Global appeal
FEATURES
Turning point for PFAS
Final stretch for soft plastics
Off-road tyre recycling
New crush for skip bins
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GRABBING ATTENTION
A world rst machinery application is put through its paces at a New South Wales land ll.
e rise of a Victorianbased truck manufacturer.
We
Queensland grants a rst
BOMAG compactors stand the test of time.
“THE YEARLY MARKET IN NORTH AMERICA IS 14,000 NEW TRUCKS A YEAR – JUST SOME OF THAT MARKET WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT FOR US.”
James Agius, STG Global Chief Operating Officer
At the forefront of innovative and sustainable soil remediation solutions.
Caterpillar’s world- rst sorting grapple application on show in New South Wales.
New
technology helps prevent workplace injuries.
Helping
What does the future look like for Australian land lls?
Unique compaction unit and service is set to change the building and demolition waste landscape.
Australia’s rst dedicated o -the-road mining tyre recycling facility opens.
Volvo delivers operational excellence and environmental leadership.
JCB’s 436 wheel loader is a machine unlike any other.
How Smart Construction and Intelligent Machine Control is changing projects.
A new Victorian partnership aims to solve one piece of the soft plastics puzzle.
Latest Fornnax shredder is a game changer.
AORA has a new-look board to take it into 2025.
Ecobatt invests in the latest discharge technology for lithium-ion batteries.
Grinding technology takes recycling to the next level.
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Setting the course From the Editor
“ e days are long, but the years are short.”
It’s an oft-used phrase that works on so many levels and is particularly apt when re ecting on the waste and resource recovery sector.
ree years ago, when I started in this role, 2025 seemed so far away, as did Australia’s National Packaging targets to phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics. But here we are.
In December 2024 the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) released updated data on how the industry is tracking on its four key targets to be achieved by 2025, as set out in 2018 by Australia’s environment ministers.
While there’s been some progress – glass is the rst material group to reach a 50 per cent target for post-consumer recycled content – more focus is needed to drive meaningful change in other areas.
Now the 2030 targets for Australia’s National Waste plan loom large – a reduction of total waste generated by 10 per cent per person, an 80 per cent average recovery rate from all waste streams and halving the amount of organic waste sent to land ll by 2030.
ey are ambitious goals, and if the past few years are any gauge – ve years is not a long time.
ankfully, the waste, recycling and resource recovery industry is teeming with individuals and organisations driven to succeed. In this edition of Waste Management Review, we examine modern land ll management and what the future looks like, from new technology and equipment to better understanding land ll processes.
We talk with Jim Fairweather, Chief Executive O cer of Tyrecycle, as the resource recovery giant opens Australia’s rst dedicated o -the-road mining tyre recycling facility and look at a new partnership between APR Plastics and Apex Films that aims to solve one piece of the soft plastics puzzle.
We meet the new directors at the helm of the Australian Organics Recycling Association, Envirobank managing director Narelle Anderson shares her thoughts on leadership after winning a Waste Innovation and Recycling Award, and we follow the journey of a home-grown company in country Victoria to the bright lights of Japan’s commercial centre.
ese are just some of the people who are helping to shape the industry’s future.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au
PUBLISHER
Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au
MANAGING EDITOR
Lisa Korycki lisa.korycki@primecreative.com.au
JOURNALIST
Jennifer Pittorino jennifer.pittorino@primecreative.com.au
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ARTICLES
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COVER
Cover image: James Agius, STG Global Chief Operating O cer. (STG Global)
COPYRIGHT
Waste Management Review is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in Waste Management Review is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. e Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every e ort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. e opinions expressed in Waste Management Review are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.
Lisa Korycki
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The Breakdown
The Breakdown is a monthly column giving industry leaders and decision makers a chance to share their views on topics central to the sector.
This month we asked: “What can the industry look forward to, heading into 2025?”
Suzanne Toumbourou Chief Executive Officer, Australian Council of Recycling
Heading into 2025, I’m optimistic about the progress we’ll see in national packaging reform, which will drive greater circularity, recyclability, and the use of domestically produced recycled content. This should pave the way for broader and better product stewardship regulation.
There is also growing commitment from Australian governments to address the risks posed by batteries and batterypowered electronics.
Our industry has united in calling for stronger action, and it seems we’re on the verge of real steps forward with mandatory stewardship. There’s still a long way to go, but this year feels like the turning point.
Thomas
Anton, Head of Customer Experience, Repurpose It
In 2025, Australia will continue to see innovative technologies giving problematic waste streams a second life at scale.
As we transition into a circular economy and product stewardship becomes paramount, it’s more crucial than ever that we not just reuse materials but consider what the third and fourth life of these products will look like.
As an industry, recycled content use is at alltime highs, but my challenge to the industry is to consider the future impacts of these materials and what legacy we are leaving for future generations.
Ritchie Managing Director, MRA Consulting Group
So far nothing fundamental. Government reform is badly lagging industry and we are not on track to hit the 2030 targets.
Things we do know about 2025:
• Two energy-from-waste (EfW) facilities in Western Australia will allow governments to support rational EfW.
• A national debate about adding wine and spirits to Container Deposit Schemes and increasing the rebate to $0.20.
• New national packaging legislation banning certain formats and a levy to drive recycled content and recovery.
• New South Wales infrastructure plans and the levy review release.
• Introduction of mandatory commercial food collection (COFO) for large food generators, in NSW. Hopefully other states adopt it.
• Moderate levy increases in Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.
• Stagnation in extended producer responsibility and spin over substance re Circular Economy policy.
• Incrementalism re FOGO roll out.
I am hoping for a reforming minister but …
If you or someone at your organisation is an industry leader and would like to be a part of this monthly column in 2025, please get in touch with Editor, Lisa Korycki lisa.korycki@primecreative.com.au
Mike
Image: ACOR
Image: MRA Consulting Group
Image: Repurpose It
Michael Bobrowicz Executive Officer to Waste and Recycling Industry Association of Western Australia
In Western Australia it’s a step change in how we see waste and recycling.
With both Kwinana Energy Recovery and East Rockingham Waste to Energy online, the way we will deal with waste and recycling has changed.
Energy-from-waste (EfW) is an eco-system; EfW plants don’t operate in isolation.
Restricted in Western Australia to residuals, they complement resource recovery systems. EfW works alongside Incinerator Bottom Ash plants, with Blue Phoenix recovering aggregates, ferrous, nonferrous and precious metals.
Air Pollution Control residue has been contracted to Tellus at Sandy Ridge.
On the supply side, the first destination for Western Australia’s major municipal solid waste and commercial and industrial collectors is now EfW.
Murray Butterworth Recycling General Manager, Alex Fraser
Heading into 2025, the industry can look forward to several promising developments and the promise of an improving market.
We anticipate an upward trend in market demand, particularly in housing subdivisions, expected to pick up in the second half of the year.
Beyond the major infrastructure projects driven by government demand, there is a growing trend of broader local government and private investments supporting the use of recycled products. This shift to use recycled construction materials is environmentally beneficial for all infrastructure projects, reducing carbon emissions and preserving valuable natural resources.
Officer, Victorian Waste Management Association
The VWMA has an ambitious and exciting schedule for 2025 and I’m optimistic about fostering collaboration and engagement across Victoria’s waste and recycling industry, including government agencies.
Tackling major challenges requires collective effort. I’m keen to see all our main government agencies reassessing their engagement practices to identify what works and what doesn’t as I’ve been concerned by recent approaches.
By focusing on co-regulatory relationships and leveraging industry associations like the VWMA and Victorian Transport Association, there’s an opportunity to lift standards beyond regulatory compliance, moving toward proactive, higher benchmarks for the sector. It’s where we must head.
Mark Smith Executive
Image: WRIWA
Image: Mark Smith
Image: Alex Fraser
Looking back
on leadership
Narelle Anderson, Founder and Managing Director of Envirobank, won the Leader of the Year at the 2024 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards. She shares her thoughts on what makes a good leader, and her next move.
The number one rule to being a good leader is respect,” says Narelle Anderson, Founder and Managing Director of Envirobank.
“It goes without saying, as a leader you must be respectful and mindful of where everybody is coming from in the team.”
Crowned Leader of the Year at the 2024 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards, Narelle stresses the importance of respect, listening, and building trust with peers.
Going hand in hand with respect, is learning to listen and ask the right questions, which leads to an open dialogue.
“I always say when I walk into a meeting room it’s my role as the boss to have an idea, and it’s everybody else’s job to tell me whether it is a good one or not.
“And if it’s not, why not, and what should we do di erently?” she says.
“It’s important to have those conversations because a high level of trust builds a better business.”
Narelle founded Envirobank in 2008 and has revolutionised recycling in Australia with an innovative approach to Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) recycling.
Since then, Envirobank has grown nationally, operating its 100 per cent clean recycling services in New South Wales, Victoria, Northern Territory and Queensland.
Narelle says that as a business leader, she spends a lot of time acknowledging her team’s performance, so receiving the leadership award was “rewarding to have the shoe on the other foot”.
“It’s always nice to receive acknowledgement when you’re doing a good job. It gives you the energy to keep going,” she says.
“Sometimes it can be lonely at the top, so this award was the acknowledgement that I have done something right.
“I am also extremely grateful for the recognition and acknowledgement from my peers and competitors in the industry.”
Re ecting on her career, Narelle says she’s pleased to see women taking on more leadership roles.
Before Envirobank, Narelle owned a commercial waste management company, at a time when there were very few women in leadership roles in the industry.
“When I entered this space, I was one of only two women who owned a waste management company,” she says.
“ ere were certainly lots of women in the industry, but they were typically found in admin and support roles.”
Across the course of her career, she has enjoyed watching women thrive in the space.
Narelle Anderson at the 2024 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards. Image: Dorman Creative
“As I am getting towards the end of my career, I do get very excited when I see some of the young women coming through and listening to their achievements,” she says.
“Nowadays I see many more women in leadership roles and I think it makes sense that women are in high roles in this industry.
“It is all about caretaking the planet and that is just the nature of who we are as women. We’re caretakers.”
To young women looking to join the industry, Narelle says: “go for it”.
“ is is a very exciting sector with many di erent layers and many di erent opportunities,” she says.
“If this is something that you feel passionate about, go for it, there is so much opportunity for growth.”
In addition to founding Envirobank, Narelle has remained true to her
many other passions, including having served as a board member for seven years for the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) – the peak industry body representing the recycling sector of Australia.
She is also a founding board member of the Green Building Council of Australia and a current board member of Community Resources and the New South Wales Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is to accelerate indigenous entrepreneurship.
Outside of her passion for the waste and recycling sector, Narelle is a mentor for women and indigenous entrepreneurs. Something she hopes to focus on more, once she retires from Envirobank.
“We should all be trying to support each other and help each other in any way that we can,’ she says.
“Knowledge is meant to be shared, and I think that is something that women do better. Women are culturally better sharers. We’re more inclined to reach out and help the sisterhood.”
Looking back on a successful career and many proud achievements, Narelle is looking forward to passing the baton on to her recently appointed chief executive o cer.
“I hold a couple of board positions, so I am really thinking about helping now from a people perspective, and what’s next for our team,” she says.
“I enjoy helping sta maximise their time at Envirobank, to help them level up their skills for wherever they might go next.
“ ese days I spend a lot of time re ecting on people, and I think if you do that, the business normally takes care of itself.”
Global appeal
From a small country town in Victoria to the commercial centre of Japan – STG Global marks a company milestone.
STG Global is known for its innovation. Now the home-grown truck manufacturer is tapping into international expertise to expand its reach and product development.
In December 2024, the company entered a new chapter through an acquisition and merger by one of the world’s largest manufacturers of purposebuilt trucks, Kyokuto Japan.
James Agius, STG Global Chief Operating O cer, says the partnership is a de ning moment in STG’s history.
“It’s a signi cant milestone in the evolution of the business,” James says. “It signi es a union of strength of both STG and Kyokuto.
“Together, we are positioned to elevate our o erings, expand our reach
and achieve sustainable growth on a global scale.”
STG Global is no stranger to de ning moments. e company’s origin story is one of ingenuity and grit. It arose from the determination of two brothers, Ross and Regan Yendle, to save the family farm in the small country town of Mans eld, Victoria, which had been hit by drought and hard times.
e brothers’ rst water tanker was built in 24 hours, using spare parts from around the farm, to help suppress dust at a local construction site.
at truck changed the brothers’ trajectory and was to be the backbone of a company that has earned a reputation for building trucks to navigate Australia’s versatile and sometimes tough conditions.
Seeing a hole in the market when it came to manufacturing and producing world-class water tanks and other truck bodies, the brothers directed their energies and attention to this market.
For the past 30 years, STG Global has delivered ground-breaking waste trucks including e Bandit Side Loader, Tusk Frontloader and Vacuum Jetter trucks, as well as partnering with international companies such as Aebi Schmidt and NewWay Trucks.
