Waste Management Review March 2021 by Prime Creative Media

MARCH 2021

Robotic engineering STG Global’s Regan Yendle on designing waste trucks for the future FEATURES The role of waste-to-energy Clinical waste in the age of COVID Modern slavery impacts Smart cities

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COVER STORY

ROBOTIC ARMS AND AUTOMATION

By revamping the humble waste truck, STG Global is set to shake-up Australia’s waste management industry.

DECARBONISING SWEDEN WITH BIOGAS Building off the success of its new biogas facility in Sweden, Hitachi Zosen Inova is committed to driving the country’s green transport sector transition.

“THE MARKET HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMEONE NEW TO MODERNISE AND STREAMLINE INDUSTRY PROCESSES.” - Regan Yendle, STG Global Director.

In this issue

Features

PIECE OF THE 20 APUZZLE

OCIAL 32 SRESPONSIBILITY

EASURING 44 MORGANICS CAPACITY

FROM THE 26 RISING ASHES

TATE OF THE 34 SSMART

NDUSTRIAL 46 IMANSLAUGHTER

Solving Australia’s waste crisis will require recovery solutions at every level of the waste hierarchy. Cleanaway’s Mikaela Orme explains.

A 25-year contract with Avertas Energy will see Blue Phoenix Group’s IBA processing technology on Australian shores for the first time.

28 CLINICAL CONTINUITY Veolia’s proactive approach to clinical waste management has been recognised by SA Health.

Tyre Stewardship Australia’s Lina Goodman addresses human rights and related risks along the end-of-life tyres value chain.

Sensors and solar powered bins are fuelling significant decision making across Australia’s smart cities landscape.

ORMING AWAY 42 WAT WASTE

AORA’s Peter Olah provides an overview of current organics processing levels and the tonnes required to achieve a 95 per cent recycling rate.

WRIQ has partnered with law firm MinterEllison to breakdown changes to industrial manslaughter offences.

A recent equipment investment with Lincom is supporting Wormtech’s commitment to high-quality organic products.

Regulars

50 P RODUCT SHOWCASE 61 LAST WORD

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PUBLISHER

Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Melanie Stark melanie.stark@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

Holly Keys holly.keys@primecreative.com.au

From the Editor

Social licence

JOURNALIST

Brittany Coles brittany.coles@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au

ART DIRECTOR

In November 2019, Craigieburn residents on Melbourne’s urban fringe called on Hume City Council to reject a proposed waste-to-energy (WtE) facility in the suburb. The calls came amid worries the plant would produce hazardous emissions, causing air pollution. A spokesperson for the group cited concerns the plant would lead to large volumes of waste transported into Melbourne for incineration. The group was also apprehensive that the plant would undermine recycling efforts and encourage wastefulness. The Craigieburn facility’s application has since been rejected. While EPA Victoria has granted approvals to WtE energy sites in Laverton, Dandenong South and Maryvale, No Toxic Incinerator for Hume’s calls highlight negative public reactions to WtE and foreground issues of residential encroachment, misunderstood technology and social licence to operate. Social licence to operate, which evolved out of broader concepts of corporate responsibility, centres on the idea that a business needs not only appropriate government or regulatory approval, but also a ‘social licence.’ As highlighted in this edition, while operators working in the WtE sphere are actively seeking to acquire that social licence, a lack of regulatory consistency is creating an environment of confusion. While governments might view social licence as something an individual site or operator needs to secure, they occupy a shared space with the waste and resource recovery sector. For the full effects a recent government investment to be realised, and recovery targets achieved, the industry needs support to boost community perceptions of waste management, including energy recovery, as an essential service. Greater energy recovery from waste could help divert 13.7 million tonnes of waste from landfill each year. With the right policy settings and wider community education, this will go a long way towards achieving the Federal Government’s 80 per cent resource recovery target by 2030.

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Blake Storey blake.storey@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN

Kerry Pert, Madeline McCarty

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Chelsea Daniel-Young chelsea.daniel@primecreative.com.au p: +61 425 699 878

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

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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. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort 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. The opinions expressed in Waste Management Review are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

TOMORROW’S SOLUTIONS. TODAY

News

Tasmania to introduce waste levy from November this year The Tasmanian Government has released its draft Waste and Resource Recovery Bill for public consultation, which will allow for the introduction of a state-wide waste levy. The state government is proposing to introduce the waste levy from 1 November this year. According to Environment Minister Roger Jaensch, the Bill also provides for the formation of a Waste and Resource Recovery Board to oversee Tasmania’s long term waste strategy and allocate funds raised by the levy.

“To ensure businesses and local government have ample time to plan for the future, it is proposed that introduction of the levy will be staggered over four years, starting at $20 per tonne and rising to $60 after four years,” he said. “The levy will provide an incentive to divert waste from landfill and funding for innovative waste and resource recovery initiatives to help build a circular economy in Tasmania, supporting the creation of new jobs and businesses.”

Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) CEO Gayle Sloan said while WMRR appreciates the need to prepare for the levy, the proposed $20 per tonne rate will not shift the dial towards investment. “It is simply too low to maximise, much less drive, resource recovery and landfill diversion,” Sloan said. “WMRR looks forward to continued engagement with the minister on the levy rate and more ahead of the November roll-out.”

Vik Bansal steps down as Cleanaway CEO

Vik Bansal has served as Cleanaway CEO since August 2015.

Cleanaway CEO and Managing Director Vik Bansal is stepping down as part of an orderly leadership transition. Cleanaway Chairman Mark Chellew thanked Bansal for his contribution in

6 / WMR / March 2021

achieving a significant turnaround of Cleanaway in his period as CEO. “Bansal has led Cleanaway’s transformation and growth with enormous dedication, and it shows in the company’s financial results,” Chellew said. “We thank him for his service and wish him all the very best for the future.” During Bansal’s tender, the company delivered total shareholder returns of approximately 300 per cent compared to the benchmark S&P/ASX200 Index of around 58 per cent. At the same time, earning per share grew 21.8 per cent on a compound annual growth rate basis and the market capitalisation of Cleanaway increased more than fivefold to $5 billion. “I am extremely proud of the

transformation of Cleanaway into Australia’s leading waste management business,” Bansal said. “We have created significant value for shareholders through refocusing the business, consolidating under one brand, successfully integrating the ToxFree acquisition, and targeted investment in the best-inclass infrastructure, facilities, and extending our participation in the waste value chain. “It is pleasing to leave Cleanaway extremely well positioned, with a good management team for further growth and success.” Chellew will take on additional duties as Executive Chair while a search for a permanent CEO replacement is conducted.

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News

$35M funding round opens under NSW RMF agreement The Federal and NSW Governments have announced a $35 million grant round for companies ready to invest in new projects that will support the transformation of NSW’s waste and resource recovery industry. The new funding injection combines grants from both levels of government to leverage private industry investment. NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean said the grants will prioritise new sorting technologies that increase the state’s ability to process mixed plastics, glass, paper and tyres. “Our $19 million investment from

prior recycling programs unlocked $73 million in private industry investment in NSW and enabled the creation of hundreds of jobs – which just illustrates the opportunities for innovative waste projects here in NSW,” he said. “We know the people of NSW are keen recyclers, and this new program is all about supporting our waste industry to get more innovative largescale projects that divert plastic, glass, paper and tyres from landfill, off the ground.” Applications close 26 March.

Matt Kean said the funding round takes total investment in transforming NSW industry to $162 million.

Soft plastic packaging recycled into sustainable concrete A team of engineers from RMIT University have partnered with Victorian recycling organisations Replas, RED Group and SR Engineering to create a concrete material made from recycled soft plastics. The RMIT team worked with industry to use Polyrok – a plastic aggregate

The concrete mix optimises the acoustic energy absorption of the material.

8 / WMR / March 2021

made from soft plastics – on a concrete Coles carpark, as well as a footpath in Frankston. The application of the sustainable concrete in the Coles car park in Horsham saw over 900,000 pieces of plastic packaging used. In collaboration with Replas, RED Group and SR Engineering, the team were able to develop a mix methodology and material characterisation to include Polyrok. Team leader, RMIT School of Engineering Senior Lecturer Jonathan Tran, said glass can be easily recycled and turned into things such as sand replacement, but plastic is much harder. “Mixing concrete and plastic is difficult, as the two don’t naturally

bond,” Tran said. “Replas and SR Engineering came to RMIT because of our unique facilities to develop the best way to bond the two components together.” Tran added that there is the potential for 105,000 tonnes of soft plastics to be converted into the dense plastic aggregate every year in a local factory in Melbourne. “Since the partnership, our industry partners Replas, RED Group and Coles have diverted over 1.3 billion pieces of soft plastic from landfill,” he said. “In the future, we’re hoping to explore the production of sustainable concrete structures using a new largescale concrete 3D printer at RMIT’s Bundoora campus.”

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News

REMONDIS to build $9M hazardous waste facility A new hazardous waste recycling facility with the capacity to process a third of Victoria’s solvent waste each year will be built in Dandenong. According to Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, the $9 million facility will be the biggest of its kind in Victoria and among the largest in the country. The facility – to be built by REMONDIS Australia – will give cleaning solvents, inks and paints a second life, turning them into products that can be re-used by industry such as secondary cleaning liquids used in spray guns, alternative fuels and raw solvent material. “It’ll put a massive dent into the 29,000 tonnes of recyclable liquid hazardous waste that is disposed of

each year in Victoria, while reducing the need for storage which carries fire, health and environmental risks if managed inappropriately,” D’Ambrosio said. REMONDIS will build three distillation units within the new facility, which will be able to process up to 9600 tonnes of hazardous solvent waste once up and running in 2024. The Victorian Government is contributing $1.3 million to the project through a Recycling Victoria Infrastructure Fund grant, with a further $10.2 million available for other companies looking to invest in hazardous waste management. “Being recognised by the Victorian Government this way is testimony

The Vic Govt has contributed $1.3 million to the project through the Recycling Victoria Infrastructure Fund.

to our abilities when it comes to liquid hazardous waste recycling,” a REMONDIS statement reads. “This facility will be a game-changer for solvent recycling in Victoria, turning what would normally be waste into something that can be reused in various products.”

Federal and SA Governments sign $30M RMF agreement South Australia’s recycling industry will receive a $30 million boost, with the Federal and State Governments signing up to a National Partnership on recycling infrastructure. According to Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley, both governments have committed $15 million to advance recycling infrastructure in South Australia under the Recycling Modernisation Fund. “Expressions of interest are now being sought from industry, local government and non-government

10 / WMR / March 2021

organisations who stand ready to commit at least one-third of the project cost,” she said. “The co-funding model gives everyone skin in the recycling game and will increase the supply of highquality recycled materials available for business and industry.” South Australian Environment and Water Minister David Speirs said the funding will further enhance South Australia’s reputation as a national leader in waste management. “The funding in South Australia will

be focusing on partner projects that are investigating new technology and equipment related to mixed plastics reprocessing, improving the recovery and separation of soft plastics, and increasing glass re-manufacturing,” he said. “Unlocking the potential in these materials and keeping resources circulating through our economy increases our resilience to supply chain challenges and creates local jobs, while also benefiting our environment.”

NOT A MOMENT TO WASTE Australians need tyre retailers to be more vigilant than ever on who they choose to work with and how their end of life tyres are being managed. The wasteful age of stockpiling tyres is over. The new era of using this resource to create jobs, spark innovation and deliver strong environmental outcomes has begun.

TSA LEADS THE WAY IN FUNDING INVESTMENT IN INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS THAT UTILISE AUSTRALIAN TYRE DERIVED PRODUCTS

Do your part by working with a TSA accredited tyre retailer / recycler / collector. TSA’s accreditation signifies the participant has been vetted, audited and assessed and are sustainably managing end of life tyres. Open your smartphone’s camera and hover over the QR Code.

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COVER STORY

Robotic arms and automation BY MODERNISING THE HUMBLE WASTE TRUCK, STG GLOBAL IS SET TO SHAKE-UP AUSTRALIA’S WASTE MANAGEMENT SECTOR. REGAN YENDLE, STG GLOBAL DIRECTOR, EXPLAINS.

t’s been said that when Athens required waste to be disposed of at least one mile for city walls in 500 b.c., that the Ancient Greek city established the western world’s first municipal landfill. Organised solid waste management is often traced back to 18th century London, however, with waste moved around the city with wagons and horse-drawn carriages. Waste haulage was motorised in the early 20th century, with the first closed body trucks and dumping lever mechanisms introduced in the 1920s. Hopper mechanisms came about shortly thereafter, before the first hydraulic compactor was introduced in 1938. While modern waste trucks are now equipped with cameras, telematics, onboard diagnostics and automated arms, their development has stagnated somewhat in recent years, with waste management companies and local councils looking for new technologies to enhance their operations. Enter STG Global, which in late 2020 announced its entrance into the waste market with the release of a tech-savvy line of waste trucks, as well as exclusive rights to bring world-class Aebi Schmidt sweepers to Australia. The range, which includes The Bandit side loader, The Claw rear loader and The Tusks front loader, brings added safety, automation and

12 / WMR / March 2021

efficiency to waste collection, and are already being trialled by one of Australia’s largest municipal waste collection providers. Features within the range include iPad technology controls, record collection arm reach, fully automated bin-scanning and pick-up technology, and a patented modular design to reduce maintenance and repair downtime.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Now a leading manufacturer of trucks for the waste, construction and mining industries, Regan Yendle, STG Director, explains that the company’s history can be traced back to the small country town of Mansfield, Victoria. “Over 30 years ago, a young bunch of entrepreneurial guys hit by drought and hard times were looking for a way to keep the income coming into the family farm,” he says. “With the banks pressuring the family to sell, the entrepreneurial gents started tinkering away in the shed, chugging VBs and thinking of ways to save the family farm.” On one dusty afternoon, the boys noticed a huge amount of dust coming off a construction site in town. Eager to make some money, Yendle says the boys approached the site foreman looking for work. He replied, “nothing here mate, but if you know anyone with a water truck, let me know.”

Desperate and quick witted, the boys replied, “we have a water truck at the farm ready to work.” After negotiations on the rate, a deal was struck and the ‘water truck’ was due to start work the following day. “The only problem was that there was no water truck, and the boys knew nothing about water trucks,” Yendle says. “Within 24 hours, with spare parts lying around the farm, a water truck was born resembling more like a walking disaster with items falling off and more water leaking out than was kept in. “Needless to say, the next couple of days was a huge learning curve but the boys kept that contract and saved the family farm.” For the next 30 years, these “entrepreneurial spirits” saw a hole in the market when it came to manufacturing and producing water tanks and other truck bodies, so they directed all energies and attention to this market. Yendle explains that the STG product line has expanded significantly since then, with models now available across the company’s range of water, vacuum excavation, tilt tray, service, waste and sweeper trucks.

