush to
participate in the scheme’, doubts over
its sustainability may be a big enough
push to get these companies on board.
“In committing over 25% of
the entire $2.55 billion Emissions
Reduction Fund budget, pressure is
likely to build for high emitters to
move quickly, or miss out on funds if
they are unable to develop projects in
time.
“Companies will therefore face a
decision as to whether it is worth their
while to fast-track projects if they
want to capitalise while funding is still
available.”
Meanwhile, the disclosure of an
average price of abatement may make
for an interesting discussion but
RepuTex believes it will be of little use
to companies, saying they will learn
“little” from the results as the price
does not reflect the real “market price”
of carbon credits.
“Given the figure of $14 does not
reflect the real value of abatement, it is
largely useless for industry to apply as
a forward price signal,” Grossman said.
“In disclosing only the average price
of abatement, the regulator is seeking
to make prices appear to be lower than
they have actually paid. An average is
not a true reflection of the real clearing
price that the regulator paid, which is
higher.
“Industry will seek to identify the
“highest” clearing price, not the
average price, which will give firms a
better understanding of their abatement
value.
“It is the ‘highest’ price which will
ultimately determine whether industry
participates in subsequent auctions.”
Albert Jacob announces more funding for better bins
MORE local councils in WA will be
supported to improve recycling and
kerbside waste collection services after
Environment Minister Albert Jacob
announced an increase in funding for the
state government’s Better Bins program.
Seven councils have signed up to the
program, launched as a $7.5 million
pilot in January last year. With the
increase in funding, $20 million will
now be available to extend the scheme.
The Better Bins program funds local
authorities to provide their residents with
improved kerbside collection systems.
“The Better Bins program encourages
the use of a three-bin system, which
allows residents to separate their green
waste into a bin with a green lid, comingled recycling into a bin with a
yellow lid and general waste into a
red lid bin,” Jacob said. “Providing
uniform lid colours between different
council areas also helps homeowners
better understand what type of waste
goes into what bin, regardless of where
they live.”
The minister said he was very pleased
to see councils embrace the Better Bins
system because it was an efficient way
to increase rates of recycling.
WA Environment Minister Albert Jacob.
Scouts blaze the recycling trail
Upfront, Everywhere
Shears, sorting grabs & orange peel grabs
BUILT FOR THE
PROFESSIONALS
SA ENVIRONMENT Minister Ian Hunter
has opened a new recycling centre in
Pooraka, Adelaide, aimed at boosting
the fundraising efforts of the state’s
largest youth-oriented not-for-profit
organisation.
The SA branch of the Scouts
Association of Australia now operates
10 Scout Recycling Centres (SRCs),
with the latest featuring automated
technology that will improve the
experience and efficiency of recycling
containers.
“Their operation is a fantastic
example of the wider benefits the $1
billion dollar waste industry generates
in our state, while supporting around
5,000 jobs,” Hunter said.
“These SRCs employ around 100
people and generate an annual return
of $24 million, some of which help to
support the activities of around 10,000
volunteers and young people.
“The centre I’ve had the pleasure of
opening is at the forefront of recycling
technology and design, making it even
easier for South Australians to recycle
their containers.”
Hunter said the recycling centre at
Maxwell Road features fully-automated
counting machine technology that scans
the barcode of recyclable products.
“This will improve efficiency through
a process of scanning containers –
helping the scouts in South Australia
process up to 15% of the state’s
recycling volume,” he said.
“What’s more, the efficiency of
this technology is driving a planned
expansion of the SRC network to more
locations – including in regional areas
– leading to more jobs in the sector.”
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News //
$171M invested, 870,000 tonnes diverted: WLRM update
It’s been a little over two years since
the launch of the NSW EPA’s Waste Less
Recycle More initiative and the state
has diverted an extra 870,000 tonnes
of waste from landfill. Providing an
update on the initiative, EPA CEO and
chair Barry Buffier said WLRM has
so far injected $171.5 million into
recycling as well as litter and illegal
dumping prevention, stimulating a
further investment of $143 million.
“People are getting new kerbside
collection services, councils are building
new drop-off centres for problem wastes
and we’re investing in more recycling
infrastructure,” Buffier said.
“We’ve introduced an energy from
waste policy, tougher penalties for
waste crimes and tighter controls
around waste management, transport
and storage to better protect the
environment and ensure a level playing
field for industry,” he added. “It’s all
part of our commitment to ensure we
meet the ambitious target to divert
75% of all waste from landfill by 2021.”
The five-year, $465.7 million
program funded by the waste levy was
launched in February 2013 to tackle
the two million tonnes of waste sent to
landfill in 2012-13.
Major grants programs managed
through the Environmental Trust
include funding for the community
recycling centre network, Love Food
Hate Waste and major infrastructure.
Highlights for February 2015 include:
• $40 million investment in new
recycling infrastructure;
• 3,863 tonnes of household chemical
waste collected at CleanOut events;
• 13 regional waste strategies finalised;
• 75 new Community Recycling Centres
(CRCs) built;
• 31 councils introducing new
or enhanced kerbside organics
collections, rolling out 443,000 new
green lid bins and kitchen caddies;
• EfW policy adopted;
•Tougher penalties for waste crimes,
increasing fines to $15,000 and
two-year sentences for repeat waste
offences; and
• New rules tightening controls around
transport and storage of tyres and
asbestos.
Lismore to upgrade organics facility, capture growing market
Lismore City Council will match a
$350,000 NSW government grant
to upgrade and expand its organics
processing facility at the Lismore
Recycling & Recovery Centre in the
Northern Rivers region.
The council will introduce Mobile
Aerated Floor (MAF) technology, which
aerates the compost through a system
of pipes underneath the compost piles,
reducing the need to turn them.
18
The MAF will halve the current 16
to 20 week composting process and
reduce fuel costs as well as enable
more organics to be processed for sale.
Other benefits of the technology include
reduced electricity and water usage.
According to the council, the new
facility will be able to process an
additional 4,600 tonnes of food and
garden waste annually, bringing its
total capacity to 14,600 tonnes.
It plans to meet this increased
capacity by sourcing waste from
two neighbouring councils and by
introducing kerbside organics services
to 1500 residents in rural villages.
The council’s waste operations
coordinator Kevin Trustum said the
upgrade and expansion would allow
council to take advantage of the
growing market for its compost and
mulch products.
“Council has been selling a good
quantity of compost and mulch for
many years to backyard gardeners and
farmers, but since gaining organic
certification from Australian Organic
in November last year the demand has
increased,” Trustum said.
“The certification has enabled
farmers and producers across the
Northern Rivers to use the compost and
mulch for certified organic agriculture.”
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Equipment News //
Terex Finlay launches new flip-flow screen
TEREX Finlay has launched a new
flip-flow screen, which it says is the
only all-in-one mobile solution for
processing materials such as difficult
waste, recycling slag, construction
and demolition waste, shredded metal,
wood, compost, mulch, ores, coal and
soil.
At the heart of the Terex Finlay
883 Spaleck 3D Combi Flip-Flow
screen is a two-deck German designed
and constructed high performance
screenbox, combining a unique stepped
top deck with flip-flow technology on
the bottom deck.
Meanwhile, the screening deck with
its 3D screen segments is positioned
above the flip-flow screen deck to form
a cascade, which protects and reduces
the stress on the flip-flow screen mats,
increasing the machine’s service life
in the process. As the flip-flow screen
comprises screw-less mounted screen
mats, unnecessary cleaning is avoided,
reducing maintenance time. The lack
of screws also means screen mats can
be changed quickly ensuring optimal
product flow.
3D screen segments with maximum
open screen areas can also be changed
quickly and simply due to the machine’s
modular design.
On top of being able to process a
range of waste, Terex Finlay said the
machine is able to screen large grained
material and thanks to 3D and FlipFlow technology, it is able to provide
“virtually blockage-free screening” in
the upper and lower decks.
The new screen can replace trommels
“The 883 Spaleck is suitable for
applications
where
conventional
incline or horizontal screens fail due to
blockage of materials. It also replaces
trommels,” Finlay hire and sales
manager Ronnie Bustard said.
For more information, contact
Finlay on 1800 777 300 or visit
www.finlay.com.au
Kobelco’s GEOSCAN makes remote management easy
Kobelco’s remote technology system
makes light work of fleet tracking
and management.
“AS REMOTE fleet tracking and management become more commonplace,
machine owners and fleet managers
are looking for systems that not only
provide the right data but are easy to
use,” Kobelco’s general manager, sales
and service, Doug McQuinn said.
Kobelco has launched Geoscan,
following a three-year intensive review
to ensure equipment owners can
access the data that matters most in
business.
“Our latest system makes the job
much easier whether it’s used by an
owner operator of a single machine
or a large business with an extensive
fleet,” he said.
Geoscan allows businesses to track
fuel levels, service schedules, working
hours and many other attributes. The
data is available to key staff via their
smart phone.
“Statistics like location, work
mode, fuel burn and key on-off times
can help fleet managers and owner
operators assess asset utilisation,
plan maintenance and make decisions
about how to use equipment for
optimal productivity and return on
investment,” McQuinn says.
“Geoscan is user-friendly and brings
all the information you need straight
to your phone or computer,” he added.
For more information, contact
Kobelco on 1300 KOBELCO or visit
www.kobelco.com.au
Schwarze to launch new air sweeper
easyquip.net.au
Innovators in the waste equipment industry for over 20 years
Front lift bins
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Compactors
SCHWARZE Industries Australia will
soon hit the market with a new
product, which it says will turn the
sweeper industry on its ear. The all-new
Schwarze V6 HyperVac is the company’s
first pure vac unit and will compliment
their existing range of industry leading
regenerative air sweepers.
The V6 Hypervac will be released at
the CIVENEX show in NSW at the end of
May and Schwarze expects to receive
to excellent reviews and feedback from
councils, government departments and
professional sweeping contractors.
“Schwarze has invested a lot of
time and money in the research and
development of the new V6 HyperVac
and spent considerable time speaking
to operators and service technicians
to make sure we hit the market with
a great product that is easy to operate
and efficient in all areas of use, ”
Schwarze Industries director of sales
and marketing Sean Peel said.
The V6 Hypervac features a stainless
steel hopper with six cubic metre
capacity. Additionally, Schwarze said
the sweeper’s auxiliary engine is a
very reliable and efficient Perkins
unit mounted on the very popular and
industry renowned Hino FG series cab
chassis.
For more information and to arrange
a demonstration contact Schwarze
Industries on 07 3271 9777 or email
[email protected]
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1300 797 543
20
[email protected]
The new V6 Hypervac.
Dear Members,
Following the call for
nominations earlier this
year, I am pleased to
announce that current
National President,
Miranda Ransome, was
returned unopposed
for a further two year
term, commencing at the
AGM in May 2015. Miranda brings a wealth
of industry experience and a wide range of
networking contacts to her continuing role as
WMAA National President.
Continuing advocacy at the national level and
the issue of greenhouse gas emissions, I have
been invited by the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
the Hon Julie Bishop MP and the Minister for
the Environment, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, to
join a roundtable discussion about Australia’s
post-2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction
target and policies. The roundtable is hosted
jointly by Minister Bishop and Minister Hunt.
The roundtable builds on the outcomes of the
public submission process that recently closed.
WMAA has been invited to provide the views of
our members and participate in discussion with
the Federal Government.
Val Southam,
WMAA CEO
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WMAA Contacts
WMAA
Contacts
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
WMAA AGM 2015 and Breakfast seminar
The WMAA AGM will be held on Monday 25 May in
Sydney at the Novotel Parramatta, 350 Church Street,
Parramatta.
Prior to the AGM, WMAA will host a highly topical
Breakfast Seminar covering weight based charging (WBC)
in the commercial sector – opportunities and issues.
Commercial waste bin collection is currently a volume
based charging system and not weight based. The
seminar will look at how a WBC system would impact
the waste and resource recovery industry, gauge the
advantages and disadvantages for waste generators, and
identify the issues the industry needs to consider with
regard to a WBC system.