In 2023, the company invested heavily in delivering a eet of ‘smart trucks’, with advanced functionality including a single, digital screen and self-diagnostic capabilities.
e ability to pivot to meet industry demand has put STG Global at the
The Kyokuto Japan team was impressed by STG Global’s Dandenong facilities. Images: STG Global
“It’s a significant milestone in the evolution of the business… Together, we are positioned to elevate our offerings, expand our reach and achieve sustainable growth on a global scale.”
James Agius STG Global Chief Operating Officer
forefront of the waste and recycling industry in Australia and New Zealand. James says the company has experienced 30 per cent growth year on year over the past four years, on the back of an increased product portfolio, greater presence in the market and fast lead times.
He says the merger with Kyokuto is the next step in that
growth, both domestically and internationally, and will enhance STG’s manufacturing capabilities.
“STG and Kyokuto are likeminded companies,” he says. “Kyokuto is renowned for its precision manufacturing and commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, which complements STG’s innovative spirit and deeply
rooted DNA of delivering purposebuilt trucks, coupled with Australian engineering excellence.
“ e merger allows our Australian engineering team to tap into the experience of Kyokuto’s team to provide customers with more products and more solutions.”
James says STG Global has strategically placed facilities in key locations such as the Americas and Asia. Early in 2024 the board recognised that capital was required to take the next step in the company’s ambitions to place STG trucks across all nations.
While there was investor interest from several companies, Kyokuto was the best t, drawn to STG Global’s large product portfolio, strong market presence across Australia and agility to deliver products quickly.
“Like-minded companies have a better understanding of the complexities involved in growing a business,” James says. “Kyokuto builds quality
The STG Global and Kyokuto team.
products. ey are manufacturing truck bodies and products that complement ours and they have the same market aspirations as we do, to grow their markets globally.”
Kyokuto Japan was established in the 1950s and has more than 70 years’ experience in manufacturing and innovation of special-purpose vehicles, bringing new technologies and ideas to various elds.
A large portfolio of truck solutions includes refuse and dump trucks, concrete pumps and mixers and bulk carriers, which could in future be distributed and supported within Australia under the STG Global banner.
With operations spanning Japan, China, Indonesia and India, Kyokuto’s recent global expansions include the acquisition of SATRAC Engineering in India, highlighting a vision for strategic growth and excellence.
A vision shared by STG Global.
James says STG’s mission is to provide world-class, innovative specialised trucking solutions to all industries across the world. One of its key target markets is North America.
“We have a large product portfolio and waste trucks are just one sector. e yearly market in North America is 14,000 new trucks a year – just some of that market would be signi cant for us,” he says.
Kyokuto’s experience and expertise will help drive the company forward, but for now, there is no immediate change to STG’s business operations.
Over time, STG will integrate Kyokuto’s advanced manufacturing techniques, global expertise and product o erings.
Tatsuya Nunohara, Kyokuto Representative Director, President and Chief Executive O cer, says STG and
Kyokuto have di erent DNA, however, they are in a relationship where they complement each other and can produce the best possible synergy.
“Firstly, each product of STG and Kyokuto can complement each other without interfering, therefore, we can increase the number of our product lines and the synergy between production and sales bases will be very high,” he says.
e acquisition was e ective from December 2024. Kyokuto executives visited STG Global’s Australian headquarters following the nal signo . Both companies will now develop a strategy to harness each other’s strengths over the next one to ve years.
“We’re excited to embark on this transformative journey,” James says.
“When you are a small, privatelyowned business one of the limitations when you grow at dramatic speed is having the infrastructure and support.
“For customers, the advantage of this merger is that we will be backed by a larger group. Kyokuto’s appetite for further investment in growth presents a huge opportunity.”
e Yendle brothers continue to be active in STG Global through to the acquisition.
For more information, visit: www.stgglobal.net
STG Global has delivered groundbreaking waste trucks for the sector. The merger with Kyokuto will expand the product offerings.
James Agius, STG Global Chief Operating Officer, leads the Kyokuto team on a site tour.
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Turning point
for PFAS treatment
HiQ Group has been granted Queensland’s first Environmental Authority to treat complex per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Management of PFAS (per- and poly uoroalkyl substances) material is one of the waste sector’s most complex challenges,” says Daniel Blair, General Manager Waste Treatment Services, HiQ Group.
It’s a challenge that HiQ Group is addressing with a state-of-the-art Queensland- rst facility to treat PFAScontaminated waters, sludges and soils.
Following a rigorous two-year trial, HiQ has been granted Environmental Authority by the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, to treat PFAS materials from industry, airports, defence bases and major infrastructure projects to meet strict “non-detect” standards.
Daniel says the Yatala facility is the only one in Queensland operating at this level of precision.
“Queensland previously had facilities licensed for storage of PFAS, but the storage solution for PFAS isn’t a good environmental outcome,” he says. “It doesn’t address the needs of a circular economy.”
PFAS are persistent chemicals that can accumulate in water, soil and living organisms. e atoms that bond the materials do not degrade easily in the environment and move quickly through water and land, meaning they can remain in the environment longterm without proper containment and safe removal.
ey are also potentially carcinogenic. However, because PFAS encompass hundreds of chemicals, which ones cause cancer and at what level are unknown. As a precaution, anything that has detectable PFAS must be managed accordingly in Australia.
Regulators have worked to change regulations to account for these chemicals, and governments are establishing dedicated taskforces to understand and adequately address the problem.
Daniel says appropriate legislation and regulation are fundamental; however, industry also needs to rise to the challenge and establish technologies that will move the needle
HiQ Group’s Queensland facility will treat PFAS in soil, sludge and wastewater. Images: HiQ Group
for the betterment of the environment and communities.
“HiQ’s facility will provide a leading solution for projects in Queensland and around Australia, and we’re thrilled to help set new benchmarks for responsible waste management across the country,” he says.
HiQ is a national waste management, treatment and resource recovery business with facilities in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. It develops and implements bespoke waste solutions that span resource recovery, material treatment and e ective storage disposal solutions.
To date, it has provided the largest scale PFAS solution in Australia at its Bulla facility in Victoria, treating three million tonnes of spoil from one of the country’s biggest infrastructure projects.
Its Queensland facility draws on global best practice to deploy activated carbon to immobilise PFAS in soil, sludges and water to capture the contaminants and bind them together.
It then follows an internationally proven multi-stage treatment process to remove PFAS and co-occurring contaminants to halt the movement of hazardous material, prevent spread, and allow for safe disposal.
Daniel says the facility can treat all known and analysed PFAS chemicals by using Australian- rst technology.
“What sets us apart is the treatment methodology,” Daniel says. “We use di erent types of resins and carbons, whereas conventional methods only use one or two.
“By using more we attract di erent chains of PFAS molecules to ensure we treat short and long chain chemicals.”
HiQ’s water treatment plant involves primary treatment, settlement and ltration processes that result in water that meets strict ‘non-detect’ standards.
PFAS-contaminated sludge is treated through a combination of both water and soil treatment processes.
After separation, the liquid is treated as per PFAS liquid waste regulations, while the solid component undergoes the same treatment process used for contaminated soil.
All PFAS recovered from water and sludges is sent to land ll in a stabilised form. And that is a key factor that di erentiates HiQ from other PFAS treatments, Daniel says.
“Land lls can accept low levels of PFAS, and they are doing that, but the waste we will send them is non leachable,” he says.
“ is is a big positive for our customers. By sending their PFAS waste to us they are dealing with the highest and most regulatorycompliant outcomes. ey can be assured it is not going to create future leachate problems.”
e Queensland facility has an annual licence limit of 350,000 tonnes, with a storage capacity of about 10,000 tonnes of material at any one time.
Each load of contaminated material is laboratory tested to identify the chemical makeup, including any cocontaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, oil or grease, and identify a multi-stage treatment.
Materials are treated and stored for further sampling and testing
by regulatory authorities before being released.
“One of the key things this facility does is provide a chain of custody,” Daniel says. “ rough meticulous record keeping and reporting we can follow waste from where it was generated, to the facility, with the dates of when it was treated, analysed, accepted and discharged from the site.
“We can provide all the peripherals that customers need to see.”
HiQ’s current customers include large-scale infrastructure projects, the petro-chemical industry and property developers.
Daniel says the Queensland facility is accepting waste from other states that currently don’t have their own PFAS treatment solutions, including Tasmania, New South Wales and Western Australia.
e company has a strong national presence and aims to expand its treatment activities into New South Wales and Victoria.
“We are industry leaders,” Daniel says. “We want to be recognised nationally for our dedication to sustainable, environmentally safe PFAS treatment.”
For more information, visit: www.hiq.au
Leading the way
As environmental challenges intensify globally, the need for innovative and sustainable soil remediation solutions has never been greater. CDE is at the forefront of this effort.
Contaminated land, a legacy of industrial activity, threatens ecosystems, communities, and economies worldwide.
While pollutants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other industrial by-products render vast tracts of land unproductive and hazardous, urbanisation and climate change have intensi ed the urgency of addressing soil contamination.
Addressing this challenge requires more than conventional methods – it demands leadership, technology, and vision.
Wet processing equipment company CDE is providing cutting-edge soil washing solutions that rede ne the possibilities of environmental restoration, believing soil remediation is not just an environmental obligation but a cornerstone of sustainable development.
WHY SOIL WASHING?
Soil washing, a mechanical and chemical process, is emerging as one of the most e ective methods to tackle a broad spectrum of soil contaminants.
Unlike alternatives such as thermal desorption or bio-remediation, soil washing delivers high throughput, processing up to 250 tonnes per hour in a single system.
Moreover, the process leaves the soil biologically intact, enabling recultivation and reducing long-term ecological footprints.
CDE’s product line-up includes modular systems designed to meet a diverse range of remediation challenges:
• R-Series Primary Screens: e
R-Series is a robust feed and screening system designed to handle heavily contaminated soil. It e ciently separates oversized materials and prepares soil for further treatment.
• AggMax Logwasher: is highperformance scrubbing unit removes heavy contaminants such as hydrocarbons and metals from the soil. Its modular design ensures scalability, and it excels in breaking down clay-bound materials.
• CFCU (CDE Counter Flow Classi cation Unit): e CFCU targets the separation of ne particles, ensuring that the soil washing process achieves maximum contaminant removal. It is particularly e ective in treating soils with a high nes content.
• AquaCycle Water Management System: A critical component in sustainable remediation, AquaCycle ensures that up to 90 per cent of process water is recycled.
is drastically reduces water consumption, enabling operations in water-scarce regions.
• ShearClean Attrition Cells: For soils with stubborn or high levels of contaminants, ShearClean provides an additional scrubbing phase to dislodge contaminants bound to ne particles, enhancing overall remediation e ectiveness.
• HYDRO:TIP Solid/Liquid Tipping System: Safe direct infeed system for wet waste such as hydro excavated material and tunnel spoil. Dewaters and grades, reducing volume of material sent to land ll.
• ProPress Filter Press: Speci cally designed for the e cient dewatering of sludge. With the CDE ProPress, up to 95 per cent of process water can be recycled for immediate reuse in the wash plant. Waste disposal fees are cut by recovering a lter cake product that can be used for pipe bedding and land ll capping. is
CDE’s contaminated soils wash plant in North America. Images: CDE Group
eliminates the need for settling ponds which typically require extensive maintenance, consume labour resources, and incur signi cant costs. Daniel Webber, General Manager CDE Australasia, said while traditional remediation methods such as “dig and dump” may o er short-term cost advantages, they fail to address the root causes of contamination and often result in escalating costs due to land ll fees and environmental liabilities.
Soil washing, on the other hand, aligns with global environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities by o ering a sustainable, scalable, and e cient alternative.
CDE’s projects can be seen across Australasia but also span continents, each tailored to meet speci c environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Kuwait UN-funded remediation Project: In Kuwait, CDE partnered with local stakeholders to treat 800,000 tonnes of contaminated soil per year, achieving reductions in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) from an average of 5-10 per cent to less than one per cent in some cases. is project, supported
by bioremediation, showcases the adaptability and e ciency of CDE’s solutions.
• Saudi Arabia Waste Management Collaboration: In Saudi Arabia, CDE’s installation for a private waste management rm processed 15-30 tonnes per hour, addressing contamination for major oil industry players such as Saudi Aramco.
• De Bree Solutions in Belgium: Highlighting CDE’s European footprint, the collaboration with De Bree Solutions modernised contaminated soil treatment operations. By leveraging CDE technology, the company enhanced its processing capacity while adhering to stringent European Union environmental standards.
• New York’s Posillico Materials LLC: One of the largest and most advanced contaminated soil washing facilities in the world, the wash plant boasts a high material recovery rate. Posillico can now reduce the unsuitable content in the raw material to about 10 per cent on average, with the remaining 90 per cent being diverted from land ll. e facility has the capacity to recycle
up to 3000 tonnes of soil per day while recovering high value recyclable and saleable products, such as sand and aggregates, that meet New York State Department of Environmental Conservation remediation standards.