ROBOTIC ENGINEERING Before officially entering the waste market, Yendle says STG had been observing the sector for some time.

Regan Yendle says STG Global is targeting a 30 per cent share in the waste truck market.

“We used to purchase old waste trucks and turn them into water trucks, so we’d spoken to a lot of people in the industry who had gripes with the products and backup availability,” he says. “It’s a huge market but there’s only two real players, so we thought it was a good sector to tackle.” STG’s historically entrepreneurial spirit was another factor, Yendle says, with the company always looking for a challenge. “Any engineering shop can build a tipper body for a truck, but waste trucks are more complex,” he explains. “We wanted to apply our ingenuity to a product that’s not particularly easy to manufacture. “We’re happy to bring automation, reliability and customer-first aftersales service and support that will benefit everyone in the industry, right down to the ratepayer putting their bins out on the curb.” To deliver on its promise, STG teamed up with a team of highly specialised robotics engineers from

Corematic Engineering. Corematic Engineering Director Scott Hansen, who led development of the new waste truck range, says early-stage feedback from operators had been incredibly positive and encouraging. “Existing waste collection trucks do the job, but the technology is quite old, and we wanted to bring new life into the industry,” he says. “Waste collection is a critical part of our daily lives, and things haven’t changed a lot over the last ten or so years, so we wanted to be able to act on feedback from within the industry to build a better truck. “Our focus is on the end-user, and because of that, STG Global’s new range of garbage trucks will set the standard of what people will be asking for in waste collection.” According to Yendle, the result is a line of waste trucks equip with automated bin detection software that sounds off an alarm if a bin is missed. “Missed bins are a big problem for local councils. In Brisbane City

Council, they can miss bins 40-80 times every day,” he says. The software also automates the pickup process, scanning bins and unloading them without operators having to manually input via a hand control. “The driver doesn’t have to use a joystick to pick up the bin, which is important as one of the biggest injuries in the industry is RSI in the hand. This feature works to eliminate that risk,” Yendle says. “The trucks will also detect if there is someone within 10 metres of the truck, which stops the lift process and cannot be overwritten by the operator. “The design is all about making it safer for the operator and safer for the public.” Additionally, the trucks feature an integrated control system, which runs on an iPad and provides operational and performance insights across a fleet. “This enables city councils, waste operators and collection companies to increase their productivity,” Yendle says.

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COVER STORY

Another key feature of the range is the ability for fleet managers to upload their own software and applications to the trucks, meaning less screens in the cabin to reduce operator clutter. The control system app is suitable for ‘split screen’ operation, so a second app can run in parallel on the same screen. The trucks also benefit from STG’s patented modular design, which allows operators to attach and detach multiple hooper and packer systems and configure the trucks to individual collection requirements. “With our modulated design the compactor and arms both separate from the body,” Yendle says. “This means that if the compactor wears out halfway through the life of

the machine, the operator can bring the truck in and swap the compactor out.”

EXPERIENCE AND INNOVATION While STG’s waste trucks are a new innovation, they build on over 30 years’ experience in manufacturing and design for related industries, such as the soil remediation, nondestructive digging and drilling mud recovery sectors. Yendle adds that the remediation industry is changing. “Years ago, you could dig near the curb with an excavator, but now with the presence of fibre optics, you’re not allowed to dig within five metres of the curb,” he says. “We saw a market opportunity

STG Global’s trucks feature an integrated control system that provides operational and performance insights across fleets.

The new Bandit Side-loader is a purpose-built vehicle specialising in domestic waste collection.

14 / WMR / March 2021

there, building of our background with water trucks, and began designing our own units.” STG Global vacuum trucks feature state-of-the-art vacuum technology that helps to load and unload liquid slurry rapidly. “Their compact, heavy-duty vacuum system design makes them highlycoveted in the industry,” Yendle says. “Our vacuum trucks are easy to operate, require minimum maintenance and boasts a longer life cycle while consuming less power.” Yendle also points to a recent innovation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, whereby STG pivoted its manufacturing towards new services and equipment through the introduction of a range of disinfectant spray trucks. Originally designed for the plant and equipment market as a dust suppression powerhouse, the Suppressor COVID-19 Destroyer works to support businesses working on COVID-19 impact cleaning projects. “The Suppressor Truck is the only Australian-made truck capable of deploying disinfectants over a large outdoor expanse,” Yendle says. “Going forward, The Suppressor Truck could be used in containment efforts where an outbreak occurs in a condensed geographic area, as the Australian government seeks to suppress clustered outbreaks while we wait for the vaccine rollout.” Looking forward, Yendle says STG hopes to acquire a 30 per cent waste market share. “Australia’s population continues to grow, bringing greater demand on collection services, and the market has been looking for someone new to modernise and streamline the industry processes,” he says. “That’s our goal, and it’s one we’ve achieved in the past with other industries.”

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FEATURED TOPIC – WASTE-TO-ENERGY

Around the nation WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW INVESTIGATES WASTE-TO-ENERGY AND FINDS OUT ABOUT THE KEY LOCATIONS THAT WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN AUSTRALIA’S RENEWABLE FUTURE.

aste-to-energy (WtE) has been used for decades around the world to divert non-recyclable waste from landfill, reduce emissions and produce energy. But, has Australia been slow off the mark in harnessing a role for the technology? Global WtE market growth is driven by increase in demand for the incineration process and rises in public WtE expenditure. According to the Waste-to-Energy Market by Technology Industry Forecast, published by Allied Market Research, the global WtE market size was valued at $46 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach almost $66 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.6 per cent. “Continuing the delivery of basic waste management service like waste collection and management has become a major challenge for cities having maximum fallout from COVID-19,” the report reads. As such, Allied Market Research suggests that there has never been a more important time for governments to partner with the private sector through public-private partnerships to discover sustainable solutions for energy generation from waste. According to the United Nations International Environment Technology Centre (IETC), thermal WtE, also known as incineration with energy recovery, is a major waste treatment method in some developed countries and the most widely adopted technology that dominates the global

Source: Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, 2020.

WtE market. Recent research by the United Nations IETC highlights that over 80 per cent of thermal WtE plants are located in developed countries, led by Japan, France, Germany and the United States. Asia Pacific holds the majority of the world’s WtE plants, with over 1100. It’s clear that governments across emerging and developed markets are eager to tap into WtE technologies. Economically, thermal WtE requires significant investment for start-up, operation and maintenance. However, the United Nations IETC emphasises that achieving integrated sustainable waste management requires integration of appropriate collection with different technologies and waste treatment methods and governance systems in the local context. FOCUS ON THE FORGOTTEN RENEWABLE Could WtE have the power to transform Australia’s waste and recycling sector?

Last year, the Federal Government announced its $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund, and alongside the National Waste Policy Action Plan, there is a new drive towards reuse and remanufacturing of waste in Australia. Waste Recycling and Clean Energy is one of six National Manufacturing Priorities in the Federal Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy. As such, industry stakeholders suggest there is no doubt that the WtE sector can play an important role in delivering lower cost alternative energy solutions across Australia, especially following the ongoing repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rose Read, National Waste and Recycling Industry Council CEO, for example, says industry is ready to invest and help generate new revenue streams through more recycling and energy recovery “The WtE debate is more than just diverting waste from landfill, it’s about recognising the greenhouse gas savings being generated, and the potential

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FEATURED TOPIC – WASTE-TO-ENERGY

According to Allied Market Research, the global WtE market size was valued at $46 billion in 2019.

renewable energy that can be provided back to the grid, as well as the economic opportunities and employment potential for the community,” she says. In January this year, Environment Minister Sussan Ley said that with the passing of the Morrison Government’s historic Recycling and Waste Reduction Act in Parliament, with its phased ban on the export of waste plastics, paper, glass and tyres from 1 January this year, there has never been a more important time to support innovation in recycling technology and infrastructure. “The first ever national waste and recycling legislation, and the development of new technologies, will take us a step further to realising the full value of our waste, rather than losing that value to landfill,” Ley said as part of an announcement that a project to turn food waste into biodegradable cling wrap and another using AI to sort plastic recycling were being supported by the Federal Government.

WHERE IS WtE HAPPENING? In 2019, Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg asked the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to prioritise WtE incineration projects that burn residual waste to generate electricity. There are two large-scale WtE

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facilities currently under construction, with the Kwinana Project in Western Australia, set to be the nation’s first utility-scale WtE facility, to be launched later this year. The East Rockingham Resource Recovery Facility, to be located a short distance from the Kwinana facility, also commenced construction last year and is scheduled to become operational in late 2022. Last year Infrastructure Partnerships Australia published a report, Putting waste to work: Developing a role for Energy From Waste, and put together key recommendations to help meet Australia’s waste challenges. “If Australia’s governments fail to support the development of further WtE facilities and other forms of energy recovery as part of a waste management solution, more of our waste will simply end up in landfill,” the paper reads. According to the report, Australia could establish a new market for WtE that diverts 13.7 million tonnes of waste from landfill each year by 2030. The 2020 report further highlighted that Australia could dramatically expand WtE capacity without undermining recycling efforts. “European countries that have embraced WtE have successfully managed the balance between recycling and energy recovery,” the paper reads. “Clearly, WtE can – and should – play a greater role in the management of Australia’s waste. The introduction of a national waste export ban provides the impetus for change, with a clear need to rethink how we manage our waste, extract value from it, and use it to achieve broader objectives, such as emission reductions.” REGIONAL SCALE In late January, ARENA announced $3.9 million in funding to Renergi for the development of the next phase of its WtE technology in Collie, Western Australia.

As part of the project, Renergi has attracted investment from a consortium of investors closely linked to Sunshot Energy, an emerging energy company co-owned by Professor Ross Garnaut. According to an ARENA statement, this consortium will support the future commercialisation of the Renergi technology at other regional locations around Australia. Renergi will design, build and operate a 1.5 tonnes per hour demonstration scale distributed WtE plant that will incorporate the company’s patented grinding pyrolysis technology. The plant will convert 4000 tonnes per year of municipal solid waste and 8000 tonnes per year of forestry and agricultural wastes to crude pyrolysis oil and biochar. Darren Miller, ARENA CEO, says this could see other opportunities open up for regional communities to convert their waste into fuel. “Landfill avoidance has become a key issue in Australia due to restrictions on the export of materials to Asia, with approximately 75.8 million tonnes of waste being generated in 2018-19 alone,” he says. “Renergi’s project aims to solve some of the current waste disposal problems that are affecting our local councils. “Renergi’s technology will demonstrate the viability of a scalable distributed WtE process, which will use low value waste to displace fossil fuels and thereby helping to reduce emissions.” While other WtE projects are focused on incineration at large centralised plants, Renergi’s technology is a potential waste treatment solution for regional and smaller towns. “This project is a great example of how ARENA’s support can move a technology from early stage research and concept to demonstration, and put it on the pathway to commercialisation,” Miller says.

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FEATURED TOPIC – WASTE-TO-ENERGY

A piece of the puzzle SOLVING AUSTRALIA’S WASTE CRISIS WILL REQUIRE RECOVERY SOLUTIONS AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE WASTE HIERARCHY AND RESOURCE CHAIN. CLEANAWAY’S MIKAELA ORME EXPLAINS.

opulation growth, increased consumption, diminishing landfill space and strict quality requirements in recycling markets are putting pressure on waste management systems across Australia. As highlighted in the Federal Government’s latest National Waste Report, Australia generated an estimated 74 million tonnes of waste in 2018-19. Of that 74, only 43 million tonnes were recycled, with 27 million tonnes sent to landfill and 2.1 million tonnes recovered via waste-to-energy (WtE). Landfill gas capture accounted for 82 per cent of materials recovered via WtE, followed by recovery as fuels at 15 per cent and anaerobic digestion at four per cent. Mikaela Orme, Cleanaway Community and Media Relations Manager, explains that while the most

preferred method of managing waste is to avoid it in the first instance, followed by reuse and recycling, residual waste will always be present. “Australia is generally an innovative country, but we’ve been very complacent with waste. For the last 40-odd years we have been too comfortable with the bulk of our waste going to landfill,” she says. “While some of this waste going to landfill could be recycled if separated at the source, once it’s disposed of in the red bin, it is no longer recoverable – you can’t unscramble an egg.” Orme adds that there is growing consciousness across governments, industry and the wider community around better managing waste. “In recent years, a large amount of the conversation has been around innovations in recycling, minimising

Cleanaway’s proposed Western Sydney Energy and Resource Recovery Centre aims to divert one third of the region’s red bin waste. 20 / WMR / March 2021

waste generation and the transition to a circular economy. But what’s missing from that conversation is how we manage and maximise recovery from residual waste,” she says. “Zero-waste, while admirable, is an unlikely scenario. Even within recycling processes there is residual waste that needs to be managed.” As such, for Australia’s transition from a linear to circular economy to be successful, Orme highlights the need to re-evaluate conventional approaches to residual waste and drive WtE innovation. “There is a lot of focus on innovations and international best practice for other

waste streams, such as innovations in FOGO processing and closed loop solutions for recycling. Where we fall short in that conversation is residual waste,” she says. A CASE FOR WTE Despite WtE encompassing a wide range of technologies, when the process is mentioned many conjure up images of large-scale incineration, fumes and burning plastic. This perception, however, fails to recognise decades of international WtE innovation and advancements in environmental monitoring and controls. “We already have WtE in Australia with anerobic digestion and landfill gas capture. And while it’s new to Australia, thermal WtE has been used safely and effectively overseas for decades,” Orme says.

WtE encompasses a large variety of processes, including ‘hot’ technologies – pyrolysis, gasification and incineration – and ‘cool’ technologies – landfill gas capture and anaerobic digestion. When discussing ‘hot’ technologies, incineration with energy recovery is the most proven at a commercial scale. “WtE incineration is a very robust technology in that it operates the same irrespective of the material, so as we recycle better and recover more resources out of the red bin, we are still able to maximise energy recovery from the non-recoverable items that are left,” Orme says. In addition to recovering energy from waste otherwise destined for landfill, WtE works to lower carbon emissions, while providing a lower cost option for councils and businesses to dispose of their non-recyclable waste. Furthermore, despite some arguing that there is no place for WtE within the circular economy, Orme notes that energy recovery works alongside recycling processes, and

even contributes to recycling outcomes through the recovery of metals from ash, and recovery of the ash itself. Because the technology is only used for unrecyclable waste, Orme says it enhances the need for education on best practice recycling – a need that many WtE projects actively support. “To achieve a circular economy, source separation needs to improve, landfill bans on material such as organics needs to be implemented, widespread education is required so recycling rates can increase, and we need to improve product design to increase the potential for recovery, and incorporate recycled material in manufacturing,” Orme says. “While all this can and should be focused on, it will take time to get it right and start seeing the cultural, industrial and systemic changes needed to achieve it.” Orme adds that European countries embarked on the circular economy journey decades before Australia and are still not quite there yet. The Confederation of European WtE Plants, for instance, notes that despite downward trends, Europe still landfills 175 million tonnes of waste each year – emitting more than 140 million tonnes of CO2.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 21

FEATURED TOPIC – WASTE-TO-ENERGY

Copenhagen’s Amager Bakke WtE plant is set to play a major role in the city’s ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2025.

