Waste & Resource Management Strategy 2013-2018 by City of Greater Bendigo

City of Greater Bendigo Waste & Resource Management Strategy 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019

City of Greater Bendigo Waste and Resources Management Strategy © City of Greater Bendigo, 2014 City of Greater Bendigo PO Box 733 Bendigo VIC 3552 T: 03 5434 6000 F: 03 5434 6200 E: info@bendigo.vic.gov.au www.bendigo.vic.gov.au A copy of this publication is available on the City of Greater Bendigo’s website: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au

Acknowledgements:

List of Initialisations:

Waste and Resource Management Strategy Steering Team: City of Greater Bendigo staff; Alex Malone, Gary Leech, Darren Fuzzard, Neville Stewart, Ben Devanny, Ros Manning, Simon Clay and Robyn Major; Calder Regional Waste Management Group, Peter Chudek; Environment Protection Authority, (Phase One: Background paper) Paul Ratajczyk.

AWT

Alternative Waste Treatment

BAU

Business as Usual

BPEM

Best Practice Environmental Management

C&I

Commercial and Industrial

C&D

Construction and Demolition

CDL

Container Deposit Legislation

CoGB

City of Greater Bendigo (generally referred to as “the City”)

DEPI

Department Environment and Primary Industries

EPA

Environment Protection Authority Victoria

GFV

Getting Full Value – Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery policy

Disclaimer:

LGA

Local Government Area

This publication may be of assistance to you, but the City of Greater Bendigo, its employees, consultants and contractors do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on the information in this publication.

MRF

Materials Recovery Facility

MSW

Municipal Solid Waste

PPR

Public Place Recycling

SMEs

Small to Medium Sized Enterprises

Sustainability Victoria

Transfer Station

W&RMS

Waste and Resource Management Strategy

WRRG

Waste and Resource Recovery Group

Waste and Resource Advisory Committee: Cr Peter Cox (Chair), Cr Barry Lyons, Cr Elise Chapman, Jeff Cummins, Rebecca Dempsey, Veronica Hall, Chris Harrington, Nicole Hood, Verity Lougoon, Glenn Morrison, Danny Potter, Brian Stanmore, Don Erskine.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

Contents 1.

Executive Summary

2. Overview

2.1 Introduction 2.2 About Bendigo 2.3 Legislation and policy 2.4 Stakeholder contribution and strategy development

4 5 6 8

Appendices Appendix 1: Indicative waste cost modelling

Appendix 2: Specific waste streams

Figures Figure 1: The municipality of Greater Bendigo Figure 2: Waste stream volumes managed by CoGB in 2012–13 (tonnes)

5 10

Waste currently managed by the City

Figure 3: Detailed recent domestic garbage audit results 12

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4

Domestic waste Recycling composition Commercial waste Current cost of managing waste

11 12 13 14

Figure 4: Breakdown of domestic recycling recovered at the MRF in 2011–2012

Figure 5: The ‘Waste Hierarchy’ – as it applies to the City’s level of responsibility and control

Drivers for Change

4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5

Aligning with the waste hierarchy Price – a lever for change Reducing greenhouse gas Population growth, development & future waste projections Land use planning for waste infrastructure

Waste Services provided by the City and its partners

5.1 Collection 5.2 Receiving and separating waste 5.3 Waste disposal 5.4 Past actions to establish a new landfill or advanced waste treatment facility 5.5 Managing waste into the future 5.6 Education and awareness programs 5.7 Advocacy and leading by example

15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20

Managing ‘other’ waste streams

6.1 Specific waste streams 6.2 Hard waste or bulky items

29 29

Littering and illegal dumping

Implementation Plan Avoid and minimise waste generation Reuse, recycle and recover Infrastructure, innovation and private sector waste Littering and illegal dumping

Table 1: Municipal solid waste volumes 2011–12 and 2012–13.

Table 2: Current Commercial & Industrial and Construction & Demolition waste volumes 2011–2012 and 2012–13

Table 3: Summary of high-level modelling results

Table 4: Issues with ‘problem wastes’ and potential management strategies

21 22 27 27

8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4

Tables

31 31 34 36 39

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 1

1. Executive Summary

1. Executive Summary Greater Bendigo like many other communities across Australia is facing major challenges with the collection and disposal of solid wastes. Landfills are fast running out of space and there is growing community concern that councils need to take a more sustainable approach to the way waste is managed. In recognising this need for change the City of Greater Bendigo (the City) embarked on developing this Waste and Resource Management Strategy (W&RMS) to provide guidance in meeting the following objectives: • Reduce waste, increase resource recovery; • Focus on diverting organic waste from landfill to minimise current and future financial and environmental liabilities; • Provide an efficient, convenient and safe resource management system for residents; • Develop partnerships locally and throughout Victoria to develop and deliver sustainable services; • Minimise the costs and risks to ratepayers; • Support innovation in resource management and look for opportunities to maximise sector development in Greater Bendigo; • Reduce the incidence of illegal dumping and littering. The focus of this W&RMS is on the domestic waste stream, known as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), for which the City is directly responsible. This Strategy also acknowledges the role the City currently occupies in the delivery of waste services to the business and industry sector on a commercial basis such as operating a landfill. Appropriately, legislation and policy of both a directive and coercive nature steers Councils and the community toward the right balance between social, economic and environmental objectives for waste management. The State Government’s Getting Full Value policy on waste and resource management will be particularly important in this regard. Within these legislative controls however, Councils still have big decisions to make based on what they believe is right for their community and what their community cares about. While the municipality of Greater Bendigo is enjoying terrific success at the forefront of regional development in Victoria, our performance in minimising waste going to landfill has languished at close to the worst in the State for many years. Equally the amount of waste that we are generating per person is higher than our neighbours and other regional cities.

In developing this strategy significant time was invested in consulting with key stakeholders, businesses and the general community over a two year period to get their views and input on what is important and valued. Utilising considerable initial community feedback through forums, surveys and interviews the City’s traditional waste services to the community were tested and actions identified that aim to achieve the right balance between accessibility, affordability and sustainability. This strategy identifies and directly responds to those aspects that will make our achievements in waste and resource management something we as a community can be proud of. While it is clear there is still significant investigation required to provide explicit detail in the implementation of some of the strategies outlined in this document the key recommendations include:• The City will introduce a solution for the food and garden organics to reduce waste going to landfill; • The City will introduce optional 360 litre recycling bins to residents wishing to increase their recycling capacity; • The City will not pursue the development of a new landfill once Eaglehawk Landfill reaches its capacity; • The City will commit to a powerful and targeted education and awareness program to support strategy initiatives; • The City will not introduce a kerbside hard waste collection service, but will promote the range of existing enterprises that service this need; • The City will continue to commit to reducing littering and illegal dumping; • The City will continue to create the opportunity for innovative responses to the management of our waste streams.

Creating resource streams Current trends in waste management call for us to think of waste in terms of potential resource streams; each stream representing a resource input for industry or a business opportunity. The City as the manager of municipal solid waste currently separates and offers recyclable material for reuse, and is looking towards separating and offering the next biggest resource stream, food and garden organics. Organic material generated from the garden and kitchen makes up approximately 50% of the residual waste stream and this material could be treated to produce a useable product such as compost or energy.

Improving recycling performance at home and in public places Opportunities to better capture the ‘traditional’ recyclables that continue to be discarded through our waste bins at home and in our public places are explored and actions established.

2 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

1. Executive Summary

These actions will include information on how to improve our recycling habits so we can make better use of our recycling bin space such as crushing, folding and flattening items. However, if lack of recycle bin space continues to be a problem residents will be given the option of obtaining a 360 litre bin. Public place recycling bins will be installed in high profile locations to re-enforce the message that recycling is ‘just what we do wherever we are’ and retail complexes will also be encouraged to provide recycling bins for shoppers.

No new landfill It is a primary objective of this strategy to substantially reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. The City has an obligation to ensure that residual municipal solid waste is disposed of appropriately however this does not mean that the City must operate a landfill. The City has been utilising a privately operated landfill over the past twelve months at a cheaper rate than the waste can be dealt with at the current Eaglehawk landfill. The ongoing use and reliance on these private sector facilities is unlikely to pose a practical problem as the waste sector continues to develop and offer a broader range of waste and resource management services. A plan will be developed to guide the City in withdrawing from offering landfilling services (other than Heathcote) when Eaglehawk landfill reaches capacity. Concurrent to this, options for the future infrastructure requirements of the Eaglehawk site, to facilitate ongoing resource recovery and residual waste management will be developed.

Education and advocacy Education and awareness programs, in partnership with infrastructure solutions, play a critical role in the bid to teach residents about waste management. The City commits to delivering a powerful and targeted program to support initiatives emanating from this Strategy. The current approach to waste education focuses on encouraging residents to view waste as a resource and providing them with the knowledge and skills required to participate effectively in waste avoidance and resource recovery. Key initiatives include a waste services website, workshops, campaigns in local newspapers, television and radio, displays and promotions for various events throughout the year. In addition to educating the community on ways to avoid creating waste, the City advocates for legislative changes at a National and State level to improve resource recovery and reduce waste to landfill.

Hard waste collection Approaches to the management of hard waste vary across Councils. Historically the most common being the collection on-mass of items from the kerbside but this has changed significantly due to difficulties associated with OH&S, visual amenity and pilfering of high value material inflating the cost of collection. Some Councils have introduced on-call arrangements to counter these difficulties. In Bendigo, the Eaglehawk Eco-centre, along with various private sector businesses currently respond to this demand with either drop-off or on-call options available. The City will encourage and provide information to support the community to utilise these accessible and cost effective services.

Minimising littering and dumping Littering and illegal dumping pose a threat to wildlife and the community and can lead to long-term contamination. The City is committed to reducing the occurrence of this activity. This will be achieved through a combination of education, infrastructure changes and compliance. The City aims to see the rate of these incidences reduce dramatically in the future.

Addressing past legacies Historical waste management activities such as old landfills have the potential to cause environmental impacts where they were not closed and rehabilitated in a manner that would reduce rainfall infiltration or contaminate groundwater. Although the old landfills in the LGA were closed and rehabilitated to the standard of the day our collective understanding of the impacts from historical landfills has increased. Some of the old landfills may now require further investigation and rehabilitation to minimise environmental and health risks. The costs associated with rehabilitating old landfills is potentially large and needs to be well managed to reduce the financial burden to council and ratepayers.

Implementation Plan The City has included a comprehensive Implementation Plan within this Waste and Resource Management Strategy to ensure that the pathway to reaching the key objectives is clear and achievable.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 3

2. Overview

2. Overview 2.1 Introduction This strategy focuses predominantly on solid, non–hazardous waste commonly referred to as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), typically collected from households via kerbside collections as the City has a legislative responsibility to ensure this waste stream is managed on behalf of the community. For the purposes of this strategy it includes material from: • • • • • • • •

Kerbside collections Recyclables Residual waste (garbage) Transfer stations Resource Recovery Centre (self haul or drop-off waste) Street litter (including street litter bins) Street cleansing and pit cleaning. Festivals and events

The role of education in improving performance in waste avoidance and recycling is also considered and actions proposed. As well as actions to address littering and illegal dumping of waste. Also discussed is the City’s current and future role in relation to the management of commercial and industrial (C&I), and construction and demolition (C&D) streams. While the City has no legislative responsibility for these two waste streams they are very important to the municipality from an economic perspective. The City’s role in these streams is conducted from a position of advocacy and support for waste industry development, waste reduction education and awareness for business and industry, as well as service delivery e.g. landfill services at Eaglehawk. Waste generated from large businesses including C&I, and C&D streams are currently, in part, catered for at the Eaglehawk landfill. However, the appropriateness of this extending past the closure of that landfill is an important question that this strategy also addresses.

4•

2. Overview

2.2 About Bendigo The City of Greater Bendigo is located in north central Victoria, approximately 150km north-west of Melbourne. CoGB is one of three member councils of the Calder Regional Waste Management Group (RWMG). The local government area (LGA) is bounded by the Shire of Campaspe in the north, the Strathbogie and Mitchell Shires in the east, the Mount Alexander Shire in the south, and the Loddon Shire in the west. The population of the City of Greater Bendigo as at the 30 June 2012 was 103,550 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Estimated Resident Population (ERP)) from this ERP, the population forecast for 2013 is an estimated population of 109,199 (.id (2012) Community Profile). Currently experiencing a growth rate of approximately 1.61% per annum it is forecast that the LGA will see a population change, between 2013 and 2031, of 36,409 or 33.34% (.id (2012) Community Profile).