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
CDE’s soil washing systems integrate seamlessly with complementary techniques such as bioremediation and thermal desorption. is modularity ensures that even nes and heavily contaminated residues can be processed further, maximising recovery and minimising waste. Additionally, CDE’s technology emphasises water recycling, aligning with global e orts to conserve this critical resource.
Daniel says one of the most compelling features of CDE’s approach is its alignment with economic and environmental sustainability. Soil washing systems not only reduce land ll dependency but also recover valuable materials, creating a circular economy by converting contaminated land into viable real estate or agricultural land.
“Soil remediation projects are inherently complex, with variations in pollutant types, soil composition, and regulatory frameworks. CDE tackles these challenges head-on by o ering a global breadth of engineering expertise,” the spokesperson says.
“CDE’s vision extends beyond technology; it is about fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and collaboration. In an era where environmental challenges demand bold action and innovative solutions, CDE stands out as a beacon of progress.
“By championing soil washing as a viable, scalable, and sustainable solution, we are reshaping the narrative around soil remediation and paving the way for a cleaner, greener future.”
For more information, visit: www.cdegroup.com
CDE clean sand and aggregates.
Grabbing attention
A decades-long partnership and a willingness to leave no stone unturned for customers has resulted in a world first machinery application at a New South Wales landfill.
For the past 18 months, one of New South Wales’ premier resource recovery centres has been putting a unique piece of Caterpillar® equipment through its paces.
e Cat® G345 Sorting Grapple is an attachment used to help move, pick up and sort materials. In a bid to solve one customer’s challenges, the grapple has been installed as a dangling grapple under a Cat MH3040 drop nose boom
and stick material handler – the rst of its kind worldwide.
e combined e orts of civil earthworks and infrastructure provider Morris Civil, Caterpillar dealer WesTrac and Caterpillar, the project has been described as a win-win by all stakeholders.
While providing a tailored solution for handling often challenging waste, the customisation is also a testament to what
can be achieved through collaboration and a trusted partnership.
David Carrier, WesTrac Sales Representative in Sydney, says Morris Civil has been a long-time loyal customer, with both companies developing a strong relationship.
“We always try to look at the application they’re working on and come to a solution that suits them,” David says.
Sorted material is dropped into containers. Images: Prime Creative Media
“In this case, this custom solution was perfect for this site, and it has been working awlessly for the past 18 months. It’s a testament to having the right tool for the right application.”
Morris Civil provides a range of civil earthworks and infrastructure services throughout New South Wales, delivered either as a standalone scope or as part of a broader project.
e team has years of experience in land ll capping, removal and disposal of contaminated soil, waterway reconstruction and site regeneration and is the on-site partner of Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre in Ingleside.
Kimbriki prides itself as a centre of excellence for the promotion and practice of sustainable resource and waste management services. For the past eight years, Morris Civil has provided plant and operators to support Kimbriki’s land ll operations and recovery of resources from mixed waste.
ey work together to recover recyclables such as mattresses, metal, timber, engineered timber and items for the Buyback Centre, before depositing the residual waste into fully engineered and lined land ll cells.
Currently about 50,000 tonnes of residual mixed waste is land lled.
e Cat MH3040, described as the next generation of material handlers, is designed for waste transfer, land ll and scrap yard applications. Coupled with a demolition and sorting grapple, the MH3040 delivers precise control and powerful performance for construction and demolition recycling, scrap recycling and waste transfer stations.
However, in the tough environment of Kimbriki, the conventional rigid installation of the grapple resulted in damage to both the grapple and machine. Something Civil Morris was keen to avoid.
Jason Zhang, Work Tools Consultant for Caterpillar’s Global Construction
and Infrastructure Team in the Asia Paci c, explains.
“A conventional rigid installation of a sorting grabble to a machine stick allows for easy and precise pick up of objects for sorting and loading,” he says.
“ e disadvantage is there is no exibility. Once you start grabbing bigger-sized and longer objects, such as downpipes and poles, they can hit the ground and apply twisting and bending forces that can damage the linkage of grapple, or linkage of the machine.
“In this instance, a dangling installation means the grapple can swing under the stick, so if bigger-size objects hit anything, the swing exibility will not cause any damage.”
Jason says the Cat Global Construction and Infrastructure (GCI) team and work tools product group worked closely with Morris Civil and WesTrac to understand the problem and nd a suitable solution.
John Morris, Founder and Director of Morris Civil, says the MH3040 with the G345 was the “perfect match for the job site”.
“We chose the MH3040 for this land ll because it suits our work well,” John says. “ e G345 sorting grapple is very good for our construction waste sorting and loading because it handles bigger-sized objects. e operators love the machine and grapple for their powerful combination and fuel e ciency. ey run smooth and are highly e cient for sorting and loading works.”
For Bassem Ibrahim, Industrial and Waste Consultant for Caterpillar’s GCI Team in the Asia Paci c, the e ciency of the machine is no surprise.
He says the MH3040 builds on the legacy of the M325DL material handler to provide power and reliability for tough material handling applications. It o ers a new cab, reduced fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs.
“A more e cient engine, along with Eco, Smart and Power modes, helps operators match performance to the job and lower fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent,” he says. “Fewer maintenance points, paired with extended and more synchronised maintenance intervals increases uptime and thus reduces costs.”
The G345 Sorting Grapple has been mounted on a drop nose boom and stick material handler.
Robert Agar is a Supervisor for Morris Civil. He says the machine is a good t for the Kimbriki site. He adds that operators praise the cab for its access, ease of use and better visibility of surroundings.
“It’s very good for the work we do,” Robert says.
“It’s all Cat machinery here for a reason.”
at reason goes beyond the quality of the machines. Morris Civil and WesTrac have a working relationship that goes back two decades to when WesTrac started in New South Wales; back when David was in a product support role. When he moved into sales, the relationship continued and Morris Civil has purchased multiple machines over that time.
John says it’s vital to maintain a strong working relationship with a machinery dealer.
“Morris Civil has a long and dependable relationship with WesTrac NSW and we treat our relationship as a trustable, dependable, win-win partnership,” he says. “ e service and maintenance and parts supply is always in a timely manner, coste ective and e cient. ey x our problems so we can focus on our projects and business.
“Importantly, dealers like WesTrac have a strong team of mechanics and technicians that fully understand Cat machines and work tools. ey know how to best serve and maintain this equipment.
“Every time they carry out maintenance and services, our technicians learn from their experience and professional knowledge, so we improve our skill and capacity as well.”
For more information, visit: www.caterpillar.com
The customisation of the G345 Sorting Grapple provides more manouverability without the danger of breakages.
David Carrier, WesTrac Sales Representative in Sydney, and Robert Agar, a Supervisor for Morris Civil, at Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre.
Blindsight
enhances safety
New technology can help prevent workplace injuries, an essential practice that belongs on any worksite. Aptella’s Safety Market Development Manager Nick Corr explains.
The waste management industry can be dangerous, with workers regularly interacting with heavy machinery, waste compactors, forklifts, and vehicles in fast-paced environments.
Safety management in the sector can be reactive, relying on incident reports and manual inspections after accidents have already occurred.
is is where technology provider Aptella, which is distributing and supporting Blindsight across the industry, hopes to change the game.
Nick Corr, Safety Market Development Manager for Aptella says Blindsight, an Arti cial Intelligence (AI)-powered safety solution, is designed to detect dangers in real time and provide actionable insights.
“With its AI-driven cameras and sensors, Blindsight identi es potential safety risks, such as unsafe proximity between people and machinery, nearmiss situations, and violations of safety protocols,” Nick says.
“ e system then sends instant alerts to operators, site managers and
safety personnel, enabling immediate corrective action or deep re ection around processes to prevent future accidents and injuries.”
HAZARD DETECTION
Nick says land ll operations require heavy machinery such as compactors and trucks, which frequently work in close proximity with facility operators, increasing the likelihood of incidents.
“Blindsight gives operators real-time awareness of their surroundings, alerting them not only to the presence of large machinery but also to pedestrians who might be in the vicinity,” he says.
“ is dual layer of awareness helps prevent collisions and ensures that operators can act quickly if someone enters a dangerous area.”
He says the system’s ability to detect pedestrians and vehicles in these environments is especially critical.
“Visibility can be limited due to dust, debris, or weather conditions. Blindsight helps give operators the con dence they need to work safely,
knowing they have advanced warning of any potential dangers in their blind spots.
“For example, one customer operating a transfer station reported how Blindsight helps de ne clear safety zones for vehicles, machinery, and pedestrians, reducing the risk of accidents in hightra c areas where public interactions are common.
“ is is especially important for contractors and workers who may not be as familiar with the site’s layout or the movement of machinery.”
With the machine learning AI engine, the Blindsight system has learned to ignore certain objects over time, providing operators with greater con dence in the reliability and accuracy of the solution.
AVOIDING ALERT FATIGUE
One of the advantages of Blindsight’s technology is that it minimises unnecessary alerts. Nick says this addresses what is called alert fatigue. If operators are being bombarded with
The waste management sector will benefit from Aptella’s newest safety technology, designed to prevent workplace injuries. Images: Aptella
hundreds of alerts a day, they can stop responding e ectively.
“A critical challenge in any safety system is alert fatigue, the phenomenon where operators become desensitised to constant, unnecessary noti cations,” he says.
“Blindsight addresses this issue by ensuring that the alerts operators receive are relevant, timely, and meaningful. It is designed to only send the most relevant alerts, signi cantly reducing noise. is helps prevent alert fatigue, ensuring operators remain engaged and responsive when it matters most.”
is nely tuned system of detection, whereby the AI system learns from thousands of on-the-job experiences, ensures that operators are not overwhelmed with false positives or irrelevant alerts, leading to better outcomes and faster response times when true dangers are detected.
DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS
Blindsight is not only about immediate hazard detection but also enabling long-term improvements in safety practices.
Nick says having the ability to review
the data the system collects over time is a game changer.
“ e AI continuously learns and improves, providing deeper insights into how to manage risks e ectively,” he says. “Our customers, particularly in waste management, are able to use this data to drive continuous improvement in their safety protocols.”
He says one example of the system’s e ectiveness is Mort &Co, an agricultural
feedlot operator that recorded a 65 per cent reduction in critical detections of people in hazardous zones within three months of using Blindsight.
Mort & Co adjusted its safety practices based on the data provided, leading to improved outcomes for workers and an overall safer site.
For more information, visit: www.aptella.com
Blindsight is an Artificial Intelligencepowered safety solution used to detect real time dangers on work sites.
Blindsight data is designed to be accessed easily when desired, allowing site managers to instil real time safety protocols.
Audits that drive change
Resource Hub is helping waste operators make the most of what they do, through audit.
Rural and regional waste operators face unique challenges – from tight budgets to logistical hurdles. But what if the answers to these problems are hidden in plain sight?
‘Audit’, says Lacey Webb, Resource Hub Founder and Director, can be a scary word. But it doesn’t have to be. Rather, it’s an opportunity for waste facility operators to better understand their business process.
And some of the biggest bene ciaries of audits are rural and regional operators.
“A lot of our team come from regional areas, and understand the critical shortages regions face, such as logistics, resourcing and budget,” Lacey says. “Our team is here to engineer opportunities for change for regional
waste facilities through identifying what’s not working, what’s actually causing problems and helping with all those small steps that don’t have to be overly complicated.
“When we talk about the waste industry, we often focus on the critical things such as machinery, bins or constructing a land ll cell. But sometimes you can get a lot of bang for your buck by focusing on the front of house or back-o ce challenges.”
Resource Hub is an Australia-wide waste management consultancy, focused on broadening what is best practice in the industry. e team supports waste operators and Local Government Areas across Australia to help them become more nancially and operationally e ective
and to comply with waste levy and environmental regulations.
As part of a business process audit, the team deep dives into operational processes, nancials (including internal and external revenue and cost assessment), transactional system data and business process risks.
Earlier this year Resource Hub also unveiled AUDRRI, a software program that analyses a facility’s processes and benchmarks them against best practice standards of operational and regulatory e ciency and e ectiveness.
WHY AUDITS MATTER
Oscar Gallagher, Resource Hub Senior Consultant, says it’s important operators measure their performance and review their ‘business as usual’ to
Resource Hub understands the challenges faced by regional and rural waste facility operators. Images: Resource Hub
stay compliant in an industry that is changing rapidly.
“Even those operators who are smaller in size or not focused on new infrastructure and resource recovery technology can nd many ways to continue to improve their internal e ciencies,” he says.
“ e most e ective audits we do aren’t with big clients, they’re with smaller rural or regional operators. In those areas, especially in local government, the waste management operator might be the supervisor, the operational coordinator, and even nance person. It’s a case of getting things done, with little time to focus on strategic goals. ere’s lots of time to be stuck in the weeds.