The seminar will provide a great opportunity to hear a
range of viewpoints from different sectors of the waste
industry, as well as create a forum for robust discussion
of the opportunities and issues that this might raise
for Australia.
NATIONAL
PRESIDENT
Miranda
Ransome
0438 270 623 WMAA Planum Member
Miranda Ransome 0438 270 623
NATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT
NATIONAL
VICE-PRESIDENT
Tony
Kortegast
03 9863 8669
WMAA Silver Member
Tony Kortegast 03 9863 8669
WMAA Silver Member
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Val
Southam
02 8746 5011
Val Southam
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WMAA and the NSW Green
Globes program partner up
In 2015, WMAA is again a supporting partner of
the NSW Green Globes, the leading environmental
recognition program celebrating excellence,
leadership and innovation in sustainability.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Nominations open — Monday 18 May 2015
Nominations close — Monday 13 July 2015
Finalists announced — early September 2015
Awards night — early October 2015
Organics back in the spotlight
WMAA’s first joint seminar with AORA, held in Perth
earlier this year, proved a great success.
With the WA State Government initiatives such as the
Better Bins Program focusing on source separation and
the potential for end-of-waste guidelines for organic
material, the event – which drew composters from
all over Australia – was designed to assist the WA
stakeholders in developing the compost industry in WA.
Post the seminar, WMAA was approached by Standards
WMAA Planum Member
In May this year, WMAA will meet with WCRA
and industry representatives to examine the issue
in more detail.
Australia who are currently
constituting the Technical
Committee CS-037 Garden Soils
and Potting Mixes to review the AS
4419 Soils for landscaping and garden use.
WMAA and AORA collaborated closely to select the
right people to represent the views of our Association
members and complement the AORA representation
on the Committee.
Hosted by:
Hosted by the Victorian Branch of the Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA), the 2015
Victoria State Conference will be held from 5-7 October 2015 at The Langham in Melbourne. The theme
adopted for this year's conference is Realising a circular economy.
The circular economy borrows from concepts such as Cradle-to-Cradle and Industrial Ecology. Like these
approaches, it shifts thinking from end-of-life concepts, towards practices that are ‘restorative’ and support
materials and components being reused or recycled many times over. It supports designing out waste and
obsolescence at the production stage and improved material and system efficiency through opportunities
focused on disassembly, reuse, reprocessing and energy recovery along the supply chain.
This is your opportunity to show the waste management, resource recovery and environment sector
that your organisation is a leading identity in the industry. Sponsorship opportunities now available.
Investment //
Is it time for a waste
and recycling boom?
By Jacqueline Ong
The Australian and New Zealand waste
sector has experienced a number
of highly priced acquisitions and
transactions in the last decade. Will
this trend continue and is the market
ready to ride the wave of investment if
and when it hits?
Most if not all in the sector would
be familiar with the transactions that
Transpacific Industries Group has been
involved with in the last few years,
the most recent ones being the sale
of its New Zealand business to Beijing
Capital Group in July last year and
the acquisition of Melbourne’s largest
landfill from Boral early this year. TPI
CEO Robert Boucher has also said the
company’s multi-year strategy included
targeting tuck-in acquisitions.
Another
major
player,
SUEZ
environnement also revealed in March
that it was looking at acquisition
opportunities
globally,
Australia
included, and had a cool €700 million
($A969 million) of extra financial
capacity that it could potentially put
towards acquisitions.
But it’s not all about landfill
businesses changing hands. In 2013,
22
the ownership structure of privately
owned alternative waste treatment
company Global Renewables changed
after mid-market private equity group
Ironbridge sold its investment in the
company to independent infrastructure
firm Palisade Investment partners.
Re.Group commercial director and
co-founder, Dr Dan Chesson, who
has spent close to two decades in
investment banking, capital markets
and development activities and has
been involved in more than $5 billion
of transactions across a range of
industries including energy, resources
and renewable energy believes
investment interest in the sector has
increased “quite substantially” for a
number of reasons.
“Investors are looking to close the
loop on the circular economy so they’re
looking for assets and investments
with a lot of sustainability credentials.
That’s driven by environmental and
social governance criteria that many
fund managers benchmark their
investments against,” Chesson said.
The growing interest in energy
from waste has also led to increasing
investment interest, due to the scale
of transactions being mooted.
difficult because of the process you
have to go through and the timeliness
in which those projects come to
fruition. It can be a lot longer than
buying an existing business,” he added.
Are you ready?
“Energy from waste is certainly an
area that is quite interesting. There’s
a long way to go in terms of bringing
projects to fruition but certainly a
lot of people are spending time and
resources, looking at what works and
what doesn’t and how to get these
projects up,” Chesson said.
That’s not all. A growing awareness
of the long-term nature of local
government contracts, coupled with
a positive regulatory framework,
have added to the attraction from an
investor’s point of view because of the
stability in earnings.
“So those characteristics mean
that there’s a lot more investment
money coming into the sector and
that money flow will be split into two
areas – greenfield projects, which are
brand new projects, and mergers and
acquisitions or brownfield projects,”
Chesson said.
“From my experience, interest
is probably driven more towards
M&A style activities because while
greenfield projects are good, there’s a
lot of hard work, long lead times, and
high risk involved.
“While it’s great to have local
government contracts, it’s always
Chesson believes there will be a fair
bit of movement to come – Re.Group
alone is “looking heavily” at a
number of opportunities where it can
bring investment funds and active
management expertise. But he warns
that investment markets have cycles.
“At the moment, there are a number
of investment groups either looking
to enter or extend their footprint in
the renewable, recycling and waste
sectors. But that interest only lasts for
so long; either they move ahead with
an investment, or they get frustrated
and look at what’s next,” Chesson said.
He pointed to Lend Lease’s
“monster” Barangaroo South project,
a new development in Sydney’s central
business district to drive home his
point.
“It was a $6 billion investment
decision so by virtue of saying that’s
the project they want to do, all these
other projects on their list waiting for
capital are significantly delayed or
gone. So, back to the recycling and
renewables sector, investors are ready
to go and are positive and supportive
of what’s happening but these
opportunities only last for a certain
amount of time before investors either
invest in the sector or they move on
and invest somewhere else,” he said.
“People have to be aware that there’s
a finite life to investment cycles, that
there’s finite life of interest in projects.
And there’s a sense of urgency that
needs to be captured.”
There
are
catalysts
spurring
businesses and operators on, including
various state governments’ resource
recovery programs and funding such
as NSW’s Waste Less Recycle More
initiative to kick-start projects.
But what concerns Re.Group business
development manager Garth Lamb is
the speed at which stakeholders are
capitalising on these opportunities.
“There are unprecedented oppor
tunities at the moment; there’s never
been as exciting a period as there is
now. All drivers are there and it’s at
the right point in the cycle. You’ve
got government support, you’ve got
investors showing strong interest,
you’ve got policy support and there’s
a real understanding of the importance
of what we actually do,” Lamb said.
“But there’ a real issue with some
areas that can’t move fast enough.
They’ve got great opportunities but
you’ve got to be able to move with
the times, adjust and take those
opportunities in front of us, not sit
// Investment
around and talk about them for another
10 years.
“Waste Less Recycle More has copped
some criticism in terms of some
unrealistic timelines with the delivery
of assets. But to me, that’s the most
important thing government has done
– to say stop dithering about, make a
decision.
“If you’re going to make a decision,
let’s get on with it and it doesn’t have
to be a five-year process.”
So, what now?
The process may not need to be a long,
drawn out one, but any investment
carries an amount of risk and businesses
need to do their due diligence properly.
“The
fundamental
investment
principles in this sector are no different
to any other sector. I’ve spent a lot of
my career in investment banking and
we used to always come back to two
things – assets and management,”
Chesson said.
“You need the fundamentals of a
good asset: does it work? Does it have
good cash flow? Is it a good business
to invest in? Does the business tick all
of those elements?
“Then you’ve got management. Is
there a good management team? Are
they credible? Do they have a good
track record? Do they do what they
say they’re going to do? You need both
of those to make a very compelling
investment proposition.
“My view is that you should take
management over asset any day
because a good management team will
bring out the best out of an average
asset but a bad management team can
destroy a good asset.”
That’s not to say businesses without
a great track record will not make a
good investment. Ultimately, it comes
down to what a company is looking
for and where it’s at in the investment
cycle.
“The criteria of a large multinational
company is going to be different to a
private company that may be prepared
to roll its sleeves up, do the hard work
and turn it into an institutional grade
asset,” Chesson said.
“Linking that back to the investment
cycle, what you often get on the high
risk, high return projects are private
offices and high-net-worth individuals
who will want to back themselves and
take a high risk for a high return. It’s
harder work but the rewards are there
and if they get it right, you can de-risk
the business and start selling down
more into the private equity style
investor.”
Chesson pointed to numerous private
equity firms that have completed
investments in a similar fashion before
selling down to longer term, lower risk
investors.
“So you drive that asset, corporatise
it, enhance the management team,
make sure everything is working
effectively and then as that asset
matures, it becomes a more operational
business with longer-term cash flows
and substantially de-risked. Then you’ll
start to get more infrastructure money
and superannuation funds interested.
“You’ll also get more institutional
investors coming into the space ready
to take it on because, by that point,
you’ve got long track records and a
steady state business.”
Confident that everything has lined
up, in that the sector has support from
state and local government, investors
and even the person on the street, and
the time is now, Re.Group is looking at
a range of acquisition opportunities
across Australia, from e-waste to
alternative waste treatment and other
recycling businesses.
As broad as that sounds, Re.Group
believes each of these sub-sectors fit
NOW CERTIFIED
Investment interest has increased, but all
invesment markets have cycles: Chesson
within the company’s fundamental
principle of resource recovery and
ultimately, it comes down to specifying
outcomes and defining what it is you
want to achieve.
“It’s all about renewables, recycling
and resource recovery. Our business is
about making the most out of what
other perceive to be waste and by
virtue of that, it might sound broad
but the skillset across these businesses
iw
are similar,” Chesson said.
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23
E-waste //
Banning e-waste to landfill
requires careful thought
By Jacqueline Ong
Lessons from SA
Conceptually, banning e-waste to
landfill sounds like a worthy idea,
particularly when you think about the
environmental challenges it would solve.
But a ban requires careful consideration.
The Victorian government has begun
consultation to move forward with
its election promise to ban e-waste
to landfill. At time of press, the
government had not responded to
Inside Waste’s queries on the progress
of its discussions or measures it’ll
undertake to support the ban but the
environment department has said it
would engage the industry before
implementation.
Victoria has also approached both
the SA EPA and the Australian Council
of Recycling (ACOR) for advice on the
best way to move forward.
SA introduced an e-waste ban in stages,
starting in 2012 in metropolitan
Adelaide before rolling it out to the
rest of the state the following year.
Before moving forward however, the
EPA undertook analysis of the state’s
recycling and collection infrastructure
and allowed enough time for necessary
expansion.
It also studied the services offered
by councils because the ban was
introduced just as the national
television and computer recycling
scheme (NTCRS) was about to begin.
“We were emphasising that there
were going to be increased free options
for councils. We did a full survey of
all councils around what services
they were already offering and we
used that to help councils understand
whether the ban was likely to make
any difference to them or not by way
of volume,” South Australian EPA waste
reform program manager, policy Tiana
Nairn said.
She added that the EPA wanted to
make sure the ban was working in
metropolitan Adelaide before rolling
it out to the rest of the state and
introducing the ban in stages and
providing ample lead times were key to
its success.
“The timing of our bans was important
for successful implementation. Industry,
local government and a broader
communication program had the
opportunity to roll out ahead of materials
being banned from landfill,” Nairn said.
Managing expectations was another
area that the EPA focused its attention
on.
“There was a lot of goodwill towards
the landfill ban and both local
government and the waste industry
were supportive of the it conceptually.
It was the manner in which the ban
was to be implemented,” Nairn said.