Occupying a land area of almost 300,000 hectares the municipality has an overall population density of approximately 0.3 persons per hectare which is high compared to the average for regional Victoria, although it does vary considerably across the municipality; from a low of 0.03 persons per hectare in Elmore, to a high of 15.60 persons per hectare in Strathdale. In 2011, the census indicated that there were 38,494 separate houses in the LGA, 4,520 medium density dwellings, and 7 high density dwellings, with 91% of these dwellings housing up to 4 residents, with 9% housing 5 or more residents. A map of the Greater Bendigo local government area, as shown in Figure 1, also indicates the location of the City’s two landfills and the two waste transfer stations within the area.

Figure 1: The municipality of Greater Bendigo

N Legend CoGB Boundary

Highway Roads

Goornong TS

Crown Land Waste Facilities

Eaglehawk Landfill

Strathfieldsaye TS

Heathcote Landfill

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 5

2. Overview

2.3 Legislation and policy

Policy

This Waste and Resource Management Strategy is influenced and supported by a wider strategic context and legislative and policy environment within which the CoGB operates.

Federal Policy National Waste Policy: Less waste more resources was agreed to by all Australian environment ministers in November 2009. The aims of the policy are clearly described as to:

Legislation National Legislation Product Stewardship Act 2011 provides a framework for national product stewardship schemes. The ‘National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme’ introduced in 2013, in requires importers of televisions and computers to steward the material recovery of goods they sell. Clean Energy Futures Act 2011 provides a framework for reducing carbon pollution in Australia. The Act includes a ‘cap and trade’ scheme which will require emitters of greenhouse gases to acquire a permit for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) they emit over specified thresholds. Implications of the Act are relevant to the management of landfills. State Legislation Local Government Act 1989 assigns responsibility for providing (either directly or through contractors) collection, transport and reprocessing or disposal to landfill of municipal solid waste for their communities. (This does not require local government to manage disposal facilities such as landfills) Environment Protection Act 1970 stipulates responsibilities in relation to waste disposal, in particular the management and operation of landfill sites and the rehabilitation of closed landfill sites (including those managed by previous councils). The Environment Protection Act also underpins the application of a Landfill levy and how and to whom, the revenue from the levy will be allocated. The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 requires Councils to ensure the municipal environment is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

6 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

Avoid the generation of waste, reduce the amount of waste (including hazardous waste) for disposal, manage waste as a resource and ensure that waste treatment, disposal, recovery and re-use is undertaken in a safe, scientific and environmentally sound manner, and Contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, energy conservation and production, water efficiency, and the productivity of the land. National Packaging Covenant (NPC): A voluntary initiative by government and industry to reduce the effects of packaging on the environment. State Policy Getting Full Value (GFV) – Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Policy: The Victorian government is primarily responsible for setting the policy and regulatory framework within which Victorian councils must deliver waste services. The current Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Policy – Getting Full Value, was released in April 2013 replacing the Towards Zero Waste policy adopted in 2005. The 30 year vision for waste management in Getting Full Value is: “Victoria has an integrated, state-wide waste management and resource recovery system that provides an essential community service by protecting the environment and public health, maximising the productive value of resources, and minimising long term costs to households, industry and government.” The state policy features six major goals: 1. Help Victorians reduce the waste they generate and save Victorians’ money through efficient use of resources. 2. Facilitate strong markets for recovered resources. 3. Have a Victorian waste and resource recovery system that maximises the economic value of waste. 4. Reduce the environmental and public health risks of waste. 5. Reduce illegal dumping and littering. 6. Reform and strengthen the way institutions work and are governed to effectively implement waste policy.

Getting Full Value supports the development of an integrated system of waste infrastructure to cater for the range and variety of waste materials generated across the state, from both households and businesses. The system described in the policy involves waste facilities, such as large transfer stations, landfills and materials recovery facilities, as hubs connected by transport and collection routes (spokes). The State Government has committed in the GFV to working with local government and industry investors to plan for infrastructure and logistics to support this connected ‘hub and spoke’ network. There will be specific focus on investment in infrastructure hubs that is driven by the commercial pull from markets for recovered resources and for maximum flexibility allowing the market to adapt ‘spoke’ activities to changing waste volumes, compositions and flows that occur over time. To promote the development of a cost-effective network of waste and resource recovery infrastructure a state-wide infrastructure plan and corresponding metropolitan and regional waste and resource recovery plans will be developed. The draft Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan (SWRRIP) which was released in September 2013 provides an evidence base to inform planning and investment to achieve the vision outlined in Getting Full Value. The plan, when completed, will: • Provide an analysis of current and anticipated trends in waste generation, composition and levels of resource recovery. • Provide an analysis of the existing infrastructure for waste management and resource recovery as well as anticipating future processing needs. • Investigate opportunities for colocation of new waste and resource recovery infrastructure with similar activities such as waste water treatment. • Consider the transport impacts arising from the movement of waste and materials. • Provide information regarding key infrastructure that requires protection from encroachment. • Provide clear guidance to local governments and waste management groups. • Provide an evidence base for future targeting of government funding and investments. The SWIRRP is expected to be finalised in 2014.

The Plan will also provide strategic direction for waste and resource recovery planning for the next 30 years with an immediate focus on the next five years. It will provide direction to the development of both the metropolitan and regional waste and resource recovery plans to ensure a consistent integrated approach across all levels of planning. This will ensure that planning at state and regional levels are actively integrated, aligning state directions with regional priorities. Victorian Litter Strategy – Creating Cleaner, Safer Places: Strategy to prevent litter and improve litter management practices to achieve clean and safe public places. Regional Policy The state government is progressing with changes to the waste management groups, with the current 13 waste management groups being amalgamated into six large regional waste and resource recovery groups and one metropolitan waste and resource recovery group. These changes will see the Calder Regional Waste Management Group (RWMG), of which Bendigo is currently a member, amalgamated with the Central Murray and Mildura RWMGs to form the new Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Group (WRRG) which will extend from Macedon Ranges to Mildura and comprise eight member councils. The role of the new waste and resource recovery groups will be expanded to include planning for all solid waste streams, (i.e. commercial and industrial (C&I) and construction and demolition(C&D)) rather than just municipal waste. This planning will need to be consistent with any statewide strategies developed by Sustainability Victoria. In addition the new groups will be required to develop Waste and Resource Recovery Plans which are consistent with the SWRRIP. Although the CoGB does not plan directly for the management of C&I and C&D waste streams (other than through management of its own landfills) it will make a contribution to planning all waste management and resource recovery infrastructure through its role in the new Loddon Mallee WRRG. The SWRRIP identifies the following significant infrastructure and issues for the Bendigo region: • The Eaglehawk landfill precinct is identified as a significant regional infrastructure hub because of associated C&D reprocessing and potential for the landfill site to be used as a site for additional resource recovery operations, which should be protected from encroachment through appropriate land use planning • A potential opportunity to increase the recovery of garden organics across Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong • Addition resource recovery infrastructure to reduce landfill requirements once the Eaglehawk landfill ceases operation as an active landfill

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 7

2. Overview

Local Policy The CoGB Waste and Resource Management Strategy align with, and build on, existing Council plans, policies and strategies that may be directly or indirectly relevant to waste management issues. Relevant policies include: • The CoGB Council Plan update 2013 – 2017 • Litter Bin Strategy, 2007 • Environment Local Law (Local Law 3) Section 11: Domestic Waste and Section 12: Trade Waste and Waste Hoppers • Natural Environment Strategy • Carbon Management Plan • Economic Development Strategy The City of Greater Bendigo Council Plan 2013–2017 contains Strategic Outcomes and Actions which are directly relevant to the provision of waste services: Sustainability • Reduce all waste to landfill and make productive use of by-products. • Commence implementation of agreed priorities in the Waste & Resources Management Strategy encompassing: reducing resource consumption, a local landfill decision, reducing waste to landfill and increasing resource recovery. Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) In 2009 the Greater Bendigo City Council resolved to support the introduction of a Container Deposit Scheme in Victoria and throughout Australia and advocate to State and Federal Ministers about demonstrating the financial, social and environmental benefits and actively promote the issue in the community.

2.4 Stakeholder contribution and strategy development To develop this strategy, the City invested significant time and resources in consulting with key stakeholders, businesses and the general community to get their views and input on what is important and valued. In addition to the broad community consultation (including community and business surveys, listening posts, events and the use of a range of media), specific and comprehensive input was received from the Waste and Resource Management Advisory Committee and the Project Steering Team including representation from Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Calder Regional Waste Management Group (RWMG).

8 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

Future Directions It became apparent through community and industry consultation that there is a strong desire to drive a change in community thinking away from that of waste management, to one of resource management. This change would help community (industry, business and individuals) understand their role in managing available resources wisely. As reducing the demand for new resources by using less material through improved product design, reduced packaging, reuse of items, use of recycled material, and the separation or by reclaiming materials for further processing, all result in increased productivity. To encapsulate this drive for change the following statement of intent has been developed: Increase prosperity and protect the environment by maximising our resource recovery and reducing our waste. Guiding principles The following 10 principles were also developed to guide decision making in this strategy: 1. Minimise waste: Follow the waste hierarchy. 2. Maximise benefits: Reclaim resources, waste sector development. 3. Sustainability: Environment protected, public health and wellbeing maintained. 4. Shared responsibility: Community participation, education, behaviour change. 5. Equity: Fair, affordable, accessible. 6. Collaboration: Solutions beyond municipal boundaries. 7. Best Practice: Compliant with regulation, industry best practice. 8. Accountability: Progress and outcomes measured and reported. 9. Financial responsibility: Full cost recovery, user-pays, value for money. 10. Innovation: Consideration of options and opportunities

Key Objectives Putting the principles into practice the City will: 1. Reduce waste, increase resource recovery. 2. Focus on diverting organic waste from landfill to minimise current and future financial and environmental liabilities. 3. Provide an efficient, convenient and safe resource management system for residents. 4. Develop partnerships throughout Victoria to develop and deliver sustainable services. 5. Minimise the costs and risks to ratepayers 6. Support innovation in resource management and look for opportunities to maximise sector development in Greater Bendigo. 7. Reduce the incidence of illegal dumping and littering.

Measuring performance The following actions and targets have been established to quantify achievement of the key objectives: Actions

Targets

Reduce waste collected from kerbside. Key Objective: 1 & 2

Reduce average residual waste disposal from 642 kg/hh/year to 320 kg/hh/year by 2019 based on data provided to SV for the Local Government Annual Survey.

Increase resource recovery from waste. Key Objective: 1

Improve kerbside diversion rate from 26% to 60% (weight) by 2019, based on data provided to SV for the Local Government Annual Survey. Reduce the recyclables disposed of in the waste bin from 77 kg/hh/year to 40 kg/hh/year by 2019.

Support economic development that utilises waste streams as a resource. Key Objective: 4, 5, 6

Resource streams such as organics made available for private sector development.

Continue to provide an equitable service meeting the needs of the community. Key Objective: 3

Maintain or improve rating for waste management in annual Victorian Local Government Satisfaction Survey.

Reduce incidence of littering and illegal dumping. Key Objective: 7

Reduce number of recorded instances of illegal dumping by 5% per year over 5 years, compared to 2013 figures.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019 â&#x20AC;˘ 9

3. Waste currently managed by the city

3. Waste currently managed by the City Available data indicated that the City managed a total of 113,331 tonnes of waste and recycling across the municipality in the 2012–13 financial years. Just over half of this material (53%) was MSW with C&I waste accounting for 25% and C&D waste 14%. While MSW flows are well understood, data on C&I waste is relatively limited. Other than the commercial waste that is received at CoGB landfills, the City has no direct control over the flow of commercial waste. This makes it difficult to directly correlate commercial disposal and recycling volumes with the actual amount of commercial waste generated within the municipality. The data used to generate the chart below is based on volumes of waste received at the Eaglehawk and Heathcote landfills.