Similarly, the European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan – released last year – highlights that with annual waste generation projected to increase by 70 per cent by 2050, the EU needs to accelerate the transition towards a regenerative growth model that promotes energy and resource efficiency. “Realistically, and for the foreseeable future, there will always be a portion of non-recoverable, non-recyclable waste that remains after recovery efforts. This transition period is where WtE provides a lot of value through maximising recovery of resources from residual waste,” Orme explains. Looking forward, Orme says one of the biggest challenges for WtE is a lack of cohesive national strategy. While WtE projects have been approved and are underway in Western Australia and Victoria, including the Kwinana, East Rockingham and Maryvale projects, incineration is banned in the ACT. Additionally, the NSW Greens brought forward a bill to ban the incineration of most waste in late 2020, and while it was ultimately rejected, the move highlights a need for

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clearer planning guidelines and wider community understanding. “When there is no cohesion or statement in support or against WtE, it becomes confusing for communities,” Orme says. “We are starting to see more support from government on a federal level, but we need to see the states coming together. That would open the door for more education on the history of WtE and how far it’s come from mass incineration plants to the modern recovery facilities of today.” With the right support, investment and education, Orme says WtE could play an important role in Australia’s waste management ecosystem. “To solve Australia’s waste crisis is not going to take one solution, but many that work at varying levels of the waste hierarchy to maximise recovery of resources along value chains.” Cleanaway’s commitment to this approach is demonstrated in its development of a Container Sorting Facility in NSW, processed engineered fuel facility in Western Sydney, upcoming plastic pelletising facility in Albury Wodonga, and investment in

and restructuring of material recovery facilities in Victoria and Tasmania. Cleanaway is also in the process of gaining approval for a proposed WtE facility in Western Sydney. The Western Sydney Energy and Resource Recovery Centre, which is modelled on modern facilities that exist overseas, aims to divert approximately one third of Western Sydney’s red bin waste into electricity to power over 79,000 homes and businesses. The facility will also facilitate the recovery of metals from the ash for recycling – metals that would otherwise be sent to landfill, and reuse of the ash in construction processes. Once accepting waste, the Western Sydney Energy and Resource Recovery Centre will create a net reduction of climate change gases equivalent to more than 390,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. “Cleanaway is committed to investing in innovative processing solutions for waste created at every level of the waste hierarchy including energy recovery, which is all about pulling waste out of landfill and pushing it up the value chain to higher order uses,” Orme says.

FEATURED TOPIC – WASTE-TO-ENERGY

Decarbonising Sweden with biogas BUILDING OFF THE SUCCESS OF ITS NEW BIOGAS FACILITY IN SWEDEN, HITACHI ZOSEN INOVA IS COMMITTED TO DRIVING THE COUNTRY’S GREEN TRANSPORT SECTOR TRANSITION.

weden has been producing biogas at municipal wastewater treatment plants since the 1960s. After the oil crisis of the 1970s, biogas production expanded, with significant investment into research and development to reduce the country’s dependency on oil. As highlighted by Smart City Sweden, several landfills started to collect and utilise biogas produced on site in the 1980s, an activity that expanded throughout the remainder of the decade. Fast forward to today, and the European Biogas Association predicts that with the right investment, Sweden could phase out natural gas in transportation and replace it with 100 per cent biogas by 2030. Nils Lannefors, Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) Business Development Manager Sweden, explains that biogas is one of the key pillars of Sweden’s green transport sector transition, in parallel with electrification, hydrogen and sustainable liquid biofuels. “After the ban on landfilling waste in Sweden in 2005, regulations to introduce the separation of food and green waste fractions from municipal solid waste have been implemented, which made the biowaste substrates needed for biogas production available,” he says. Lannefors adds that the political will to decarbonise the transport sector and

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Hitachi Zosen Inova’s Jönköping biogas plant will reduce the region’s CO2 emission by 15,000 tonnes each year.

make biowaste an important pillar of Sweden’s circular economy was crucial to one HZI’s latest projects – the design and construction of a new biogas facility in Jönköping. The facility, which was commissioned earlier this year, receives regional biowaste and provides Jönköping city buses and waste trucks with biogas, as well as fertiliser for local agriculture. When fully operational, the plant will reduce the region’s CO2 emissions by 15,000 tonnes per annum. Jönköping first engaged HZI in 2015 to explore improved ways of converting organic household waste into energy and fertilisers.

At this point, the municipality had almost 10 years operational experience with its own wet anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, but struggled to achieve positive economic results due to high operational costs and low productivity. After developing a business case, HZI started project development in 2017, before taking over municipal biogas activity in February 2019. HZI’s business case stood out for a number of reasons, Lannefors says, namely that the advantages of its Kompogas technology were proven to be the most suitable fit for the municipality. “HZI proposed their Kompogas dry

AD technology which has lower water consumption and increased flexibility in terms of the substrates that can be treated in the process,” he says. “We also presented an attractive financing procedure. Based on that, we qualified for the Swedish green investment support scheme and the bank loans of the Japanese banks involved.” Biogas production has now begun, with a successful first delivery of compressed biogas to the facility’s off-takers. “Nevertheless, the plant is still going through tests and adjustment processes in order to make it as efficient as possible, both in terms of biogas production, but also to have the operations as automated as possible,” Lannefors says. BUILDING BIOGAS Jönköping’s biogas production technology is based on HZI’s dry AD Kompogas technology as well as their proprietary BioMethan gas upgrading technology and follows a holistic approach. “Kompogas is a robust, proven low OPEX technology with minimal water and power consumption as well as high availability,” Lannefors says. “In the Jönköping plant most of the water required in the process is rainwater collected from the 1500 square metre roof structures.” He adds that a common challenge for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of biogas projects is the integration of all the subsystems in the plant – waste bunkers, pretreatment, digestors, gas bells, biogas upgrading and compressed biogas systems – to avoid bottlenecks and interface issues. Additionally, particular attention must be payed to the instrumentation of the plant to allow for effective and autonomous operations when needed.

The facility produces biogas for Jönköping city buses and fertiliser for local agriculture.

“HZI is an experienced EPC project contractor used to manage several suppliers from different countries through well-defined interfaces. The construction on site requires excellent coordination of both the construction works and the environmental, health and safety aspects,” Lannefors says. “HZI has done around 75,000 working hours on site in Jönköping without any severe incident involving any workforce at the construction site, which is an excellent achievement.” The plant’s design also ensures energy efficiency, with the excess heat from the biogas compressors re-used for the plant’s heating system and landfill gas used to heat digestors. “The new biogas plant is located on an old landfill which is still producing landfill gas. This gas is being captured

and burnt in a gas boiler for the heating of the digesters and for the winter heating of the process building and offices,” Lannefors says. “Before the plant was built the landfill gas on this site was flared only to avoid methane leakage into the atmosphere.” According to Lannefors, by treating the region’s organic waste to produce 100 per cent biogas for the transport sector, HZI is strengthening the local circular economy by delivering fuel for the local waste truck fleet as well as for the city’s buses. This is increased further by local farmers using the facility’s liquid rest product as an ecological fertiliser, in line with Swedish and EU ambitions to reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers in the agricultural sector. “HZI’s ambition is to continue to own and operate the new plant and continue to be part of the circular economy in Jönköping,” Lannefors says. With the Jönköping Kompogas plant as a reference, along with long-term political support for future Swedish biogas production, HZI and its financing partners are committed to a new approach to developing, financing, building and operating new biogas production projects in Sweden. Marc Stammbach, HZI Australia Managing Director, says he is excited about translating this overseas experience into a local context. He adds that Biogas Opportunities for Australia, a 2019 report from ENEA Consulting, estimates that Australia’s total biogas potential is 103 terawatt hours, with the potential to avoid up to nine million tonnes of CO2 emissions. “We can look forward to a biogas boom driven by source separation of food and green organics and green incentives. And the organics transformed into quality compost and nutrients to feed our soils,” Stammbach says.

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FEATURED TOPIC – WASTE-TO-ENERGY

Rising from the ashes A 25-YEAR CONTRACT WITH AVERTAS ENERGY WILL SEE BLUE PHOENIX GROUP’S INCINERATOR BOTTOM ASH PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY ON AUSTRALIAN SHORES FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Ian Lynass says Blue Phoenix Group’s technology provides a low-risk, sustainable solution for operators across the country.

2020 report from Infrastructure Partnerships Australia suggests the “looming waste crisis” is a once in a generation opportunity to embrace energy recovery as an effective way to manage waste and provide baseload power. According to the report, appetite among community and industry stakeholders to reform the waste sector is growing, in response to a decreasing tolerance for landfill and increasing social awareness of related issues. Waste-to-energy (WtE) has been

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successfully used for decades to divert non-recyclable waste from landfill overseas, and in recent years, has become a developing market in Australia. With the wheels now in motion, Australia’s first large-scale WtE facility is set to commence operations later this year. Located in Kwinana, Western Australia, the Avertas Energy facility is expected to process 400,000 tonnes of municipal solid, commercial and industrial waste under agreements with local governments and other providers in the city’s greater metropolitan area. While the plant will go a long way towards helping Western Australia meet its diversion targets, an oftenoverlooked facet of WtE facilities is that the process itself generates waste – in the form of incinerator bottom ash (IBA). When residue ash is not recycled it is usually buried in landfill, thereby undercutting overarching sustainability goals. SUSTAINABLE ASH MANAGEMENT To ensure Kwinana’s ash is recovered, Avertas Energy engaged IBA specialists Blue Phoenix Australia to build, own and operate Australia’s first IBA processing plant. Ian Lynass, Blue Phoenix Managing Director South East Asia, explains that the companies began conversations three years ago. He adds that because Kwinana is Australia’s first thermal

WtE facility, bottom ash has never before been produced at a commercial scale in the country. “We wanted to work in partnership with Avertas to bring about a sustainable, professional and responsible solution to the recycling and reuse of incinerator bottom ash,” Lynass says. Blue Phoenix Australia will process 100 per cent of the IBA – circa 80,000 tonnes per annum – using its proprietary technology to recover metals from the ash and produce an aggregate product capable of re-use in civil applications. The recovered metals are refined and then sold through Blue Phoenix’s network of refining partners globally. “We’ll then take the aggregate that remains and work with the market and regulators to develop pathways for reuse of the material in applications such as road base, civil, commercial and industrial applications,” Lynass says. Blue Phoenix Australia expects that approximately 76,000 tonnes of aggregate produced annually will be safely and consistently reused and recycled – resulting in a fully circular WtE system. “Processing the IBA through our patented technology ensures the end result is an aggregate product that has intrinsic value in the aggregates market,” Lynass says.

RENEWAL AND RESURRECTION In ancient Greek folklore, a phoenix is a long-lived bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise reborn. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. New life emerging from something that seems lifeless is the inspiration for Blue Phoenix Group, which applies patented technology to give IBA new life. Rogier van de Weijer, Blue Phoenix Group International Business Development Manager, explains that the group consists of two companies that came together – UK-based Ballast Phoenix and Netherlands based Inashco. Inashco was founded in 2008 to offer a unique patented technology developed by the Technical University of Delft for the recovery and upgrading of fine non-ferrous metals from municipal waste ash. Across the North Sea, Ballast Phoenix was producing recycled aggregate material from IBA, working to replace virgin materials and provide a sustainable, environmentally sound product with structural benefits. “When the two companies came together it was like a perfect marriage, with one focusing on the recycling of aggregates and the other focusing on the recycling of metals,” Van de Weijer says. He adds that the convergence of the two technologies allows Blue Phoenix Group to provide a sustainable circular solution for WtE facilities across the UK, Europe, the United States and now Australia. Blue Phoenix Group’s process involves separating non-ferrous and ferrous metals from ash and removing any unburnt plastics, wood and paper – leaving a sustainable source of aggregate. “The IBA and resultant IBAA product

is like an urban mine, with all the elements brought back into the circular economy to assure zero waste to landfill,” Van de Weijer says. One of the key challenges to recycling IBA is ensuring the ash is processed successfully to remove and recover the metal content. According to Van de Weijer, Blue Phoenix Group can remove metals down to minus two millimetres through the application of a technology that is unique to the company. “By removing those metals, we substantively improve the quality of the aggregates, therefore increasing the recycling applications and reducing the risk of landfill,” he says. Van de Weijer adds that Blue Phoenix Group employs a unique Source Pathway Receptor process that analyses a number of environmental factors to assess the suitability of the planned use, which assures that the aggregate is responsibly used and monitored. “We look at the quality of the source, the product we produce and the soil condition of the application area, to minimize environmental risks on groundwater and the environment,” Van de Weijer says. “We take that information back to our system and give the off-takers a report that says: if you use the aggregate in this manner and on this location, the material is suitable within the legal compliance of your specific country.”

standards,” Lynass says. He explains that Blue Phoenix Australia’s primary focus will be working with customers, government departments, agencies and end users to evolve regulation and support the development of sustainable endmarkets. “WtE facilities are a key facet of the waste hierarchy, so having a responsible, proven technology that Australia can rely upon to minimise risks and maximise recycling is a cornerstone of the circular economy transition for IBA,” Lynass says. “Our aim is to be that responsible partner – providing an economic solution that closes the loop for councils, individuals, households and communities Australia wide.” Blue Phoenix Australia will process 100 per cent of Kwinana’s IBA to produce an aggregate product capable of re-use in civil applications.