“With the waste industry, their key
fears were around the expectation of
them when it came to waste handling.
So we had a number of conversations
and a working group around what
the EPA viewed as reasonable and
practicable behaviour across the
industry.
“It was also made clear to local
government that councils had a role in
providing infrastructure and education
services but that they cannot
determine what an individual chooses
to put in their bins. Everything became
relatively simple once the confidence
was there.”
Nairn said the audits of the state’s
key transfer stations and recycling
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We start with garbage.
Our integrated waste management system works
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We can also process unsorted municipal waste right
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WastAway can enhance recycling programs
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glass, stones and other materials that can
be beneficially reused.
24
facilities showed the ban was “working
very well” and was well understood
across the waste sector.
Careful consideration
required
“Putting very complex, highly toxic
streams such as e-waste in either
landfill or inappropriately exported
to low environmentally performing
countries where they are often
processed by children at the most
basic level with the rest going to
some form of landfill or, as reported,
dumped into the ocean means from
an
environmental
performance
perspective, there is no downside to
banning e-waste to landfill,” ACOR CEO
Grant Musgrove said.
“You just have to make sure you have
somewhere for it, the supply chains are
there, there’s appropriate standards in
place for the recovery of the resource
and that there are appropriate funds
made available for meeting that
standard.”
Infoactiv chief sustainability officer
John Gertsakis added that one of the
first things that needed to happen was
a sharp increase of the NTCRS targets.
“E-waste is a resource that should be
collected and recycled in larger volumes
than is currently taking place. And it
needs to be done responsibly and to
the highest standards of environmental
performance and workplace safety,”
Gertsakis said.
Musgrove agreed: “The advice we’ve
given reflects some of the issues with
the NTCRS in that you don’t want to
pay people just to collect stuff and
not recycle to a standard and then turn
feedstock on and off to recyclers. You
actually need a much better model which
pays for the outcome to a standard”
Gertsakis also warned that illegal
dumping could arise from a ban and
measures needed to be taken to make
sure this was minimised.
“A landfill ban needs to be directly
supported by substantial measures
funded by producers and the Victorian
government, otherwise illegal dumping
will thrive, as will other questionable
‘recycling’ practices,” he said.
Another potential issue was
stockpiling, which Nairn said was a
recent challenge the EPA has been
dealing with, particularly around the
balance between the national scheme
and council’s ability to manage
e-waste.
“We have certainly started to run
into some issues like the other states.
Is Australia ready for an
e-waste to landfill ban?
(Photo courtesy of Infoactiv.
Prior to the national scheme coming
in, we did have a range of councils
who were either running schemes
or working with Zero Waste SA on
collection events, where there was
a mix of funding and charging. That
element of it being free to a point and
then rapidly dropping out to a chargebased system has created practical
issues in the scheme, “ she said.
So with these issues in mind, will a
ban work in Australia and will Victoria’s
decision drive the other states to
follow suit?
Musgrove thinks so: “I’m quietly
confident that Victoria’s scheme will
work and when seen to work, will
spread to the other jurisdictions in due
course.”
However, ACT Territory and Municipal
Services Minister Shane Rattenbury said
it all depends on what is effective for a
jurisdiction. The ACT does not have an
e-waste to landfill ban and Rattenbury
said itis not a policy approach that
the government will take, particularly
as the ACT community can dispose
of their e-waste for free at drop-off
centres located right in front of the
tip. The alternative is to travel a little
further to the landfill and be charged
for disposal.
“We’ve got a very clear model here
where it’s both easy to drop it off
and financially attractive. We’ve not
needed to go down that type [banning
e-waste] of path,” Rattenbury said.
“Ultimately, each jurisdiction needs
to think about the most effective
iw
response for them.”
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25
Contamination //
Reusing waste in NSW –
using the right framework
By Steve Beaman
This leads to the oft-asked question:
why not use the National Environment
THE management of waste in New
Protection (Assessment of Site
South Wales is underpinned by two
Contamination) Amendment Measure
basic principles – to encourage
2013 (NEPM) to manage the reuse of
resource recovery and to protect the
soils?
environment from the inappropriate
The simple answer is that the NEPM
use of waste.
was never designed to be used to assess
Fill materials are a valuable
the suitability of using excavated soils
resource that play a pivotal role in the
and other waste materials as fill.
construction and infrastructure sectors
In fact the document itself states
and are fundamental to the growth,
(Volume 1, Part 6, Subsection 3):
prosperity and sustainability of the
“Investigation or screening levels
NSW economy.
provided as part of this policy framework
However, when it comes to the reuse
process should not be construed as
of excavated soils, there has been a
desirable soil/water quality criteria or
long running argument in industry
levels up to which contamination may
about which contaminant limits
be allowed to occur.”
regulators should use to determine
And again in Schedule B1, Section
what is considered safe and appropriate
2.1.2: “Investigation and screening
for reuse. Brentwood_IWApril2012_03Print.pdPage
levels
not clean-up
or response
1 are
20/3/12
4:56:44 PM
levels nor are they desirable soil
quality criteria. The use of these levels
in regulating emissions and application
of wastes to soil is inappropriate.”
Contaminated sites by definition are
already “contaminated”. The purpose of
The NEPM contains health-based
investigation levels, health screening
levels and ecological investigation
levels.
If these levels are exceeded,
they trigger the need for further
The NEPM was never designed to be used to assess the
suitability of using excavated soils and other waste materials
as fill.
the NEPM is to establish a nationally
consistent approach to the assessment
of site contamination in Australia.
A site contamination assessment is
generally triggered where there is a
change in land use or where a consent
authority is determining a development
application for a site.
investigation, remediation or management. Sites commonly requiring some
sort of remedial action include former
factories, tanneries, smelters, town
gas plants, oil and chemical refineries,
fuel depots, service stations, chemical
stores and landfills.
The only way that excavated
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
26
// Contamination
materials can be lawfully reused offsite
is if they either meet the definition
of Virgin Excavated Natural Material
(VENM), or meet the conditions of the
Excavated Natural Material Order 2014
(ENM order).
Excavated material can be classified
as VENM if it can be established that
it is natural material, such as clay,
gravel, sand, soil or rock fines, and
that it has been excavated or quarried
from areas that are not contaminated
with manufactured chemicals, or
with process residues, as a result of
industrial, commercial, mining or
agricultural activities.
It also can’t contain any sulfidic
ores, soils or any other waste.
Alternately excavated soils that are
not VENM can be assessed against the
ENM order.
Given ENM is predominantly
‘natural’, the chemical and attribute
limits in the ENM order are based
on natural background levels of
contaminants typically found in soil,
rather than the result of chemicals
or contaminants likely to be found in
urban environments.
Materials classified as VENM or
complying with the ENM order are
suitable for general use usually
GULLY WASTE,
ROAD SWEEPINGS
& TROMMEL FINES
RECYCLING
Choosing the right framework is in fact
straightforward: Beaman
Whereas, the strategic framework for
the reuse of waste is always ‘proactive’,
with a focus on meeting high
standards to ensure material is viewed
as a resource and the environmental
standards that apply are high.
In the end, choosing which
framework applies is straightforward.
In the end, choosing which framework applies is straightforward.
The contaminated sites framework and its limits apply only to the
onsite management of materials contaminated by legacy issues.
The resource recovery framework and its limits apply to fit-forpurpose materials that are sent off site as a resource for re-use
back into the productive economy.
without any further environmental
considerations, although there may
be instances where elevated levels of
certain contaminants may be suitable
for a proposed use and the EPA can
assess these on a case by case basis.
The EPA facilitates and monitors
this reuse of excavated soils in NSW
through resource recovery orders and
exemptions that set strict limits and
conditions to ensure no additional risks
are posed to the receiving environment
and the future use of the site is not
limited.
The aim of resource recovery is not
to load up soils to contaminated site
levels that may create legacy issues
in the future, but rather maintain a
healthy and sustainable environment.
Simply put, there are different
philosophies and objectives in relation
to the two frameworks. The strategic
framework for the management of
contaminated sites is fundamentally
‘reactive’ and, where a site is
contaminated, people react to remedy
the site to make it fit for a known and
typically limited purpose.
The contaminated sites framework
and its limits apply only to the onsite
management of materials contaminated
by legacy issues.
The resource recovery framework
and its limits apply to fit-for-purpose
materials that are sent off site as
a resource for re-use back into the
productive economy.
For further information on the
management of contaminated sites,
or the resource recovery framework,
please visit the EPA’s website at: www.
epa.nsw.gov.au
Gavin
Shapiro
continues
to
examine the issue of waste versus
contamination on page 28, offering
a legal perspective on the difference
between the two.
Steve Beaman is the NSW EPA
director waste and resource recovery.
He leads the EPA’s policies, programs
and operations associated with waste
management and resource recovery
as well as the delivery of the NSW
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Contamination //
Waste versus
contamination =
apples vs oranges
Gavin
Shapiro
By Gavin Shapiro
Applying offsite fill material to level
the land, or stockpiling material
onsite, is a common scenario, both
on construction sites and during the
development of large sites, particularly
brownfield and rural locations. In both
cases, NSW developers may play it safe
by obtaining some form of testing
or certification, or even a Site Audit
Statement to ensure the material is
safe for use before applying it to the
site. However, this may not be the end
of the story.
Developers, site managers and
consultants are for the most part aware
that a site where any foreign material
is proposed to remain in situ may need
appropriate testing and certification
under the NSW Contaminated Land
Management Act (CLM Act) to ensure
that the site is safe for its proposed
use.
But what is often missing in these
scenarios is an acknowledgment that
the material – whether it’s called
a “stockpile”, “spoilage”, “fill”
or “construction and demolition
material” – may also be subject to
NSW EPA regulation as waste under
28 insidewaste JUNE 2015
the Protection of the Environment
Operations Act (POEO Act).
In fact, it’s a common scenario that
such material is regulated under both
pieces of legislation, with different
requirements and standards.
A failure to appreciate that such
material can comprise waste, and the
complex regulatory environment that
goes with it, has landed a number of
people in hot water with the EPA and
councils – just look at list of recent
cases in the fact box below.
Additionally, the EPA and councils
have handed out a large number of
penalty notices in recent years.
So, what is the difference between
contamination and waste?
The CLM Act is a regime set up to
manage contamination. In summary,
this means the presence of a substance,
which presents a risk of harm to human
health or the environment, at or above
a concentration that it is normally
present in the locality.
It typically deals with contamination
that has arisen over time, rather than
a sudden pollution event. The regime
is largely tasked with ensuring public
safety and appropriate management of
sites where contamination is, or may
be present.
Meanwhile, the POEO Act deals with
a number of environmental issues
and offences, including those related
to waste. It is more concerned with
preventing pollution and prosecuting
waste and pollution offences, as well as
ensuring clean-up following pollution
incidents or offences.
Waste has a broad definition under
the POEO Act but it includes amongst
other things, “any discarded, rejected,
unwanted, surplus or abandoned
substance,” and a substance isn’t
precluded from that merely because it
is, or may be, processed, recycled, reused or recovered.
This definition has been tested
in litigation, most recently in
Environment Protection Authority v
Terrace Earthmoving Pty Ltd [2013]
NSWCCA 180, a case where the Court
of Criminal Appeal took a strict view
and held that material is waste if, prior
to transportation, it is surplus to the
owner of that waste. It is irrelevant if
there is a secondary market, or someone
else who wishes to use the material, for
example as fill. It is also irrelevant if
the material is “clean” or safe to use –
it is still regulated as waste.
So while the CLM Act, and the
National
Environment
Protection
(Assessment of Site Contamination)
Measure (NEPM) may be necessary or
useful tools to determine if material is
safe to remain in situ, the first step
is to determine if material is waste. If
so, then regardless of whether it is safe
to remain in situ under the CLM Act, it
still needs to be treated as waste.