Figure 2: Waste stream volumes managed by CoGB in 2012–13 (tonnes)

Materials Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Construction & Demolition (C&D) Prescribed Industrial Waste (PIW) Heathcote Landfill (mixed streams)

10 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

Tonnes 60,145 28,755 16,077 4,347 4,000

3. Waste currently managed by the city

3.1 Domestic waste Of the 61,145 tonnes of MSW handled by the City in 2012–13, approximately 35–40% was diverted from landfill through kerbside recycling collections and self-haul drop-off recycling and greenwaste services provided at the City’s transfer stations (Goornong and Strathfieldsaye) and landfills.

A summary of current domestic waste flows is provided in the following table. It is noted that kerbside waste collection in the municipality also includes approximately 3,000 commercial services, of which approximately 1,300 are rural farm properties and the remainder includes businesses and schools.

Within the municipality approximately 600 kg/household/year of household waste and 250 kg/household/year of recyclables is collected from the kerbside with a resource recovery rate in 2012–13 of 25.8% (accounting for contamination in recyclables). This represents no significant change from the 26% kerbside diversion rate reported for the municipality in Sustainability Victoria’s Victorian Local Government Annual Survey for the financial year 2010–11.

Table 1: Municipal Solid Waste volumes 2011–12 and 2012–13. Kerbside MSW (Domestic)

Tonnes/year 2011/2012

Rate %

Tonnes/year 2012/2013

Kerbside Residual Waste (Garbage) collected

27,194

27,150

Kerbside Recycling collected

10,778

10,571

Total Kerbside Collected

37,972

37,715

Kerbside Recycling Contamination Rate MRF Recycling rejects (contaminants)

8.7% 940

Kerbside Diversion Rate

Rate %

7.8% 831

25.9%

25.8%

Self-haul and other municipal waste Self-haul Residual (Garbage)

7,615

5,716

Other Council Waste (e.g. Street-cleaning)

5,365

5,105

Self-haul Recycling

6,856

7943

Self-haul Greenwaste

3,980

4043

Total MSW Generation

61,788

60,145

Total MSW Disposed to Landfill

40,174

37,588

Total MSW Recovered/Recycled

20,674

22,557

Overall MSW Generation

Overall MSW Diversion Rate

33.5%

37.5%

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 11

3. Waste currently managed by the city

The composition of the kerbside domestic residual waste (garbage) stream within the municipality has been studied at regular intervals over recent years. Comprehensive kerbside audits were conducted in September 2011, May 2012 and June 2013, providing a detailed breakdown of material types disposed at the household level. The results of those detailed audits are summarised in the following chart and provide the best available characterisation of the current waste stream.

Figure 3: Detailed recent domestic garbage audit results. 100%

3.2 Recycling composition The composition of domestic recyclables was obtained from the breakdown of materials recovered at the materials recovery facility (MRF) based on data provided by the processor. Annual data for the past three years shows that there has been very little variation in the breakdown of the kerbside recycling stream over this period. Paper and cardboard is by far the major recovered component of the recyclable stream, comprising approximately 73%, of which cardboard makes up 50%. The detailed recycling composition for 2011–12 is presented in the chart below. Although not presented on this graph, it should be noted that contamination of the kerbside recyclables stream (by non-recyclable materials) is estimated at over 8%.

90% 80%

Figure 4: Breakdown of domestic recycling recovered at the MRF in 2011–2012.

70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% September 2011

May 2012

Other (e.g. plastic film, non-recyclable hard plastic and kitty litter) Contaminated recyclables Potentially hazardous Clothing/textile/fabric Building Materials Metal Plastic Glass Paper Other organic Garden waste Kitchen organics

12 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

Cardboard Paper Glass - Fines Glass - colour Newsprint HDPE Clear Steel - Tin plate PET Clear Aluminium LDPE Film Polypropylene HDPE Colour PET Colour PVC - Vinyl

50.7% 18.1% 10.5% 8.2% 4.3% 2.0% 1.7% 1.5% 1.4% 0.9% 0.5% 0.2% 0.1% 0.0%

3. Waste currently managed by the city

3.3 Commercial waste Data available to CoGB on waste generation for commercial streams (i.e. all streams other than MSW) is limited to that which is processed through the City’s waste facilities as follows: Table 2: Current Commercial & Industrial and Construction & Demolition waste volumes 2011–2012 and 2012–13 Waste Stream Category

Tonnes/year 2011/2012

Tonnes/year 2012/2013

C&I Waste CoGB Commercial Kerbside Collection

*2,192

*2,293

Commercial (self-hauled / private collectors)

23,798

26,462

**25,990

**28,755

9,386

3,733

629

591

Recovery (concrete / cover / fill)

11,885

11,753

Total Generation

21,900

16,077

4,000

315

4,347

Total Generation C&D Waste Waste to landfill Recovery (Industrial Recycling)

Other Waste Heathcote Landfill Prescribed Industrial Waste (PIW)

* Waste collected from commercial area. ** Of this volume, approximately 600 tonnes of C&I is diverted from landfill via existing processes.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 13

3. Waste currently managed by the city

3.4 Current cost of managing waste The total expenditure by the City on waste management services in the 2012–2013 financial year was approximately $16.15M. Revenue of approximately $16.5M was recouped; gate fees ($5,360,000), municipal garbage charge ($8,313,000) and recycling charges ($2,668,000). The remaining income is stored in a waste reserve that funds future capital expenditure such as new kerbside bins, landfill cell development, capping and rehabilitation. Of the $16.15M spent on waste services in 2012/13, $1.73M was used for street sweeping and pit/drain cleaning, $137,000 for operation of transfer stations and approximately $4.14M was for the kerbside recycling and garbage collection services. Expenditure of approximately $9M occurred in the operation of the Eaglehawk and Heathcote landfills. With waste managed primarily on a cost recovery basis, all costs associated with landfill management, operation and development are built into the fee structure and the gate fee allowing such costs to be recouped. Currently the landfill operation expenses also include payments covering the price on carbon (payable on waste disposed at Patho Landfill), the landfill levy and GST. The increasing landfill levy payable on each tonne of waste deposited is a major contributor to the continual increase in fees. For every tonne of waste deposited in Eaglehawk landfill, the City currently collects on behalf of the Federal and State Governments approximately $86 in levies and fees; this represents more than fifty percent of the landfill gate fee and totals more than four millions dollars each year.

While funds are being accumulated to help respond to the rehabilitation obligations of the City, particularly for the White Hills and Eaglehawk landfill sites, the extent of work required and the timeframe for this to occur is unknown. However, it is now apparent that historical contributions to this fund will not be adequate to cover the estimated cost of remediation to today’s standards. In addition, the City has identified a further 21 sites that are known to have been used for the disposal of waste materials. Most of these sites have been rehabilitated to the standards relevant at the time and many are now used for other purposes such as sports fields. However, the City still retains a liability for restitution of any of these sites that prove to be detrimental to human health or an environmental risk into the future.

Albert Roy Reserve developed on the site of a rehabilitated former landfill. 14 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

4. Drivers for Change

4. Drivers for Change 4.1 Aligning with the waste hierarchy The concept of a ‘waste hierarchy’, ranking ways of dealing with waste in order of preference, has been almost universally adopted as a guiding management principle by governments in Australia and internationally. The waste hierarchy sees avoiding the creation of waste as the most desired outcome, and landfill disposal the least desired outcome.

Figure 5: The ‘Waste Hierarchy’ – as it applies to the City’s level of responsibility and control

AVOID & MINIMISE REUSE RECYCLE ENERGY RECOVERY DISPOSE

The City cannot directly control what items householders buy and dispose of but can provide education to encourage steps that reduce the creation of waste and put in place systems and process to minimise waste to landfill. The reuse of materials that would otherwise end up in the waste stream can provide a variety of social and environmental benefits. e.g. the City can support community-based reuse organisations. Kerbside recycling services provided by the City and some other local recycling activities are a key way of reducing the economic and environmental impacts of managing waste, while also supporting local employment. Thermal treatment (Energy from Waste) technology is only in the early stages of development in Victoria but offers potential to reduce disposal rates in the future by recovering energy resources from materials that would otherwise be landfilled.

While disposal is the least preferred option, there will probably always be some residual and/or hazardous wastes for which landfilling remains the best (or only) option. It is critically important for the City to maintain cost effective access to a landfill in the foreseeable future.

MINIMISE

REUSE

The reuse of materials that would otherwise end up in the waste stream can provide a variety of social and environmental benefits. E.g. the city can support community-based reuse organisations.

RECYCLE

Kerbside recycling services provided by the City and some other local recycling activities are a Waste key way reducingManagement the economic and environmental andofResource Strategy 2014–2019 • 15 impacts of managing waste, while also supporting local employment.

4. Drivers for Change

4.2 Price – a lever for change There are several factors that influence the cost of waste management. At times Federal and State governments use pricing as a mechanism to influence change or introduce more stringent regulation to achieve a desired environmental or social outcome. These levers result in an increase in the cost of managing waste which in turn drives the development of alternative and often innovative solutions. Approximately $86 out of the $148/tonne gate fee charged at Eaglehawk and Heathcote Landfills goes to the State and Federal Governments in fees and levies. Significant price drivers influencing landfill gate price: Landfill Levy: The Victorian Government applies a levy on every tonne of waste disposed in landfills in order to encourage greater resource recovery. The levy is set to increase by approximately 10% each year until 2015. A portion of the monies raised is returned as grants to local governments through Sustainability Victoria. Carbon Liability: The Federal Government’s Carbon Pricing Mechanism applies to landfills emitting more than 25,000t CO2e per annum. As waste disposed today can continue to produce greenhouse emissions over several decades, future carbon price risks for landfills can be high, and are difficult to manage. At the time of finalising this document the Federal Government has foreshadowed but not passed legislation to repeal the Clean Energy Futures Act 2011 which is the framework for the Carbon Pricing Mechanism. Changes to this Act will impact on the gate price of many landfills including Eaglehawk and Heathcote. Landfill Management: While disposal of materials to landfill is the least preferred management option for waste, landfills will continue to be required to manage those wastes that cannot be practically removed from the waste stream. Today’s landfills must not leave an unacceptable environmental legacy for future generations to address. Community expectation and increased environmental concern has lead to more stringent requirements for landfill management that has significantly increased the cost of monitoring and maintaining all licensed landfills.

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Landfill development and replacement: In 2010 EPA Victoria reviewed the Landfill Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) standards for all licensed landfills in Victoria. The review incorporated the latest technology and understanding of sound environmental landfill management and also a number of recommendations of the Victorian Ombudsmans report Brookland Greens Estate — Investigation into Methane Gas; a direct result of the investigation into the Cranbourne landfill failure. The changes to the BPEM have significantly increased the difficulty and expense of developing new landfills and expanding existing ones.

4.3 Reducing greenhouse gas The City in 2009 adopted its first Carbon Management Plan which aims to comprehensively quantify and manage the organisation’s greenhouse emission profile as a result of the operations and services it delivers to the community (including landfill), and to work towards meeting any obligations the City may have under a legislative approach. In 2011 the City adopted a target of reducing carbon (greenhouse gas) emissions from its own operations to 50% below 2011 levels by 2020. Reducing waste related emissions will significantly contribute to achieving this target. A range of potential sources of greenhouse gas emissions are associated with waste and recycling activities from fuel used in collection vehicles through to processing and disposal emissions. By far the greatest greenhouse impacts are associated with landfill gas generation. Methane gas (CH4) with a global warming potential of 21 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced when waste breaks down in the anaerobic conditions of a landfill. Landfill gas is responsible for nearly 3% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions profile and is usually one of the largest sources of council-generated greenhouse emissions. The amount of landfill gas generated depends on the type of waste buried and conditions within the specific landfill. Waste streams with more biodegradable content (such as paper, food or garden waste) generate more landfill gas. Based on ‘average’ compositions, the National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) Factors (July 2012) specifies lifetime emission factors for each waste stream. These lifetime emissions occur over a period of many years as waste can take several decades to fully break down and is one of the key reasons why liability for landfill rehabilitation can span decades.