“Auditing helps to identify the opportunities that exist in the everyday, so managers can have time to think about strategic goals. It gives clients a starting point, and a ‘to do’ list that we work through with them to identify quick wins, the things they maybe don’t have the experience to deliver, or the items that are critical but might require larger-scale organisational decisions. It’s also a great starting point for managers coming into a new role or site.”
SUCCESS STORIES
While audits follow a modular process, they’re all di erent, tailored to a client’s needs and budget.
Oscar recently conducted an audit with an LGA in the north-east of the Riverina area of New South Wales, for an operator that was still paper based for its gatehouse processes. e operator’s nance team was reconciling upwards of more than 100 vehicle movements a day at the facility.
Oscar says not only was the process open to human error but provided challenges when making operational decisions.
“If everything is on paper, how are you collating that information onto one usable centralised database or spread sheet? How are you able to make good business decisions?”
e audit identi ed a need for improved systems for capturing data, including the number of vehicles, type of waste, and simpli ed annual reporting and compliance. e next step is to assist council to speak to the right vendors and gain e ciency through new processes and systems.
Resource Hub recently completed a concept redesign for Lithgow City Council, located two hours west of Sydney.
sta training and changes to data collection.
Another council in Tasmania was aware it had a lot of paperwork but was not aware that three people were touching the same paperwork, trying to achieve the same outcome.
Oscar says administration risk, such as duplication of paperwork, double handling, and a lack of ownership of administration functions, is often overlooked within an organisation.
Other risks include infrastructure, compliance (such as incorrect claimed levies), nancial (including lost revenue opportunities and incorrect invoicing), and regulatory.
At the completion of each of these audits, operators received a detailed report that itemised each risk type and area of assessment. ere are also recommendations for mitigating those risks included.
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
e goal, Lacey says, is to be the go-to set of hands for industry partners and local government.
How audits help waste operators:
⚫ Identify inefficiencies and cut costs
⚫ Improve data accuracy and compliance
⚫ Streamline operations for greater productivity
⚫ Prepare facilities for future regulatory changes
Oscar says the council wanted to improve customer experience, this was the next step following transfer station re nement, but also wanted to ensure that if its facility was to become leviable in future years, any changes made to the site layout now would align with future regulatory requirements.
Narrabri Shire Council had been doing things the same way for a long time, despite a change in team members and processes. An audit revealed a need for more resourcing,
“We’re here to lend a hand, rst and foremost, especially when talking rural and regional,” she says.
“Often what comes out of these audits isn’t a bunch of work for Resource Hub or the council, it’s about nding the right people who understand the regional challenges to help our customers in the right way. One audit at a time.”
For more information, visit: www.resourcehub.com.au
An audit can reveal a need for more resourcing and staff training.
Taking Australia
by storm
Standing the test of time, Tutt Bryant’s range of BOMAG compactors has always been designed to tackle hard waste sites.
With many land ll compactors sold and delivered Australiawide, Tutt Bryant Equipment’s BOMAG range stands out.
A market leader in compaction technology, BOMAG provides a range of machines for the compaction of refuse, soil and asphalt and has proven itself time and time again.
John Glossat, National Business Development Manager, Tutt Bryant, says maximising capacity is a key factor for a land ll’s pro tability. To achieve this, waste must be optimally compacted to make full use of the space available.
“With a BOMAG compactor, industrial and household waste, bulky refuse or building debris can be distributed, shredded, roughly mixed and compacted –all in one operation,” John says. “BOMAG compactors are up to every challenge.”
Compactors range from 20-60 tonnes and have design advantages that, John says, have been tried and tested over decades of use on land ll sites.
“ e refuse compactor range combines e ciency, latest technology and high productivity with low operating costs and excellent serviceability,” John says.
BOMAG’s Operator Support System helps optimise performance and ensure the machines operate at the highest level.
Land ll sites can be challenging due to varying heights of waste. However, the BOMAG land ll compactors are designed to navigate the many layers of refuse.
“Refuse is delivered to sites in layers; however, it cannot simply be heaped into a pile, it must be created into a homogeneous and stable land ll body,” says John.
“ e delivered waste must rst be distributed, crushed and then evenly
compacted. A BOMAG land ll compactor performs the individual tasks of spreading and compaction in a single operation.”
He says the BOMAG wheels are designed to make driving a heavy piece of machinery as easy as driving a car on at asphalt. Staggered polygonal rings and the geometry and placement of the teeth, combined with the machine’s high dead weight, ensure maximum static compaction.
Scrapers are positioned in front of, and behind, each wheel for the purpose of keeping the wheels clean and ensuring waste is evenly compacted.
John says the strong compaction rate leaves less room for oxygen in the land ll body, signi cantly reducing the risk of re, even deep within the tip.
“ e load distribution is also optimal, which promotes particularly homogeneous compaction,” he says.
“Reliability, performance, safety and operator comfort are a few more highlights of the BOMAG land ll compactors.
“ ey feature a particularly low centre of gravity, providing the machine with maximum stability, are hydrostatically driven and equipped with the latest technology and clever assistance systems and the all-wheel drive ensures maximum traction so that the compactor always achieves maximum thrust.”
For more information, visit: www.tuttbryant.com.au
Operator comfort was a key priority when designing the BOMAG range. Image: Tutt Bryant
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ATipping point
What does the future look like for Australian landfills?
s Australia grapples with increasing waste generation and the need for sustainable waste management solutions, e ective land ll management policies are crucial.
In November 2024, the New South Wales Government acknowledged Greater Sydney is on the brink of a waste crisis and without action, land ll is predicted to run out by 2030.
It’s a predicament not new to the waste and resource recovery industry. Industry stakeholders have been calling for action for decades to ensure adequate and appropriate waste disposal options.
A panel discussion at Waste Expo Australia, held at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre in October, explored the current landscape of land ll management in Australia, including the challenges, environmental impacts and community concerns.
Key points included the shift from traditional land lls to resource and energy parks, the increasing reliance on land ll gas for energy generation, and the role of levies in funding infrastructure.
Concerns were raised about the misallocation of levy funds and the need for better regulation to support innovation. While the importance of community
engagement and social licence was also emphasised, with examples of industry e orts to build trust and educate the public.
“Land ll underpins the waste industry,” said Daniel Fyfe, Chairman of the Australian Land ll Owners Association.
“While it’s the place of last resort, land ll has been with us forever and it will continue to be the place where residuals will go if they can’t be recycled, if they can’t be processed through waste to energy, and if they can’t be reused or e ectively used.
“So, it is incumbent that we have the best land lls.”
Fyfe has worked in the environment sector for more than 30 years and has worked on many engineered land ll and waste-related projects across Australia and New Zealand.
He said ‘best land lls’ continue to evolve. Land ll technology has advanced during the past 15 years, including the introduction of liners, leachate treatment and harnessing land ll gas. What’s changing now is the revenue stream coming from land ll.
Land ll operators are increasingly deriving revenue from energy from gas, Australian carbon credits (ACCUs) are contributing to the viability of the operation of land ll gas and electricity
generation, and in some land lls, data centres are being established.
As the volume of waste going to land ll declines, other activities such as recycling, soil washing, and other processing methods are being co-located on site.
Fyfe described the modern land ll as the “waste resource parks” of the world.
“You’ll still have the residuals (the waste that remains after recyclable and garden organics are separated) going into the land ll, but it’ll become more of a resource park concept,” he said.
“ e other thing they’ll become is energy parks. ere will be more opportunity for high energy users to take advantage of continuous power generated at land lls at a cheaper rate than what you could buy from the grid.
“Land ll will become the smaller activity, and that’s exciting.”
Picking up the energy theme, Michael Bobrowicz, Executive O cer of the Waste and Recycling Industry Association of Western Australia (WRIWA), said he believed the opening of two wasteto-energy plants in Western Australia would provide a step change for the industry and become the “new normal”.
e East Rockingham Waste to Energy Project and the Kwinana Energy Recovery
Project, will have a joint capacity to process 760,000 tonnes of residual waste.
Bobrowicz said there were initial concerns the plants would negatively impact local land lls, however many land lls have now pivoted to focus on operations that provide high calori c value material to waste to energy plants.
“ ey’ve taken on a new role in what is basically a brand-new industry.”
As a representative of the diverse needs of the waste and recycling industry in Western Australia, Bobrowicz promotes and facilitates the development of a sustainable and circular economy that bene ts the environment and society. Dayto-day, this involves navigating the complex interactions between industry, government and the community.
One of the challenges facing land lls is encroaching urban development and establishing community trust.
Mark Smith, Executive O cer of the Victorian Waste Management Association, said it’s now not just incumbent on the private sector to develop trust –there are several things that must be working for the community to accept an operation, including con dence in the environmental regulator.
“Increasingly, government use terms such as social license and have the expectation that businesses will build trust with their communities. But it’s not just up to them to build trust,” he said.
“If we don’t have all three parties (business, local and state government) on the same page about a particular project, such as a land ll that has to exist because it’s servicing 400,000 people, we’ve got a problem.”
He said one of the things that is starting to evolve is the recognition that businesses bring more bene ts into the local community by employing locally, as well as investing in parks and revegetation projects.
Fyfe has spent the past 20 years engaging with community reference and stakeholder groups. He agreed it was vital
land ll operations were open, honest and accountable to their local communities.
He cited Hanson’s Wollert land ll, on Melbourne’s northern fringe, that regularly invites the community to tour its facilities. It also has a community contact database that has records of every complaint and the response for the past 10 years.
“You can’t just say that you’ve been engaging with the community, you need to do it,” he said.
“By conducting tours we’re also setting a standard. If you’re not prepared to show someone what we do, and be proud of it, then we shouldn’t be working there.
“If you take pride in what you do and you show it to other people, they might not like it, but they might respect you for the fact that you’re doing the best you can. It’s not about winning hearts and minds, it’s about accepting that you are the best at what you do.”
Ken Dickens, Chair of the Waste, Recycling and Processing Industry Association (Victoria) reiterated that most land lls in Australia are engineered using world’s best practice.
“If we do things right the rst time, land lls are going to thrive and safely thrive. Even with waste to energy, we are still going to need land lls,” he said.
In November, New South Wales Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and NSW Environment Protection Authority Chief Executive O cer Tony Chappel acknowledged that Greater Sydney’s land ll was in crisis.
Attendees at the NSW Circular Economy Summit in Sydney heard that without new waste and recycling solutions, and some quick decisions and choices, Greater Sydney’s land ll capacity will be exhausted within the next decade. is would signi cantly increase waste management costs for households and businesses.
If no action is taken, residents would be paying for their waste to be transported to regional areas or interstate for disposal.
is would also slow down industry, as demolition waste costs would rise.
Four key pieces of work were outlined to x the waste challenge including to plan and develop critical waste infrastructure, reduce waste going to land ll, grow recycling rates and opportunities and take action to prevent contamination.
At the time, Chappel said shifting to a circular economy required a united approach.
“As a state, we’re at a critical juncture,” he said. “We must act now to ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with growing waste volumes, and to maximise recycling and recovery e orts. rough a mix of innovative projects, strategic investments, and collaboration, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity.”
Brett Lemin, Executive O cer, Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association New South Wales, said land lls remain a vital part of the waste management landscape, particularly for residuals that cannot be recycled or processed through other means.
“Without immediate investment in advanced recycling and residual waste processing infrastructure, we risk resorting to exporting our waste, which is neither sustainable nor economically viable,” Lemin said.
“As Greater Sydney faces a looming waste crisis, it’s critical that we prioritise investment in modern waste and recycling infrastructure and innovative solutions.”
He said transforming land lls into resource and energy hubs will not only help address capacity challenges but also drive progress toward a circular economy.
“Collaboration between government, industry, and communities is essential to ensure we are prepared for the future,” Lemin said.
“It’s imperative that we develop local solutions, such as energy-from-waste facilities, to e ectively manage residual waste and support our transition to a circular economy.”
A new crush for Australia’s skip bins
Envirocrush’s first heavy vehicle is the backbone of a unique compaction unit and service set to change the building and demolition waste landscape.
Staying abreast of waste management innovations ensures the industry can meet the current demands and anticipate future challenges. is includes an increasing volume of building and demolition waste in Australia, which has grown to 25.2 mega tonnes per year, according to the latest National Waste Report. While it’s the largest source of waste in the
country, about 20.2 mega tonnes of these materials are recovered annually.
In the construction-heavy city of Sydney, Envirocrush is thinking outside of traditional methods, o ering a mobile service that compacts waste in open-top skip bins on-site, maximising the amount of waste inside the skip and consequently, reducing the number of runs to land ll.
It does this using a unique crushing compactor arm built onto a support frame and an Isuzu FRR 110-260 Auto.
“Envirocrush is all about providing a smart, cost-e ective and environmentally friendly way to handle waste,” says General Manager Elias Elias.
“By compacting waste on site, our clients can reduce their waste collections, which leads to substantial cost savings on disposal fees.