This has caused some confusion
particularly as there are differing
standards with relation to materials,
especially
asbestos
containing
materials. Under the CLM Act, the NEPM
sets specific standards for asbestos,
including levels under which material
is deemed to be suitable to remain
in situ. However, the definition of
“asbestos waste” under the POEO Act
is defined simply to mean “any waste
that contains asbestos”. The limits
of this definition have not yet been
tested in court, and so it must be
assumed that any amount of asbestos
in a stockpile of “waste” means that
the entire stockpile becomes “asbestos
waste”.
The EPA has always taken a strict
approach in regulating asbestos waste,
which means anyone dealing with
material containing, or suspected to
contain asbestos needs to be very
careful not to breach the POEO Act.
The question as to whether material,
particularly containing asbestos, is to
be regulated under the CLM Act, as
waste under the POEO Act, or both,
is complex. Indeed, in some cases,
this interaction means a project may
be regulated by both the waste and
contamination branches of the EPA.
Thus, before making any assumptions
with regard to “stockpiles”, “fill” or
other such material – first ask the
question, is it waste? Otherwise,
dealing with the consequences can be
costly, to say the least.
Gavin Shapiro is a senior associate
at Henry Davis York Lawyers and has
particular expertise in the waste industry.
Contact: [email protected],
iw
02 9947 6797.
Recent cases
• NSW EPA v Terrace Earthmoving Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCCA 180: The Court
of Appeal declared that C&D material transported to a site for reuse as fill
constituted waste. A final judgment is still pending in terms of guilt and
penalty.
• Mouawad v The Hills Shire Council [2013] NSWLEC 165: The directors of the
relevant company were convicted, fined and ordered to pay legal costs for
transporting “soil” for use at another site. Total fine: $24,000 plus court costs
(likely to be higher than the fine).
• Wollondilly Shire Council v Foxman Environmental Development Services Pty
Ltd (No 5) [2013] NSWLEC 68: The Court found that use of “fill” onsite meant
the site was being used as a waste facility and needed development consent
and an environment protection licence under planning and environmental
legislation. The Court ordered, among other things, extensive and highly
costly remediation of the site. Likely costs are unknown as it is a complex
program, which requires preparation of more detailed plans. But it will be well
into hundreds of thousands if not millions (including gate fees for fill material
to be removed). Costs were reserved.
• The Hills Shire Council v Kinnarney Civil & Earthworks Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012]
NSWLEC 95: Both the company and its director were fined and ordered
to pay legal costs for transporting “fill” to a site. Total fine: $80,000 plus
prosecutor’s court costs.
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Green Manufacturing //
By Jacqueline Ong
Waste should be
seen as a resource of
elements: Sahajwalla
WRF
2015
Are council
micro factories
the future?
AS PRODUCTS become more complex,
traditional recycling methods may
not necessarily be the best way to
extract full value from waste materials.
Instead, UNSW scientia professor and
director of the Centre for Sustainable
Materials Research and Technology
(SMaRT) Veena Sahajwalla is proposing
the sector begin to look at end-of-life
products as resources of elements.
Sahajwalla says she is not looking
to change what works in recycling –
“recycling is very good at addressing
issues such as remanufacturing a
PET bottle into a new PET bottle” –
but points out that the increasing
functionality of products means many
are no longer made up of one material
but a mixture of fibres.
“So you’ve got a scenario where you
cannot just go back to the traditional
form of recycling. It’s inevitably a
mixture and you can’t unpack it,
separate the fibres and take the
polymer out because you’re going
to make it a lot more economically
challenging and you’re never going
to get the quality you started with,”
Sahajwalla explained.
She believes there is a way – and a
scientifically proven one at that – to
process complex end-of-life products
that typically end up in landfill, such
as windshield and safety glass made
up of glass and plastic, which cannot
be recycled traditionally and carbon
composites found in bicycle frames.
However, these products need to
be viewed as resources of elements in
order to “unpack it to a point” where
the composition of these materials are
understood at an elemental level. That
way, the likelihood of downgrading the
product or turning it into something of
a lower value is minimised.
“Let’s say a traditional plastic may
contain some carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen. You may then say, well if those
are the elements present, then can we
tap into those polymers as resources
of elements and extract the basic
molecules out them? For example, you
may get hydrogen as a molecule out of
that complex material and use it as an
input,” Sahajwalla explained.
“So rather than seeing that [the
product] as an input of plastics, see it
as an input of molecules a particular
product might be able to deliver. It’s
a very different way of looking at it
and you don’t have to limit yourself by
saying, it had a life as a bottle and
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30
// Green Manufacturing
it has to continue its life as a bottle.
That doesn’t have to necessarily be the
case.”
In doing so, the limitations placed
on recycling by what science and
technology can do in a traditional sense
are removed and green manufacturing
opportunities emerge.
And Sahajwalla believes councils
are perfectly placed to capture these
opportunities, since they represent the
first step in producing green materials
– collection.
“Could councils look at themselves
in a new business model where
they are creating micro factories?
This means councils are not just
‘warehouses’ of waste but rather,
‘warehouses’ of elements and this shift
means councils could supply properly
processed resources to manufacturers,”
Sahajwalla said.
On top of having the science to
back her concept up, Sahajwalla is
also certain manufacturers are willing
to work with councils on green
manufacturing projects, pointing to
UNSW’s partnership with OneSteel as
an example.
SMaRT’s collaboration with OneSteel
has led to the development of Polymer
Injection Technology, which uses old
tyres and plastics to provide a source of
carbon to replace a large proportion of
the non-renewable coke used to make
steel in electric arc furnaces.
As part of the agreement with
UNSW’s commercialisation company
NewSouth
Innovations,
OneSteel
has sub-licensed the technology to
companies in Thailand, South Korea
and the UK.
“Manufacturers are willing to partner
up and councils can collaborate
with manufacturers, academia and
available or they are potentially
causing some degree of pollution.
They’re all challenges associated with
business as usual.
“Councils are in a perfect spot
as they are sitting on top of these
resources. So if there an investment
that councils has made in collecting
the waste, processing it and delivering
value from it, this investment can be
put back into the community.”
That’s not to say councils have
to do the same thing. Instead,
“You’ve got to be clever in the way you’re allocating resources
and you don’t have to duplicate that effort 10 times over but
rather it’s about collaboration and partnerships.” – Veena Sahajwalla
researchers to create opportunities
that research tells us is evidently
possible,” Sahajwalla said.
“The whole thinking around making
green alloys by using end-of-life
materials as resources, as elements of
molecules, is going to be very useful
in green manufacturing and it is going
to be the way of the future. Because
let’s face it, traditional resources are
becoming more and more expensive or
they’re becoming not as abundantly
Sahajwalla suggests having designated
responsibilities and collection spots.
“We don’t need 10 different councils
duplicating 10 micro factories. It may
well be that the partnership between
a few councils means you’ve got one
predominantly looking at a micro
factory that’s in the business of
collecting rubber thongs and the other
processing it,” she explained.
“You’ve got to be clever in the way
you’re allocating resources and you
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don’t have to duplicate that effort
10 times over but rather it’s about
collaboration and partnerships.”
Ultimately,
the
concept
of
developing micro factories is based on
science, collaboration and partnerships
and Sahajwalla is confident it will lead
to new environmental and economic
opportunities.
“It’s going to create new jobs in the
region, it’s going to create wealth and
opportunities,” she said.
“At the end of day, that’s what
transforming waste should be about,
not just seeing it as a burden but truly
seeing it as a resource of elements
so you can see what you’re using it
for, whether it’s for the purposes of
manufacturing metals, whether it’s steel
or aluminum or whether you’re looking
at manufacturing other composite
products. It doesn’t matter. It’s about
supporting the concept and being able
to create local opportunities.
“That’s why the term micro factories
is designed to convey the message that
it’s not always about trucking your
waste thousands and thousands of
kilometres. You can produce things at
a micro level and if they’ve got higher
value, it would make economic sense
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31
Tenders //
A best-practice guide to
executing and implementing
waste collection service tenders
By Katherine Driscoll
IN THE February and April issues of
Inside Waste, Impact Environmental
Consulting’s
Katherine
Driscoll
detailed the steps of the tendering
process including drafting, issuing and
evaluating tenders. In this final part
of a three-part best practice guide to
waste collection services tendering,
she discusses the execution and
subsequent implementation of these
contracts.
In presenting recommendations
to council following an evaluation
process, council staff should consider
the need to undertake adequate due
diligence regarding the preferred
tenderer.
It is reasonably common to engage
third party financial analysts who can
both determine the bona fides of the
preferred tenderer and report to council
about the financial stability of the
contracting entity. This is an important
step in providing council with process
security.
Recently, councils have also begun
taking advantage of the development
of external systems managers. Third
party insurance and WH&S management
systems can be subscribed to.
These assume the tasks of managing
such things as insurance records, i.e.
checking that they are current for the
term of the contract.
Executing the contract
Following the evaluation of the tenders
and a resolution from council to enter
into a contract, there is usually still a
bit of work to do.
It is generally accepted that once
the contractor has received a letter
of acceptance for their tender that a
contract is in existence.
Sometimes there are minor changes
that need to be made to the draft
contract.
Councils should be aware of the
regulations to which they are subject,
including in New South Wales, s.178
of the Local Government (General)
Regulation 2005, which provides that
council must ensure it enters into
a contract “in accordance with the
tender”.
Unless clarifications or variations
set out in the tender are settled or
otherwise addressed by council prior
to acceptance of the tender, the tender
is the ‘offer’ that council is accepting
and the contract must be in accordance
with the tender as required by the
Regulation.
This is a worthwhile point to make
to contractors as well. If a contractor
wishes to alter the requirements of
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the request for tender, there is a
risk the council resolution does not
accommodate such changes and so the
resolution as adopted cannot be relied
upon as the basis for a valid contract.
It is important that delegated
authority is only allowed for minor
administrative type matters. Strict
adherence to the regulation is
important and the resulting contract
ought not be altered from the version
that was issued.
Usually there will be a range of
matters to finalise and wherever a
council doesn’t have a signed contract,
they remain exposed.
For example, security guarantees
need to be given and be suitable;
leases for depots may need to be
entered into; service rates need to be
budgeted for.
It is council’s responsibility to
ensure whatever has been specified
in the contract is delivered by the
contractor. There are usually provisions
in the contract to help council ensure
proper performance but if these tools
are not put in place, council’s ability
to properly administer the contract is
compromised.
Where security or performance
guarantees were required, council
must press for these to be presented
or executed by the contractor. They
should not be limited beyond what was
allowed in the tender process.
It is not unusual for councils to
misunderstand who they are actually
contracting with. Company names
are often trading names and careful
checks need to ensure all details of
the contracting entity are properly
transferred from tender documents to
the contract.
Additionally, execution clauses
and pages must be carefully drafted
to accurately reflect the contracting
entity’s constitution or other governing
instrument. Council must also execute
the contract appropriately, ensuring
the signatories are in accordance with
the council resolution or adopted
procedures, for example the use of
common seals.
Final contracts need to capture all
addendum issued and any clarifications
or amendments. Sometimes this
requires re-drafting of conditions,
which must be in accordance with
the tender process and the council
resolution.
As previously mentioned, it is always
better to have adequate time for
this process and not be forcing time
constraints on this part of the process.
Importantly, the agreed tendered
rates need to be inserted into the
contract either as a schedule or
annexure.
When councils tender for optional or
alternative services, these need to be
included clearly so anyone who picks
up the contract can understand what
services are included at what price.
Where contracts are agreed many
months prior to the start of services,
the contractor should regularly update
council about the impact of any rise
and fall on the tendered rates. This
ensures council has properly budgeted
for the services when they begin.
It is fairly common practice to
exchange contracts via post or courier
from council for the contractor
to execute. Usually councils send
unsigned contracts to the contractor to
be returned to council. It would always
be better to have all parties sign at the
same time but in practice it is difficult
to arrange for the relevant signatories
to be available. So careful checking of
proper execution is needed to avoid
further complication.