MATURING MARKETS Looking forward, Van de Weijer and Lynass expect Australia to become a significant market, with its proven technology and experience in securing end-markets providing a low-risk option for operators across the country. “We’re looking to become the partner of choice for WtE facilities across Australia by ensuring we will always be a responsible recycling partner that will not cut corners or compromise

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – CLINICAL WASTE

Clinical waste continuity VEOLIA AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND’S PROACTIVE APPROACH TO CLINICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN RECOGNISED WITH AN ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD FROM SA HEALTH.

ollowing the global implementation of exceptional measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, Veolia activated business continuity plans to ensure the supply of quality services. “Veolia’s mission is to deliver essential services on a daily basis,” Veolia Group CEO Antoine Frérot said in March 2020. “During this period, our mission is even more vital because requirements are even greater. We are fully mobilised to continue to serve you.” For the Australian and New Zealand arm of the company, supply continuity of critical products and services was highlighted as a key priority, with Veolia working proactively with suppliers to ensure minimal disruption. While critical across all sectors, for Veolia’s healthcare and clinical waste teams, significant spikes in volumes and collections required an approach which focused on customer engagement, operational flexibility and strict compliance. In South Australia (SA), Veolia’s Healthcare and Operations team saw a 10 per cent increase in waste volume’s week-on-week for five weeks straight in the early stages of the pandemic response. Veolia’s approach demonstrated agility – working around the clock, increasing collection services from 11

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Veolia evolved its business model during the pandemic, focusing on controls, crisis response, communication and client experience.

to 16 times a week for some hospitals in Adelaide Metro, and ensuring that all stakeholders were briefed on required PPE, disposal controls and the classification of waste streams. This adaptability gave SA Health peace of mind that this critical element of their operations was handled expertly, even naming the Veolia team the recipient of their

Above and Beyond Award in late 2020. “When COVID-19 came through SA, we were largely on the front foot with SA Health,” Kelly Bras, Veolia Waste Treatment Manager SA, says. “We had good communication and provided detailed instructions for consistent and compliant bin labelling to ensure we could focus on COVID

waste streams, whilst operating our business as usual services.” As the pandemic saw patient and testing numbers grow, Veolia SA increased its bin processing by 50 per cent during peak demand, and also placed orders for thousands of extra medical waste bins. “The lead time on those bins is quite significant, so we had to forecast where SA Health was going to be in three to four weeks’ time so we could ensure we could scale our bin supply to meet the changing demand,” Bras says. “We also worked with our suppliers to ensure we had chlorine detergents and sanitisers available. We made sure we had a couple of months supply, so if we had items coming in from overseas that were impacted by supply chain disruptions it wasn’t going to impact our service.” Additionally, Bras explains that as Veolia’s bins in SA go through an automated chlorine based washing and sanitisation process, the company worked with SA Health to implement additional control measures. “There was also a need to look at scenario planning for an expansion of hospital and clinic services in the event of swift escalation of patient numbers. Veolia again readied themselves for this potential upgrade in frequency and services as part of emergency and contingency planning in alignment with SA Health.” Bras credits Veolia’s success to a whole of team approach, with everyone from drivers, operators and business development managers working flexibly and efficiently. “When SA Health wanted to implement something new, we had already envisioned and planned for that and had the necessary agility to respond quickly,” he says. When SA went into a sharp lock down in November last year, for

example, Bras says Veolia saw a another 40 per cent spike in bin numbers. “We had put the hard work into critical response planning, so our preparedness paid off as we were able to scale as needed.” he says. “This approach has been central to building trust with our major clients such as SA Health, and ensuring they can get on with focusing on their critical pandemic response.” VACCINE WASTE MANAGEMENT With Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine now approved for use in Australia, Tim Lee, Veolia Health National Sales and Business Development Manager, says Veolia is expecting to see clinical waste generation increase in line with volumes seen during mass testing. “The critical element will be shortturn arounds and rapid increases. As facilities such as general practice, hospitals and pharmacies gear up for vaccine roll-out, we expect to see demand for secure clinical waste collection and disposal ramp up quickly,” he says. Lee explains that Veolia’s learnings when supporting clinical waste customers, across all states, have shown that effective supply chains, resource and equipment scalability, will once again be the critical piece. “We are forward planning and ensuring constant and ongoing communication with our customers to ensure we can help,” he says. While the vaccine roll-out will be unprecedented in terms of scale, Lee says Veolia will draw on the approach it took when managing waste at popup clinics, as well as its experience with aged care facilities. “We’re already talking to our customers. Some have an awareness of what the roll out will entail, but others are unsure of what their level of involvement will look like.”

Lee adds that each facility will have unique requirements. “Aged care facilities typically haven’t had to deal with large volumes of clinical waste before. The experience in NSW will be different from that in Victoria, where they did have significant outbreaks and will therefore be more prepared,” he says. “It’s all about close consultation and understanding the pinch points – where are you going to store the clinical waste? What will be the frequency of bin pick-ups? “Everything is moving quickly, and as we have heard so many times, things can change week-to-week, even day-to-day, so it’s important that we are proactive and ready our customers for the expected volumes of clinical waste to be generated, so that together we can effectively plan for safe, compliant and cost-effective solutions.” According to Lee, education will be a central to ensuring a streamlined process. He adds that in SA, Veolia is already highlighting the separation of needles and PPE from vaccine vials to ensure streamlined incineration. “Veolia has extensive experience in supporting waste generated from flu-vaccine campaigns, the greatest variance in this instance is the scale, not the collection and or disposal process,” he says. “Veolia is confident that we will manage the vaccine waste correctly and treat it as pharmaceutical waste.” Lee, who also serves as Chair of the National Biohazard Waste Industry committee, adds that while there are always opportunities to do things differently, when managing clinical waste safety must be the first priority. “I want to see every opportunity taken to divert waste from landfill, or avoid its creation in the first place, but that cannot be at the cost of safety,” he says.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – ALTERNATIVE WASTE TREATMENT

Reliability in the field TO HELP ITS EASTERN CREEK ALTERNATIVE WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY PROCESS 220,000 TONNES OF WASTE EACH YEAR, GLOBAL RENEWABLES RELIES ON A FLEET OF HEAVY-DUTY CATERPILLAR WHEEL LOADERS.

stablished in 2004, Global Renewables’ $100 million Eastern Creek UR-3R facility is the largest alternative waste treatment plant in the southern hemisphere. The facility has a 25-year contract to process 220,000 tonnes of household waste per annum, and since commencing operations, has achieved an annual landfill diversion rate of 64 per cent. Chadi Boustani, Global Renewables General Manager, explains that the company was founded in 2000 with the specific aim of building, owning and operating waste processing facilities that would ultimately deliver zero waste to the community. In 2003, Global Renewables and Waste Services NSW invested in the Eastern Creek facility under a public private partnership (PPP). “The sole purpose of the PPP was to create an alternative waste treatment facility dedicated to improving the diversion of red bin lid waste from

households, increasing the recovery of recyclables and keeping organics out of landfill,” Boustani says. He adds that since Eastern Creek commenced its 24/7 operations, the facility has processed 3.1 million tonnes of municipal solid waste. To keep that waste moving 365 days a year, Global Renewables run a series of Caterpillar wheel loaders, purchased through official Caterpillar dealer Westrac. During Global Renewables’ early years, Boustani says the company trailed several brands of loaders and skid steers, before ultimately choosing to go with Caterpillar. “Being a 24/7 operations we put well over 5000 hours annually on these units, so after sales service on parts and the ability of reliable service technicians to service these machines is critical to our operations,” he says. “Westrac and Caterpillar tick all the boxes when it comes to after service support. Even more importantly, in our 12 years’ experience with Westrac

Caterpillar 962M power trains deliver smooth shifting, fast acceleration and speed on grade for greater performance and fuel efficiency.

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and Caterpillar, they haven’t let us down yet.” Global Renewables own two 962M waste handler wheel loaders, as well as a 226-skid steer, 906 loader and two small excavators to assist with site operations and cleaning. With a five-speed transmission and lock-up clutch torque converter, the Caterpillar 962M’s power trains deliver smooth shifting, fast acceleration and speed on grade for greater performance and fuel efficiency. “The 962 series machines are large enough to get the job done while being small enough to operate in constrained environments. In our operation they have proved to be a tough and reliable machine that gets the job done,” Boustani says. He adds that one of Global Renewables’ older 962H units, which had 44,180 hours on it, sold for $25,000 last year. “This unit was on a customer service agreement and a Total Maintenance Repair contract. This worked solidly for seven years and was a standby unit for three years prior to selling,” Boustani says. “Reliability of any machine you buy is paramount and we have achieved great reliability with Caterpillar and Westrac.” The loaders are key to Global Renewables’ operations, Boustani says, from the start of the process receiving and loading the product for processing, to loading the finished product into B-Doubles for transporting off site.

“One of the key challenges we had in the early days was obtaining skilled operators. Just because you have a loader ticket doesn’t mean you are a skilled operator,” he says. “The wheel loaders work within tight floor spaces and operate close to the fixed mobile plant. For example, we receive over 1000 tonnes per day which is around 100 side loaders every day. They typically are received in three waves, 1.5 hours apart. “This is a high-risk area where you need skilled operators to manage the frequencies of the deliveries, while feeding the plant and ensuring they don’t damage any of the fixed plant.” To alleviate the issue, Westrac provided Global Renewables with on-site operator training. This had an immense impact on the business, Boustani says, resulting in reduced mobile operating costs and plant damage, overall improvements to operator performance and selfesteem, and extended tyre life. “Tyre wear is significant as acids from the waste soften the surface rubber of a tyre. If an operator is operating the unit in the wrong way, tyre wear will be significantly impacted,” Boustani explains. “For instance, we have a 980H loader with solid tyres. The tyres are worth $25,000 each or $100,000 for four, and we were going through a set every six months. But with training, we extended the life by 12 months.” Caterpillar and Westrac have fit for purpose waste specification units, and have worked closely with Global Renewables to make necessary changes to ensure they are fit for purpose. Westrac also have a team of dedicated waste service technicians, who work to take the stress out of regular maintenance and repairs. “Caterpillar are not the cheapest and not the dearest in the market. You are not paying for a brand, you are paying for reliability of the machines, access to parts and after sales services to keep the units in operations,” Boustani says. He adds that over their 12-year partnership, Global Renewables, Caterpillar and Westrac have developed a strong working relationship, with the account headed up by Wayne Evans, Westrac’s Customer Support Manager, Quarry, Waste and Steel. “When a unit is offline for servicing or breakdown it’s critical to get the unit back online as quickly as possible. Westrac have a wide range of parts readily available to get the units back online quickly,” Boustani says. “The support they provide our business is critical to our success, they have good customer support, parts support and technical support.” C

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TYRE RECYCLING

Prioritising social responsibility TYRE STEWARDSHIP AUSTRALIA HAS RECENTLY ADOPTED A MODERN SLAVERY IMPACT STATEMENT. CEO, LINA GOODMAN ADDRESSES HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELATED RISKS ALONG THE END-OF-LIFE TYRES VALUE CHAIN.

chieving Sustainable Development Goals is an audacious statement in itself,” Lina Goodman, Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) CEO, says. There are growing calls for the Federal Government to tighten antislavery laws. Although the Federal Government is taking a global leadership role in combating modern slavery, corporations are encouraged, and in some instances obliged, to take further action to improve the integrity and quality of their supply chains. This includes the Australian Modern Slavery Act, which requires large businesses to annually report on how they are identifying, assessing and addressing modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. In February this year, TSA implemented its Modern Slavery Impact Statement. Goodman says the statement is complimented by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which also shaped TSA’s 2020-2023 strategy. “TSA strives to benchmark our goals and activities against the SDGs, as shown by the number of initiatives that TSA has implemented in the past two years,” Goodman says. TSA also recognises the importance of addressing the social impacts, both positive and negative, of end-of-life

32 / WMR / March 2021

Lina Goodman says TSA strives to benchmark its activities against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

tyres (EOLT). This includes ensuring that human rights are respected in the transportation, processing and use of EOLT. “These accreditation and compliance initiatives are part of a systematic approach to make further inroads to verifying sustainable EOLT management both domestically and globally,” Goodman says. According to TSA’s impact statement, there are a number of human rights issues that are relevant to EOLT, but one of the most salient issues where industry could have the most severe impacts is modern slavery. “Modern slavery risks exist at all stages of the tyre lifecycle. The COVID-19 pandemic has further

exacerbated workers’ vulnerabilities to exploitation, including modern slavery, around the world,” the statement reads. TSA has prioritised two areas for action that build on existing Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme guidelines, which aim to promote the development of viable markets for EOLT: workers’ rights in Australian tyre collection and recycling facilities, and labour risks in foreign processing destinations for EOLT. TSA says that addressing these issues is critical to the Scheme and companies in the EOLT supply chain, as well as the long-term sustainability of the tyre industry. It also acknowledges recent legislative developments around modern slavery including the Modern Slavery Act. “These two priority areas are a starting point. If these are met then essentially, they are building blocks to mitigate against modern slavery,” Goodman says. In 2020, TSA introduced a requirement for accredited collectors and recyclers to complete an annual Employee Entitlements Declaration. This declaration addresses the priority area of workers’ rights in Australian tyre collection and recycling facilities. Collectors and recyclers are known to use casual labour on short term arrangements. TSA recognises that this can pose a risk in terms of ensuring workers receive their full entitlements,

and create vulnerabilities to labour exploitation, including modern slavery. “TSA works with accredited entities on keeping their staff, customers and the environment safe,” Goodman says. Recyclers and collectors are subject to audits which primarily focus on participants’ commitments to support the Scheme, including reporting to TSA’s online reporting platform, downstream vendor management and environmentally sound use of EOLT. Goodman says compliance is important as it helps put a stop to unscrupulous operators undercutting the compliant operators with unfair and unsafe work practises. “Where employee entitlements are not met, the chance of unscrupulous operators rises,” she says. To achieve the second priority area, Goodman highlights the establishment of TSA’s Foreign End Market

Verification Program, which ensures that EOLT that leave Australia for further processing do not cause environmental or social harm. “We do all that we can in any small way to contribute to educating our partners in mitigating against issues around modern slavery,” she says. However, Goodman highlights that it’s important to note that modern slavery is not just an issue associated with developing economies, it’s an issue for all economies, Australia’s included. One of TSA’s contributions to the circular economy is in form of market development, whereby over $6.3 million in the past five years has been committed to funding research and demonstration projects with the objective to utilise domestic crumb rubber in a range of projects and applications. “TSA is encouraged and communicating the innovative

TSA is committed to addressing the social impacts of EOLT tyres.

concepts our own tyre member brands have introduced in order to show their ongoing commitment to sustainability,” Goodman says. “From sustainable sourcing and redesigning tyres to keep increase the lifespan of the tyre without diminishing performance.”