“ is ows through to environmental impacts – reducing the volume of waste means fewer trips to transfer stations, cutting down on vehicle emissions and promoting more sustainable waste management practices.
“It also keeps their work sites tidy and clean, making waste less likely to over ow or build up.”
ROCK ‘EM, SOCK ‘EM is long-wheelbase Isuzu FRR 110260 Auto sports a hydraulic hinged arm with a heavy-duty spiked roller that will do its utmost to crush almost any type of material put beneath it, whether it’s light construction waste, wooden pallets, scrap metal or general waste.
It can crush a fully loaded skip bin in an impressive ve to ten minutes. e technology has been available in Europe through French manufacturer Packmat System. Recognising a gap in Australia’s current waste management market, Envirocrush travelled to
The heavy-duty spiked roller will crush almost any type of material put beneath it. Images: Isuzu
France in 2023 to meet with the Packmat System team.
It recently secured a partnership to import and adapt this design to local standards, bringing the technology to Australian shores.
It’s a serious piece of equipment designed to create serious space savings. According to Envirocrush, clients can expect up to a 5:1 reduction in waste collections with their service, equating to a potential 80 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and 65 per cent reduction in associated carbon dioxide emissions.
Elias says the service will not only improve operational e ciency for clients but also move things along in the wider world of waste management.
“Even though we are just starting out, we would like to see other players in the waste industry adapt and o er similar compaction technology and services for skip bins – a bit of healthy competition will be good for opening up the market,” he says.
“Looking ahead to the next couple of years, we would like to expand our customer base and assist our current customers in enhancing their waste management practices.”
PAYLOAD PRIORITIES
Taking the Packmat System on the road, the medium-duty Isuzu FRR 110-260 Auto is powered by a 6HK1TCC turbocharged engine producing 191 kilowatt (260 horsepower) at 2400 revolutions per minute (rpm) and torque of 761 newton-metres (Nm) at 1450–2400 rpm.
With a gross vehicle mass of 11,000 kilograms, the truck o ers the right amount of payload to transport the specialised unit and the necessary counterbalance for the pressure outputted by the hydraulic arm during compaction.
Envirocrush chose the long wheelbase model, which has an overall length of 8.605 metres. is provides space for the arm to do its business out the back while still being nimble enough to operate on work sites with size limitations.
is is complemented by a neat turning circle of 16.4 metres (kerb to kerb), allowing the truck to be reversed and manoeuvred in tight spots.
Allison LCT2500 fully automatic transmission provides smooth handling and simpli es the driving experience, allowing drivers to focus on operating the compacting unit e ciently.
A specialised control system allows the operator to manage the compaction process from the FRR’s cabin with joystick controls that regulate the roller’s movements. A camera and sensor system ensure safe operation.
ON THE RISE
With the business still in relative infancy, opening doors in early November 2024, there’s plenty of time to see how things will pan out.
From a planning perspective, acquiring this system and engineering the truck locally with the assistance of Gilbert & Roach Isuzu in Huntingwood has been key to achieving Envirocrush’s start-up goals.
e performance of the FRR has also been crucial, o ering the e ciency needed for a business launching its service.
“ is is our rst heavy vehicle, and it’s the backbone of our mobile waste compaction unit and service,” Elias says.
“E ciency is one of our key focuses; we want our customers to enjoy a more e cient waste management process to free up time and resources.”
For more information, visit: www.isuzu.com.au
The setup allows Envirocrush to compact waste in open-top skip bins on site.
Going off-road
Resource recovery giant ResourceCo’s tyre recycling business, Tyrecycle, opens Australia’s first dedicated off-the-road mining tyre recycling facility.
The Pilbara region of Western Australia is a major mining hub, producing a variety of minerals and contributing signi cantly to the Australian economy.
It’s also home to about 50,000 tonnes of Australia’s 130,000 tonnes of used o -the-road (OTR) mining tyres – many buried on site.
It’s a statistic that doesn’t sit well with Jim Fairweather. e Tyrecycle Chief Executive O cer has spearheaded an ambitious ve-year plan for a local solution for end-of-life OTR mining tyres.
In November 2024, Tyrecycle, which is part of the integrated ResourceCo group, commissioned Australia’s rst dedicated
OTR recycling facility in Port Hedland, the second largest town in the Pilbara.
At capacity the plant will process 30,000 tonnes of end-of-life mining OTR tyres a year, with plans to expand to take on the region’s entire mining tyre waste.
e bulk of the processed rubber will be transported to the group’s East Rockingham facility where it will be processed into crumb rubber, rubber granules or other tyre-derived-products, including as a coal replacement fuel.
Any over ow will be exported to a joint venture partner in India for processing into micronised rubber to replace virgin rubber in the manufacture of new tyres.
Tyrecycle unveiled its East Rockingham plant, Australia’s most
advanced piece of tyre recycling infrastructure, in May 2024. It received its rst load of used OTR mining tyres from Alcoa’s bauxite mines in the Peel and Southwest regions in October.
Jim described the Port Hedland plant as a giant step toward improving the management of Australia’s OTR mining tyre waste and addressing a historical market failure.
e collection rate for Australia’s passenger and commercial tyre sector is 97-98 per cent, with a recent average recovery rate of about 90 per cent. However, the recovery rate for OTR tyres is less than 10 per cent; of that mining OTR tyres are collected at less than one per cent.
Across Australia’s four major mining hubs – Pilbara, the Gold elds–Esperance region of Western Australia, Hunter Valley in western New South Wales and the Mackay region in Queensland – there are almost 90,000 tonnes of OTR mining tyres generated each year.
Historically, Western Australia is one of two states that enable the legal on site disposal and/or stockpiling of used OTR mining tyres into mining voids.
Jim says it was important to base the Port Hedland plant as close to the waste source as possible to maximise transport e ciencies and minimise the risk and associated costs of handling OTR mining tyre waste.
“Port Hedland is one of the biggest mining regions in the world and the biggest export terminal in the world. If you’re going to put a plant to process these tyres anywhere, it needs to be in Port Hedland,” he says.
Jim Fairweather, Tyrecycle Chief Executive Officer and Simon Brown, ResourceCo Managing Director, at the new recycling facility. Images: ResourceCo
“ rough our collaboration with the mining industry, we identi ed the importance of resource recovery processes that make the most of e cient backloading opportunities. Having our new plant located at the heart of the Pilbara is crucial to reducing the carbon footprint and freight costs associated with transporting the tyres to a re-processing plant.
“ is is an opportunity for us to collect and process – just in the Pilbara – almost half of Australia’s OTR mining tyres in one place and maximise the bene ts of recycling rubber waste.”
He says that with increased importance on environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting, the mining industry has sought an environmentally responsible solution for its waste tyres for some time.
“ e industry has clearly agged that it has been waiting for a solution, now we are providing that solution, and mining companies are working hand in glove with us to achieve a mutually bene cial outcome,” he says. “ ey understand there’s a responsibility
incumbent on them to do the right thing.
is plant o ers outstanding outcomes for the mining industry. It demonstrates not only a chain of custody, but industry will also receive signi cant carbon bene ts from recycling its tyres.”
Land lling has been the low-cost solution for OTR mining tyres because of their sheer size and weight – on average one OTR tyre is 300 times heavier than a standard car tyre –coupled with the remoteness of sites.
e Port Hedland plant is codesigned by Italian original equipment manufacturer Salvadori, which has global experience in recycling OTR tyres.
“ e equipment is nothing like we have in any of our other eight plants in Australia,” Jim says.
“From the trailers used to transport the tyres, through to material handlers and shredders. Every risk assessment, every safety procedure in this plant is completely di erent to a normal standard tyre recycling facility.”
e plant is receiving tyres from one major mining company and Tyrecycle is in discussions with many of the
mining companies that have signi cant operations within the Pilbara.
Jim says the plant could expand to incorporate a second line within months to process every tonne of rubber waste generated in the region.
e next phase of development is nding an environmentally sound and commercially sustainable outcome for another of the mining sector’s problematic waste streams –conveyor belts.
Jim says Tyrecycle is “well down the path” of providing a solution that will process conveyor belts into meaningful products. e company has identi ed suitable equipment and will trial it at Port Hedland.
“We’ve found some equipment that could do that and I’m excited by the opportunity to trial that equipment in the future at Port Hedland,” he says.
“It’s incumbent on us as a market leader to demonstrate a willingness to move the dial and provide circular outcomes for problematic waste streams.”
For more information, visit: www.tyrecycle.com.au
The plant is already receiving tyres from one major mining company in the Pilbara.
Leading the charge
Volvo CE’s ECR25 is waste management’s newest electric solution, delivering operational excellence alongside environmental leadership.
Waste management facilities worldwide are experiencing operational complexities and rising sustainability demands that create a need for revolutionary solutions.
Traditional diesel-powered equipment, once the backbone of waste-handling facilities, face stringent emission regulations and sustainability mandates, leaving room for electric excavators to emerge as a solution to evolving demands.
Electric machinery delivers up to 50 per cent operational cost reduction compared to diesel alternatives, according to construction equipment supplier CJD Equipment.
e Volvo CE ECR25 electric excavator is designed for challenging waste applications, o ering exceptional power while prioritising environmental sustainability. Its zero-emission capabilities and operational versatility are set to create new standards for waste handling, while advanced engineering
and specialised features provide e cient and economically viable solutions.
ECR25 IN ACTION
Stena Recycling, an international sustainable waste management company, successfully introduced the ECR25 to its operations, highlighting the machine’s versatility not only across waste sites, but continents.
Stena’s electric excavator surpassed 4000 operational hours within two years, demonstrating its reliability under demanding conditions.
Its daily processing capabilities reach 20 tonnes of recycled material, matching conventional equipment while delivering environmental bene ts.
Stena’s industrial plastic recycling facility reported an 83 per cent reduction in energy expenses, a 21-tonne annual decrease in carbon dioxide emissions and 250 kilograms of carbon dioxide savings during a two-week trial using the
ECR25. e company has projected a six-tonne saving over six months.
Environmental excellence extends throughout the ECR25s life cycle, achieving 80-90 per cent carbon emission reduction, compared to diesel equipment, when considering material sourcing, advanced manufacturing processes, precision assembly operations, zeroemission functionality and sustainable end-life management.
TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
e Volvo CE ECR25’s zeroemission technology establishes new performance benchmarks.
Specialised features for waste handling include advanced hydraulic systems for manoeuvrability within con ned spaces, matching diesel counterpart capabilities in digging force and lifting capacity, and sound engineering that achieves 74 decibels at the operator position, enabling seamless operation across noise-sensitive
Electric excavators such as the Volvo CE ECR25 are designed to last all day with limited downtime. Image: CJD Equipment
environments. Revolutionary electric powertrain technology eliminates conventional maintenance demands – there’s no engine oil changes, lter replacements, or particulate lter servicing which maximises operational uptime while minimising maintenance requirements.
e ECR25’s innovation extends through to attachment solutions. Programmable auxiliary hydraulic systems ensure precise control across diverse attachment applications.
Seamless compatibility with existing ECR25D attachments also enables smooth operational transitions from diesel to electric platforms. In operation, the ECR25 has a digging depth range of 2.6 to 2.9 metres and a dump height capability of 2.7 to 2.9 metres.
Quick-charge technology delivers 80 per cent capacity within one hour, positioning the ECR25 as a machine to last all day.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
e ECR25’s electric technology has surpassed expectations with indoor waste handling operations.
Zero tailpipe emissions enable operational freedom within enclosed spaces, eliminating traditional dieselrelated health risks.
Battery-powered engineering also eliminates extensive ventilation requirements in material recovery facilities, delivering cost advantages while ensuring premium air quality standards. Environmental advantages include complete diesel exhaust elimination, minimised ventilation infrastructure and enhanced workforce health protection.
In urban areas, advancements in sound reduction (up to 90 per cent decreased sound versus diesel) opens the door for unrestricted operation times near residential zones, clear workforce communication, minimised environmental stress impact and greater regulation compliance.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Strategic investment analysis reveals economic advantages for waste management operations transitioning to electric equipment.
Volvo ECR25’s technology translates to measurable nancial returns alongside environmental excellence.
Stena Recycling’s implementation of the Volvo ECR25 achieved an 83 per cent energy cost reduction.
Advantages included eliminating a dependency on diesel, optimised power use, grid-based cost e ciency and enhanced energy management.
e excavator’s power management technology ensures consumption only during active operation, contrasting with continuous diesel fuel burn during idle states. is equates to improved operational e ciency of 30-40 per cent compared to conventional equipment.
MAINTENANCE AND LONGEVITY
e ECR25’s electric architecture delivers signi cant maintenance bene ts.
Technical analysis con rms up to 35 per cent reduction in service costs throughout the operational lifespan. is results in simpli ed service protocols, minimised component degradation, zero-maintenance battery systems and extended maintenance cycles.