Once properly executed, the
contracts should be securely stored and
recorded in council’s systems. Where
necessary, there may be a need to have
documents registered and stamped, for
example with leases. Some councils will
manage these processes through their
corporate staff while others require
legal advisers to oversee and manage
these steps.
Then the fun begins. Waste
collection contracts usually have
many requirements prior to the
commencement of collection services –
bin roll-outs, data systems, education
campaigns and so on – meaning the
implementation and start-up of the
services is a very busy time for both
council staff and the new contractor.
But that is not the end. It is only
the beginning. Now, ongoing contract
management becomes very important.
Ongoing contract
management
Contractors don’t really care if council
hasn’t followed through on particular
requirements – for no other reason that
they become busy trying to gear up for
the new services and then they are just
as busy running the services.
However, from a ratepayer’s point of
view, council is paying the contractor
to deliver the services in accordance
with the contract so specifications
included in the contract ought to be
adhered to.
Given the value of a waste collection
contract, councils need to ensure the
‘value for money’ component sought
through the tender process is not
lost to the community due to poor
administration of the contract.
Regular monitoring of the contract,
arranging and attending ongoing
contract management meetings and
ensuring suitable correspondence is
issued, received and recorded are all
part of council’s responsibility, not
only to the community, but as a party
to a substantial contract.
Increasingly, council auditors are
requiring more stringent management
of waste management contracts and
their first suggestion is to develop a
contract management plan.
A contract management plan (CMP)
acts as a user-friendly manual for
council staff to ensure the contract
is properly managed and administered
from the acceptance of a tender.
The CMP should guide staff and
management through the initial startup steps through to the completion of
the contract and transition to the next
contract where appropriate.
Given the often long term of a
waste collection contract, the CMP
may outlast staff and so it needs to
describe all responsibilities so that
whoever walks in during the middle
of the term can easily follow what
has happened and what is yet to
be done by both council and the
contractor.
Typically, a CMP will include:
• Detailed background and
administrative provisions and
information;
• Sequencing of contractor/council
responsibilities;
• Checklists for ongoing management
of the contract; and
• Pro forma documentation for
council’s use (referenced to the
contract).
The CMP can be integrated in
council’s management systems and
can also include reporting schedules
for council staff to regularly report to
their managers regarding the ongoing
contract delivery.
It can also record that staff are
adequately monitoring the contractor’s
performance. It is important to note
that the CMP does not replace the
contract and cannot be relied upon in
any dispute.
External
contract
management
may suit some councils, for example,
where contract management meetings
can be facilitated by an independent
intermediary.
Increasingly, the complexity of
waste collection contracts means that
council staff need to rely on expert
advice during the term. Performance
reporting can also be complicated,
time consuming and beyond council’s
resources, and can be outsourced.
With the careful and planned
procurement
of
waste
services
and then the adequate resourcing
and implementation of contract
management systems, councils should
smoothly deliver the waste collection
services via the service contract.
Improving council’s management of
these processes will not only progress
the way councils administer their
responsibilities but will be the basis
for a strong and mutually beneficial
relationship with the contractor.
Katherine Driscoll is Impact
Environmental Consulting’s senior
consultant and her expertise lies in
managing procurement processes
for waste services. Contact:
[email protected] or
iw
0408 628 819.
33
Landfill //
Geosynthetics in landfills
By Adrian Roberts, Alison Horlyck
and Thomas Darley
IN RECENT years, the use of
geosynthetic materials in landfill
design and construction has become
the norm for barrier, capping and select
drainage systems. The drivers for this
transformation are a lack of available
natural barrier material and aggregates
at most sites and the continuing
development of state regulations
providing more prescriptive guidance
for use.
Those factors, as well as the develop
ment of the coal seam gas industry,
have led the Australian geosynthetic
market to experience significant growth
in recent years, leading to a much
wider range of products, suppliers and
designers entering the market. Each has
accompanying them their own research,
knowledge and expertise, along with
varying degrees of credibility.
The use of geosynthetic materials
in landfill applications can provide
improved environmental protection,
quality outcomes and airspace gains
when compared to natural materials,
but increased use also presents its
own challenges and issues. This
article summarises some issues worth
considering when selecting and designing
geosynthetic materials in landfills.
System-based design
considerations and
interactions
A landfill is a system and the interaction
between different components of its
design affects the overall performance.
Consequently, the performance of
a landfill system as a whole can be
greater than the contributions of each
of its parts. When using geosynthetics,
understanding the purpose of each
material and its interaction with other
materials is critical. No one material can
be designed without consideration of the
whole arrangement. A good example is
the design of the final capping system.
The final capping profile typically
consists of soils and geosynthetics.
The design and specification of each
profile component will interact with
layers around it and can significantly
affect the landfill’s environmental
performance. Thus, the design of a
capping system will have to at least
consider the design of the landfill
barrier, the leachate and gas extraction
systems, the surface water management
system and the revegetation layer to
ensure it achieves its service life and
performance requirements, is stable
and does not excessively clog.
A note of caution: there are many
examples of veneer slope stability
failures of landfill caps with most
attributed to under-designing of the
drainage layer. Investigation of these
failures typically attributes the underdesign to prescriptive or equivalencybased designs or performance designs
based on non-conservative assumptions
and results from short-term testing.
Prescriptive, equivalent or
performance-based design?
The increased regulatory acceptance
of geosynthetics and their inclusion in
state guidelines, has led to a tendency
for prescriptive design by landfill
engineers. While copying details from
regulations and taking specifications
from manufacturers’ brochures may be
cheaper (by up to 50%), this method
leads to both higher failure risk and
construction costs as essential analysis
is not undertaken and the design is not
tailored to site conditions.
An extension of this issue is the
industry practice of equivalency
design, where an alternative solution
must be demonstrably equivalent to
the prescribed regulatory solution.
Problems arise if the prescriptive design
is inadequate for a particular site,
leading to an inadequate equivalent
design. Additionally, a design which is
equivalent in one performance criteria
may not be equivalent in another.
The challenge is realising when you
can settle for the prescriptive design or
when a full rational performance design
is required.
A note of caution: even performancebased designs can be non-conservative
.... Inside knowledge
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34
DON’T MISS OUR 2015 FEATURES
EQUIPMENT NEWS
February
Odour and Dust Control
April
Compactors and Balers
June
Material Handlers, Telehandlers and Loaders
July
Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo
(to be confirmed)
August
Information Systems, Bins and Bags
October
Waste Transportation
December
Size Reduction
Please send 100-150 words
detailing the product,
together with a high
resolution image,
to Jacqueline Ong at
[email protected]
To subscribe phone +61 8 6263 9100 or email [email protected]
due to the use of short-term test results
and design of layers in isolation.
Material properties and
service life
A significant challenge for the
performance-based
designer
is
designing a facility which will have
a potential polluting life of centuries
using the available material data. For
soils and aggregates, aging generally
does not affect their performance.
For geosynthetics, time and their
surrounding environment can have
significant effects.
Generally,
reported
material
properties are based on short-term
tests under laboratory conditions,
resulting in designs that only consider
short-term
properties.
Likewise,
specifications
identify
minimum
requirements for short-term properties
without considering durability as it is
expected that the material will come
from a specific reputable manufacturer.
However, supply is generally given
to the lowest cost bid, likely using
the cheapest available product which
typically has lower durability. A cheap
product would likely still function as
designed for a period of time and the
failure may be such that the engineer
would not be held responsible. The
challenge is that durability concerns
therefore become ethical rather than
commercial.
Geosynthetics should be seen as a
manufactured material designed to
fulfil a specific function with a specific
service life. The issue is that service
life is not a material property but a
function of the material’s application
and design conditions. Assessing
a material’s service life requires
knowledge of the application, design
intent and temporal behaviour.
The challenge is consideration of
material service life is not apparent in
prescriptive designs. Consequently, how
should regulators determine service life
issues and how should it monitor and
regulate them in those circumstances?
Construction considerations
Material is not always readily available
and will only perform well if installed
properly. To facilitate this, procurement
and construction quality assurance
plans should be prepared and used.
The material specification must
contain the right information so the
material arrives on site as the designer
intended. The design arrangement
has to lend itself to the required
Cell construction at the base of a landfill.
construction sequence and the
necessary plant. Adequate protection
needs to be provided for the proposed
site operations.
Construction
quality
assurance
(CQA) is vital in the construction
phase. While often only a fraction of
the overall construction cost, a good
CQA consultant can help ensure the
finished product meets the design
intent. An experienced CQA consultant
will also provide services beyond the
required activities; anticipating issues
and assisting in developing suitable
solutions for them.
CQA testing is vital for verifying
the performance of the finished
product. It is important to consider
the required CQA testing procedures
and frequencies with direct reference
to the design intent rather than using
standard tables or nebulous regulatory
requirements which might provide little
detail on the actual performance of the
chosen product.
Adrian Roberts, Alison Horlyck and
Thomas Darley are GHD’s principal
engineer, civil engineer and
undergraduate project engineer,
respectively. Contact Roberts: 02 9239
iw
7307 or [email protected]
35
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// Policy
Photo courtesy of
Zero Waste SA.
Inside SA’s new model for growth
By Jacqueline Ong
ZERO Waste SA (ZWSA) has released its
new draft waste strategy for the next
five years but instead of simply focusing
on traditional targets, it has embraced
the shift occurring in the sector.
South Australia continues to lead
the country in waste diversion and
resource recovery, with latest figures
showing the state diverted 77.4% of
all waste generated from landfill. It is
also the only state jurisdiction to have
an e-waste to landfill ban and has had
a container deposit scheme for at least
35 years.
However, the state is undergoing
a number of major changes including
the contraction of its automotive
manufacturing
sector
and
the
development of a new body – Green
Industries SA – which will replace ZWSA
from July and operate with a little over
half of the latter’s budget.
Those changes, coupled with the
fact that there is a shift taking place
in the sector drove ZWSA to come up
with a strategy that both provided
a sense of “business as usual” but
captured opportunities in areas such as
remanufacturing.
A paradigm shift
“The sector is becoming more focussed
on things like economic value and
performance. So it’s not just about
diverting from landfill, which remains
a key plan in any waste management
policy, but also recognising that there’s
a shift in focus away from waste and
towards things like resources and
recognising material value,” ZWSA
director of operations Ian Harvey said.
“We’re talking more and more about
remanufacturing rather than just
recycling. The narrative is shifting and
that’s important.”
The
2015-20
draft
strategy,
developed following a review of the
2011-14 strategy, sets out three new
objectives to capture this shift:
• Building a resource efficient
economy where the best or full
value is secured from products and
materials produced, consumed and
recovered across the state;
• Developing a stable and efficient
market for investors through a clear
policy framework providing a solid
platform for investment decisions;
and
• Establishing a culture enabling
the SA community, businesses and
institutions to strengthen their
role in implementing zero waste
strategies.
But that’s not all.
“The other thing that came out of
the review is that for the first time,
the review tried to put an economic
value on the contribution the waste
and recycling sectors makes to the
economy. That’s been missing for the
long time. The sector has been back of
house and it’s been hidden in terms of
its economic contribution and for the
first time, we were able to put some
dollars around the value of the sector
to SA’s GSP,” Harvey said.
According to the strategy, SA’s
waste sector has an annual turnover of
approximately $1 billion, contributes
$500 million both directly and
indirectly to Gross State Product and
employs about 4800 people.
Harvey said determining the
economic value to the sector’s
contribution will strengthen the
industry’s role moving forward and
focus on the entire service chain, not
just disposal.
“We can start to build up the value
of materials through remanufacturing,
what savings they provide to society
and the benefits to be had through
avoided
exploitation
of
virgin
resources,” he said.
“We’ve tried to tell that story
qualitatively but we never had any
strong financial metrics to underpin it
and to argue the value of some of these
things, you need to have a financial
metric. Not just how much greenhouse
gas it saves, which I think is hugely
important but alongside that, we need
to understand the value of the sector
to the economy and ZWSA has been
able to use that information to push
for reforms.”
In the course of its review, ZWSA also
identified the need for infrastructure
investment in the order of $200 million
to $300 million to replace existing
assets and progressively close landfills.