4. Drivers for Change

Existing kerbside recycling services are helping to reduce greenhouse emissions in two ways; • Firstly by reducing the amount of bio-degradable waste buried in landfill (especially paper and cardboard) and; • Secondly by returning useful materials to the productive economy; thereby reducing the demand for raw materials and the energy required to make new products, e.g. recycling an aluminium can saves 95% of the energy needed to manufacture a new can from virgin materials.

4.4 Population growth, development & future waste projections At the time of the 2011 census the number of residential dwellings in the municipality was estimated to be 43,926 and is anticipated to grow to 60,742 dwellings by 2031(.id (2012) Community Profile). This would require an average increase of approximately 840 new homes each year. However, the residential development within Greater Bendigo is currently seeing the demand for collection services rise by approximately 1,200 households per year. As of March 2013 the City provides services to 46,616 residential properties. Population growth has been identified as one of the biggest challenges for waste management. The Victorian waste and resource recovery policy Getting Full Value states that: • On average, each one of us generates just over two tonnes of waste per year. • Over the last 10 years, there has been a 29% increase in the average amount of waste attributable to each Victorian every year. • Over the past decade Victoria’s annual waste generation has increased from roughly eight million tonnes in 2000 to 12 million tonnes in 2011. • Between 2010 and 2011 alone there was a seven per cent increase in the total amount of waste Victoria’s system had to handle. • Victorian waste generation is expected to continue increasing by around 4% per year, and may approach 17.4 million tonnes by 2022.

4.5 Land use planning for waste infrastructure Over the past decade planning for waste management infrastructure has primarily been focussed on landfills with proposed sites identified in the Landfill Schedule of each Regional Waste Management Plan (a requirement of the Environment Protection Act 1970). Currently, the only site within Greater Bendigo listed on the Calder Regional Waste Management Plan Landfill Schedule is at Huntly, a site no longer considered appropriate for landfill development. In 2008 a site was purchased at Bagshot after preliminary testing determined its suitability for landfill development. To date, no action has been taken to seek planning approval to develop the site for waste disposal infrastructure. It is increasingly difficult to secure sites for waste and resource recovery infrastructure that are readily accessible, compatible with neighbouring land uses and accepted by the neighbouring community. The State Government policy Getting Full Value recognises these constraints and has committed to working with local government to better align land use and transport planning with waste management and resource recovery planning. This will be supported by ongoing reviews and amendments to the State Planning Policy Framework, Victoria Planning Provisions, and planning schemes to appropriately reference and facilitate waste and resource recovery infrastructure requirements.

Using data from 2011–12 as a baseline and a business-as-usual assumption that does not include the escalation in per person waste creation predicted by the State, the total annual waste generation in Bendigo could be approximately 150,000 tonnes by 2030.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 17

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

5. Waste Services provided by the City and its partners The City currently provides a number of waste and resource management services, including: kerbside garbage and recycling collection for domestic and some commercial properties, management of the Eaglehawk and Heathcote landfills, management of transfer stations, rehabilitation of old landfills, street litter collection, public place litter bins, street cleaning, drain and pit cleaning, and domestic waste education and awareness activities.

5.1 Collection Kerbside Collection – garbage and recycling Most Australian councils provide a kerbside collection service for household garbage (usually weekly) and dry commingled recyclables (usually fortnightly). The variations in collection systems and services are numerous and are usually tailored to ensure a cost effective service that meets the specific needs of the community. Currently the City provides kerbside garbage and recyclables collection services to over 46,600 households in all urban and rural areas across the municipality with the cost of the services recouped as ‘garbage and recycling charges’ in the annual rates process. The weekly garbage collection service offers bins in two sizes; 140 and 240 litre. The 140 litre bin is offered at a lesser fee to encourage residents to downsize from the 240

18 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

litre bin with approximately 55% of households already taking up this option. The garbage collection service is conducted as an ‘in-house’ service by the City. The City also provides optional commercial and non-residential garbage collections on a ‘fee for service’ basis. Properties zoned within the commercial business districts have the capacity to extend their weekly service to a multi-day service of one, two, three, five or seven days a week collection. Recycling collection is currently fortnightly with a 240 litre bin size offered. Collection of kerbside recyclables is also provided to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). There are currently 1,275 businesses that make use of this recycling service. The recycling collection service is provided under contract to the City. Contamination of the recycling stream with waste material, as well as recyclable material lost to the waste stream continue to be problematic.

Public place litter and recycling bins The City manages and collects garbage from over 1,300 public place litter bins within the municipality. A small number of public place recycling bins (a total of nine, located at Rosalind Park, the Chinese Gardens and the Queen Elizabeth Oval) are also provided and serviced under contract to the City.

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

Other collection services Detox Your Home – Annual Mobile Service at Council Depot The mobile “Detox Your Home” drop-off day held annually in Bendigo accepts a wide range of household chemicals, including fertilisers, solvents, acids and alkalis. This service is conducted by Toxfree with the chemicals either recycled or destroyed in an environmentally sound way. Sustainability Victoria coordinate the program with advertising and site support from supporting councils. drumMUSTER drumMUSTER is the national product stewardship program for the collection and recycling of empty, cleaned, eligible and non-returnable crop production and on-farm animal health chemical containers. It is funded from a four cent per litre or kilogram levy on crop production and animal health products. The levy is initially paid to drumMUSTER by the manufacturer who then passes the cost down the supply chain to the consumer. The levy is used to reimburse local councils or other collection agencies for any costs incurred. In a bid to increase recovery rates, permanent drumMUSTER collection points are provided at the Eaglehawk and Heathcote Landfills and the Goornong Transfer Station. Also, a one-off collection occurs annually (in October / November) at Elmore and Raywood.

drumMUSTER collection points

Approximate numbers of drums collected

Eaglehawk (established July 2000)

1,400 per year

Goornong (established November 2003) Elmore (established November 2003)

800 per year 1,500 per year

Raywood (established November 2003)

600 per year

Heathcote (established 2010)

300 per year

5.2 Receiving and separating waste Transfer Stations Transfer stations (TS) are sites for the sorting and temporary collection of domestic waste and resources. There are currently two transfer stations in the municipality (Strathfieldsaye and Goornong) and both are supervised and managed under contract. A gate fee applies for waste received at the TS at the same price structure as the Eaglehawk and Heathcote landfills and recyclables are received at no cost. The waste received at the two TS is domestic waste including hard rubbish, metals and household recyclables. (C&I and C&D waste streams are not accepted). Sorting of materials occurs on site, the garbage is transported to the Eaglehawk landfill, recyclables to the materials recovery facility (MRF), and recovered materials and saleable items go to the Eaglehawk Eco-centre. The revenue derived from the gate fees at the TS does not cover the cost of providing these services. In 2011/12 there was a deficit of approximately $97,000. However, the TS offer an important service to residents in the surrounding area.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 19

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

Eaglehawk Eco Centre The Eaglehawk Eco Centre is located at Upper California Gully Road in Eaglehawk and is made up of a number of services including the Recycling Centre, Recycle Shop, green waste processing facility, loading facility (transport of waste), power generation plant and the landfill. Eaglehawk Recycling Centre Located outside the landfill gate, Eaglehawk Recycling Centre receives and sorts recyclable and recoverable goods from loads before vehicles enter the landfill. This business is operated by Future Employment Opportunities (FEO) and has a lease agreement with the City for use of the site. Many materials can be dropped off free of charge and the types of materials received at the Centre include: paper/cardboard; plastics; electronic waste (such as TVs, computer monitors); ferrous and non-ferrous metals; firewood and other timber; and a range of hard waste (e.g. household goods, furnishings, plumbing) that can be recovered and sold in the Recycle Shop or sorted and baled and sold for further reprocessing. Fridges, freezers and air-conditioners are also accepted but attract a de-gassing charge. Detox Your Home (permanent facility) The Eaglehawk Eco Centre is home to a permanent ‘Detox Your Home’ drop off facility. This service only applies to the following products: automotive and cooking oil, automotive and household batteries, barbecue gas bottles, paint and compact fluorescent lights and tubes. Green waste processing Located inside the landfill gate and managed by City staff, green or garden organics are collected from self-hauled loads dropped off at the landfill. The gate fee for green waste is less than general waste to landfill. The Green waste is mulched and stockpiled for use on site as part of the landfill cover or made available for sale. The City offers residents eight days (4 weekends) per year in which green or garden waste can be delivered free to the Eaglehawk landfill. Four of the free days are in autumn and four in spring to encourage clean up for the fire season.

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5.3 Waste disposal Eaglehawk Landfill The City’s main landfill site, Eaglehawk, is licensed to receive MSW, C&I waste, C&D waste, and prescribed industrial waste ((PIW) such as asbestos and category C contaminated soil). The last cell at the Eaglehawk landfill is under construction and on completion, the remaining capacity of the landfill is estimated to be approximately 350,000 cubic metres. Another smaller facility, Heathcote landfill, is unlicensed, and receives MSW and C&I wastes. The City has transported waste to landfills outside the municipality since August 2008 in a bid to prolong the life of the Eaglehawk landfill. In the 2012/13 year, over 62% of waste received at the Eaglehawk weighbridge was transported to a landfill outside the municipality and while the final cell is under construction, the majority of waste received will be transported away.

Heathcote Landfill Goods sorted and processed at the Heathcote landfill include the recovery of re-saleable goods, and collection of recyclables and green waste. Green waste is mulched and sold to customers while recyclables (plastics, paper/cardboard, glass etc.) are collected in a comingled skip bin.

Transporting waste for disposal The Eaglehawk loading/transfer facility is a loading station for trucks to collect and transfer waste to other landfill sites. In 2012/2013 91,195 tonnes of waste was received at Eaglehawk landfill of which 56,959 tonnes was transported to the Patho landfill for disposal. Both MSW and C&I were transported away however asbestos and category C contaminated soils cannot be transported off the licensed area.

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

5.4 Past actions to establish a new landfill or advanced waste treatment facility In the early 2000s the City looked to establish a new landfill at a site north of Huntly. The site was ultimately abandoned as an option after the land adjacent to the site was declared National Park and it was considered that the development of the landfill could impact negatively on the biodiversity and aesthetic values of the Park. This site, still owned by the City, is currently utilised for farm forestry.

Landfill gas Under licence requirements with the Environment Protection Authority, the City is required to implement a gas management system at the Eaglehawk landfill. This work is delivered via contract by Landfill Management Systems Pty Ltd (LMS). The contract agreement allows for LMS to construct all necessary infrastructures on the sites to capture the gas. LMS is responsible for all costs and expenses associated with harnessing the landfill gas and have access to any revenue opportunities which may become available as a result of the work. Flaring of landfill gas commenced in August, 2005, and continued until the power generation plant became operational in July 2008 and began generating electricity to feed into the grid. By the end of March 2013, the generation plant had used 18,966,832m3 of gas to generate power. Currently, energy is exported to the grid at an average monthly net generation rate of 415MWh, which is equivalent to powering 68 households. Having the gas extraction system in place ensured that at the time the Clean Energy Futures Act 2011 was introduced, the City was able to demonstrate that the emissions from the Eaglehawk landfill (estimated 15,340 tonnes of CO2-e) were well below the Act’s mandatory reporting level (25,000 tonnes of CO2-e). As well, show that the waste deposited at the site prior to the landfill reaching capacity would not trigger a reporting threshold and incur a price liability now or into the future. However, a significant proportion of the municipality’s waste is disposed of at a landfill that will generate emissions in excess of the reporting threshold in the future so the gate fee at that site includes a ‘Carbon Mitigation Charge’ which is recouped through the garbage charge and gate fees of the City’s landfills.