Battery performance has been maximised, ensuring operational reliability. Eliminating ventilation systems in enclosed facilities can generate additional cost advantages.
e combination of reduced maintenance requirements and simpli ed operations establishes electric excavators as sound investments for waste management facilities.
ELECTRIC INTEGRATION
Seamless electric excavator integration requires infrastructure planning alongside strategic operational re nements. Success hinges upon sophisticated charging
solutions, work ow excellence, and comprehensive workforce development.
e ECR25’s single-phase technology equates to a six-hour complete charge.
e machine also boasts advanced threephase rapid charging which equates to 80 per cent capacity under one hour, as well as portable charging solutions. is new charging infrastructure can align with facility-speci c requirements. ECR25’s battery system delivers up to four hours of continuous operation per charge. Charging during operational pauses ensures uninterrupted productivity.
Facilities can choose to embrace the ‘opportunity charging’ methodology, synchronising operations with natural work ow breaks. is maximises equipment availability while preserving battery performance characteristics.
STAFF TRAINING
To ensure all machine intricacies are understood, CJD suggests operators take part in strategic training which focuses on critical competencies such as advanced electrical systems, charging protocol optimisation, emergency preparedness and performance analytics.
Systematic training minimises equipment downtime while maximising service life.
Waste management facilities report rapid adoption to new technology by employees who have access to structured development programs. ECR25’s intuitive control architecture also enables a smooth transition from conventional equipment.
Volvo CE’s support framework provides guidance throughout the integration journey.
Waste management operations ready to embrace sustainable excellence can discover the possibilities through their local CJD branch.
For more information, visit: www.cjd.com.au
The complete package
JCB’s 436 wheel loader is a machine unlike any other, tackling waste sites with ease and providing comfort to operators during a long day’s work.
Incorporating customer input at every stage of the design process, JCB’s 436 wheel loader is built with the waste industry in mind – it’s productive, e cient and easy to maintain.
Paul Fairhurst, National JCB Heavy Line Sales Manager, CEA says the 436 is all about big power, big torque, high power-to-weight ratio, powerful breakout forces and excellent traction.
“ is machine has features that can be tailored to speci c applications with various optional attachments and con gurations, making it versatile for di erent job sites,” says Paul.
“Its durability and reliability are especially applicable for the waste industry. e 436 is built to withstand the harsh conditions of waste handling
such as exposure to debris, moisture, and heavy loads.”
Land ll sites can be challenging to navigate due to varying heights of waste. However, the 436 is equipped with a powerful engine, high-performance hydraulics and versatile attachments.
“JCB has a reputation for building reliable machinery with robust construction and proven performance,” says Paul.
“In demanding waste environments this means minimal downtime and maximum productivity.
“ e 436’s 133 kilowatts Cummins engine delivers the necessary power to handle heavy loads and e ciently move materials around a waste site. Precise control and fast cycle
times optimise material handling and reduce operational costs.”
Each 436 has a full turn tipping load of 9436 kilograms, maximum engine power of 129 kilowatts, an operating weight of 14,564 kilograms and a payload of 4599 kilograms.
Load-sensing hydraulics ensure precise and e cient control, while the Smoothride suspension system reduces shock and spillage. A high-lift loader arm allows for quick and even loading into bins or trucks.
Other bene ts include an optional three-spool valve block which allows the 436 to use various attachments such as grabs and sweepers, expanding its capabilities beyond material handling.
The 436 wheel loader is purpose built for the waste industry with a strong exterior to withstand harsh elements. Images: CEA
While productivity is prioritised, reliability and comfort are not compromised. Operators are spoiled for choice when it comes to controls.
Paul says JCB’s priority of comfort and ease highlights the company’s dedication to the industries in which it operates.
“ e 436 features a spacious three by three-metre cab, with a choice of loader controls – multi-lever or joystick – for operator preference and an ergonomic high-back seat to reduce operator fatigue,” he says. “A sloped rear bonnet and large windows provide all-round visibility, enhancing operator safety and e ciency.”
Paul says improved serviceability, versatility and reliability are just some of the bene ts of the 436. It has been designed to provide easy access to key components for maintenance, including
ground-level greasing points and wideopening gullwing doors.
Long extended service – 500-hour service intervals – minimise downtime and maintenance costs.
Paul says the JCB design team invested time and resources into developing the 436 into a machine that stands out in its class.
“JCB emphasises durability, using a cast steel rear end and full chassis belly guarding to protect against damage and extend the machine’s lifespan.
“ e 436 also incorporates various safety features, such as rollover protection structures (ROPS) and falling object protective structures (FOPS), to protect operators from potential hazards.”
For more information, visit: www.jcbcea.com.au
With an ergonomic seat and spacious cab, the 436 was designed with comfort in mind.
Smart future
Smart Construction and Intelligent Machine Control (iMC) is changing the way projects are designed, planned, and executed.
See how Komatsu Australia is leading the field.
Komatsu Australia’s range of digital and data-driven machine technologies are the culmination of more than a century of invention and creation.
Autonomous features such as stop control, grade assist, tilt control and bucket precision are just a handful of features that have – for years – helped to reduce mistakes, damage and unnecessary rework. All the while making it easier, more e cient and more accurate
for operators to carry out day-today works.
James Muir, General Manager, Smart Construction – Komatsu, says that the technology in construction is rapidly evolving.
“ ere are so many di erent solutions in the smart construction portfolio space, some are moving faster than others, but the one thing that is consistent is that customers want to have an immediate bene t and a return on investment within
12 months,” he says. “Demonstrating that value is our key focus.”
James says Komatsu recognises that customers are likely to have di erent machinery types from di erent manufacturers, which is why the company set out to develop solutions that can be used universally.
“One of the key driving factors for the success we’ve had with our technologies is that they’re agnostic and will work with other OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and brands,” he says.
“We export and receive data freely; we think that’s vitally important. As much as we’d like customers to be completely in our ecosystem, that exibility is very important to the customer.
“ ey want all their data centralised so they can use it across an entire project and make actions and decisions accordingly. We want our customers to be able to work with us, no matter the tools or solutions that they’ve already invested in.”
James adds that the only way to build a product that ts all customer needs, is to incorporate learnings and feedback from the end user.
One example of this has been Komatsu’s new Smart Quarry Site (SQS) platform. e technology, which focuses on site management, production management, machine health monitoring, near real-time (30 second intervals) monitoring and increasing safety, was designed with customer input front of mind.
“It’s been built from the ground up from the voice of the customer,” James
Komatsu has set out to develop Intelligent Machine Control that can be used universally. Images: Komatsu
says. “ at’s how we continue to develop and improve our products, with the voice of the customer resoundingly loud in our ears.”
GREENER OUTCOMES
Greater productivity and e ciency are positives of Komatsu’s Smart Construction and iMC portfolios, so are greener outcomes.
James says he’s seen examples of businesses saving 30 per cent in fuel costs across their iMC eet, and time application e ciencies of +20 per cent by minimising rework or unproductive idling of machines. is all translates to tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) saved over the period of a single project.
“Back to the Smart Quarry Site platform that has a machine peer to peer communication tool for loading. Say it’s an excavator, or a wheel loader in the back of a truck, you can get immediate payload feedback o the truck struts, so you can see the weight in real time,” he says.
“When it comes to greener outcomes, we have examples of companies saving 81,000 litres of fuel and 217 tonnes of CO2 emissions in just one year, thanks to the e ciency gains provided by SQS.
“ e distribution of the material in the tray of the truck is represented by a digital spirit level indicator, so you can get an even load. What that means is that the truck is going out at a maximum targeted capacity each time. at means real dollars, because you’re loading the truck more e ciently and it also, importantly, means there’s less trucks and less loading cycles required. Not to mention the productivity gains.”
ese e ciency gains can also help to increase the safety of a site. One example James uses relates to surveying.
“iMC is survey grade accurate, so it’s plus or minus 25 millimetres,” he says. “As a result, you can easily, safely, and quickly see ‘yes you’re on track’, for the digital design plan loaded into the iMC,
or ‘no you’re not’, ‘you need to dig a little more over there’.
“You’re moving the person – who could be at risk – out of the way, while also potentially increasing the e ciency of your operation by up to 20-30 per cent.”
When it comes to sustainability, James says Komatsu is actively engaging the market, as well as its business partners, to accelerate the development and uptake of sustainably fuelled machinery.
It is currently releasing tier four engines, although they are not yet mandated in Australia.
e company is also committed to its own targets and is producing electric excavators and electric wheel loaders. It’s in the nal testing stage of hydrogen fuel cells in the United States and is hopeful of adopting new products and methods in Australia.
When it comes to the future, James says autonomy is likely to become the preferred method of operation for construction and earthmoving equipment alike. He believes that popular held beliefs, such as that autonomous machines threaten the viability of a human workforce, are misplaced.
“It won’t just be arti cial intelligence (AI) for the next generation of machinery, but also machine learning. Machinery is already learning from operators, so it’s clear that the cycle will ultimately tip towards autonomy in the future,” he says.
“We’re not moving towards autonomy to remove jobs. In fact, we’re nding them. Autonomy creates a lot more support roles to make sure those machines continue to operate e ciently.
“Autonomous machines will be very accurate, very e cient and won’t fatigue, which means you can operate 24/7, if the machine is refuelled or charged.”
Komatsu recognises that customers can be overwhelmed with the vast amount of data generated by IoT, machine learning, and AI technologies. To address this, it’s focusing on providing customers with the right information at the right time,
helping them to make more informed decisions without being inundated with data.
Komatsu already has new additions and developments set to be released in 2025 to answer this call, the biggest of which being the company’s iMC 3, the third generation iteration of the semiautonomous intelligent machine control. is new version of iMC is expected to have additional capabilities and features, further enhancing the semiautonomous and e cient operation of Komatsu’s equipment.
“I think we’re still years away from seeing the rst ever, fully autonomous construction site. ere’s still many hurdles and variables to overcome but that’s what drives me and us as a company every day, it’s that excitement towards potentially achieving that vision,” James says.
“What’s driven us for a century is building better engines, better machines and more reliable equipment. Our people are working side by side with our customers and the industry as we move into the next 100 years, with data and technology solutions being a key driver.”
For more information, visit: www.komatsu.com.au
Intelligent Machine Control (iMC) is changing the way projects are designed, planned, and executed.
The home stretch
Soft plastic waste is a challenge, and one that won’t likely have a single solution. A new Victorian partnership aims to solve one piece of the puzzle.
After glass, soft plastics is the biggest contaminant of recycling bins in Victoria, highlighting an aspiration to nd an environmental outcome for the problematic waste stream.
However, claims of circularity, recycled content, biodegradable or compostable can make it challenging for
industry and consumers to understand what is preferable, or even possible when handling end-of-life soft plastics.
e collapse of in-store collection service REDcycle in November 2022 forced the packaging and recycling industries, and government to look at how to build ongoing sustainable pathways for soft plastic.
APR Plastics and Apex Films in Victoria are now o ering the commercial sector a solution.
Darren orpe, APR Managing Director, says the Australian- rst program is closing the loop on stretch lm.
“It’s all about circularity. When we can take waste back to its original state –that’s circular,” he says.
“ e National Plastics Plan sets a target of 70 per cent of plastic packaging to be recycled or composted by 2025 and to have at least 50 per cent of recycled content within packaging.
“Apex Films is ahead of the curve when it comes to incorporating recycled content into their stretch wrap and it’s exciting to be working with them.”
e public consciousness of soft plastics often only extends to those that pass through their household, but every pallet that transports those goods into and around Australia has been wrapped with either stretch wrap or stretch hood. About 80,000 tonnes of stretch lm is used to wrap pallets in Australia alone.
Despite what many people believe, not all clear plastics are the same. Stretch lm has physical properties that are di erent from other clear plastics that are currently collected.
e APR Plastics and Apex Films project aims to encourage commercial customers to separate their stretch lm from other plastics so that it can be easily sorted, processed and recycled back into stretch lm, ready to re-wrap more pallets.
APR Plastics is a sister company to Australian Paper Recovery and APR Kerbside, which specialises in improving the separation of household recyclables.
The stretch film waste is processed to be remanufactured into new pallet wrap. Image: APR Plastics
e APR Kerbside Material Recovery Facility in Truganina is the only one in Victoria that doesn’t accept glass, ensuing a clean stream of recyclate. It’s this expertise that the company is drawing on for the stretch lm project.
Darren says that by separating out the stretch lm, it also increases the recyclability of other clear plastic waste streams.
Several commercial customers have taken part in a trial of the project, putting their stretch lm waste into a dedicated bag, separate from other plastic waste.
APR collects and sorts the bags. Apex Films then recycles the stretch lm to resin and blends it to produce new stretch lms.
Peter Zanatta, Apex Films Director, is excited by the project.
“Apex Films has operated for over 25 years in the Australian market, and we
JCB WHEEL LOADERS
are always looking at what’s possible with polymer lm technologies,” he says.