Thus, it is currently working on a
state waste infrastructure plan, which
will provide strategic direction and
recommend priorities for action.
“We won’t just be doing a nuts and
bolts plan on what’s out there, the
existing processing capacity and what
we need going into the future but also
what level of investment is required,”
Harvey said.
“We’re going to put an economic
focus in the strategy and look at
what level of investment is required
to bring that infrastructure into
operation. It’s important for us to have
an understanding of the investment
required so government is in a position
to give support and encourage the
investment to take place.”
Energy from waste
ZWSA has also fleshed out the content
around EfW based on a background
paper it released in 2013 examining
new developments in EfW technologies.
“We felt that given the increasing
interest in EfW and technologies
associated with it, that this strategy
should provide some reflection on
EfW,” Harvey said.
“Our view is EfW has a valuable role
to play but we are still advocating a
strong adherence to the principles
of the waste hierarchy. We’ve always
in said in our policies and strategies
that separating waste helps to unlock
its value. Therefore, we would see EfW
having a role in areas like anaerobic
digestion.
ZWSA director of operations Ian Harvey.
“But also, once we separate the
waste streams, there’s probably not
enough economies of scale to support
the sorts of EfW technologies you’d see
in Europe and Japan so we welcome
comments from our stakeholders.”
Business as usual
ZWSA’s review showed the state’s 201115 targets remained reasonable and SA
was “pretty well on track” across a range
of waste streams, such as commercial
and industrial and construction and
demolition waste.
“We looked at the analysis and our
current draft strategy does not make
major changes to those targets because
we feel that they remain credible,”
Harvey said.
“The exception would be that we’ve
refined our municipal solid waste
target where we’ve tried to divide
our MSW target to what’s reasonably
achievable through the kerbside
bin system and what other resource
recovery and recycling can be achieved
through hard waste or bulky waste and
other municipal activities like street
sweepings.”
Harvey also assured that while
Green Industries will be taking over
custodianship of the waste strategy, SA
will not drop the ball.
“Green Industries’ charter is to
keep that going irrespective of what
iw
happens to ZWSA.”
37
Q&A //
Where to from here, Qld?
QUEENSLAND’S
new
Environment
Minister Steven Miles has led the
department for a little over two
months and Inside Waste decided to
find out what the sector can expect
under his leadership.
Miles, who described himself as
“a local dad” in the lead-up to the
January elections, is a first-time MP
who has taken over the portfolio after
what many in the sector described as
“five years of political partisanship
over recycling policy”.
Before the elections, Queensland
Labor unveiled a list of waste and
recycling priorities. Here’s what Miles
had to say about a few of them, as well
as what the sector can expect from the
department moving forward.
Using market-based mechanisms to
reduce landfill and make recycling
more cost effective and competitive:
Miles: There is a need to take a broad
approach to any assessment and look
at market-based instruments in the
context of a package of measures that
would support the aim to reduce landfill
and make recycling more competitive.
The Queensland government will
be considering a range of options to
reduce landfill and increase recycling.
The options available to government
include waste levies or depositrefund schemes, landfill disposal
bans, education, research and market
development initiatives and program
incentives.
Certainly there were indications
that increased recycling was starting
to occur as a result of the price signal
created by the previous levy, however,
this is a significant issue and a decision
that will not be rushed.
While the levy was starting to show
signs of working to divert waste from
landfill disposal, we want to look at a
range of options and models before any
decisions are made.
The Palaszczuk government made
a commitment to not introduce new
taxes and charges in this term of
government.
Extensive consultation is needed to
develop an appropriate approach for
consideration of the best options for
future policy change.
Container deposit schemes:
Miles: There is considerable community
interest in the introduction of a CDS in
Queensland and the New South Wales
government’s announcement earlier
this year has added to that.
The government made a commitment
to actively pursue model legislation
across all states that establishes a
national container deposit scheme and
to investigate the establishment of a
state-based CDS. This will be subject to
careful community consultation.
Regulating the sector:
Miles: The Department of Environment
and Heritage Protection’s regulatory
strategy requires it to take strong
enforcement action against operators
who fail to achieve the environmental
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outcomes set by the department,
and those who operate without an
approval. EHP has taken a number of
steps to actively deal with unlicensed
operators and improve its position to
take strong enforcement action.
Under the EHP’s compliance
framework, the approach to monitoring
sites is to ensure outcomes are being
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// Q&A
“Extensive consultation is needed to develop an appropriate
approach for consideration of the best options for future policy
change.” – Steven Miles
met through a combination of proactive
inspections,
targeted
compliance
projects and environmental problem
solving approaches.
Where operators are not performing,
EHP has a wide range of statutory
powers to require the operator to
take remedial action and erase any
competitive gain they have attained.
Under EHP’s regulatory service
business model, issues are prioritised
according to the level of risk they
pose and issues that pose the greatest
environmental risk are dealt with
quickly and consistently by a dedicated
team of skilled compliance officers.
In addition to on-ground fieldwork,
the department takes advantage of
remote sensing technology including
satellite imagery to monitor regulated
activity, and is currently piloting
unmanned aerial vehicles.
However I do have concerns about
the extent to which the previous
government’s drastic cuts to public
service staffing levels have impacted
on the regulatory capacity of the
department, despite the expertise and
dedication of EHP officers.
The waste policy:
Miles: I am committed to progressing
sound, environmentally responsible
waste policy, which I see as an integral
part of the broader environmental
protection framework. That is why
environment is the most appropriate
portfolio for waste policy.
The Environmental Protection Act
1994 and the Waste Reduction and
Recycling Act 2011, both administered
by EHP, provide the necessary tools
to develop sound environmental and
resource recovery business support and
investment policies.
I’m looking forward to meeting
with waste stakeholders to better
understand the interests and needs
of the industry and EHP will continue
to work with stakeholders to develop
strategies and actions that will help
drive targets to reduce landfilling and
iw
increase recycling.
W
E
N
ER
UND
WRIQ sends key messages
Meanwhile, in addition to discussing the future of the state’s waste sector
with the Environment and Resources Committee and the Opposition, Waste,
Recycling Industry Association of Queensland (WRIQ) has tabled five key
messages for Miles’ consideration and at time of press, was still waiting for
a response.
1. It is seeking a commitment by government to appoint a “fresh new
executive champion” resourced with a “fresh new team” within the
EHP. This team should have total oversight and ownership of the Waste
Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, its subordinate legislation, and delivery
of the industry-led Waste Strategy.
2. WRIQ wants the government to engage all stakeholders who contributed
to the waste strategy by formally requesting each of them to submit an
action plan for their sector. Responses must prescribe specific actions,
timelines and ideas each sector can contribute to the strategy to deliver its
objectives.
3. An agreement by government that the EHP will conduct an independent
review of its current regulatory strategy, ensuring it aligns with the objects
and principles enshrined in the Waste Reduction & Recycling Act 2011.
A report must then be presented to industry.
4. The establishment of a Ministerial Roundtable chaired by the
minister where membership would include only waste and recycling
industry organisations representing industry operators. The roundtable
would convene every two months to formally table and discuss issues
focusing on improving the state’s recycling and waste management
performance.
5. Within the next six months, WRIQ would like to be offered the opportunity
to present to the Resources and Environment Committee of Parliament its
insight of the sector’s contribution to Queensland and the scope of new
opportunities.
T
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Your act
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Ensuring
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39
Energy From Waste //
Super fund eyes EfW space
By Jacqueline Ong
SUPERANNUATION fund and investment
company Australian Ethical’s membership has grown by 22% at a time when
the super industry is experiencing
shrinking membership. But what is this
to the waste sector?
It spells potential investment in
the energy from waste space as the
company prides itself on and attributes
its success to its ability to generate
returns for investors “who care about
the future of our planet”. What this
essentially means is, investing in
industries such as tobacco, coal
mining and old growth forest logging
is out and investing in new, low-carbon
economies and energy efficiency is in.
And energy from waste is on its radar.
In fact, one of the companies
Australian Ethical invests in is Covanta
Holding Corp, one of the world’s
largest owners and operators of EfW
infrastructure.
Covanta is a key holding for the
fund, with a weight in the portfolio
of 3% and Australian Ethical portfolio
manager Nathan Lim believes EfW is
a progressive solution to Australia’s
growing waste volumes. Based on
the company’s research on ethical
businesses to invest in, he also sees
EfW as a viable part of a sustainable
future.
“EfW has a negative carbon footprint,
if incorporated into a broader waste
strategy that seeks to remove as much
recyclable material out of the waste
first, and fits well with the growing
concept of the ‘net-zero’ option being
considered for the Paris climate talks,”
Lim said.
“For nations to achieve net-zero
emissions, they need technologies that
will consume carbon to bring us back
under our carbon budget. On top of
EfW, tree-planting and carbon capture
and storage (CCS) are other negative
emission technologies but we are
skeptical CCS has a future.”
But it’s more than that. Pointing to
Covanta, Lim said Australian Ethical
“likes” the company because of its
stability, which largely stems from the
nature of EfW contracts.
“We like Covanta because of its
inherently stable core business. The
business is largely immune to regular
business cycles due to its long-term
contracts with customers. The company
also has a good history of strong
capital management, returning cash to
shareholders when it is not needed,”
Lim said.
It is these long-term contracts – ones
that run for 20 years or longer – that
Australian Ethical looks out for when
investing in EfW projects and companies.
“We prefer exposure to rising
electricity and metal volume sales and
not price exposure. Exposure to spot
pricing for commodities is nice when
prices are rising but a big distraction
to the business when prices are weak,
as they are currently,” Lim explained.
Using Covanta’s Essex facility as
a “typical” EfW plant, Lim estimates
Australia could theoretically support
up to seven such facilities given the
amount of waste going to landfill.
EfW is a viable part of a sustainable
future: Lim
“However, you also need high landfill
gate fees to make the economics work.
If these were built, you would expect
prices to rise by inflation every year
plus volume growth of 0.6% per year,
giving a total organic growth rate of
around two to four percent.
“Alternatively, you could consider
the free cash flow such a project
could generate which I suspect will
be the main attraction for investors,”
iw
Lim said.
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40
// Trucks
Getting the most out of your tyres
By Jacqueline Ong
“IN AN era where fleet managers
religiously monitor and schedule
engine maintenance, it is foolish how
most aren’t gathering data to manage
and maximise the lifespan of the
tyres,” Bears Tyres managing director
Brad Bearman said.
About a decade ago, Bears Tyres
developed a brand neutral tracker to
accurately measure the performance
of tyres. Now, Bearman is urging waste
operators to think about who they’re
hiring to manage their tyres.
“Many people think they know
about tyres but it’s a far more
complex challenge and only longterm experience can teach you the
intricacies, the hidden detail, and
the consequences of taking the wrong
action,” Bearman said.
“Some individuals in this role have a
lack of understanding of optimisation
of tyre rotations, balancing, general
wear and tear clues or the value
of actions like re-treading and re-
grooving, which can add thousands
of kilometres more to the lifespan of
a tyre.” Bearman said he believed tyre
wastage was increasing, and he had
the tool to help.
“I have been challenged many times
to analyse the efforts of such people,
and the Tyre Tracker always reveals
data to show where they could have
done much better,” he said.
The tracker logs distances, advises on
rotations and re-treading in the tyre’s
lifespan. Installed as a proprietary
system on standard software platforms,
the tracker can deliver accurate cost
breakdowns for each tyre.
“It shows the amount of extra
kilometres each tyre has been able to
achieve, through sensible rotation and
maintenance,” Bearman said.
“There are so many variables to a
tyre – the actual compound, the tread
pattern, resistance to heat and cold,
ability to handle bends and straights,
short-haul demands over long haul,
even radials versus retreads,” he added.
“This is where the Tyre Tracker steps
Graph 1: The Argosy prime movers comparison
in. It analyses data gained from each
trip and provides neutral advice for
optimised maintenance and handling
of every single tyre on a fleet.”