In 2009, following preliminary investigations to assess the feasibility of the site for landfill purposes, the City purchased land in Clay’s Road, Bagshot North. The investigations included geological and hydrogeological studies, surface water evaluation, geotechnical investigation, flora and fauna assessment and an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment. At the time the investigations did not reveal any obvious flaws associated with the use of the site as a landfill. If the City chose to continue investing in this site for landfill use, its viability would have to be assessed in light of changing State policy and regulatory environments in addition to appropriate detailed investigations, relevant land use planning considerations and community consultation. Neither this site, nor any other site within the municipality is currently listed in an approved Calder Regional Waste Management Plan Landfill Schedule. The City also investigated a number of Advanced Waste Treatment options through a worldwide expression of interest process in late 2010. Although a short list of 4 possible companies was established a decision to not proceed was made due to uncertainty over obtaining approval for such systems in the Victorian regulatory environment.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 21

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

5.5 Managing waste into the future Avoid creating waste

Improving resource recovery

One of the best strategies for reducing waste to landfill is to reduce the amount of waste we as individuals generate. It saves money by reducing waste management costs and by maximising the use of resources. Unfortunately, in spite of growing awareness in the community about the need to reduce waste, waste generation rates have continued to rise in line with the growth in our standard of living. This presents a tough challenge for the future as our population also continues to grow.

Greater Bendigo has a diversion rate based on kerbside collections of 26% which gave it a ranking of 73 out of 79 councils in the Sustainability Victoria, Victorian Local Government Annual Survey 2010/2011 (79 being the poorest performer). The state average is 44% diversion on this basis. When recyclables, green waste and general waste collected at landfills and transfer stations are added, the total diversion rate grows to 33.5% of all MSW (approximately 62,000 tonnes annually) in the municipality (utilising the 2011/12 data relevant to the survey).

Councils have no control over the purchasing habits of the community and neither do they wish to have. However, the City will continue to be proactive in the delivery of programs that encourage the community to avoid creating waste, such as the recent successful Food Smart workshops that provided tips and advice on how to buy right, save money and waste less food. Programs aimed at working with industry to make changes that reduce materials consumption through improved product design, encourage reuse of by-products as a secondary resource, reduce product packaging and divert material from landfill will continue to be supported by the CoGB. Likewise, the City will promote actions put in place by the retail sector to minimise the waste from packaging that is passed onto the consumer.

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However the biggest potential reduction in the amount of Greater Bendigo’s MSW going to landfill can be achieved by addressing the organics (green and food) component that constitutes between 45 and 60 percent (or 12,000 to 17,000 tonnes per annum) of the content in our kerbside waste bins. So too, with approximately 12–13 percent (or 3,200–3,500 tonnes per annum) of ‘traditional’ recyclables continuing to be sent to landfill through kerbside waste bins, tangible improvements are possible. Public place recycling offers another opportunity for improvement. Contamination with waste in recycling bins located in public areas has been a deterrent to their wide spread introduction in Bendigo. However, if such problems can be overcome, then not only will more recycling be collected but the message will be reinforced that recycling is not an optional activity but rather ‘just what we do no matter where we are’.

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

Managing organics In addition to their high prevalence in our waste bins, putrescible organics make the most significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. They produce methane when disposed to landfill which has safety implications, cause offensive odours, can lead to groundwater contamination and attract vermin. Within the total volume of organics, garden organics represent a significant but highly variable component of the residual waste stream, ranging from 17% to 36% by weight (Waste bin audits conducted September 2011 and May 2012). This observation is not unusual, as the volume of garden organics naturally fluctuates with seasonal effects, typically peaking in spring and early summer.

Eaglehawk landfill received 28,755 tonnes of Commercial and Industrial waste in 2012/2013 with only approximately 600 tonne diverted via existing processes. This would indicate that there is significant scope for improvement. A well planned withdrawal by the City in handling this waste stream could lead to significant improvements in diversion performance with private waste generators and processors adjusting their approaches to create less waste and by introducing more sophisticated recovery methods. In the Construction and Demolition stream, while City processing is currently achieving a recycling rate of 57 percent this is largely due to the re-use of materials for cover in the landfill cells, rehabilitation of the site and maintenance of access track surfaces within the landfill. On filling of the remaining cell, the onsite re-use potential for such material will diminish significantly and, similar to the commercial & industrial stream, greater recovery could be achieved through existing or expanded private sector activity. These major initiatives are now analysed and discussed in greater detail and, unless otherwise indicated, all other existing services would remain as is.

Kitchen (food) organics make up approximately one third of the residual waste stream. Decomposing food waste has much higher environmental and public health risks than garden waste. It also generally requires different processing infrastructure to garden waste and different end products can be manufactured. There are a number of potential options for reducing organic waste disposal to landfill. Household-level options such as worm farming and home-composting are excellent as they reduce the total amount of waste collected and disposed of via more expensive means. However, while some 50 percent of the 318 respondents to the resident survey indicated that they use one or both of these systems, it is apparent from the other data collected on waste composition in bins that this is an over representation of the broader acceptance or effectiveness of such systems. The survey also indicated that approximately 55 percent of respondents were supportive of a kerbside organics service including approximately 30 percent supporting a combined food and garden collection system. Collection and treatment options for organics Large scale reductions in food and garden waste to landfill are generally achieved by providing either an additional collection service (food and garden organics combined or in separate containers) and treatment facility (e.g. composting) or by adopting a technology solution to extract and recover organic material from existing mixed residual waste (broadly known as an ‘Advanced Waste Treatment’, or AWT). High level analyses of the various options that are more likely to be possible in Bendigo are provided in Appendix 1. While an AWT is less likely in the short term for Bendigo for the treatment of kerbside collected organics, the ability to transition to this in the longer term will be considered when determining an initial organics management solution.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 23

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

Where provided, the pricing of these services to the community varies considerably however, without external funding an anticipated additional cost of at least $70 per service could be expected for the cheapest of the options suggested. The option that offers the best overall service to the Bendigo community (as measured against the objectives of this strategy) would be established through a tender process. A pre-commitment to fund preparation of the required contract (including collection of any further required data) has already been established with Sustainability Victoria and this would enable a service to commence in 2014/15. Sustainability Victoria has also indicated an interest in investigating the possibility of a joint organics management contract to service both Bendigo and Ballarat. To enable a cost effective service to be offered, it is proposed that processing of organics to remove it from the residual waste stream would be made broadly mandatory (some exceptions may be needed) for all households within the city limits of Bendigo and Heathcote. It is acknowledged that such an approach would impact on existing green waste service providers operating within those areas and this would be considered in the tender process. A further challenge to the introduction of a mandatory service is that different families or individuals living in different circumstances are likely to have different levels of need for the service. The extent to which this can be accommodated in any service ultimately provided will be sought and tested in the tender process. Notwithstanding the difficulties inherent in introducing a service to prevent organics from going to landfill, doing so would substantially lessen the impact to the environment of our daily domestic lives now and for generations to come. Like many other initiatives in this document, the process of removing organics from landfill will also help to encourage a sense of community pride and confidence that we are coming of age as a regional city and that we are setting important examples for others to follow. Irrespective of these noble objectives though, it is clear from State and Federal Government policy and legislation that there will soon come a time when continuing to do what we have always done with organics will either simply not be allowed or it will cost our community far more than what is now proposed. While the final design of any organics treatment option is yet to be decided, the biggest single affect can be made by a residential kerbside collection. However, advice from councils that currently have an organics kerbside collection system in place, suggest that a multi-program approach consisting of kerbside collection and education on the benefits and how to of composting and worm farming, results in the best organics diversion outcome. This is the approach supported by this strategy.

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‘Traditional’ recyclables diversion Feedback from the community survey indicated that approximately 51 percent of residents regularly fill their existing 240 litre recycling bin within the fortnightly pick up cycle. It is predicted that this is a primary reason for 12–13 percent of the waste bin composition being ‘traditional’ recyclables that have flowed over from the full recycling bins. Given the relatively small additional volume of recyclables that could be transferred from the waste bin to the recycling bin, an increase in the frequency of service from fortnightly to weekly is not justified. Such a change would almost double the cost to households of that service. A more practical and economic response is to undertake the following: • Undertake periodic education programs for residents to encourage flattening or compacting items as a simple and free way of getting more capacity in their recycling bin. • Introduce 360 litre recycling bins as an option for residents. This option will be allowed for in Council’s upcoming recyclables collection and disposal contract. • Continue to advertise the option of an additional 240 litre recycling bin for those residents with very high volumes of recycling.

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

Infrastructure options to support changes There is strong evidence to indicate that altering the size of the general waste bin from 240 litres to 140 litres positively affects the recycling performance of a community (Sustainability Victoria – Victorian Local Government Annual Survey). Given the prediction by the State Government that volumes of waste generated per person will continue to rise, this action would help deliver an important message to our community that we wish to reverse the trend. The practical impacts of such a move are however appreciated and it is suggested that this be pursued concurrently if a third bin option is ultimately introduced. This would alter the existing service of approximately 45 percent of households who presently have 240 litre waste bins and it is expected that strong promotion and marketing of the new service would be required to give comfort to residents that their needs are being met. The introduction of the 360 litre recycling bin option would occur irrespective of whether any or no organics management system is introduced, however this would ideally occur prior to or concurrently with any such system.

Public place recycling In the past, public place recycling has proven problematic in Bendigo with high contamination rates being experienced in the nine bins located at the QEO, Chinese Gardens and Rosalind Park. This has resulted in a reluctance to extend the service to other locations. There is however, good reason to change. On the demand side we know that there has been significant growth in the number of dining options in Bendigo with many offering take-away food that is then consumed while walking around the streets or enjoying our many passive and active recreation areas. In this context, the message to the community that is portrayed by the presence or not of recycling bins in public places is too important to ignore. Recycling must not be seen as an optional activity but rather ‘just what we do wherever we are’ and this cannot be achieved without convenient access to recycling bins in public areas. As Bendigo has shown however, achieving good recycling results in public places is not simple and a well-planned approach to changing community behaviour based on providing recycling bins in the right places, and supporting this with the right education programs, is essential. Sustainability Victoria offers both guidance and, from time to time, funding to do this. A program of introducing recycling bins to additional high profile and popular public use locations in Bendigo, and supporting this with a strong education campaign, is considered to be a sensible response to this need and opportunity.

Commercial & Industrial and Construction & Demolition The City’s role in the C&I and C&D waste streams at Eaglehawk has been on the basis of history rather than legal obligation. That said these waste streams have proven to be important to the City financially as their fees are more driven by the market than they are on the basis of ‘affordable’ cost recovery (in the way that MSW fees are). Hence, the value of the airspace associated with this waste is higher than that from MSW. While the C&D waste stream is currently a relatively attractive financial proposition and good rates of recycling are being achieved at the landfill, these attributes will change once the final cell is filled. From a community perspective, at that time it will no longer be financially or environmentally advantageous to the community for the City to offer these services. However, this is unlikely to pose a practical problem as the private market’s role in this waste stream in Bendigo is growing rapidly in both number and breadth of resource processed. In regard to the C&I stream, Sustainability Victoria evidence suggests that this may offer an attractive resource to tenderers for the MSW organics contract. Provision will be made in the contract for this waste stream to be considered when tenderers are developing their proposed response to the MSW organics service. Should this not be included in any such contract, the City would continue to accept this higher income waste at Eaglehawk and subsequently withdraw from that waste stream once the final cell is full. This latter option would allow many years in which to establish alternative providers of this service for the community with much improved diversion rates being expected. C&I and C&D future options. Although the City has no direct legislative responsibility for the holistic planning and management of C&I and C&D (other than managing landfills that receive commercial waste), under proposed new changes to the Environment Protection Act and as a member Council in the new Loddon Mallee WRRG, the City will make a contribution to planning for all waste management and resource recovery infrastructure for the region. Proposed changes indicate that the new WRRG’s will have responsibility for C&I and C&D waste streams. This will support the ongoing provision of services for the management of these streams, significant to the municipality for economic development and environmental reasons. It is expected that the services delivered to business and industry by the City will change over time as the waste sector expands and offers a broader range of cost effective and accessible services. However, the City’s role in advocating and supporting innovation and change will remain.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 25

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

The City will continue to work in the C&I and C&D sectors in the following ways: • Deliver services to business where practical and complementary to existing MSW domestic services i.e. kerbside collection for SMEs, • Deliver landfilling services at Eaglehawk (until landfill reaches capacity) - licensed to receive MSW, C&I waste, C&D waste, and prescribed industrial waste ((PIW) such as asbestos and Category C contaminated soil). • Consider all waste streams when planning future infrastructure needs such as transfer station options for Eaglehawk site when landfill reaches capacity. • Support the development of the waste sector (range of enterprises, capacity and capability), • Deliver and support education and awareness programs for business and industry on resource recovery and waste reduction, • Continue to work with business and industry to identify and investigate ways to meet the City’s waste management needs. • Consider all waste streams when investigating future contractual options for the City i.e. organics management contract. • Support innovation and promote innovative solutions.