“We’re really excited by the prospect of creating a new stream of recycled stretch lm.”
Apex Films is a leading Australian manufacturer of exible packaging. e company has developed a reputation within the industry for its quality products and investment in cutting edge technology.
It has the capability to manufacture a unique variety of polyethylene substances, tailored to client requirements.
Peter says the initial results of the stretch lm project have been promising – already the project has produced successful trial rolls of stretch lm with up to 25 per cent recycled content. But there are still
PROVEN RELIABLE AND PRODUCTIVE
hurdles to overcome, including educating customers on separating their stretch lm waste to reduce potential contamination.
“We’re not at the point of rolling this out beyond the initial test phase just yet, but it is really encouraging to see an end result that proves we can do it,” Peter says.
“We just need to re ne the process and work to reduce contamination. We are hopeful that this project will expand in the future, which might include a secondary sorting process that we are exploring with APR Plastics.
“It is an exciting project with huge potential to create a new high value soft plastics recycling stream.”
For more information, visit: www.aprplastics.com.au
Solid ground
Find out why the latest primary shredder from Fornnax is a game changer for the recycling industry.
Shredding and recycling equipment provider Fornnax is committed to shaping the landscape for sustainable recycling solutions in the future.
Jignesh Kundaria, Chief Executive O cer and Director, describes the company’s equipment as an evolution of advanced products, designed for the challenges of the recycling world.
It’s latest o ering, the advanced level SR-MAX2500 primary shredder, is a prime example of the company’s ethos.
Launched in 2024, the SR-MAX Series builds on the successful SR-Series, which has a proven track record against di cult waste streams.
e advanced SR-MAX2500 primary shredder features high capacity, modern engineering, and innovative technology.
e primary focus is large-scale municipal waste recyclers, cement plants, waste-to-energy plants, mechanical biological treatment facilities, materials recovery centres, construction and demolition recyclers, aluminium recyclers, and other applications requiring high-capacity machines and robust technology.
“With the SR-MAX2500, we’re poised to transform the waste management landscape in India and beyond. Our goal is to line up municipal waste recycling industries with a robust, e cient, and sustainable solution,” Jignesh says.
e SR-MAX2500 boasts hydraulic motors driving each shaft for optimal power and torque. Its unique cutter design, replaceable cutting table, and shaft design make it a suitable solution for various applications.
Jignesh says the SR-MAX2500 o ers several commercial bene ts, including increased e ciency, reduced operational costs, and enhanced productivity. Its robust design and technology ensure minimal downtime, maximising pro tability.
“ e SR-MAX2500 shredder di erentiates itself through its versatility, catering to a diverse array of waste management and user needs, speci cally designed for waste that is highly contaminated,” he says.
Additionally, as urbanisation and consumption lead to increasing generation of municipal solid waste (MSW), there is a critical need to prioritise recycling and conversion of MSW into refuse-derived fuel (RDF).
“ e cement industry, which uses a signi cant amount of coal, can substitute coal for RDF or alternate fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources and ultimately minimise waste disposal issues,” Jignesh says.
“Fornnax is committed to contributing to sustainability and waste management through advanced recycling solutions and supporting the transition to a more circular and environmentally conscious economy.”
Fornnax invests heavily in research and development to ensure it remains at the forefront of technological innovation and monitors industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes to identify potential opportunities for improvement.
Jignesh says this is vital to understand customer needs and challenges and help meet market demand.
e SR-MAX2500 launch is a strategic step towards expanding Fornnax’s market presence and strengthening its position as a leading shredder manufacturer around the globe.
For more information, visit: www.fornnax.com
The SR-MAX2500 primary shredder tackles challenging waste. Image: Fornnax
AORA welcomes
new directors
The Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) has a new-look board to take it into the new year.
The Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) has welcomed ve new directors to its board.
John McKew, National Executive O cer, said the board faced an unusual situation with six director positions to be lled following the retirement of Peter Wadewitz, a member of the Order of Australia (South Australia), Greg Whitehead (Queensland) and Tim Richards (Western Australia). Additionally, three directors were up for re-election after completing their initial two-year term. Pat Soars (New South Wales) was re-elected while Catherine Phillips (Victoria) and Jan Dübbelde(Queensland) did not seek re-election.
John said the company allows for between four to nine directors on the board. Six nominations were received for six director positions, meaning there was no election required.
e new directors are Angus Johnston (NSW), Ashley Johnston (VIC), Daniel van Veen (WA), Simon Humphris (VIC) and Peter ompson (QLD).
ey join Charlie Emery (NSW) who was reappointed chair, Kali Martin from Westrex (QLD) who was appointed Vice Chair, and Lachlan Je ries (SA) on the AORA board.
Company secretary Michael Wood (VIC) stood down from the role. Greg Whitehead from Candy Soil (QLD) was appointed as the new company
secretary at the rst board meeting on 21 November 2024.
At the 2024 AORA annual general meeting Peter Wadewitz was awarded Life Membership of the association.
John acknowledged with great appreciation all the retiring directors from the board and wished the incoming directors every success in helping to navigate the future direction and success of the association and the industry.
THE NEW FIVE
Ashley Johnston
Ashley has always been immersed in the organics industry, growing up as part of the third generation of Bark King. Bark King has been
recycling waste timber and bark into garden mulches and soil conditioners since 1975.
is experience shaped Ashley’s passion for the industry where he built a strong background in operations and business development, successfully leading Bark King’s growth and eventual sale to Repurpose It, where he is now the General Manager of Business Development.
In this role he shares a focus on innovation, growth, strategy, and sustainability. Additionally, as a Victorian Committee Member of AORA, Ashley champions his dedication to promoting the sustainable management of organic resources.
Ashley Johnston.
Peter Thompson.
Peter ompson
With more than 15 years’ experience in the environmental industry, Peter is dedicated to setting direction, delivering results, building organisational capacity and inspiring others. Peter is currently the Chief Strategy O cer at NuGrow, Queensland’s largest compost manufacturer by volume and geographical reach.
rough his role on the AORA board, Peter is motivated to break down many of the barriers preventing the widespread uptake of organics recycling in Australia. He has previous directorship experience having sat on the board of Bicycle Queensland as a non-executive director.
Peter recognises the need for Australia to transition from a linear model to a circular economy model and appreciates how the recycled organics industry can assist in mitigating environmental issues facing Australia. Daniel van Veen
Daniel is the General Manager Resource Recovery – Western Australia for Veolia and has been with the company for nearly 20 years. In his current role, Daniel has overseen signi cant growth in Veolia’s West
Australian organics business and has transitioned the operations to process more than 80,000 tonnes annually.
Daniel has a passion for the organics industry and has a hands-on approach to achieve circular economy solutions. From advocating for clearer acceptance criteria for food organics, garden organics (FOGO) through to the development of new markets for composted products, Daniel is driven to ensure the production of quality composted products for sustainable end markets is at the centre of all decision making.
Simon Humphris
Simon has worked in the recycled industry for 16 years, working in all aspects of the organics industry, from waste brokering and recycling to recycled organics. His current position as Director of Environmental Resource Solutions allows him to use skills including site development, market design and implementation.
Simon is passionate about compost and its multiple bene ts to the climate and soil health and the health of the community. He pioneered compost and mulch sales in agriculture viticulture, helping design the machines to spread the product across Victoria which are
still used today. He is the only recipient of AORA’s Outstanding Contribution to Compost Marketing award. Simon currently serves as the AORA Victoria Chairperson.
Angus Johnston
For more than 25 years, Angus has specialised in organic waste recovery for composting and energy generation. His experience includes private sector consulting, government planning, policy development and project delivery, and work with not-forpro t organisations.
His passions for diverting waste from land ll and promoting a circular economy for organics led him to found BioCarbon Soil in 2018. In leading BioCarbon Soil, Angus seeks to improve recycled organic products and develop markets for their bene cial use.
In addition to leading Biocarbon Soil, Angus works with Jackson Environment Planning where he focuses on planning, designing, and licensing organic recycling facilities.
A copy of the 2024 AORA Annual Report is available on the AORA website.
For more information, visit: www.aora.org.au
Daniel van Veen.
Simon Humphris.
Angus Johnston.
Images: The Australian Organics Recycling Association
Revolutionising energy recovery
Ecobatt is leading the charge towards safer recycling, investing in advanced battery discharge technology.
As Australia continues its transition towards a greener future, the demand for e ective and sustainable recycling solutions for micro-mobility and electric vehicle (EV) batteries and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) has become more urgent.
Lithium batteries are at the heart of the renewable energy revolution, powering everything from clean transportation to critical energy storage systems. However, their unique composition, complex structure, and potential stored energy present challenges when they reach the end of their life cycle or need to be recycled.
Proper treatment is essential to address safety concerns, storage, recovery of secondary materials, and prevent environmental harm.
Lithium-ion batteries are safe and designed to store substantial amounts
of energy, making them e ective power sources. However, these same batteries can become a hazard if not properly managed when they reach their end of useful life.
Even partially charged batteries can release substantial amounts of energy under certain electrical and physical conditions that will heat the battery to ignite (known as a thermal runaway event). is is particularly the case if the battery is physically damaged, crushed or exposed to certain environmental stress during transport or processing.
e safety hazards of lithium-ion batteries, if not operated or handled to strict safety guidelines, include excess heat generation (exothermic reaction), toxic gas release, hazardous electrolytes, accidental ignition, intense res or an uncontrolled energy release.
Ecobatt, a subsidiary of the Ecocycle Group, has emerged as a leader in tackling these recycling challenges through strategic investments in the latest battery recycling technology and a commitment to sustainable practices.
Nick Dodd, Ecobatt General Manager, says that by integrating innovative solutions and adopting a forward-thinking approach, the company is setting new standards for e ciency, safety, and environmental stewardship in micro-mobility, EV and BESS battery recycling.
e company’s work not only supports Australia’s clean energy ambitions but ensures that the growing volume of end-of-life batteries is managed responsibly and e ectively for the recovery of critical minerals.
A LITHIUM GAME-CHANGER
Nick says Ecobatt’s investment in the latest discharge technology represents a signi cant advancement in Australia’s lithium battery recycling capabilities. It will also position the company as the rst in Australia capable of safely and commercially dry discharging lithium batteries at scale and returning their residual energy to the energy grid.
e new system is expected to go live in the rst quarter of 2025 at Ecobatt’s Campbell eld facility in Victoria. With 32 operator de ned stations to treat cells, assemblies and full EV or BESS packs to 1000V
Ecobatt will install dry discharge technology at its Campbellfield facility. Image: Duesenfeld GmbH
simultaneously, the system will allow for the absolute discharge of medium and large-format batteries.
Dry discharging is a vital step in best practice lithium battery recycling. Ecobatt’s discharge system ensures that all stored energy is safely returned to the power grid, enabling batteries to be processed continuously without risk to operators, the community or the environment. By deep discharging batteries, the process makes them safe for subsequent handling, storage, and recycling without the need for the dismantling of diminished battery assemblies, which occurs in most cases.
CLOSING THE LOOP
Nick says what sets Ecobatt’s battery energy discharge system apart is its energy recovery feature and reporting capability for environmental and social governance (ESG).
Instead of dissipating energy as heat, the new system allows for residual energy from batteries to be reused within the Ecocycle facility or channelled to the power grid, depending on demand.
“By recovering and reusing energy, Ecobatt ensures that its recycling processes not only minimise waste but also actively contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of its recycling activities,” Nick says.
“In addition to energy recovery from battery discharging, Ecobatt has long embraced renewable energy solutions. Solar panels installed at all its facilities nationally provide a reliable and renewable power source, which has been a cornerstone of its operations for years.
“Ecobatt is committed to environmental stewardship, demonstrating how innovative engineering leadership can drive the recycling industry forward.”
SAFE AND EFFICIENT
Nick says the dry discharge process o ers a safer, e ective and no-waste generation
alternative to traditional methods of battery recycling, such as wet discharge solutions for medium and large-scale cells. e process mitigates environmental contamination risks and ensures the integrity of recovered materials. e new system incorporates hotswap capability, hybrid con guration for full exibility of each station, and arti cial intelligence (AI) algorithms to optimise the discharging process with advanced monitoring systems maintaining safe operations. is ensures that the discharging process is carried out safely and e ciently.
“ e ability to process multiple batteries in any con guration simultaneously and recover their residual energy safely will signi cantly increase throughput, ensuring that Ecobatt is prepared for the volume of end-of-life batteries expected,” Nick says.
“ is capacity underscores Ecobatt’s position as the leading provider of small, medium, and large-format lithium battery recycling solutions nationally.”
CIRCULAR OUTCOMES
Ecobatt’s e orts to recover critical materials from spent batteries contribute directly to Australia’s circular economy. e minerals reclaimed during the recycling process reduce the demand for virgin mining, conserving natural resources and lowering the environmental impact of battery production.