Bearman points to statistics on
Argosy prime movers comparing the
performance of the company’s tyres
when managed by his tracker to selfmanagement (see graph 1).
Through the use of the Bear Tyre
Tracker, the average tyre cost fell from
9c/km to 6c/km and while the average
days in service increased by 45%, the
lifespan of the fleet’s tyres also rose
from 184 to 266 days per tyre.
Additionally, the tracker led to an
increase in service kilometres – up 29%
iw
to 181,672km from 141,228km.
41
Batteries //
Battery regulation – not if but when
Retail outlets like Bunnings will
provide most of the drop-off points.
Photo: Sustainability Victoria
By Jacqueline Ong
Despite
its
initial
preference
for a voluntary handheld battery
stewardship program, the Australian
Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI)
began advocating for regulation earlier
this year, which is what CEO Helen
Lewis is certain the sector will end up
with, “it’s just a question of how long
it’s going to take”.
The reason for ABRI’s decision to
go down the regulation path is largely
due to concerns voiced in discussions
last year with battery manufacturers
including Energizer, Duracell and
Panasonic.
“The primary battery manufacturers –
the single-use battery manufacturers –
do not appear to be willing to support
a voluntary program for their batteries
at this stage,” Lewis said.
“That’s because they’re concerned
about free riders and it’s a genuine
42
concern. They’re more interested in
looking at regulatory programs but have
suggested that a voluntary program
could be explored for rechargeable
batteries only. Rechargeable batteries
tend to be the most hazardous at end
of life.”
This concern is not unique to
Australia. The issue of free riders
was also raised in the US when the
Corporation for Battery Recycling
(CBR) attempted to set up a voluntary
battery stewardship program. After two
of the founding members withdrew,
they changed their focus to regulatory
options last year.
Three key groups – CBR, the National
Electrical Manufacturers Association
and Call2Recycle – played a major role
in putting together model legislation
its members would be happy with, one
that would make extended producer
responsibility (EPR) a requirement for
all handheld batteries.
“They’re now talking to various
state governments about the model
bill and it’s been introduced into the
2015 legislative sessions in California,
Connecticut, New York and Texas,”
Lewis said.
“So we’re monitoring that very
closely because we believe their
model bill could be adapted for use in
Australia.”
However, Lewis said ABRI would be
advocating a “light touch” regulation.
“We’ve started talking to ministers
and regulators about some form of
regulation that would primarily address
free riders. So we’re not advocating a
prescriptive EPR program. What we
want to do is something that would
establish a level playing field, where
all of the brands and retailers come
on-board, not just a few leading
companies.”
“That’s what we’re aiming for and
the next step is to engage stakeholders
and look at how the American bill
could be adapted to suit the Australian
situation,” Lewis added.
For now, the Battery Implementation
Working Group (BIWG) is finalising a
report for environment ministers to
consider at their next meeting, which
Lewis said is likely to be held in July.
The report will include the outcomes
of discussions between governments,
brand owners and retailers and will
look at various scheme options.
But ABRI isn’t going to wait around.
Lewis revealed that the organisation is
looking at “a few other things”.
“We’re talking to quite a few industry
stakeholders about setting up some
pilot or ongoing schemes for particular
types of batteries.
“We’re not standing still. We would
like to investigate the feasibility of
different take-back models, particularly
for the most hazardous batteries,” she
said.
While Lewis was unable to reveal
details of these discussions “because
nothing has been signed off”, she said
ABRI is aiming to finalise at least two
projects in the next few months.
“The BIWG has had a number
of discussions with stakeholders
about different models and there
was some support for just collecting
rechargeable batteries, and also some
support for collecting particular types
of rechargeable batteries, because the
markets are quite distinct,” Lewis said.
“So we’re going to see if we can get
a few things up and running to collect
information that will feed into the
design of a national program.”
Even if these pilot schemes are
voluntary, Lewis is confident Australia
will end up with regulations ... it’s just
a question of how long it’ll take to get
there.
“I suspect we need them
[regulations]. We would prefer to start
voluntarily because then, we can learn
and design a scheme that works for
industry and is not too onerous,” Lewis
said.
“One of the things we’ve learned
from the TV and computer scheme is
what can happen when you launch
straight into a regulatory scheme –
there are problems that will need to
be ironed out later on. The benefit of
starting with a small-scale voluntary
scheme is that you can work out what
works best and modify the program
as you go. You can work out the most
efficient collection models, resolve any
operational issues, and determine what
sorts of targets might be feasible.
“So while you’ve still got flexibility,
you can design something that works
for everybody, that’s efficient, effective
and so on.”
Less prescription needed
Lewis said that ABRI’s preferred battery
scheme would have similarities to the
National TV and Computer Scheme
(NTCRS), in that producers, either
manufacturers or importers, will fund
the scheme.
“How that will be enforced is still to
be worked out. But I think there should
be less prescription around targets in
the early years,” Lewis said.
“We’ve got a long way to go with this
but my view would be to keep it fairly
flexible upfront and build in targets
once you know more about the quantity
of batteries available for collection and
the willingness of consumers to recycle.
“One of the big issues with batteries,
and it’s the same with TVs and
computers, is that you don’t know how
long it takes for each type of battery
to reach the end of its life, and that’s
critical to the design of a scheme. It
makes setting targets difficult.”
Collection will likely be different in
the battery scheme as well, with retail
outlets providing more of the public
drop-off points, much like what is being
done in Europe and North America.
“But we’ll need to work very closely
with local government. Most councils
already collect batteries in some form
through their waste management
depots or hazardous household waste
collection, so we need to work with
them. Another option we’re keen to
explore is co-collection with other
iw
forms of e-waste,” Lewis said.
// Equipment
Big on reliability and performance
By Jacqueline Ong
TEN years ago agricultural chains were
commonly used in apron conveyor
systems and while these worked in
the past, RUD Chains said the push to
increase landfill diversion and resource
recovery had led to a demand for
higher quality apron feeders and drag
chains in order to separate waste more
efficiently.
Additionally, the Brisbane-based
manufacturer said Australian companies
continued to seek designated recycling
plants that could store material in the
hopper and meter in-feed flow into
a process, which could then involve
sorting and commercially recovering
valuable products from waste.
RUD Australia entered the Australian
market some five years ago and
engages a handful of companies with
significant infrastructure centres such
as Instant Waste, Visy and Sims Metals.
Its designated recycling plants
typically process glass, municipal waste,
steel and scrap metal, construction and
demolition waste and biomass and
come in three defined size categories
to meet a range of processing demands.
The first is a standard capacity
horizontal apron pan feeder, which
handles lower density products such
as municipal waste and paper, while
the second is a medium capacity apron
pan feeder used for processing C&D
waste. The third is a heavy duty, high
capacity pan feeder often used for dry
ash boiler and high utilisation waste
and recycling applications.
“We bring a range of sizes to match
different feed rates. So the smaller
size predominantly processes 40 to 50
tonnes per hour, while the medium size
does 60 to 70 tonnes and the largest
size goes up to 250 to 300 tonnes
per hour and beyond,” RUD national
product manager, conveyor/hoist/
mining Ian Cattell said.
“What we’ve found is our systems
are very high wearing products and the
big advantage is the time in operation
without maintenance. It requires small
adjustments every six to 12 months
and that reduces your daily cost and
time spent in the system being out of
service.”
Cattell pointed to a client who had
been using a RUD system for two years,
saying it had been in operation for
99% of that time.
But it’s not just about maximising
operation times. RUD’s engineers have
worked hard to design systems that
meet common challenges faced at
recycling plants.
For one, it comes with a close
fitting apron pan design, which Cattell
says is a step up from the traditional
piano hinge apron pan, to minimise
spillage.
“With the close fitting aprons we
have, there’s no potential for spillage
to go down the hinge area of the apron
because they overlap. With the piano
hinge, all liquid and products can fall
between the hinge joints causing it to
wear out and corrode,” Cattell explained.
RUD’s machines also use variable
speeds, offering more control to the
operator.
“Motors have changed in the last 10
years and now they use variable speed
drivers which offer a lot more control
and capability. You need to use low
speeds (0.5 metres per second) for
products that are difficult to process
but you can turn this up (0.2 metres
per second) for easier products so
you’re able to add variability to suit
the condition and products you’re tying
to process,” Cattell said.
Perhaps the most interesting feature
is the location of RUD’s chains, which
are placed outside of the apron and
are “totally separate” from the product
(see image).
“The chains are external and don’t
have any physical contact with
corrosive products and liquid products
are not able to fall on top of the
chain,” Cattell said.
He also noted that RUD’s chains
are calibrated and have a high
tolerance between both the left and
right sides.
“We’re talking 0.5% maximum
tolerance between the left and right
and in reality the difference is that
the calibration of these types of chain
products is much higher than what
we’ve seen 10 years ago in the market
place,” Cattell said.
“It’s important to have that
calibration because aprons have to run
square and the components have to
work without moving. If everything is
loose and not tolerant, the potential for
wear is higher as well as the potential
for the product to fall through the
gaps.”
RUD can customise its designated
plants down to the hopper lining and
said it takes between three to 12
months to get a plant up and running.
These monster systems cost between
$100,000 and $500,000, but offer
return on investment in two or three
years.
RUD Australia will be exhibiting at
the Australasian Waste & Recycling
iw
Expo in August.
RUD’s chains do not come into contact with corrosive products.
43
44
721F XT
*A range of models available
Max engine output:
75 to 1577hp
Max power: 55 to 1176kW
Max torque: 2500rpm for
smallest and 1600 rpm for the
largest machine
Breakout force: From 51 to
1,133kN (Bucket)
Tipping load: from 3159 to 102,998kg
Bucket capacity: 0.75 to 32cu.m
Operating weight: from 5269 to 205,728kg
Engine: C1.8 TO 3516B
Base price: Varies depending on the model
More: 03 9953 9333, 1800 010 808 (finance free call) or
www.cat.com/en_US/products/new/equipment/wheel-loaders.html
Max engine output: 145kW
Max power at: 2000rpm
Max torque at:
950Nm@2000 rpm
Breakout force: 123.9kN
Tipping load: Full turn tipping
load 8962 kg
Bucket capacity: Various
Operating weight: 14,667 kg
Engine: FPT
Base price: $251,900 + GST
More: www.casece.com
CASE Construction
Cat Wheel Loaders
437HT
Max torque at:
730Nm@1800 rpm
Breakout force: 101.3kN
Tipping load: Full turn tipping
load 7493 kg
Bucket capacity: various
Engine: FPT
Max torque at: 1500rpm
Breakout force: 176kN
Tipping load: 9055kg
Bucket capacity: 2.4cu.m
Operating weight: 15255kg
Engine: Cummins
Base price: $240,000
More: 1300 522 232 or
www.jcbcea.com.au
JCB
621F XT
Schaffer Loaders
Max power at: 2000RPM
Max torque at: 645Nm at
1600RPM
Breakout force: 114kN
Tipping load: 10,200kg
Bucket capacity: 2,8cu.m
Engine: 4045HFL93
More: 02 9852 1800, [email protected] or www.liebherr.com
*Covers all models
Max engine output: 26-110hp
Breakout force: from 1000kg
Tipping load: from 1000kg
Bucket capacity:
0.2 to 2.5 cu.m
Operating weight: From 1800kg
Engine: Kubota D1105 to
water cooled, intercooled turbo
common rail Deutz
Base price: from $45,999+GST
More: 1300 88 21 61 or www.schaffer-loaders.com.au
Agtech International
L 542
Caterpillar Telehandlers
541-70WM
*A range of models available
Dimensions: Various
Operating weight: 5000 to
16200kg
Lifting height: 6100 to
17300mm
Lifting capacity: From 2500 to
5443kg
Turning radius: 3200 to
4267mm
Engine: C3.4 and C4.4
Travel speed: 29.4-40km/h
Number of models: 14
More: 03 99539333, 1800 010 808 (finance free call) or
www.cat.com/en_AU/products/new/equipment/telehandlers.html
Dimensions: 5 x 2.3 x 2.5m
Lifting height: 7mt
Maximum forward reach: 3.7mt
Lifting capacity: 4100kg
Turning radius: 3.7mt
Engine: JCB 100HP
Travel speed: 33km/h
Number of models: 1
More: 1300 522 232 or www.jcbcea.com.au
JCB
Caterpillar
Liebherr-Australia Pty Ltd
CASE Construction
Caterpillar
Product Profile: Wheel Loaders and Telehandlers //
Terex-Fuchs MHL 250 (15 tonnes)
*A range of models available.