What about a new landfill? It is a primary objective of this strategy to substantially reduce the amount of MSW going to landfill and the actions proposed in the previous section will achieve that. Hence, the reliance on any landfill for disposal would also diminish and so too the associated risks. At the same time, the actions in this strategy will reduce the opportunity to achieve economies of scale in any new landfill that the City might choose to develop and mean either a much longer period to amortise very high up-front establishment costs or the introduction of higher gate fees for the community. Irrespective of the City’s strategy though, the State Government has shown its strong intention by including in Getting Full Value the following policy position: Recognising the long-term impacts of landfills, the Victorian Government is signalling its intent that in future landfills will only receive treated, residual waste. ‘Treated residual’ wastes are materials that have been through a process to extract all materials with economic value.

26 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

Councils have an obligation to ensure that residual MSW is disposed of appropriately however this does not mean that they must operate a landfill. In fact, there are very few metropolitan councils operating their own landfills and the vast majority rely on facilities owned by the private sector. The City has been transporting close to 100% of its waste to a privately operated landfill for more than 12 months and has done so at a lower whole-of-life cost than is achievable in the Eaglehawk landfill. While fluctuations in prices for transport and disposal are inevitable, there is no evidence to suggest that Bendigo would ‘pay a premium’ to the private sector if the City is not operating its own landfill. On the contrary, given the very high cost to establish a new landfill, the reduced waste to landfill as a result of this strategy and the results of the City’s last two open tender contracts for transport of waste to other existing facilities, the opposite is expected. On this basis the City will not pursue the development of a new landfill. In making the decision to not develop a new landfill and with the expectation that Eaglehawk landfill will reach capacity within the next 3 -5 years, the City will be required to develop an exit strategy to guide the withdrawal from the provision of landfilling services and accommodate the closure and the subsequent rehabilitation of the landfilling operations at the Eaglehawk site. (Heathcote landfill will continue to operate under its current structure.) The City will also be required to develop options for the future infrastructure requirements of the current Eaglehawk landfill site to support increased resource recovery and to facilitate the management of residual waste e.g. a transfer station. It is important to note that the transportation of waste ‘away’ is not a waste management strategy in itself. The transportation of residual waste as well as diverted materials such as recyclables is part of the management process to ensure the best and most appropriate environmental and economic solution for the community. Recyclable material will continue to be transported to Melbourne and in all probability unless Bendigo is successful in securing an organics treatment facility in close proximity, so too will organic material be transported to a location outside of the municipality. This further emphasises the importance of the strategies of this document in promoting the avoidance of waste creation and minimising the flow of material into the waste stream to minimise waste management costs.

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

5.6 Education and awareness programs The City currently develops and provides education and awareness material for the community via print, radio, television and other electronic media (such as Council’s website). These programs are often delivered in partnership with community groups such as Bendigo Sustainability Group or with Regional Waste Management Groups. Working together on advertising campaigns ensures the information and messaging to the community is consistent and the combined resources extend media coverage to a larger audience for a longer period of time. In recent years the cost of providing basic information on waste services in a variety of formats to households has been approximately $50,000 per annum. In addition, each year targeted campaigns are conducted and cost between $20,000 and $50,000 per annum depending on the message, communication method, partnership opportunities and cost sharing options. Calder RWMG and Central Murray RWMG (now Loddon Mallee WRRG) also deliver education and awareness programs to schools and community within the region and as a member council, the City contributes to the development of these programs. Research indicates that education has a critical role in the success of behaviour change initiatives (such as aiming to encourage waste avoidance or minimisation at the source and reduction in cross contamination rates). While opinions vary about the right level of financial investment, what is agreed is that a well-planned, targeted, high quality and ongoing program is needed to be successful.

As part of implementing this strategy a waste education plan will be developed that supports and drives the initiatives nominated. Without limiting this plan, the following matters will be addressed: • Creating less waste; • Increasing the capture of ‘traditional’ recyclables in the kerbside recycling service; • Increasing home composting of organics for those who have the option; • Introduction of an organics collection and/or treatment service for MSW and possibly C&I waste streams; • Increasing recycling through proper use of public place recycling facilities; • Increasing awareness of existing services for hard waste and household clean up; • Reducing littering and illegal dumping; • Increasing awareness and participation in other special collection services (e.g. Detox Your Home). It is also recognised that different matters will likely require different styles of campaigns to be most effective. This need will be addressed during the development and implementation phases of the education plan.

5.7 Advocacy and leadership In addition to educating the community on ways to avoid creating and minimising waste, advocacy for legislative change at a National and State level is one of the most significant contributions that the City can make toward this most important strategic objective. In the past the City has been active in supporting and lobbying for the introduction of product stewardship schemes with the most recent the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme and the Container Deposit Legislation (CDL). Continuing a strong effort in this regard is a commitment of this strategy.

Container Deposit Legislation In 2009 the Greater Bendigo City Council resolved to support the introduction of a Container Deposit Scheme in Victoria and throughout Australia. Even though significantly more is known about it now the debate still continues with compelling arguments and strong lobbying from both sides. The Food and Grocery Council have labelled container deposit legislation a “container tax” they say would drive up prices of most canned and bottled goods by up to 20¢ an item. They claim the tax could put Victorians out of jobs and cost the average family in excess of $300 a year, when the current recycling system is among the world’s best.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 27

5. Waste services provided by the City and its partners

Councils with recycling contracts that are cost negative also oppose the scheme, because their kerbside waste collection would be less cost-effective. This could drive up waste costs that are passed on to ratepayers. Supporters of CDL say this is less an issue for councils that pay for recycling contracts. A 2012 study by Mike Ritchie & Associates showed that there would be less kerbside recycling material to be collected and that 5% of the remaining recycling would be unredeemed container deposit scheme material that would increase the revenue of MRF’s. Many councils across Australia could save on overall recycling costs. In overseas container deposit schemes, experience has shown on average a beverage container recovery rate of approximately 80% (Manitoba 50% recovery at 13 cent deposit; Germany 98.5% recovery at 0.25 Euro (30¢ Aust.)). There is also a reduction in contamination of specific streams due to collection and separation through reverse vending machines. Currently, in Australia the overall beverage container recovery rate is approximately 62%. Container deposit scheme containers in South Australia have generally attracted a higher price than the same materials collected through the Victorian kerbside collection. The debate is occurring at the State and Federal levels, where recently the Coalition of Australian Governments postponed making a decision on Federal CDL at its December 2013 meeting. Given the complexity of the issue and the economic impacts, it would be prudent for Council to revisit the advantages and disadvantages based on current studies and data as they apply to our local situation.

Find your guide to residential recycling and waste services at:

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/recycling

28 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

Leading by example With more than one billion dollars in assets and approximately one hundred different services offered to the community, the opportunity to lead by example must also not be missed by the City. In particular the City will, while balancing social and financial objectives, seek out, utilise and promote (where appropriate) products that reduce the depletion of natural resources and negative environmental impacts while also minimising the waste that is created by its operations.

6. Managing ‘other’ waste streams

6. Managing ‘other’ waste streams 6.1 Specific waste streams ‘Specific wastes’ include items that require special attention because they either: have a very high resource value; contain hazardous materials; reduce the effectiveness of current and future resource recovery operations; often appear on the list of illegally dumped items or often discarded as litter; or could be better managed through other systems (such as Product Stewardship program). A list of these specific items and how they are dealt with is included as Appendix 2. The City will continue to be proactive in working with the Loddon Mallee WRRG, Sustainability Victoria, and waste sector enterprises to investigate and implement opportunities to divert a larger range of items from landfill such as mattresses and expanded polystyrene.

Approaches to the management of hard waste vary across Councils. The most common being the collection on-mass of items from the kerbside on a six or twelve monthly basis and more recently a move to an on-call arrangement whereby residents can pre-arrange a pick up. The change being as a result of increased concern over liabilities associated with storage of large items of waste on the nature strip and to address the common concern about the impact on visual amenity. A further complication with the traditional method has been the loss of high value products due to pilfering which drives up the real cost of the service. In either case, the costs associated with conducting these services are either added into other garbage charges or done on a fee-for-service basis.

6.2 Hard waste or bulky items Hard waste is the non-putrescible waste that is too large to fit into a garbage bin. Examples include old white goods, furniture, household appliances, metals, wood and old car parts and tools. In the residential survey, 64% of the 318 respondents said that they would like the City to provide a kerbside hard waste collection service. However, less than 25% of those surveyed indicated that they would be prepared to pay for this service. In 2009, the City introduced a tip voucher scheme to respond to the request for some form of ‘hard waste’ service. Under that scheme, all ratepayers were offered an annual tip voucher and in 2010/11 approximately 7,200 were redeemed at a direct cost of over $100,000 to general ratepayers and with lost revenue in excess of $200,000 at the landfill gate. In 2011/12, this scheme ceased and was replaced with four weekends of free green waste tipping at Eaglehawk and Heathcote. This was (and is) seen to offer far greater benefits as it encourages residents to remove vegetation fuel loads on their property prior to the fire season (which can then be mulched and re-used) and to find ways to recycle ‘hard rubbish’ rather than simply discard it. Importantly, it also avoids all ratepayers subsidising waste disposal by a relative few. Since that change was made, suggestions have been made that this has caused an increase in illegal dumping. The City’s statistics do not bear this out and in fact recorded instances of illegal dumping halved in the year following the cessation of the tip voucher scheme.

In Bendigo, the demand for this service is currently being responded to by various private sector businesses and the Eaglehawk Eco Centre. The at-home services are provided ‘asneeded’, are completed within the property and may be free of charge or on a fee for service basis depending on the provider. Alternatively, a huge variety of ‘hard waste’ can be dropped off at the Eaglehawk Eco Centre free of charge for those able to transport their items. While the demand and need for such a service is appreciated, the greatest shortcoming at present appears to be a lack of knowledge about the services already on offer to residents by private operators. Introduction of a hard waste service by the City would be counter-productive to the ongoing development of competition within the private sector that has already produced an on-call response which is free of charge. Greater promotion of existing services could significantly improve community satisfaction in this area without the undue additional cost of the City establishing a duplicate service. This is considered to be a more appropriate response.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 29

7. Littering and illegal dumping

7. Littering and illegal dumping Is it littering or is it illegal dumping? The EPA website describes common litter as including small pieces of paper, chip and confectionery wrappers, fast-food packaging materials, bottle caps, plastic straws, glass pieces, glass alcohol bottles and soft drink bottles (both plastic and metal). Whereas illegal dumping is the deliberate or unauthorised dumping, tipping or burying of waste on land that is not licensed or fit to accept that waste. Illegal dumping can range in scale from a single bag of household rubbish to large household items such as TVs, appliances and electronic waste, furniture, mattresses, industrial wastes, construction and demolition materials, garden waste, packaging, tyres, old cars and soil. Illegal dumping can be a threat to wildlife and can also lead to long-term contamination of land, waterways and groundwater, particularly when the waste is from an industrial source or contaminated soil. Waste dumped near residents can contribute to an unsightly environment that looks and feels unsafe.

Research conducted by EPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Illegal Dumping Strike Force program has shown that on average, each council is paying approximately $76,000 a year to clean up 38,697 incidents of dumping, totalling more than 33,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste. Over the past year the City received 420 notifications of illegal dumping. City staff removed approximately 50 tonnes of waste and 240 tyres from these sites with further regulatory investigations conducted on 113 of these reports. Education campaigns, appropriate provision of infrastructure and enforcement activity are the primary methods used to reduce illegal dumping. The City will continue to coordinate its efforts with other authorities such as Loddon Mallee WRRG, EPA, Parks Victoria, Victoria Police, VicRoads and DEPI to address this need.

Public place recycling infrastructure.