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – SMART WASTE

State of the smart WITH SENSORS AND SOLAR POWERED BINS FUELLING DECISION MAKING ACROSS AUSTRALIA’S SMART CITIES LANDSCAPE, SMARTSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES MANAGING DIRECTOR LEON HAYES OUTLINES THE POWER OF DATA IN THE ERA OF SMART WASTE. Leon Hayes credits data and analytics as key pillars of smart waste.

ow can state-of-the-art technology aid Australia’s waste crisis? COVID-19 has encouraged a technological change, presenting an economic opportunity for all sectors including waste and resource recovery. Smart waste is on a mission to integrate technology into the world’s most resource intensive industries, to drive resource efficiency, improve safety and ensure operational improvements. Cities all over the world are using technology to transform the way people live. Thanks to this rapid expansion of innovative solutions, smart cities aren’t just a concept or a dream of the future. Rather, communities are actively optimising infrastructure and local

Smartsensor’s technology is able to provide businesses with a virtual eye into each of their waste containers.

34 / WMR / March 2021

waste streams through next-generation intelligence capabilities. As Australia’s smart cities landscape continues to mature following the repercussions of COVID-19, smart waste has never been more essential. Leon Hayes, Smartsensor Technologies Managing Director, says smart waste is coming of age. “Smart waste is in the same category as electric vehicles. People think they are foreign concepts when the adoption is being widely accepted,” he says. Over 10 year ago, Hayes recognised the benefit of adopting technology into waste management practices and set out to provide sustainable yet innovative waste solutions for Australians. Hayes founded Solar Bins Australia and worked closely with the company’s American manufacturers in an exclusive partnership. The business is focused on delivering cost effective waste management solutions for facilities management companies, councils, governments and mining companies. “Since the introduction of BigBelly Solar Compactors to the Australian market, Solar Bins Australia has been at the forefront of delivering these solutions to the Australian marketplace,” Hayes says. “When we began the education process a decade ago, it was surprising that ASX listed companies were still relying on manual processes and excel sheets that were interrupting the accuracy of their data collection.”

This encouraged Hayes to focus on data management as the industry and city landscape was rapidly evolving. “A smart bin provides data to the customer over time. Solar-powered bins have come a long way since they were first introduced. They’re now self-sustaining hubs with Wi-Fi and can power small cell networks,” he says. “They’re an integral part of activity in urban centres and connect to a network of waste data collection points.” Hayes adds that data connectivity is a key to the future. “We have the data from waste users to analyse what happened on any given day. It’s the foundation of a smart city and provides insight for planners to make decisions quicker,” he says. More recently, Hayes expanded the solar bin portfolio and built a data driven community at the forefront

of smart cities and Internet of Things technologies. Smartsensor Technologies is an end to end Internet of Things solutions provider, combining hardware, software and automation to build knowledge for both the public and private sector. “Smartsensor is a game changing rubbish bin fullness-level sensor and software platform that enables your waste network to become a smart waste network,” Hayes says. The technology is able to provide businesses with a virtual eye into each of their waste containers, so they know exactly which bins are ready to be emptied and when. The data from the Smartsensor is then sent directly to a smart phone or web enabled device. “We live in a world that requires data and information at our fingertips, and

smart waste is pulling people into that direction.” Hayes says. He highlights that this technology is not designed to replace physical jobs, but enable operations to be far more efficient. Major regional councils, theme park companies and other large scale corporations have been enthusiastic to reap in the benefits of smart technology and solar compacting bins. “Community is our biggest advocate,” Hayes says. He credits technology, expectation, communication, data and analytics as the five pillars of smart waste. “Sensors can be set up faster than other infrastructure and councils are able to see the captured data about the community at any given time. It proves that smart communication is a game changer and the next frontier for waste management,” Hayes says.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – RESOURCE RECOVERY

Towards profitable sustainability ResourceCo is working with government and industry partners to progress Australia’s transition to a circular economy.

eading Australasian resource recovery company ResourceCo has welcomed the release of CSIRO’s National Circular Economy Roadmap as further evidence of the strong support for a transition to a circular economy. The report lays out a strategy to unlock Australia’s circularity, with the Federal Government setting a national target to reduce waste to landfill by 80 per cent by 2030. Jim Fairweather, ResourceCo CEO,

Tyrecycle has secured a $6.9 million grant to build a secure processing facility in WA.

36 / WMR / March 2021

says the report reflects the critical role of the resource recovery sector in delivering the transformational change required to embrace waste as a resource rather than a problem. “Our sector is stepping up to the plate in tackling the challenges of processing and recovering valuable products from the waste we produce, particularly on the back of the waste export bans,” Fairweather says. He adds that ResourceCo has a longstanding history of delivering strong environmental and economic outcomes by repurposing materials otherwise destined for landfill. “We’re excited to continue to drive positive change through a growth strategy centred on delivery of an agile business model that embraces innovation in resource recovery.” CSIRO’s roadmap identifies science and technology as a crucial enabler to realising the country’s largest economic gains, including job creation. It lays out a practical and achievable approach to making sustainability profitable, identifying six elements for moving towards a circular economy for

JIM FAIRWEATHER, RESOURCECO CEO, SPEAKS WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW ABOUT DEVELOPING NEW MARKETS FOR THE RE-USE OF END-OFLIFE PRODUCTS. plastics, paper, glass and tyres. These elements include retaining material through use and collection, upscaling and innovating recycling technologies, developing markets for secondary materials and the products that use them, and securing a national zero waste culture. As the Federal Government’s waste export bans are progressively rolled out, Fairweather say Australia will need to radically increase its capacity to generate and market high value recycled commodities. “Now more than ever there is a sense of urgency to get the right mix to drive the country’s circular economy and that will require strong procurement commitments and policy harmonisation across all states,” he explains. “If we create the right environment, then investment and innovation will follow. Already ResourceCo is focused on developing new markets for the reuse of end-of-life products.” Fairweather adds that ResourceCo’s most recent project – a partnership with the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority to trial the

repurposing of waste glass into road construction material – provides a strong example of how the company is working to create value in material otherwise destined for landfill. “On that project we’ve also worked closely with the South Australian Government to ensure we meet the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s specifications for road construction – it’s a great example of how strategic partnerships have the potential to deliver real results,” Fairweather says. “We’re also exploring options to progress plans for the installation of a glass washing and processing plant to ensure glass from material recovery facilities can be reprocessed back into sand for use in civil construction.” Tyrecycle, ResourceCo’s tyre recycling division, is also partnering with the Kariyarra Aboriginal

Corporation on a game changing project in the Pilbara. The project, focused on the development of a secure tyre processing facility at Port Hedland, recently received joint funding from the Federal Government’s Recycling Modernisation Fund and the Western Australian Government. “We’re proud to be helping deliver transformational change in Western Australia through an environmentally sustainable solution for waste mining tyres and conveyor belts, while creating local employment and a boost to the economy,” Fairweather says. “It’s a project that has huge upsides and will go a long way towards addressing legacy issues with mining waste.” According to Fairweather, approximately 40,000 tonnes of waste tyres and potentially more used

conveyor belts are currently stockpiled, managed in-pit and buried onsite each year in the Pilbara’s mining sector. “This project provides a costeffective solution to a long-standing environmental problem,” he says. CSIRO’s National Circular Economy Roadmap recognises that innovations and partnerships will be key to achieving set targets and in ensuring the growth of future industries around these goals. “Whilst we’re making real progress, and certainly the increased focus on the repurposing of waste is very encouraging, we acknowledge there’s still work to be done,” Fairweather says. “We look forward to working alongside government and industry partners to accelerate those efforts in 2021 and beyond, and to progress Australia’s transition to a sustainable circular economy.”

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – INFRASTRUCTURE

The journey starts early WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING AND DESIGNING WASTE AND RENEWABLES FACILITIES, BUSINESSES CAN MINIMISE THE POSSIBILITY OF PROBLEMS AND DEFECTS BY WORKING WITH BUILDERS THROUGH THE PLANNING PROCESS.

S Fast Fact Total Construction’s professional proficiency covers a broad range of specialist services including: • O ptimisation of plant and equipment layouts • Streamlining process and traffic flows • D eveloping scope for, and coordinating architectural and engineering design services • D eveloping and managing design schedule and identifying critical path milestones • P lanning and co-ordinating design activities • Analysis of design and process flows • Providing budgetarycost planning • I mplementing and following quality assurance procedures • L iaising with authorities and regulatory bodies for planning and building permits • H azard and operability studies – planning and managing procurement for long lead items or trades • A ssessing design buildability and methodology to reduce construction time and cost • E nsuring that the design will meet with budgetary, time and quality requirements, through early involvement in the design of the project.

38 / WMR / March 2021

ince the Federal Government announced its $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund in July last year, six of Australia’s eight states and territories have signed onto co-funding arrangements. With the remaining two, Queensland and the Northern Territory, expected to sign agreements in coming months, the waste and resource recovery sector is poised to see $600 million in recycling investment. Designed to turbo charge capacity through investment in new infrastructure, the Recycling Modernisation Fund highlights the critical role efficient and high functioning facility development plays in Australia’s circular economy transition. As such, plant building and design are critically important for industrial projects. Having a well-designed, well-functioning facility is crucial to their success – so, when businesses are looking to either construct a new facility or upgrade an existing one, they need to find a good builder. On top of that, Rob Blythman, Total Construction Engineering Construction Group General Manager, says it is important businesses find someone who is willing and able to work closely with them. “The client is key in deriving the ideal design, process and traffic flow

with a facility. Total Construction involves all stakeholders from the client side to develop the design and layout that fits perfectly with their operational needs,” Blythman says. “Total Construction likes to become part of the client’s project team as early as possible, and not be just a ‘supplier’ of services.” Total Construction prides itself on the value add it can provide to clients. It doesn’t just do the building, Blythman says, but provides full design and process engineering services. According to Blythman, businesses with limited internal resources in particular are attracted to this model. Total Construction was established in 1995 by executive directors Steve Taylor and Bill Franks. From this time, when it operated out of an eight square metre facility in Sydney’s Wetherill Park, the company has grown to the point that it now has three state offices, employs 120 staff, and has an annual turnover of $180 million. The industrial sector accounts for about 40 per cent of the company’s work. Apart from this, it also operates in the aged care, hospital, food and beverage and manufacturing sectors. Within the industrial sector, most of its clients are medium to large sized business with annual turnovers of $10 to $100 million.

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“Having process and design engineers on staff and our experience in live environment projects puts us ahead of run of the mill builders,” Blythman says. Additionally, where necessary, Total Construction works with other businesses on construction projects. To date, these partners have included Beca Engineering, Northrop Engineering, MCHP Architects and more. The company has extensive expertise in delivering complex projects throughout Australia. Its capabilities include cost planning, design, construction and fit-out.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – ORGANICS

A 70-hour week SOILCO’S CHARLIE EMERY SPEAKS WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW ABOUT HIS 20-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH CJD EQUIPMENT.

n July 2019, organics recovery and horticulture specialists SOILCO were awarded a contract to design, construct and operate a state-ofthe-art organics recycling facility in NSW’s Northern Rivers Region. Since then, SOILCO has gone through the planning, approval and construction phases, with the facility to be commissioned in June this year. With a capacity to process 25,000 tonnes of organic waste each year, the enclosed composting facility will see a steady influx of material. To support operations and ensure fast cycle times, SOILCO engaged CJD Equipment – purchasing a Volvo wheel loader for the facility. The purchase builds on a longstanding relationship with CJD, with SOILCO owning an extensive fleet of Volvo’s including an EC220D

excavator and various sized H Series wheel loaders, as well as older models. Charlie Emery, SOILCO General Manager, explains that the company looked at a number of wheel loader brands for the new facility. He adds, however, that given the site’s location and distance from SOILCO’s existing facilities, the company chose to engage CJD once again. “The new plant is quite far away so our relationship with CJD was important, as we knew we could rely on their after sales support, as well as our confidence in the product,” Emery says. “I’ve been with SOILCO for 20 years and we’ve had a relationship with CJD all that time. We went away for a short period – one cycle of loaders – and the

reason we came back was the after sales support and CJD’s ability to service a product that is being highly utilised 10 to 15 hours per day in harsh operating environments.” Volvo bodies are built to last, Emery adds, with their build quality well suited to SOILCO’s humid operating environments. “We get a lot of utilisation out of them, with a target of 60 to 70 hours a week,” he says. “It really comes down to the manoeuvrability of the machines and how they operate in tight spaces.” According to Emery, Volvo loaders are nimble, effective in tight turning circles and have quick loading times. “We also have extra extensions in our booms to get over the higher trucks and the Volvo joystick controls work well for us in that regard,” he says. CJD’s H Series Volvo loaders are robust, offering the high-quality performance Volvo is known for as well as a host of features that promote greater versatility and stability. Volvo’s load-sensing hydraulics and a

SOLICO purchased a Volvo wheel loader from CJD Equipment to ensure fast cycle times at its new organics recycling facility. 40 / WMR / March 2021

Volvo bodies are well suited to SOILCO’s harsh and humid operating environments.

robust Tier 3/ Stage IIIA Volvo engine supply power to the hydraulic functions according to demand to boost efficiency and lower fuel consumption. The system also ensures a fast response for shorter cycle times, while delivering smooth operation through superior control of both the load and the attachment. Daily service checks can be carried out quickly and simply thanks to ground level grouped service points, helping to achieve maximum uptime from each machine. “We can’t afford to have any down time, and our service team find the machines to be very economical in terms of servicing and running,” Emery says. Similarly, with safe and easy access to centralised filters and grouped greasing points, the EC220D excavator is a userfriendly machine.

The excavator offers operators a 10 per cent increase in fuel efficiency, as well as a smart hydraulic system that increases controllability to offer smoother and easier movement when travelling and lifting simultaneously. The EC220D also uses a variety of attachments for versatility, including X1 and X2 auxiliary circuits, quick couplers, direct fit, general purpose and heavy-duty buckets and a Volvo tooth system for all applications. The excavator’s spacious cab also comprises robust slim cab pillars, large expanses of glass, an adjustable seat and easy-to-access controls to reduce fatigue and boost productivity. “As a General Manager you don’t often hear about the good machines, you only hear about the bad ones. When I don’t hear much about the Volvo’s, it means that everyone is happy,” Emery says. SOILCO owns an extensive fleet of Volvo machines.

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – ORGANICS

Worming away at waste A RECENT EQUIPMENT INVESTMENT WITH LINCOM GROUP IS SET TO SUPPORT WORMTECH’S COMMITMENT TO HIGH-QUALITY ORGANIC PRODUCTS.

orms, commonly known as nature’s recyclers, are effective at converting organic materials into liquid and solid fertiliser. When they tunnel down, worms aerate the soil to provide better water penetration, while simultaneously feeding on decaying plant matter and micro-organisms. While much of Australia’s composting industry has moved beyond the humble earthworm, NSW-based business Wormtech is committed to keeping the tradition

alive – using a combination of worms and open windrow composting to produce its range of organic products. Started by Adrian and Deanne Raccanello in 2010, Wormtech has over 20 years hands on experience in farming and growing crops in NSW’s Riverina region. After years of using chemical fertilisers, the company decided to incorporate natural fertilisers into its farming practices, with the increase in quality, production and overall plant and soil health notable from the outset.