Boom combination:
Extended range of boom and
sticks available
Maximum reach: 11, 12.4, 14.3,
15.9, 16, 19.3, 21.8m
Cabin type: STD Cab with
Falling Object Guard Structure
(FOGS) meets ISO 10262.
Engine: C6.6, C7, C7.1, C9, C18
Travel speed: 18-25km/h
Number of models: 9
www.cat.com/en_AU/products/new/equipment/material-handlers.html
Boom combination:
Standard Scrap Combination
or Multi-Function and QuickConnect System
Maximum reach: Up to 9m
Cabin type: Hydraulically
adjustable with operator eye
level at 5.5m
Engine: Deutz 4 Cylinder (116Hp)
Travel speed: Up to 20km/h
Number of models: Diesel or Electric
(can be used as a pick and carry machine)
Base price: Starting From $260,000.00 + GST
More: 1800 644 978 or www.cssequipment.com.au
CSS Equipment
Cat Material Handlers
LH 24 M
JS20MH Excavator
Boom combination: industrialtype straight mono boom 6.60m
and industrialtype angled stick
5.00m
Maximum reach: 11,5m
Cabin type: Hydraulic
Engine: Liebherr D834
according to stage IIIB
Travel speed: 0-20km/h
Number of models: Infinite
dependent upon specification
More: 02 9852 1800, [email protected] or www.liebherr.com
Boom combination: 5.7m
Boom 3.6m Material Handler
Dipper, 5.7m Boom 4.0m Scrap
Handling Dipper
Maximum reach: 9048mm
Material Handler / 8933mm
Scrap Handler
Cabin type: Hydraulic Raised
Cab
Engine: JCB EcoMAX 444, 4.4L
T4i, 93kW (125hp) Diesel
Travel speed: 25km/h
Number of models: 2
Base price: Price on application
JCB CEA
Liebherr-Australia Pty Ltd
Caterpillar
// Product Profile: Material Handlers And Excavators
MORE wAYS TO
MASTER wASTE
The JCB Wastemaster range now offers a wide range of models
purpose built for waste and recycling operations, which means
that your choice of machine is now greater than ever. What’s more,
with over 10,000 JCB machines working in waste worldwide, we
recognise the importance of round the clock service.
AUSTRALIA’S ONLY
AUTHORISED JCB DISTRIBUTOR
1300 522 232
jcbcea.com.au
45
SV250
*A range of models available.
Dimensions: Various
Horsepower: 48-110hp
Operating weight:
2620 to 5219kg
Operating capacity:
635 to 1928kg
Tipping load: 1290 to 3855kg
Bucket breakout force:
To 3426kg
Engine: C2.2 to C3.8
Base price: Varies depending on model
www.cat.com/en_US/products/new/equipment/skid-steer-loaders.html
Dimensions:
3604 x 2002 x 1768
Horsepower: 82hp
Operating capacity: 1135kg
Boom breakout: 21.4kN
Bucket breakout force: 33.7kN
Engine: FPT Industrial
5CX Wastemaster
Dimensions:
3292 x 1998 x 1755
Horsepower: 74hp
Operating capacity: 905kg
Boom breakout: 20.3kN
Bucket breakout force: 32.3kN
Engine: FPT Industrial
Max engine output: 74kw
Max power at: 2200 rpm
Max torque at: 440nm
@1500rpm
Breakout force: Loader 6531kgf
Bucket capacity: 1.4m
Breakout force:
Backhoe 3225kgf
Operating weight: 9760kgs
Engine: JCB Dieselmax
JCB
SR200
Heading
Heading
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natibus rempel mo quiati
conseque et, quam conet
debitas perecaectota samus,
cus nectatet voloratis et
autatis si dolute iduntet et
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quat.
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aut id quidem vel ium rest lis vollatem voloruptatin non planimi
nctiatur, in nobis dolorem et aut omnias nem ex et es sit aliquas
quat.
“I WANT TO
MOVE MORE
MATERIAL
PER HOUR.”
Product side heading
CASE Construction
SSL and MTL Loaders
CASE Construction
Caterpillar
Product Profile: Skid Steers and Backhoe Loaders //
Heading
power
to every
work
cycle. Four power modes
Xxxx
delestis
etus
minimag
natibus
rempel
mo quiati
let operators
match
available engine power to
conseque
et,save
quam
conet
the job and
fuel,
while stronger and faster
hydraulics
deliver
superior
cus nectatet voloratis et productivity and
performance.
Exclusive
mid mounting
autatis
si dolute
iduntet patented
et
moditaturem
a nonem
reris
cooling system
saves me
a lot of time and money.
quat.
quat.
www.casece.com
Case Wheel Loaders deliver best-in-class
Heading
horsepower and massive torque to deliver
YOU CAN, WITH CASE.
1300 99 CASE
46
// Wasted Space
We’ve been schooled
by the waste gods
THE recent crazy weather in NSW has
got Wasted Space thinking ... are the
waste gods giving us a sign about how
to do things differently?
Here we are busting our balls
thinking of ways to better educate
and communicate with the community
– how long did the EPA take to come
up with that waste education strategy
again? And then, bam! One nasty storm
and everything becomes clear.
First, flying rubbish is neither pretty
nor safe when you’re trying to hang on
to your umbrella while getting out of
the way of a million people scurrying
to get home. Getting a stray cigarette
butt in your eye or a plastic bag
wrapped around your head is not fun or
glamorous at all.
So here’s a thought, use the footage
– and trust us when we say there are
loads on Instagram, Facebook and
Twitter – for the next Hey Tosser ad.
The more disgusting the image, the
better. Think wind-swept chocolate ice
cream wrapper flying into the mouth of
an unsuspecting pedestrian.
Yes, we should be shaming the
litterbug but we’re all in this together
so let’s shame random (unlucky)
pedestrians with the message: if
you don’t want to be caught in an
embarrassing situation, don’t litter!
Then, there were wheelie bins strewn
across the streets, tripping pedestrians
with rubbish in their eyes. What does
this tell you? Don’t put your rubbish/
recycling/green bin out before the
collection day.
The City of Sydney has been trying
all these novel ways to keep bins off
the streets – no mean feat when people
live in tiny inner city houses. Instead
of paying good money – $80,000 we
hear – for underground systems, why
not issue a severe warning about the
health hazards of keeping bins on the
street.
After all, when Premier Mike Baird
issued a severe weather warning urging
people to go home early, everyone
panicked. Scare tactics work.
Have you been to the park during a
storm? No? Well, why would you? But
in the name of research and because
of our sheer commitment to you, dear
reader, Wasted Space braved the storm
to check out what our inner city parks
looked like. There was ponding of
course but more than that, we found
that littered dog poo no longer looked
like poop but something you’d buy
DIARY
July 27-30
6th Australian Landfill and Transfer
Stations Conference and Expo
National Convention Centre,
Canberra
Hosted by the National Landfill
Division of the Waste Management
Association of Australia, the theme
for this year’s event is Continuing the
Transformation. The conference will
focus on the continuing transformation
and improvement of transfer stations
and landfills, providing a forum to
learn about and discuss the latest
developments and innovations in
policy, planning, design, management,
monitoring and regulation of these
facilities.
www.landfill.com.au
August 12-13
Australasian Waste and Recycling
Expo
Melbourne Convention and
Exhibition Centre
Now entering its sixth year, AWRE
brings together the industry to generate
quality sales leads, discover the latest
trends, showcase innovation, network
with key waste and recycling decision
makers from industry and government
and attend high quality practical
seminars and workshops.
www.awre.com.au
September 9-11
WasteQ Conference 2015
Tanks Art Centre – Cairns, Qld
Hosted by the Queensland Branch of
the Waste Management Association of
Australia (WMAA), the theme for this
year’s WasteQ conference is Regional
Waste Management – Opportunities
and Challenges. The conference
will identify some of the current and
emerging issues facing regional waste
management and resource recovery
and look at success stories and
lessons learnt that build the business
case for improved waste management
in regional areas.
www.wasteq.com.au
from Bunnings
for your garden.
And guess what?
The grass never looked
greener.
So the message here
is, organic waste makes
perfect compost. Such a
natural and cheap way to
get the composting message
across – dog poo and all sorts
of organic waste + a lot of water
= nice green garden. No money
or effort needed to hit our organic
diversion rates.
Finally, if only for the next
three months, we may have found
ourselves a niche recycling business –
used umbrellas!
Instead of dumping the thousands
of broken umbrellas collected over the
stormy week, the EPA could come up
BERGMANN
Roll-Packer
SAVE UP TO 80% ON DISPOSAL
COSTS WITH ROLL-PACKER
with an ad hoc Waste Less Recycle More
grant to recycle end-of-life brollies, as
long as they’re not made into more
iw
useless umbrellas.
Features:
Compactswasteinopen
containers
Upto80%lessdisposal
costs
Upto5timesmorewaste
incontainers
Suitablefortimber,general
waste,cardboard...
Continuousloading,simple
user-friendlyoperation
Contact us for more information and pricing:
Freecall: 1800 44 11 00
BALERS | SHREDDERS | GLASS PULVERISING SYSTEMS
CRUSHERS | COMPACTORS | GRINDERS
www.wasteinitiatives.com
47
THE INTELLIGENT TRUCK
IN A CABIN THIS CLEVER,
YOU’D USUALLY BE
TRAVELLING AT 30,000 FEET.
WE BELIEVE EVERY TRIP SHOULD BE FIRST-
You can also opt for front and rear parking sensors.
truck and the driver do. So you’ll have the information
CL ASS. THAT’S WHY OUR TRUCKS COME
And with the inclusion of a Tyre Pressure Monitoring
to improve your fleet’s performance and efficiency.
FILLED WITH TECHNOLOGY TO K EEP YOU
System , you’ll never drive with under-inflated
ENTERTAINED AND UP-TO-DATE. SO SIT BACK
tyres again.
†
AND RELAX AS WE RUN THROUGH A QUICK
Isuzu Care, Australia’s most comprehensive truck
customer care programme, which includes three
DEMONSTRATION OF THESE FEATURES.
years of 24 hour-a-day roadside assistance. And
we’re so confident of our reliability, we offer you
First, it’s time to meet your travelling companion,
DAVE (Digital Audio Visual Equipment). DAVE willll
the op
option (at additional cost) to extend your new
help make every trip go faster with MP3/CD/DVD,
VD,
truck warranty up to five years.
video playback, digital radio (including live recording),
g),
So if you’re looking for a new truck with brains as
plus hands-free Bluetooth and voice-control for a
well aas brawn, the next destination you visit should
number of phone and audio functions. He can even
en
be your
you nearest Isuzu Truck Dealer.
keep you on track with an optional GPS upgrade.
e.
Dave can also help keep you safe on your travels.
els.
DAVE is Telematics ready too. For fleets, Isuzu
For starters, there’s the option of almost 360º
Telematics† is where technology really starts to reach
vision via up to four cameras† that operate through
new heights. Available in two levels as an accessory,
DAVE’s touchscreen (including a reversing camera
it continuously shares data electronically and
with infrared sensors for low-light conditions).
automatically, in real-time, on virtually everything the
All options referred to are at additional cost and may not be available on all models. See your nearest Isuzu Truck Dealer for more information. F•S•A/ISZ9861
†
You’ll also rest easy knowing you’re protected by
Fin
Find out more at isuzu.com.au

What does âwasteâ mean?

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