30 â&#x20AC;˘ Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019

8. Implementation Plan

8. Implementation Plan 8.1 Avoid and minimise waste generation Waste Hierarchy: Avoid and minimise

Facts: Domestic kerbside waste collection

Key Objectives:

• Domestic waste collected in Greater Bendigo – 27,194 tonnes was collected from 43,900 properties in 2011/2012. • Greater Bendigo households generate on average 642 kg of waste annually (SV Victorian Government Annual Survey 2010-2011). • Victorian households generate on average 488 kg of waste annually (SV Victorian Government Annual Survey 2010-2011). • Households using 80L garbage bins generate 38% less waste than those using 240L bins (SV Victorian Government Annual Survey 2010/11)

• Reduce waste • Focus on diverting organic waste from landfill to minimise current and future financial and environmental liabilities. Action: Reduce waste collected from kerbside. Target: Reduce average residual waste disposal from 642 kg/ hh/year to 320 kg/hh/year by 2019 based on data provided to SV for the Local Government Annual Survey. Measure: Average kg/household of material collected in waste bin as reported in Victorian Local Government Annual Survey.

Avoid and Minimise – Focus Area 1 A well informed community that chooses to create less waste.

Action

Measure / Source

Priority

a Develop and implement waste avoidance education programs for residents aimed at reducing volume of waste generated and disposed of in garbage bin.

Number of programs conducted.

b Develop a Waste and Resource Management Education Plan.

Plan developed.

c Promote on-site (home) organics management and provide education information and workshops to support the promotion. Includes: composting, worm farming, mulching, poultry care.

Number of promotions or workshops conducted.

d Increase participation in waste minimisation activities by supporting community lead waste reduction activities.

Number of promotional activities supported.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 31

8. Implementation Plan

Avoid and Minimise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Focus Area 2 Infrastructure and collection services support sound waste management behaviours and practices.

3 CoGB procurement and work practices keep waste generation to a minimum.

Action

Measure / Source

Priority

a Continue to provide accessible domestic waste collection services.

Rating in annual LG Customer Satisfaction survey.

b Establish data on the current volumes and types of contaminants or products incorrectly placed in domestic garbage bins such as recyclables, household chemicals, and batteries.

Data established from bin audits and service reports.

c Minimise the flow of household chemicals into the waste stream by promoting the annual Detox Your Home collection program.

Information available on website and in print material.

d Continue to support and promote the permanent Detox Your Home facility at the Eaglehawk Eco-centre.

Information on web page and in the CoGB Waste and Recycling Services Guide.

e Implement mandatory change of all garbage bins to 140 litre (implementation contingent on the introduction of organics collection service).

Bin change over effected.

Number of disposal sites available.

a Develop contract clauses indicating the level of waste in the form of packaging that CoGB is prepared to accept.

Contract clauses applied.

b Encourage the purchase of durable and reusable products.

Ecobuy report.

c Develop and implement a workplace waste avoidance and minimisation program for CoGB staff.

Program developed and implemented.

d Develop clauses for construction and maintenance project contracts requiring waste management plans that demonstrate how waste and resources will be managed.

Clauses developed.

e Expand the range of waste diversion opportunities and/or materials accepted for recycling/reprocessing or reuse at CoGB work sites.

Number of options investigated and implemented.

Continue to work with Sustainability Victoria to improve access to waste disposal services for household chemicals, or goods containing hazardous chemicals.

32 â&#x20AC;˘ Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019

8. Implementation Plan

Avoid and Minimise – Focus Area 4 Influencing marketing habits – Want the product, don’t want the waste.

Action a Advocate for product stewardship across a broader range of products such as mattresses and refrigerators.

Measure / Source

Priority

Number of advocacy opportunities.

b Advocate for reduced product packaging through the National Packaging Covenant.

c Provide Council with information on the expected impacts of CDL including implications for current CoGB contracts, business and the community.

Report provided to inform CDL discussion.

d Encourage retail businesses to reduce product packaging; to use recyclable or bio-degradable packaging; and to consider reducing the packaging passed onto consumers particularly e.g polystyrene.

Number of businesses approached.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 33

8. Implementation Plan

8.2 Reuse, recycle and recover Waste Hierarchy: Reuse and Recycle

Facts: Recycling:

Key Objectives:

• 10,571 tonnes of recyclable materials collected in Greater Bendigo in 2012-13. • Materials currently accepted: • Aluminium cans and foil, • Cartons – milk, juice and egg cartons, • Glass bottles and jars – including lids, • Paper – cardboard, envelopes, magazines, newspapers, office paper, phone books, cardboard boxes, • Plastic bottles and containers – rigid plastics with identification codes 1–7, • Steel cans (including empty aerosol cans). • Greater Bendigo households generate on average 257kg/household recycling annually (SV Victorian Government Annual Survey 2010-2011). • Victorian households generate on average 279kg/household recycling annually (SV Victorian Government Annual Survey 2010-2011).

• Reduce waste, increase resource recovery. • Provide an efficient, convenient and safe waste system for residents Action: Increase resource recovery from waste. Target: Improve kerbside diversion rate from 26% to 60% (weight) by 2019, based on data provided to SV for the Local Government Annual Survey. Measure: SV Victorian Government Annual Survey (20102011 survey CoGB ranked 73rd out of 79 LGA’s). Target: Reduce the recyclables disposed of in the waste bin from 77 kg/hh/year to 40 kg/hh/year by 2019. Measure: Residual waste bin audits.

Recycle, Reuse & Recover – Focus Area 1 A community that is aware of the range of options available to deal with bulky or hard waste items.

2 Infrastructure and service standard supports an informed community to increase volume of materials recovered for recycling.

Action

Measure / Source

Priority

a Promote facilities for waste reuse and recycling e.g. Eaglehawk Recycle Centre.

Tonnage of materials diverted through Recycle yard.

b Advise residents of the facilities and services available within the municipality and/or region (including private operators) for the disposal of hard waste.

Information included in CoGB Waste guide and web page.

a Continue to deliver a recycling collection service that meets the needs of the community.

Increase rating in annual LG Customer Satisfaction survey.

b Promote good recycling practices and habits e.g. crush, fold and flatten items, to maximise recycling bin space.

Waste audits.

c Provide greater recycling capacity for residential properties by introducing an optional 360 litre bin.

360 litre bins introduced into recycling collections services.

d Decrease the rate of contamination in recycling bins by promoting sound separation practices i.e. CoGB Waste and Recycling Services Guide and State and regional programs such as Get It Right on Bin Night and Kerbside Pride.

Annual contamination tonnages reduced.

34 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

8. Implementation Plan

Recycle, Reuse & Recover – Focus Area 3 Understanding the composition and flow of domestic waste streams including recycling and organics (garden and food).

Action

Measure / Source

a Determine waste stream tonnages and composition data and develop baseline data.

Priority

Annual waste bin audits.

a Promote and support the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme drop-off locations within the municipality.

Service information promoted.

b Investigate and implement options to improve access to e-waste services (e.g. free access at transfer stations).

Options investigated and improvements made.

c Include current arrangements for the appropriate disposal of e-waste in the City of Greater Bendigo Waste Services Guide.

Information included and updated annually on the website.

a Investigate and implement changes to infrastructure and operating procedures to support improved materials recovery rates at landfills and transfer stations from loads of self-hauled waste (domestic or commercial) e.g. changes to entry, signage, weighbridge, drop-off procedure, manual sorting procedures and adjustments to charges.

Tonnage of materials diverted from landfill via Recovery yard.

b Continue to provide DrumMuster collection points.

Number of drums collected.

c Investigate and if feasible implement options for the separation and management of specific waste streams e.g. polystyrene.

Number of options investigated.

b Establish data on the current volume and type of contaminants in domestic recycling bins e.g. household chemicals, batteries, nappies, syringes. c Determine recycling stream tonnages and composition data and develop baseline data. d Determine garden and food organics stream tonnages and composition data and develop baseline data.

4 E-waste management services support residents’ needs.

5 CoGB waste facilities continue to improve materials recovery performance. (Transfer stations, Eco-centre and landfills)

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 35

8. Implementation Plan

8.3 Infrastructure, innovation and private sector waste Waste Hierarchy: Energy Recovery and Disposal. Key Objective: • Reduce waste, increase resource recovery. • Focus on diverting organic waste from landfill to minimise current and future financial and environmental liabilities. • Provide an efficient, convenient and safe resource management system for residents. • Develop partnerships throughout Victoria to develop and deliver sustainable service. • Minimise the costs and risks to ratepayer. • Support innovation in resource management and look for opportunities to maximise sector development in Greater Bendigo. Action: Support economic development opportunities utilising waste streams as a resource. Target: Resource streams such as organics made available for economic development. Measure: CoGB waste streams made available.

Action: Increase resource recovery from waste. Target: Improve kerbside diversion rate from 26% to 60% (weight) by 2019, based on data provided to SV for the Local Government Annual Survey. Measure: SV Victorian Government Annual Survey 2010-2011 (CoGB currently ranked 73rd out of 79 LGA’s). Facts: Organics The City of Greater Bendigo does not provide a kerbside green waste or food organics collection service however is currently investigating options. • In 2011/2012, 3,980 tonnes of garden organics was self-hauled to Eaglehawk and Heathcote landfills. • A local business offers a fee for service kerbside greenwaste collection. • CoGB kerbside garbage bin audits conducted in 2011 and 2012 identified: • On average approximately 30% of the bin contents by weight was food organics; and • Between 10% to 35% of bin contents by weight was green or garden organics, highlighting the seasonal variations. Facts: Waste to landfill • Total waste to landfill – approximately 95,000 tonnes in 2012–2013 (Eaglehawk and Heathcote)

Infrastructure, innovation and private sector waste – Focus Area 1 Opportunities for innovation in waste management approaches explored.

2 Waste streams available for use as a resource.

Action

Measure / Source

Priority

a Continue to stay informed of developments in technology that may contribute to improving diversion rates and show consistency with guiding principles.

Ongoing.

b Support trials of innovative approaches or technology.

Assess options as they arise.

a Develop opportunities to remove or recover the organics fraction of the kerbside waste stream.

Options put forward for consideration by Council.

36 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

8. Implementation Plan

Infrastructure, innovation and private sector waste – Focus Area 3 A well informed business community reducing waste and recovering resources.

4 A waste sector that services the needs of Greater Bendigo commercial and industrial sectors.

Action

Measure / Source

a Support the development of place-based or precinct solutions for businesses (particularly Small to medium enterprises) e.g. Hargreaves Mall, CBD.

Ongoing.

b Promote and support partnership approaches to managing C&I waste i.e. Industry groups or local Chambers of Commerce contracting waste services on behalf of local businesses.

Ongoing.

c Support programs that promote on-site waste auditing, assessments and advisory services for business and industry e.g. VECCI programs.

Number of programs supported.

a Promote and support partnership approaches to meeting the service demand for C&I and C&D waste management.

Number of advocacy opportunities.

Exit Strategy developed.

Infrastructure Plan developed for the Eaglehawk site.

c CoGB future infrastructure requirements are determined and recognised in the Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Plan and in the Infrastructure Schedule which is part of the Statewide Waste & Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan.

Future infrastructure need identified and included in Infrastructure Schedule.

a Locate, assess, and record past landfill sites and develop management plans (where relevant).

Sites known and recorded and future management planned.

b Plan and implement remediation of White Hills.

Remediation actions commenced.

c Plan for the rehabilitation of Eaglehawk Landfill.

Rehabilitation planned.

5 CoGB waste and a Develop an exit strategy to guide the withdrawal of the City from ownership resource management and responsibility of operating a landfill. infrastructure maximises resource recovery and b Develop options for the future infrastructure minimises waste requirements of the current Eaglehawk landfill to landfill. site to support ongoing resource recovery and facilitate residual waste management e.g. a transfer station.

6 Post closure management of landfills – meeting regulatory requirements.

Priority

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 37

8. Implementation Plan

Infrastructure, innovation and private sector waste – Focus Area

Action

Measure / Source

Priority

7 Sustainable residual waste disposal – meeting economic, environmental and social values.

a Develop a disposal plan that addresses security of disposal for the domestic waste stream as a priority (with consideration for commercial waste disposal options where this does not affect domestic waste management performance targets).

Plan developed and adopted.