Wormtech Manager Adrian Raccanello says Lincom’s Pronar MRW is the best shredder he’s ever owned.

42 / WMR / March 2021

Since then, Wormtech has grown significantly, with its Carrathool Composting Facility now in the process of expanding its 50,000 tonne per year capacity to 100,000 tonnes. In addition to Wormtech’s capacity expansion, the company is in the final commercialisation stages of developing a granule, and will be entering the retail market in March – with its 100 per cent organic worm casting to be sold on Bunnings shelves. “I’m a farmer and Wormtech started at the back gate making compost before starting to receive waste,” Adrian Raccanello says. “We pride ourselves on our end product. That’s the core of our business.” To support Wormtech’s accelerated growth, Raccanello invested in a Pronar MRW 2.85G Slow Speed Shredder and Kiverco PS122 Picking Station in July last year, both purchased through leading equipment supplier Lincom Group. “The Pronar is the best shredder I’ve ever had. It’s a small, compact unit and is easily accessible for maintenance,” Raccanello says. The Pronar shredder comes equip with a 298-kilowatt diesel engine, with shredding performed by two synchronously running shredding shafts in the working chamber. Working parts are manufactured with wear-resistant

Wormtech’s Kiverco Picking Station uses integrated air separation to produce a clean product.

materials, which ensure long and trouble-free machine operations. An important advantage of the machine is its mobility, or the ability to be quickly transported to any place. “It’s a well-priced machine and the set up and simplicity is great,” Raccanello says. “Plus, the backup service from

Lincom is second to none.” The Kiverco Picking Station offers similar simplicity, combining air separation, magnetic separation and manual sorting in one compact unit. Integrated air separation works to produce a clean product, while the magnetic separators recover ferrous materials. The picking station features a variable speed 1200-millimetre-

wide picking belt, as well as a prewired plug and play design. All components come with various options and configurations, offering operators maximum flexibility to obtain a bespoke solution for their waste handling needs. Both machines have been running exceptionally well Raccanello says. He adds, however, that Lincom’s servicing and aftersales support is the real standout. Lincom has been distributing Pronar and Kiverco equipment since 2017, and with over 25 years’ experience as a leading provider of material processing equipment, takes pride in building strong relationships with its valued customers. To support this, Lincom maintain an online parts inventory database for all its locations and can access realtime information and locate parts in every branch in the country. “We’re located 600 kilometres west of Sydney, and service out here has always been hard. But that’s not the case with Lincom,” Raccanello says. “If we have a problem, no matter how small or large it is, they’re onto it. They have been more than helpful on that side. Nothing is too hard for them.”

Waste 2021 – The industry’s leading Waste Management Conference Opal Cove Resort | Coffs Harbour | 4 – 6 May 2021 The Waste 2021 Conference is scheduled to take place on 4-6 May in Coffs Harbour, and will be a hybrid event featuring both face-to-face and online streaming of presentations. The program will provide inspiring keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops and 2 concurrent streams allowing delegates to tailor the program to their own learning needs. There will also be the opportunity to network with industry experts during 3 dedicated social events. This premier industry event will operate in a COVID safe manner and numbers will be strictly limited to comply with regulations: - Registration and accommodation bookings now open - Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities now available The 3 day event is coupled with an extensive indoor exhibition and interactive outdoor product displays. Waste 2021 has been listed on the Schedule of Approved Events on the Austrade program website as part of the Australian Business Events Grants Program with applications now open to all exhibitors.

For further information visit www.coffswasteconference.com.au | Email: wasteconference@impactenviro.com.au | Phone: 02 6583 8118 | Mobile: 0474 629 908 Supported by:

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – ORGANICS

Organics recyclers are ready and able THE MAJOR OBSTACLES TO ORGANICS SECTOR GROWTH ARE EXTERNAL TO INDUSTRY AND WITHIN THE CONTROL OF ONE OR MORE TIERS OF GOVERNMENT, WRITES PETER OLAH, AORA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

rganics comprise about half of our national waste stream. If we get organics recycling right, we have a good chance to meet our national and state objectives for waste reduction and recycling, landfill reduction and carbon reduction. If we don’t, we won’t. For AORA, the national voice of the organics recycling industry, COVID-19 was a big opportunity. It gave us the time and capacity to reposition AORA and the industry for a future with greater national collaboration and significant growth. Many Waste Management Review readers will have read our industry contribution study last year. Its key findings showed that in 201819 Australia produced 14.6 million tonnes of organic waste, of which 5.6 million tonnes went to landfill, 7.5 million tonnes were recycled and 1.5 million tonnes recovered as energy. Australia’s overall organic recycling rate was 51.5 per cent. South Australia has the highest organics material recycling rate at 78.9 per cent and the Northern Territory the lowest rate at 19

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per cent. The industry provides 4845 jobs to Australian residents, paying over $366 million in wages and salaries. The industry has a collective turnover above $2 billion, supply chain value over $1.9 billion and $724 million in industry direct value add to the economy each year. The industry’s environmental contribution is just as significant. Greenhouse gas savings from organics recycling tops 3.8 million tonnes of CO2 annually. And that’s just what the industry is already doing, there is even more good news sitting on the shelf. What if we stepped up our national recycling rate of organics to 95 per cent? The results would be 4094 more jobs, $309 million more in wages and an extra $612 million in industry direct value add to the economy every year.

At the same time, we’d remove an additional 3.2 million tonnes of CO2 annually. And that’s without including the benefits of the industry’s products to agricultural productivity and soil quality. To realise these enormous economic and environmental benefits we need only two factors: the right policy settings from governments, and industry capacity to take up the opportunities. Of course, neither of these is a given, which is why we recently launched our second industry study. The Capacity of the Australian Organics Recycling Industry report was launched to AORA members in February and is available on the AORA website. It provides an independent and robust assessment of the industry’s ability to step up as an economic, employment and environmental provider of benefit. To kick the work off, AORA

Peter Olah says the organics recycling industry’s contribution to greenhouse gas reduction equates to planting 5.7 million trees each year.

conducted a national industry survey to establish baselines for the study on the industry’s existing and potential capacity. Amongst the headline results was the predominance of two feedstock sources for the industry: councils (51.5 per cent) and commercial contracts (47.4 per cent). The content of organic feedstock reflects this: garden organics (52.2 per cent), waste grease (14.8 per cent), timber (7.7 per cent), food organics (5.2 per cent) and other organics (15.3 per cent). The industry’s major output products include composted soil

conditioners (40.1 per cent), soil and soil blends (33.7 per cent), composted mulches (11.2 per cent) and pasteurised mulches (10.7 per cent). The two major end use markets are urban amenity (52.5 per cent) an intensive agriculture (26.2 per cent). Industry satisfaction with its performance is strong, with 75 per cent of businesses indicating they are somewhat, mostly or very satisfied with their overall performance. The performance of the industry, in line with recycling rates, varies greatly across different states and territories. However, there remain significant obstacles to the growth of the industry in every jurisdiction. The largest of these includes regulatory policy uncertainty, contamination of input material, government policy, business licensing and operating permits, development applications – time, cost and politicisation, government procurement failing to support organic recycling products and short council contract periods. Internal issues such as access to technology, labour costs, logistics and access to finance are minor obstacles to growth. Businesses in the industry currently occupy 49.2 per cent of their operating sites on average.

The Australian organics recycling sector provides $724 million in industry direct value add to the economy each year.

If they were not constrained by obstacles, they would occupy 73.6 per cent of their operating sites. The current industry can process an additional 51 per cent more organic materials given the physical capacity of their sites, if unconstrained by obstacles. Industry businesses on average would invest $9.3 million each over the next five years, if unconstrained by obstacles. Put simply, the major obstacles to growth – the biggest roadblocks to achieving the economic and environmental benefits available – are external to the industry and within the control of one or more tiers of government. The benefits on offer will not be realised without a much closer and more collaborative relationship between governments and the industry. VISION 2030: HOW TO GET THERE Our third foundational document will outline a 10-year strategy for the Australian organics recycling industry – a roadmap designed to take the industry from a solid existing base to recognition as a world leader in the recycling and reuse of organics waste streams, for its innovative and efficient processing into desirable products, and for the relevance, quality and economic and environmental value of these products. At each of these stages, our industry is committed to delivering better results for our community. Importantly, Australian governments are significant players at each stage of the process. Only a whole-of-government and industry commitment to a true, long-term partnership will deliver the significant benefits on offer. This strategy will answer the two key questions: how do we get to 80 per cent recycling of organics by 2025 and 95 per cent by 2030? And how do we remove the obstacles? I look forward to sharing the National Industry Strategy with you soon.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – RULES AND REGULATIONS

Industrial manslaughter are you prepared? WRIQ HAS PARTNERED WITH LAW FIRM MINTERELLISON TO BREAKDOWN CHANGES TO INDUSTRIAL MANSLAUGHTER OFFENCES AND SHARE IMPORTANT ADVICE TO HELP PREPARE BUSINESSES ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

Mark Smith says more action needs to be taken against businesses engaged in illegal activity.

n recent years, there has been significant national movement to introduce industrial manslaughter offences into relevant state and territory work, health and safety (WHS) laws. “Expectations on businesses are changing and increasing,” Waste Recycling Industry Association Queensland (WRIQ) CEO, Mark Smith says. “We’ve started to see this with regulators and more recently with financial institutions.” The aftermath of any serious workplace safety incident can be challenging, but in the case of a

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workplace fatality, it can also have long-lasting effects on the deceased person’s family, colleagues and business reputation. The offence of industrial manslaughter commenced in Queensland (QLD) 23 October 2017. The offence was introduced as a potential consequence for situations where criminal negligence resulted in a fatality of a worker in the workplace. Since that time other Australian jurisdictions have introduced similar, though not identical, offences into their respective work health and safety legislation. Brisbane Auto Recycling became the first entity to be convicted of industrial manslaughter under the QLD Work Health and Safety Act 2011 provisions, after a worker was fatally struck by a reversing forklift at the company’s wrecking yard. The District Court of QLD found that the business had no effective safety systems in place to separate persons from mobile plants or to supervise the operators of mobile plants. Brisbane Auto Recycling was fined $3 million. The directors were also charged with Category 1 offences, but not industrial manslaughter, and given a 10-month

suspended sentence of imprisonment. The WHS prosecutor has since charged an individual director in Gympie, QLD with industrial manslaughter after a worker was killed when an overloaded forklift flipped and struck the worker. This will be the first prosecution against an individual for industrial manslaughter. THE QUEENSLAND OFFENCE What should businesses be doing to prepare for manslaughter laws? WRIQ and law firm MinterElllison will be launching sessions for industry directors, owners and people managers about changes occurring in QLD. It’s important to note that the maximum penalties for industrial manslaughter are 20 years imprisonment for an individual or $10,000,000 for a corporation. “We are committed to supporting our members and promoting a safe, sustainable industry in QLD,” Smith says. Currently in QLD, industrial manslaughter may be committed by either a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) or a senior officer of the PCBU. A person is a senior officer of a

The status of industrial manslaughter offences in Australia. Source: MinterEllison 2020.

PCBU if they are concerned with or take part in the PCBU’s management. A PCBU or a senior officer may be charged with industrial manslaughter if: a worker – as opposed to other persons such as a member of the public – dies in the course of carrying out work for the PCBU or is injured while carrying out work for the PCBU and later dies; the conduct of the PCBU or senior officer causes the death; and the PCBU or the senior officer is criminally negligent. Conduct will be deemed to have caused death if it substantially contributes to it, i.e. conduct does not have to be the only cause of death. Criminal negligence requires a court to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the conduct was such a gross departure from the standard of care that was owed in the circumstances and showed such disregard for the life and safety of others that it amounts to a crime. This is a very high standard, and the onus is on the prosecution to prove it.

THE NATIONAL APPROACH The industrial manslaughter offence has existed in the ACT since 2004 as part of the Crimes Act 1900. Since the QLD offence was introduced in 2017, both Victoria and the Northern Territory have introduced a similar offence. These offence provisions are structured differently from the industrial manslaughter offences under QLD legislation, as the provisions apply where a person owes another person a safety duty and they engage in negligent conduct in breach of that duty, which causes the death of another person. This model is also picked up in the provisions included in Western Australia’s Work Health and Safety Act 2020. Further, partially as a result of the different framing, the current offences in QLD will not apply in respect of a death of an ‘other person’ even though they are owed a duty of care under the safety legislation. This means that, for example, a PCBU or its senior officers

could not be charged with industrial manslaughter in QLD in respect of the death of an ‘other’ person, whereas an officer could be charged in respect of an ‘other’ person’s death in Victoria or the Northern Territory. In addition to these developments, the Work Health and Safety (Industrial Manslaughter) Amendment Bill 2020 was introduced into the South Australian Legislative Council in late September 2020. Shortly after this, there were renewed calls for similar laws to be implemented in Tasmania, however, no legislation has yet been brought before the Tasmanian Parliament for consideration. NSW has opted against creating a specific industrial manslaughter offence, and instead introduced amendments in late 2019 to clarify that the death of a person at work can constitute manslaughter under the Crimes Act 1900. IMPACT ON ORGANISATIONS While the introduction of the industrial manslaughter offence has increased the risk profile for duty holders, in practice its impact will be limited. Manslaughter under the Criminal Code has been available to prosecute deaths arising from workplace accidents for some time, and has only been used in the most extreme cases. Importantly, Smith says what is required of PCBUs and their officers under the WHS laws has not changed as a result of the industrial manslaughter provisions. “It’s really important that we see more action taken on those businesses engaged in illegal activity,” he says. “Businesses engaged in illegal activity are probably not just ignoring environmental and tax laws, they probably have little regard for doing the right thing – the legal thing. This must be tackled.”