By ensuring that every component of a spent battery is either recycled, reused or repurposed, Ecobatt is helping to close the loop on battery life cycles with the recovery of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
Nick says that while Ecobatt is leading the charge, the success of Australia’s battery recycling e orts requires collaboration across the supply chain.
“From manufacturers to end-users, schools to universities, governments and councils, every stakeholder has a role to play in ensuring that batteries are disposed of and recycled correctly,” he says. “By investing in advanced technologies and sustainable practices, Ecobatt is setting a benchmark for the industry in residual energy recovery from medium and large format waste batteries.”
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
In a world increasingly powered by batteries, Nick says Ecobatt is ensuring that the end-of-life management of these power sources is conducted in a way that protects the environment while maximising resource recovery.
“With its new discharge technology, commitment to renewable energy, and focus on safety, Ecobatt is rede ning battery recycling in Australia,” he says.
“ e company’s holistic approach integrates environmental responsibility with technological innovation, ensuring that the nation’s growing micromobility, BESS and EV waste batteries are managed e ciently and sustainably.
“ e future of battery recycling is here, and Ecobatt is leading the way.”
For more information, visit: www.ecobatt.net
Ecocycle’s Victorian headquarters in Campbellfield. Image: Ecocycle
The end of waste
Vortair technology takes recycling to the next level, helping manufacturers reduce a reliance on virgin resources and reduce emissions.
Growing concerns about resource availability and sustainability targets are driving industries to explore new technologies that can maximise recycling e ciency and produce secondary raw materials with minimal environmental impact.
Je Lang, Vortair Chief Executive O cer, says one of the key challenges is preparing waste materials to the precise speci cations required for downstream processes, such as chemical recycling or other advanced techniques such as pyrolysis, gasi cation, and solvolysis.
ese methods can recover highquality intermediates and petrochemical alternatives for use in manufacturing, helping replace virgin raw materials and reducing emissions. However, their e ectiveness hinges on having waste feedstock in a form that’s easy to process, typically below 250 microns in particle size.
at’s where Vortair technology stands out. Vortair autogenous grinding systems can mill waste into liquid or solid form at particle sizes from ve to 75 microns, well below the typical 250-micron limit of conventional methods.
e Vortair system combines several pulverising principles that release stored kinetic energy in the material being milled to reduce particle size without crushing or mechanically shearing the product.
“ is precision unlocking of particle size directly enhances the e ciency of secondary recycling steps, reducing overall energy consumption and facilitating the creation of higher-value commodities,” Je says. “By enabling precise milling, Vortair also helps recyclers meet tightening regulations
and consumer demands for cleaner, greener solutions.”
Je says that beyond performance, Vortair’s technology aligns with broader trends in green waste management.
Valorisation of organic, biomass, and other waste streams requires a method that not only lowers disposal costs but also transforms what was once considered trash into valuable materials.
“Milling organic waste to ultrane particle sizes, for instance, can signi cantly improve its potential for composting, biogas production, or even specialised industrial applications. is means fewer materials end up in land lls and incinerators, further curbing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants,” he says.
Additionally, by ensuring feedstock is optimally prepared for chemical recycling, Vortair’s milling systems directly support the growing market for secondary raw materials.
“ ese materials play a crucial role in helping manufacturers reduce reliance on virgin resources, while meeting everstricter environmental standards. As new recycling technologies emerge and scale up, the ability to nely mill inputs will be an indispensable advantage
for both established waste processors and start-ups.”
Je says the Vortair system’s e ciency also translates into tangible cost savings.
Traditional grinding methods often rely on multiple steps or equipment changes to achieve acceptable particle sizes, driving up both energy use and maintenance expenses.
In contrast, Vortair’s autogenous milling solution, with its controlled, high-speed vortex, ensures a streamlined approach that lowers operational costs, reduced wear and tear of equipment while delivering top-tier performance.
“Ultimately, Vortair technology represents a key evolutionary step for the waste management sector by bridging the gap between raw waste streams and advanced recycling processes,” Je says. “Whether tackling biomass, plastics, construction debris, or other complex waste streams, Vortair provides the e ciency, precision, and scalability needed to transform waste into value – ushering in a new era of resource recovery and environmental responsibility.”
For more information, visit: www.vortair.com.au
Vortair technology can transform waste into carbon black powder for use in rubber and plastics. Image: anny ta/shutterstock.com
Key Specifications:
Operating Weight: 12,510 kg
Compaction Width: 2130 mm
Engine: Deutz TCD 2012 L04 2V
Engine Power: 103 kW @ 2400 rpm
BOMAG BW 213 D-5 Single Drum Roller
Build strong foundations with unmatched precision using the BOMAG BW 213 D-5 single drum roller. Engineered to deliver exceptional compaction, this roller meets the unique demands of every construction project, whether you’re managing waste on a major site or constructing new infrastructure.
The BW 213 D-5 seamlessly adapts to diverse specifications, offering the reliability and efficiency that BOMAG is renowned for. It’s perfect for a range of applications, from sensitive urban locations to large-scale road construction.
Powered by a robust Deutz engine, the BW 213 D-5 ensures superior soil compaction with outstanding efficiency and dependability, making it an essential tool for waste management and construction professionals alike.
Actively supporting Australia’s circular economy
Scaling waste infrastructure, advancing resource recovery, and accelerating Australia’s energy transition.
HiQ provides bespoke waste solutions spanning resource recovery, material treatment, energy generation and storage, and more effective disposal options for government, major infrastructure, and private contractors.
12 Byte Street, Yatala
37 Lee Holm Road, St Marys
Head Office & Accounts, 9-13 Whyalla Place, Prestons
Nortons Basin Road, Wallacia
90 Range Road, Cecil Park
Oallen Ford Road, Windellama
14 Tennant St, Fyshwick
570 Sunbury Road, Bulla
QLD: 12 Byte Street, Yatala
QLD: 12 Byte Street,
The Komatsu Forest standard excavator base provides a forestry machine that is equally productive as a feller buncher, harvester/processor or log loader. In recent years Komatsu Forest Australia has worked with the Komatsu Osaka factory to develop three new Xtreme Series base model excavators suitable for forest applications, including loading.
They feature unique forestry specifications such as high-wide undercarriage, forestry boom sets, redesigned cabin, and optional HD cooling systems.
The Komatsu PC300LL-8 is the largest of the Log Loading Xtreme Carriers designed to efficiently carry out a range of duties.
It is fitted with the high-wide undercarriage and a highrise rear entry cabin that provides excellent operational visibility. In combination with the Working Gear Forest Boom set, it can accommodate most styles of loading grapples for larger timber and higher production job sites.
It has an operating weight of 41 tonnes and is powered by a Komatsu SAA6D114E-3 engine. Features include track guard and heavy duty covers to protect the revolving frame, as well as internal knuckle hoses.
KOMATSU FOREST, PC300LL FORESTRY EXCAVATOR
The PC300LL-8 is the largest of the Log Loading Xtreme Carriers. Image: Komatsu Forest
The unsung hero
of sustainability
Matt Genever, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainability Victoria, explains why behaviour change is the quiet achiever in the quest for Victorians to improve their recycling and reduce waste.
As a new year unfolds, there is much to be positive about. Councils are delivering more services to more Victorians, we have a leading container deposit scheme, government and industry have co-invested to the tune of $600 million (and added two million tonnes in new recycling capacity), and more and more households are accessing these recycling services.
If we were to look at just our recycling industry, things would look quite rosy indeed!
As impactful as the reforms in Victoria have been, we’re still one of the most wasteful societies on earth. In 2024, Victoria released new projection modelling as part of the Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan (VRIP).
e modelling suggests we are on track to double our waste generation
between now and 2050, moving from broadly 16 million tonnes generated per annum to a whopping 32 million tonnes per annum.
When we remind ourselves that 45 per cent of global emissions and more than 90 per cent of all biodiversity loss is tied to material consumption, it’s clear that the trajectory we are on is unacceptable from an economic, social and environmental perspective.
While we must continue to support our resource recovery sector to provide a strong foundation for our future circular economy, Australia has no choice but to step bravely and boldly into a conversation with our community about avoiding waste in the rst place.
Behaviour change might just be the unsung hero we need to address this fundamental shift.
THE POTENTIAL
One of the most powerful tools at our disposal is to consider the psychology of human behaviour in changing community habits and attitudes for the long term.
Sustainability Victoria (SV) has been running statewide behaviour change campaigns on behalf of the Victorian Government for more than a decade.
Since 2020, our campaigns have focused on supporting the major changes to waste and recycling through Victoria’s circular economy
plan, Recycling Victoria. rough these campaigns, we are supporting Victorians to adapt to the biggest changes to recycling in a generation, helping people recycle correctly and reduce contamination so our recycling system can operate to its full potential.
While we know Victorians consistently show intent to reduce waste and recycle correctly, a gap exists between intentions and actions – a lack of knowledge, motivation or capacity gets in the way.
Social research has enabled SV to benchmark Victorians’ behaviours, identify the barriers people face, and unpack how to tackle this through evidence-based interventions and campaigns.
IN FOR THE LONG RUN
One of the most signi cant recent sustainability behaviour change initiatives in Victoria has been SV’s Small Acts, Big Impact (SABI) campaign. Developed in collaboration with councils, this campaign has made it easy for Victorian households to adapt to new recycling bins and rules, and to nd ways to reduce food and plastic waste. is landmark campaign is leading the way nationwide and has been licensed interstate based on its success in Victoria.
As councils roll out the new four-bin system, the SABI campaign has been an
Matt Genever, Chief Executive Officer, Sustainability Victoria.
invaluable tool to ensure householders are consistently informed and educated on the changes.
Grants totalling $4.6 million to 69 councils and alpine resorts have enabled them to deliver locally tailored SABI campaigns speci c to the needs of their communities, while being supported by statewide campaigns to build awareness and understanding of the recycling reforms.
With contamination one of the sector’s biggest challenges, it’s critical that householders understand changes to the bin system and their role in making it work.
rough campaigns such as Loose Not Bagged and Recycling is Changing, we’ve been able to increase correct recycling behaviours and reduce contamination. Since SV’s SABI campaign began in 2021, the number of Victorians contaminating their recycling by putting it in bags has reduced from 20 per cent down to 13 per cent in 2023. is equates to seven per cent of Victorians, or
approximately 360,000 people, changing their behaviour.
Alpine Shire Council used a local SABI campaign when introducing its new food and garden organics service, resulting in 37 per cent of waste from general rubbish being diverted away from land ll.
ese campaigns not only promote better recycling but also build trust in our waste and recycling system, essential for long-term success.
In 2023, research found that those exposed to the campaign demonstrated increased con dence in the system – 66 per cent of participants trusted the recycling system, compared to just 53 per cent of those who hadn’t encountered the campaign.
NORMALISING AVOIDANCE
Recycling, however, is still the last line of defence.
If we are to truly reduce waste, we must make signi cant shifts further upstream in the waste management hierarchy. We need to change our
behaviour around consumption itself. e new focus must be on rethinking how we acquire, use and discard products – embracing practices such as reusing, repairing, reducing, and avoiding waste in the rst place.
Campaigns such as e Simple Switch Up and I Love Leftovers have already begun shifting consumer attitudes toward reducing single-use items and minimising food waste.
Our most recent iteration in October/ November 2024 of the SABI campaign, Making the most of your food scraps and garden clippings, tackled contamination in FOGO streams through showing how the end product is used on farms to grow new food. Post-campaign results found that 206,000 Victorians performed a new behaviour to prevent FOGO contamination after seeing the campaign.
But households aren’t the only target. Businesses, including those in the hospitality industry, play a crucial role. rough our Love Food Hate Waste campaign, we’ve worked with more than 500 Victorian hospitality businesses, providing them with the tools and knowledge to reduce single-use plastics. Schools, too, are an important focus through our ResourceSmart Schools program. Since 2008, the program has helped schools divert an impressive 170,000 cubic metres of waste from land ll.
e success of these programs shows that behaviour change can be a quiet achiever, bridging the gap between intent and action.
As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in waste management and sustainability, we must prioritise the psychology of human behaviour.
Shifting attitudes and instilling lasting habits is crucial to moving beyond the recycling bin and into a world where waste avoidance becomes second nature.
One of Sustainability Victoria’s successful behaviour change initiatives. Images: Sustainability Victoria
KWINANA IBA PLANT, PERTH
Diverting municipal solid waste from landfills
We process 100% of IBA from our partner, Acciona, closing the loop on the Energy-from-Waste sector and accelerating the circular economy in Australia.
Producing sustainable aggregates
With our state-of-the-art technology, we prevent the negative impacts of extracting raw materials by recovering metals from IBA and producing a secondary aggregate for civil construction work.
Mr Ian Lynass, Managing Director
Limiting environmental impacts
nvironmental protection is at the forefront of our ay-to-day operations. We assure the proper use of ggregates, limiting the impact on the environment.