8 Planning waste infrastructure that supports resource recovery in residential and retail complex development.

a Determine if local planning policy or other planning scheme tools can be used to ensure waste management infrastructure in housing developments supports resource recovery and waste minimisation e.g. access to infrastructure to separate organics and recycling from residual waste.

Investigations conducted and recommendations made.

b Investigate the opportunity to require waste management plans that support the recovery of material for reuse e.g. recyclables and organics, to be included in planning applications for developments such as shopping centre e.g. infrastructure for recycling for both retailers and customers.

Option investigated and action taken if approved.

38 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

8. Implementation Plan

8.4 Littering and illegal dumping Key Objective and Action: Reduce the incidence of illegal dumping and littering. Target: Reduce number of recorded instances of illegal dumping by 5% per year over 5 years. Measure: Comparison to 2013 data.

Littering and illegal dumping – Focus Area 1 A well informed community that takes pride keeping public places litter free.

Facts: Illegal dumping • City received 420 notifications of illegal dumping in 2012/2013 • City staff removed approximately 50 tonnes of waste and 240 tyres from dump sites. • Regulatory investigations conducted on 113 of these reports.

Action

Measure / Source

Priority

a Develop policies and procedures to support action on litter reduction.

Policy and procedures developed.

b Provide information for the placement of recycling and waste bins, signage and collection at events across the City.

Information developed and available to public.

c Provide information to clubs on how to reduce litter and improve recycling.

Number of clubs seeking information.

d Encourage and support participation in the Resource Smart schools program.

Number of schools implementing litter reduction programs.

e Participate in the delivery of education campaigns aimed at reducing the incidence of littering.

Number of programs delivered.

Number of programs promoted.

Promote campaigns focussing on specific litter items such as plastic bags and cigarette butts.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 39

8. Implementation Plan

Littering and illegal dumping – Focus Area 2 Public place infrastructure support the community in keeping public places clean and litter free.

3 A well informed community that takes pride in managing waste appropriately and keeping our surrounds free of illegal dumping.

Action

Measure / Source

Priority

a Review existing public place litter, recycling and cigarette butt infrastructure to assess bin utilization and effectiveness of current locations and plan recommended changes.

Report on adequacy of current infrastructure.

b Expand the network of public place recycling infrastructure to priority public places such as the CBD shopping strips and parks to support the community’s already established recycling behaviours.

Number of PPR bins installed.

c Review and standardise (where possible) arrangements for supply and collection of litter bins at facilities such as sporting grounds, reserves and open space areas.

Report of review plus recommendations.

d Conduct trials and audits for event recycling at specified events to establish effectiveness.

Trial conducted and future action identified and implemented.

a Awareness information developed about the potential risks to human health and biodiversity of illegal dumping including air, soil and water contamination, increased weed dispersal, injury to wildlife, diminished aesthetic value and the anti-social behaviour it represents.

Information compiled and distributed via media.

b Record data on reported incidences including location, action taken, waste type and tonnage collected and any further investigations undertaken to inform future actions to deter illegal dumping and determine the cost to CoGB.

Information gathered and provided in Council Report.

c Work with EPA Litter Report Line initiative to inform and educate the public concerning illegal dumping and littering.

Promote initiative.

d Partner with land management agencies to coordinate action on illegal dumping and promote compliance activity and prosecution successes.

Partnerships established and action taken and number of media releases.

40 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

Appendices

Appendix 1: Indicative waste cost modelling Waste cost modelling was conducted by Hyder Consulting in January 2013 to provide a high level analysis of the scale of investment needed to provide a range of rates of diversion from landfill of organic material. The model focuses on MSW only. Commercial waste streams are excluded as the City has limited control and responsibility for these. Self-hauled domestic waste streams that are delivered to local transfer stations have been included. The capture rate of dry recyclables is assumed to remain constant. The capture of garden and food organics, on the other hand, is based on the proportion available in the residual waste stream, in accordance with the City’s waste audit data. 8 scenarios are considered, with the cost assessment covering: • Collection costs for each waste stream – on a ‘per bin lift’ basis;

Considering the high portion of organic material in the domestic waste stream, all scenarios (other than Business as Usual (BAU)) focus on recovering additional organic material in order to improve landfill diversion rates. A variety of combinations have been considered for addressing garden organics (GO) and food organics (FO), including a variety of processing technologies from open windrow (OW) composting to anaerobic digestion (AD) for source-separated organics. Scenarios where organics are recovered from the residual waste (garbage) stream via the use of advanced waste treatment (AWT) systems are also considered. (For detail on specific processing technologies refer to Appendix 4: Resource Recovery Technologies) The BAU scenario was found to have the worst landfill diversion rate but also the lowest total cost to the community. The Table below provides a summary of the scenarios considered, including the estimated landfill diversion rates and the expected cost increase above BAU.

• Equipment costs for new bins and equipment for households; • Transfer costs – to destinations outside of the local area (where applicable); • Gate-fees for disposal and processing facilities; • Education and promotional costs for new programs.

Table 3: Summary of high-level modelling results Scenario

No. Bins

Organics Collected

Organics Process

Residuals Destination

Landfill diversion

Cost increase from BAU

1 (BAU)

Patho Landfill

34%

AWT

73%

53.3%

Open Windrow

Landfill

53%

17.6%

Open Windrow

AWT

80%

54.7%

FOGO

Landfill

62%

51.2%

FOGO

AWT

78%

84.7%

FO + GO

AD + OW

Landfill

62%

48.3%

FO + GO

AD + OW

AWT

78%

81.8%

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 41

Appendices

Appendix 2: Specific Waste Streams Table 4: Issues with ‘problem wastes’ and potential management strategies Problem waste

Why is it an issue?

Potential strategies to improve outcomes

Electronic waste (e-waste, such as TVs, computers and peripherals)

E-waste is one of the fastest growing components of the Australian waste stream, and can contain a range of potentially toxic materials.

The Federal Government’s Product Stewardship Act 2011 provides a framework for manufacturers, retailers and consumers to share the burden of end-of-life product management in a more equitable way. The CoGB supports current take-back system and will continue to advocate for an increase in drop-off facilities and promote current sites.

Mobile phones

Most Australians upgrade their mobile phones every 18-24 months. Unwanted phones contain some valuable and some hazardous materials.

MobileMuster is the Australian mobile phone industry’s official product stewardship program, providing a free recycling service for mobile phones and accessories. Councils can help the community access this service and keep mobile phones out of landfill (recovering valuable resources) by providing collection points and by promoting the service. Many not-for-profit organisations place collection points at various locations.

Car batteries

Lead acid batteries contain hazardous materials, and can contaminate outputs from advanced waste treatment systems

Lead acid batteries are considered a potential target for future Product Stewardship programs. CoGB will advocate for this outcome. This will be especially important as the CoGB looks to adopt advanced waste treatment systems for recovering additional resources from the residual household waste stream. There is also a permanent Detox your Home facility at the Eaglehawk Recycle Centre, where a range of materials including car batteries can be delivered free for safe treatment and recycling.

Household chemicals (e.g. paint, cleaning products, solvents)

Many household chemicals are potentially hazardous to human health and the environment. A lack of safe disposal methods can lead to increased risks to both human health and the environment.

Detox your Home is a free collection service for households funded by the Victorian landfill levy, administered by Sustainability Victoria (SV) and delivered in partnership with local governments. The CoGB will continue to partner with SV in delivering an annual service to the community through the Mobile Service component of the program. CoGB will continue to provide information and education to the community about reducing household chemical waste generation, chemical-free cleaning options and disposal options such as at the permanent Detox your Home facility at the Eaglehawk Recycle Centre.

Fluorescent lights

Fluorescent lights contain mercury, which in high concentrations can be hazardous to human health and cause significant environmental damage.

Fluorocycle is a voluntary, national recycling scheme for fluorescent lights that began in 2010. The initial priorities for the scheme are the commercial and public lighting sectors, due to the quantities of waste lamps generated and associated mercury content. The CoGB can provide information about Fluorocycle to relevant businesses, and consider joining as a signatory in order to further promote the initiative. Fluorescent lights are accepted at the Eaglehawk Eco-centre.

42 • Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019

Appendices

Problem waste

Why is it an issue?

Potential strategies to improve outcomes

Gas bottles

Gas bottles, if disposed of incorrectly, can cause explosions and fires, particularly when compacted. This presents a risk to the health and safety of waste management employees and also the general public.

Product Stewardship for gas bottles is relatively well established. Examples of exchange services provided by suppliers in Victoria include Swap’n’Go, Kwik Gas, SupaGas and Bunnings Gas Swap and others. Limitations to the size and type of cylinders exchanged may vary between suppliers, therefore in general households should be encouraged to purchase from a supplier known to offer the service. Where reuse of cylinders is not possible, waste drop-off facilities – including the existing Eaglehawk Eco-centre Detox your Home facility – offer an efficient recovery mechanism for reprocessing of the scrap metal.

Tyres

In addition to taking up valuable landfill space, landfilling and stockpiling of used tyres can present a fire risk, and also a breeding habitat for mosquitos and vermin. Tyres also contain valuable materials which can be recycled into a number of products.

In January 2014, Environment Minister Greg Hunt launched a national tyre recycling scheme. The body established to administer the scheme, Tyres Stewardship Australia, is developing an accreditation regime that will include all parts of the supply chain. Six tyre importers – Continental, Goodyear Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli, Toyo and Yokohama – have provided seed funding for the scheme that will impose a 25 cent levy on each new passenger vehicle tyre. The CoGB can support the scheme by working with waste contractors and local tyre recyclers to develop efficient and effective collection systems. Councils can also support tyre recyclers and strengthen end markets by using tyre derived product in internal contracts, in such applications as sporting and playground surfaces, and rubberised bitumen and asphalt. Whole tyres can also be used in landscaping and civil engineering works.

Sharps and clinical waste

Clinical waste and sharps have the potential to cause injury and infection to those coming into contact with the waste, and should therefore be managed carefully.

The Victorian Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) has operated since 1987 through a range of different service providers, including hospital emergency units, community health services, drug treatment agencies, youth organisations and pharmacies. The CoGB can collaborate with the program to ensure adequate services or offer fixed-site disposal services, and further support and promote existing related services.

Pharmaceuticals

The disposal of pharmaceuticals to landfill can pollute the surrounding environment, through the potential leaching of associated hormones and other compounds.

In 1998 the Commonwealth Department of Health funded the establishment of a world-first collection and treatment system for unwanted and out-of-date medicines, which is implemented through the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Project. Community pharmacies collect these medicines at no cost to consumers, and pharmaceutical wholesalers provide support via a discounted charge for delivery and collection of RUM Project containers, to and from pharmacies. CoGB can assist the community to responsibly dispose of pharmaceuticals by continuing to promote the availability of collection services including the mobile Toxfree Detox Your Home collection.

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014–2019 • 43

Appendices

Problem waste

Why is it an issue?

Potential strategies to improve outcomes

Nappies

Nappies and hygiene products account for a significant proportion of the domestic waste stream, approximately 5% of CoGB domestic waste. Given the high organic content of nappies, this has implications for landfill gas emissions.

The CoGB can encourage reductions in disposable nappy consumption by delivering education programs and promoting reusable and biodegradable nappy use. Information and education on sustainable products and local nappy laundry services should also be targeted at early childhood health centres, baby expos, and day-care facilities. Nappy Loan / Library schemes have been used effectively by some Councils to encourage households to trial reusable nappy systems.

Asbestos

Asbestos fibres are hazardous when inhaled. Fibres can be released when asbestos is not disposed of or managed appropriately.

WorkSafe Victoria is responsible for safe handling of asbestos materials, while EPA Victoria regulates the transport of this material. The CoGB will continue to support those programs that promote safe handling and disposal methods. Eaglehawk landfill will accept both commercial and domestic asbestos.

Plastic bags

Australians use billions of plastic bags every year. Plastic bag litter creates visual pollution problems and can have harmful effects on aquatic and terrestrial animals.

Most major supermarkets and plastic recyclers offer drop-off plastic bag recycling collections. CoGB will develop education programs that help identify viable alternatives to single-use plastic bags.

44 â&#x20AC;˘ Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019

Notes

Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019 â&#x20AC;˘ 45

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