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EVENTS

Recovering resources and rebuilding our industry WASTE 2021 – THE INDUSTRY’S LEADING WASTE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE – IS RETURNING TO OPAL COVE RESORT THIS MAY.

n mid-March 2020, the Coffs Waste Conference team had to cancel the face-to-face version of the Waste 2020 Conference, and in its place a series of webinars were held over a 14week period. While 2020 will go down as a challenge for most, the waste and resource recovery industry had to keep forging ahead, with waste still needing to be collected and processed. “Many of the big issues have not disappeared, and importantly now, we are having to rebuild our resource recovery capability within Australia,” Greg Freeman, Coffs Waste Conference Convenor, says. “We need to look inward for opportunities, but outward for our learning to support this rebuilding effort.” According to Freeman, many lessons have been learned by the challenges faced during 2020. “We all had to embrace technology quickly and the webinars we held in place of Waste 2020 were a great example of co-ordination and cooperation,” he says. “Between ourselves and the staff at WMRR, particularly Gayle Sloan and Justine Foster, we managed to coordinate more than 40 presenters and had over 1200 participants over a 14-

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Greg Freeman says Waste 2021 will bring industry players back together.

week period.” Freeman adds that there was an enormous amount of goodwill to keep the show on the road, and for that the Coffs Waste Conference team are very grateful. “Sure, we all missed the face-to-face learning and networking, but we made the most of our situation and continued to learn and share knowledge. This is what strengthens our industry – pulling together in the face of adversity,” he says. The industry is now looking forward to the Waste 2021 Conference. Although delegate numbers will have to be limited and social distancing

precautions followed, Freeman explains that his team are working hard to make sure the event will still be successful. “We will be running a hybrid event, where there will be face-to-face presentations and interaction with exhibitors, but we will also have an innovative livestream event that will be packaged up to be good value for money for those who cannot attend the conference,” he says. “What we learned from our Waste 2020 webinar series is that there are a large number of people who are happy to attend online from their home or office, as long as we make the interaction between the presenters and participants a two-way affair.” Many of the conference’s sponsors and exhibitors elected to roll over their financial commitment from Waste 2020 to Waste 2021, which Freeman says the Coffs Waste Conference team really appreciated. “We aim to pay back this support by holding the best event possible,” he says. “Hopefully if COVID restrictions can be eased a bit further we can fit some more people onsite.” The Waste 2021 team are currently sifting through more than 150 submissions and expressions of interest for speaking at the conference. “It will be tough this year as we will

The Waste 2021 team are currently sifting through more than 150 submissions for conference speakers.

have to limit the onsite presentations, but hopefully there will be some additional online opportunities, so all the knowledge and innovative ideas over the last year can be shared,” Freeman says.

The Waste 2021 Conference will play its role in bringing industry players back together in person and online so it can continue to lead Australia in the resource recovery and industry development fields.

“There is so much goodwill and optimism in our waste industry that we need to harness and forge ahead for the development of Australian society more broadly,” Freeman says. “We have also been fortunate enough to have been listed on the schedule of approved events on the Austrade Program website, as part of the Australian Business Events Grant Program.” This means eligible businesses can apply for funding under the Business Events Grants Program to cover up to 50 per cent of the costs of participating in Waste 2021. “This is a great initiative enabling some of our business participants and exhibitors to offset some of their costs,” Freeman says. For more information or to apply go to business.gov.au.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WASTE SCREENING EQUIPMENT

Grinding value from organics

The 2710D features a large grate area that enables it to produce materials to exact specifications.

PETERSON’S 2710D GRINDER IS POWERING THROUGH WOOD WASTE IN QUEENSLAND’S ATHERTON TABLELANDS.

ince 1981, Peterson has specialised in the development of processing equipment that turns low-grade material into high value products. Specialising in solutions for organic materials, Peterson understands that high-quality equipment is critical to opening up end-markets and extracting value from waste. Equipment manufacturer and distributor Komatsu Forest is similarly minded, and in 2010, became an official Australian dealer of Peterson equipment. “In 2009 Komatsu Forest recognised the need to expand its product range to meet developing changes in the hardwood chip market,” Brett Jones, Komatsu Forest Managing Director, says. “After a market search Komatsu Forest found the Peterson chippers

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and grinders to be global market leaders in technology, which fitted with the Komatsu Forest product mix and market strategies.” The timing proved right, Brett adds, with Peterson also looking for a committed distributor for their chippers and grinders in the forest and green waste markets to take them to the next level in Australia. “This led to several meetings with the two companies appreciating the benefits each had to offer and thus signed a dealer agreement on 1 October 2010,” he says. The original focus was mobile debarkers and chippers for the blue gum export chip industry, which has proven to be successful over the last 12 years. It wasn’t long before enquiries increased for the Peterson Horizontal Grinder range, however, due to its

strong history in North America. In early 2011, Komatsu Forest sold the first unit in Australia, delivering a Peterson 2710C to NSW-based business Tripodi Transport. While Australia’s grinder industry is rather small, Komatsu Forest has been successful in selling 25 units – with the 2710 being the most popular at 18 units. The latest Peterson 2710D sale was to Luke Jones of Jones Forest Management and Haulage in June last year. Townsville-based Jones has worked in the forestry industry for over 25 years, making his start in his father’s business in 1996, before he and his wife Belinda established Jones Forest Management and Haulage in 2006. Much of his work involves site preparation for HQP including clearing, spraying, inter-row spraying

and mulching, as well as harvest work. In total, Jones has three harvest crews and around five silviculture teams working in Tasmania and Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands. Ever on the lookout for new business opportunities, Jones recently took possession of a Peterson 2710 Grinder, which has already clocked up in excess of 800-plus hours on railway lines, pipelines and land clearing. “We do a lot of site preparation and this is an addition to give us some better opportunities at other jobs,” Jones says. “A lot of the jobs in North Queensland require grinding, so hopefully there will be enough work to keep it working.” The Peterson 2710D is designed for operations requiring high production and frequent moves between jobs.

Heavy duty and mobile, the 2710D has outstanding production throughput for a machine of its size. Additionally, 2710D’s large feed opening is ideal for processing odd sized feed stock. Measuring 153 x 81 centimetres, when boosted by Peterson’s high lift feed roll, the feed opening’s maximum lift of 112 centimetres is amongst the largest in its class. The 2710D also features a large grate area that enables it to produce materials to exact specifications. “It’s a good size, easy to move around, plenty of power, and easy to look after and maintain,” Jones says. “And Komatsu Forests are great to deal with and we’ve dealt with them for years now.” Peterson’s powerful up-turn threestage grinding process provides better

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fracturing of material to produce a more consistent product. A quick-change multiple grate system makes it easy to customise grate configurations to produce a wide variety of finished materials, with grates removed through an easyaccess door on the side wall. Furthermore, the grinder’s impact release system protects operator investment, with airbags providing uniform grinding and protection from contaminated feedstock. According to Jones, he would not have looked elsewhere for his grinder purchase. “It was the Peterson and that was it,” he says. Contact - Komatsu Forest P 02 9647 3600 E info.au@komatsuforest.com W www.komatsuforest.com.au

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WASTE SCREENING EQUIPMENT

The potential to ‘shatter’ the market A REGIONAL VICTORIAN COMPANY HAS EMPLOYED AN ASTEC GT200DF CONE CRUSHER AND GT205MF MULTI-FREQUENCY SCREEN TO PROCESS MATERIAL IN THEIR RECYCLING BUSINESS. Astec’s Victorian customer crushes and screens glass bottles in a dry closed circuit at an output of 80 tonnes per hour.

ith glass and glass product manufacturers making up nearly a third of the sand and gravel market in 2018-19, producers are increasingly using recycled glass materials in their processes – reducing demand for silica sand from the industry. As the sector looks into sustainable ways to repurpose waste material – recycled glass is being transformed

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into a manufactured sand for reprocessing or as a supplement in the construction industry. The benefits of glass recycling have sustainable and efficient advantages for the environment, saving energy and natural resources. A glass bottle in landfill, for example, can take up to a million years to finally break down, but a recycled glass bottle takes only 30

days to leave recycling bins and become a new glass container in the supermarket – without loss of purity or quality. In addition to becoming new glass vessels, recycled glass is being utilised in many other areas such as reflectors in paints, as well as in roads. Due to the benefits of the process and product, there are an increasing number of sites taking up glass

Astec’s multi-frequency screening plant uses high frequency technology on the bottom deck.

crushing and screening, particularly with suitable mobile equipment to optimise industry. With a team specialising in crushed glass applications and knowledge, Astec Industries was an exhibitor at the Australian Waste and Recycling Expo in 2019, which featured equipment suitable for crushing glass. With one of the largest bluestone producers in Tasmania processing glass as a side project at 30,000 tonnes per annum with Astec Equipment, a major recycler in country Victoria has also come to the fold. This country-based site in Victoria crushes and screens glass bottles in a dry closed circuit at an output of 80 tonnes per hour to produce a manufactured glass sand. The mobile equipment it is employing in this glass recycling process is an Astec Industries GT200DF featuring a Kodiak K200+ 200HP cone crusher, and a GT205MF multi-frequency screening plant that is equipped with a 20’x5’ multi-frequency screen box - meaning it has a conventional circular motion and uses Astec’s high frequency technology on the bottom deck. “The high frequency action provides additional frequency directly into the media on the bottom deck, which helps with separation in finer or wetter applications,” an Astec spokesperson says. The GT200DF at the feed end in the process uses the Kodiak’s chamber profile, clamping force,

stroke and shaft speed to optimise the autogenous crushing process that is occurring. “This is in contrast to a vertical shaft impact crusher which would alternatively shred the material, requiring new tips approximately every four weeks due to wear,” the spokesperson says. Comparatively, the manganese liners on the Kodiak crusher have worn at a rate of once every 12 weeks. The Kodiak cone crusher is a roller bearing machine. “This style of crusher gives producers a greater level of accuracy about settings and product specifications with a greater loading capacity than some alternative cone designs,” the spokesperson says. “Its hydraulic tramp iron relief system would identify an “uncrushable” object, opening up to

allow this uncrushable piece to pass and then reset itself.” The Kodiak’s TIR system eliminates maintenance costs associated with accumulators. Pressure relief valves act as latches, generating minimal back pressure build-up during an overload event. These valves prevent violent, rapid release of stored hydraulic pressure prevalent with accumulators, whilst reducing maintenance and stress on the machine should an overload event occur. Finally, plastics, wood and other incompatible materials can be screened off using the top deck of the GT205 multi-frequency screen and the manufactured sand product pass through the media installed on the bottom deck. The final product can be used as a sand replacement in asphalt, crushed rock products and pipe bedding material. “From individual machines to complete turnkey solutions, Astec Industries offers creative and accurate solutions from equipment installation to complete turnkey engineered systems with advanced automation controls for the C&D industry.” Contact - Astec Industries

P 1300 278 322 E enquiries@astecaustralia.com.au W www.astecaustralia.com.au/

Glass bottles can take up to a million years to break down in landfill.

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WASTE SCREENING EQUIPMENT

Processing under one roof SINCE COMMENCING THE DISTRIBUTION OF KOMPTECH EQUIPMENT LAST YEAR, KOMPTECH CEA HAS EVOLVED INTO A ONE STOP SHOP FOR THE WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY SECTOR.

n July last year, CEA commenced operations as the Australian and New Zealand distributor of Komptech waste, recycling equipment. In a statement at the time, CEA CEO Hylton Taylor explained that as a growing business, CEA is continually looking at how it can better meet the needs of the evolving market. “Adding strong, well established brands to our portfolio strengthens our ability to support our diverse range of existing customers and provides the opportunity to interact with a whole new client base,” Taylor said. Craig Cosgrove, Komptech CEA Product Manager, feels similarly, highlighting that since joining CEA

from ELB Equipment, his team has had greater access to resources – becoming a “one stop shop” for their customers. “When you buy a piece of Komptech equipment, you’ll generally need a wheel loader or excavator to feed the machine, and we now have that all under one roof,” he says. CEA, a part of the CFC Group of Companies, is a privately owned business with nine branches, over 90 dealer outlets and more than 280 employees Australia wide. Cosgrove adds that CEA can offer its customers inhouse financing under De Lage Landen, which tailors financing agreements to specific client needs. “From where we were with ELB to

The Komptech product range includes over 30 different types of machines that cover all key process steps in modern waste handling. 54 / WMR / March 2021

where we are now with CEA, we now have the opportunity to offer everything from the machine, to the parts, service contacts and financing all in-house,” he says. While the move to CEA has boosted resources and capabilities from a pre and after sales context, the quality of Komptech’s equipment offering has remained the same, Cosgrove says. He adds that while Komptech makes constant improvements to its equipment, the company specialises in “bread and butter machines.” “Komptech offers high-performance, value for money equipment. The machines can be running for 10 years and still have resale value, which

Komptech’s drum screens guarantee high throughput via feed screws welded on the inner side of the drum.

highlights the quality as well as pay back for the owner,” Cosgrove says. The Komptech product range includes over 30 different types of machines that cover all key process steps in modern waste handling – shredding, screening, separating and biological treatment. “The focus is always on innovative technology and solutions that ensure maximum customer benefit,” Cosgrove says. When it comes to screening and separating equipment, Komptech CEA can provide customers with both mobile and stationary solutions. “We can offer various equipment from drum screens, flower disks and star screens for the processing of organic material in different sized fractions,” Cosgrove says. Komptech’s drum screens, such as the Nemus 2700, guarantee high throughput via feed screws welded on the inner side of the drum. Cosgrove explains that the Nemus’ large steep-walled hopper, and screen drum with improved material feed and

a high-performance discharge system, harmonise perfectly with the proven, robust diesel-hydraulic drive. The drum’s control with visualisation makes operation easier, he adds, and the longer discharge conveyors up to 3.5 metres boost flexibility in use. Practical details like the easycleaning two-stage radiator induction screen, larger material intake support wheels and the extremely good access to all maintenance points reflect Komptech’s close attention to customer feedback. According to Cosgrove, Komptech drum screens effectively process high-bulk materials such as wood and biomass through a feed hopper tailored to the drum size. When it comes to processing excavated material such as sand, gravel and lightweight building rubble, Komptech has a solution for heavy materials. Solid contraries are kept back by a hinged hopper pre-screen and a hopper belt controller that prevents skewing on the belt.

In processing shredded, household, residual waste and RDF, the Nemus creates ample space between screen drums and side walls for a smooth operation. For high-capacity operations, Cosgrove highlights Komptech’s range of Multistar screens, which are some of the most productive screening machines available, especially in high moisture applications. The core of the star screens consists of one or more screen decks, depending on the model. The star shafts are electric drive with frequency converters that provide efficient and economical operation. “With its modular design, screen decks, feed metering container, wind sifter and stone/magnet separation are tailored perfectly to the job at hand, generating up to four fractions in one operation,” Cosgrove says. Contact - Komptech CEA P 1300 788 757 W www.komptechcea.com.au

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WASTE SCREENING EQUIPMENT

ELDAN RECYCLING’S SEPARATION TABLE As the circular economy is growing all over the world and demand for high-quality recycled products increases, one of the most important factors is ensuring output purity. Having as few contaminants as possible in the output will not only result in better products, but also a better selling price. For this, ELDAN Separation Tables’ prove themselves reliable companions to recyclers processing many different types of scrap, such as cables, electronic and electrical waste, aluminium scrap and end-of-life tyres. The basic construction ELDAN’s Separation Tables consists of a grading deck with an air distribution plate and upper covered with a woven steel cloth with mesh size depending on input type and output size. The deck can be easily adjusted in both speed, deck stroke length, air intake volume and deck inclination. The outlet section is equipped with adjustable flaps to guide the product to the product outlets. Purity is up to 99.9 per cent, and unopened material is sent back for recutting to ensure minimum material loss. No matter if you want to ensure a pure metal output or produce virtually black rubber granulate, the ELDAN Separation Tables have your back.

The ELDAN Separation Table provides almost 100 per cent clean main fractions.

Contact - ELDAN Recycling Carsten Nielsen P +45 6361 2534 E cn@eldan-recycling.com W www.eldan-recycling.com

APPLIED MACHINERY’S GENOX METAL RECYCLING SYSTEM The Genox Metal Recycling System is available in Australia through Applied Machinery.

Genox’s Metal Recycling System is designed for car body shells, steel drums, e-waste and light gauge scrap processing. The system provides a solution that minimises machinery investment and operational costs. The system, which is available in Australia through machinery specialists Applied Machinery, features a heavy duty, hinge belt conveyor suitable for high loading and materials impact. The conveyor is sealed to prevent material leakage. From there, material travels to a high-torque preshredder which is equipped with large diameter splined

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shafts, high strength shredding discs and oversized gearboxes to ensure system performance and reliability. A Vertical Shredding System then removes contaminants on the surface of the steel and compresses the scraps into nuggets. The bulk density of the product is thereby maximised and EAF efficiency increased. Separation of the light fraction and fines is controlled by a central Reverse Jet Filtration System, while water spray and misting systems are installed on key components to maintain temperatures at safe levels. System automation ensures that all components actions are linked, system capacity is maximised, and the system is protected against interfering material. Contact - Applied Machinery P 03 9706 8066 E sales@appliedmachinery.com.au W www.appliedmachinery.com.au

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WASTE TRANSFER TRAILERS

BMI TRAILER’S EJECTOR TRAILER Bmi trailers, who are celebrating 21 years in business this year, are the longest established manufacturer and supplier of waste transfer trailers in the UK and Ireland. Bmi’s success to date is built on the company’s strong service and after-sales commitment. They design, manufacture and commission high spec trailers – leading the way with innovative new designs on both trailers and waste compaction vehicles. The key to bmi’s success is first class products, including the bmi ejector trailer, which is best in class when it comes to landfill operations. Almost 20 years of innovation and design change is what is behind the flagship, bench-marked bmi steel ejector trailer – setting the standard for durability, longevity, tare weight, serviceability, support and residual value. The bmi ejector trailer is available in a range of specifications, with an impressive list of options and features to enhance the user experience. Key features include: • Capacity 70 CuM to 97 CuM (90 CuYd to 126 CuYd) • Fabricated from top grade high tensile steel • Designed with strength and payload in mind • Lower centre of gravity for safety

With a highly skilled and knowledgeable production, design and sales team, bmi constantly progress with new products.

• Wide track chassis and axles for stability • EBS braking system with roll stability • Substantial top rail to prevent side wall deformation • Hardox 450 grade floor sheets (optional). • Manual/ Hydraulics/ In-cab control cover systems. • Remote control options for all functions. The bmi ejector is built with decades of design experience, making it a premier product for waste bulk hauliers. Contact - bmi trailers

P 00 44 (0)28 8775 3999 E sales@bmitrailers.com W www.bmitrailers.com/trailers/ejector-trailers

VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

YOUR PARTNERS IN Volvo has over 25 years experience in waste handling and offers a wide range of purpose-built machines; all designed to meet high industry demands for safety, dependability and cost efficiency. If you’re looking for a fuel efficient and productive machine, look no further than Volvo’s EC250E excavator. Volvo now offers an optional and unique air compressor system. The air compressor with air blower, fitted in the cab for easy access, is a powerful tool and can be used to clean the cab whenever necessary. WANT TO PUT ONE TO THE TEST? CALL 1300 139 804 FOR A FREE DEMONSTRATION & QUOTE

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WASTE TRANSFER TRAILERS

Crafting the moving floor trailer BARKER TRAILERS IS BOOSTING PAYLOADS AND PRODUCTIVITY FOR WASTE, RECYCLING AND LOGISTICS COMPANIES ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

Barker’s trailers are quality crafted, using Australian steel and aluminium to offer a long road life.

riginal equipment manufacturer and secondgeneration family business Barker Trailers has been manufacturing moving floor trailers for the waste and resource recovery sector since 1996. In that time, the tried and trusted company has crafted in excess of 600 purpose-built moving floor units, working to drive efficacy and safety – one load at a time. With ever increasing traffic flows on major roads effecting vehicle movement, Barker’s engineering team has been instrumental in managing design, build and Performance Based Standards (PBS) applications. This in turn enables its customers far greater versatility in design to increase payload capacity, gain competitive advantages in the market, and importantly, reduce running costs. One such customer is logistics

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company Wettenhalls, whose Environmental Services business provides state-of-the-art equipment to safely and efficiently move waste and recycling material from origin to destination. Operating under the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme and PBS, Wettenhalls provides services to some of the largest waste and recycling businesses in Australia. To support these operations, the company has developed a long-term relationship with Barker Trailers. “In in our experience, it’s a quality product backed up by best in class after sales service,” Martin Kelly, Wettenhalls Director, explains. Wettenhalls runs a number of its large waste contracts across Australia with Barker’s purpose-built high volume 53 foot quad axle trailers, which were developed by working

closely with the individual customer to meet ever-changing requirements. Barker’s customer-centric PBS design has proven fruitful for Wettenhalls, with the Quad Axle Single trailers regularly helping the company achieve an extra three and a half tonne payload compared to conventional trailers. “We have a lot of high productivity vehicles and everything in the waste space is about efficiency,” Kelly says. “Getting that extra payload saves us time, trips and therefore money. We can then share those benefits with our customers.” Similar to Wettenhalls, Barker is not afraid to push boundaries when it comes to increasing payloads and productivity, Kelly adds. This is demonstrated in Barker’s commitment to continually work with leading suppliers and global technology to deliver exciting

solutions to its customers. “Given our commitment to safety, we are continually looking for ways to improve the safety environment of our drivers,” Kelly says. “For example our latest trailers, which operate on a new contract in New South Wales, can be operated from the cabin via a remote control, which is an incredible safety benefit as the driver doesn’t have to leave the cabin to load or unload. I think that highlights Barker’s willingness to adapt to their customer’s requirements. “Whether its safety, productivity or performance, they are enthusiastic about achieving the best outcome. Our objectives are always front of mind for Barker.” Barker’s trailers are quality crafted, using Australian steel and aluminium to offer a long road life. The relatively indestructible nature of their trailers, under normal operating conditions, translates to higher resale value and a resultant low, whole-oflife cost of ownership. While Barker’s moving floor trailers are suited to a range of industries, for operators dealing with waste and recycling, the company provides specialised options, including fully chassis design for extreme duty applications, various levels of wall reinforcements, leak resistant floor options, along with roof tarp and rear door options. The company’s unique steel top rail design protects the tarp system and trailer from loader damage when loaded from above, with a purposedesigned and fabricated shroud running the full length of the trailer. Additionally, all hydraulic functions can be operated from the front of the trailer, allowing the operator to remain in the safe zone close to the truck and away from the discharging product. Safety is one of the key benefits of the moving floor trailer, particularly its

ability to operate safely on any surface, a feature that is critical in the varied and harsh environments of the waste and resource recovery industry. Safety is also a key consideration for Tasman Logistics, which is why, when approached by waste management giant Cleanaway to move 200,000 tonnes of waste product a year, they looked to Barker’s for their moving floor trailer.

highlights the significant time savings facilitated by Barker’s moving floor trailers. He adds that they are simple to operate, meaning the company doesn’t have to spend an abundance of time training its drivers. “The trailers unload quicker than previous models we’ve had experience with, the old ones took roughly 45

“We like to think outside the square and so does Barker. As a business, we deliver a highend, high-quality service and it’s important that we have equipment to match that.” Ivan Vanis Tasman Logistics CEO.

“These are the best trailers for waste products given the messy and varied nature of the material, and instead of using tippers and other equipment, Barker’s moving floor trailers are a lot safer – which is a big thing for us. Our Compliance GM is very strict,” Ivan Vanis, Tasman Logistics CEO, says. “It’s also about the quality of Barker’s work. There’s only a couple of other players that do moving floors, and in my opinion, Barker are by far the best.” Tasman Logistics, which has a total storage capacity of 100,000 square metres and moves between 35-40,000 containers each year, is committed to remaining a high-quality service provider that offers the market a reliable alternative in logistics and supply chain partnerships. The company provides end-to-end transport solutions, third party logistics and cargo services. As a successful logistics business that is built on fine margins, Vanis

minutes and Barker’s take 20, that’s more than half the unloading time,” Vanis says. Since partnering up with Barker in 2020, Tasman Logistics has purchased 10 units, with another 10 set to arrive in coming weeks. “This was our first foray into moving floor trailers, and the best thing about Barker is their expertise. They live and breathe trailers and advised us on what and what not to do with the units,” Vanis says. “We like to think outside the square and so does Barker. As a business, we deliver a high-end, high-quality service and it’s important that we have equipment to match that. “My pitch to clients is: do you want to fly at the back of the plane or the front? And Barker’s trailers reflect that.” Contact - Barker Trailers P 1300 462 275 E sales@barkertrailers.com.au W www.barkertrailers.com.au/

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THE PHOENIX HAS LANDED IN AUSTRALIA The Phoenix is an extraordinary mythical creature. At the end of its life when just ashes remain, something magical happens. New life merges out of something that seems lifeless. What we consider to be the end, suddenly transforms into a new beginning.

We give ash a new life in the real world.

What we do

The ash in our line of business comes from the new Energy-from-Waste facility Avertas Energy. Incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW) is an effective way to reduce waste volume and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for energy.

How we do it

We process the remaining ash and extract valuable resources. With our state-of-the-art technology we recover metals to produce a secondary aggregate used for civil construction work. Environmental protection is at the forefront of our day-to-day operations. We assure the proper use of aggregates, limiting the impact on the environment.

Why we do it

We believe our work is only valuable if it contributes to a better future. We prevent landfilling and the negative impacts associated with the extraction of virgin raw materials by producing a secondary aggregate that contributes to the circular economy.

Blue Phoenix Australia Mr Ian Lynass, Managing Director Ianlynass@bluephoenix-group.com

0418 290 080 | www.bluephoenix-group.com

LAST WORD

The role of WtE in meeting the resource recovery challenge FOR AUSTRALIA TO MEET ITS AMBITIOUS RECOVERY TARGETS, GOVERNMENT CANNOT IGNORE THE ROLE OF WTE FACILITIES, WRITES ROSE READ, NATIONAL WASTE AND RECYCLING INDUSTRY COUNCIL CEO.

he National Waste Policy Action Plan’s ambitious but important target of an 80 per cent average resource recovery rate – material and energy recovery – by 2030 is a significant challenge. What this actually means for the waste and recycling sector is that it has to increase the volume it recovers by at least 15 million tonnes per annum to at least 58 to 60 million tonnes every year. That is a 35 per cent increase on the current 43.5 million tonnes recovered –this is no small feat. While substantially more public and private resources are now being invested to divert organics from landfill and build processing capacity for paper, plastics, glass and tyres, it will only help grow resource recovery volumes by an estimated five million tonnes per annum. That still leaves a further 10 million tonnes of waste that needs to be recovered if we are to achieve the 80 per cent recovery target by 2030. Energy recovery from residual waste materials has enormous potential to start to claw back this gap, as well as stimulate the economy by creating new jobs, providing renewable energy, reducing emissions and extending the life of landfills.

Australia has been slow to adopt waste-to-energy (WtE) technology that has been well established around the world. This has been due, in part, to the reluctance of governments to fully engage in the sector, leading to WtE ending up in the too-hard basket too often, which is disappointing given its potential to be influential in meeting the 2030 target. A report commissioned by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia shows that an estimated 18.3 million tonnes of residual waste will be going to landfill by 2030 and 75 per cent – 13.7 million tonnes – of this could potentially be diverted to generate energy. This could create an investment opportunity of $8.2 to $13.7 billion and potentially generate enough energy to power 1.4 to 2.6 million households and reduce CO2 emissions by 3.8 to 5.2 million tonnes. This equates to taking 1.1 million cars off the road each year. NWRIC strongly supports the waste hierarchy which defines the priorities that government, industry, business and the community are aligned to, with recovering energy from waste sitting below recycling and above disposal.

Rose Read says many state policies and strategies are unclear about the role of WtE.

After all recycling opportunities have been practically achieved, it is surely better to safely recover energy from residual material rather than dispose of it to landfill, creating a legacy for future generations. Recovering energy from materials and products that can’t be recycled should be seen as an important contributor to growing resource recovery rates. NWRIC considers that for the sector to have any chance of achieving the 80 per

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LAST WORD

Energy recovery from residual waste materials has enormous potential to claw back at resource recovery gaps.

cent resource recovery target by 2030, governments must give greater priority to the construction of both secondary material processing and WtE facilities. They must also commit to increased procurement of recycled materials for state and federal infrastructure and implement policy reforms that make recovered materials more cost effective to manufacturers than virgin materials. Many state policies and strategies are unclear of the role energy recovery facilities can play in delivering future resource recovery targets. This sends very mixed messages to the community and delays industry investment, reducing the ability to achieve the agreed targets. Industry is also subjected to long and drawn-out planning approvals, especially for a WtE facility, where extensive community engagement and relationship building is essential to be successful. To address this, state and local governments must be up front with the community on what it will take to achieve the 80 per cent target and that

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“A report commissioned by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia shows that an estimated 18.3 million tonnes of residual waste will be going to landfill by 2030 and 75 per cent of this could potentially be diverted to generate energy. ” Rose Read National Waste and Recycling Industry Council CEO

energy recovery is part of the solution. To focus government efforts just on recycling and remanufacturing is misleading the community and ignoring the fact that not all products we buy can be recycled. If governments are reluctant to pursue WtE as part of the solution to drive up resource recovery rates, they must fast track policies and incentives that will encourage product durability, repair and the use of recycled materials, and

prevent non-recyclable, non-reusable products and non-renewable materials entering the market. Governments can no longer ignore the very real role WtE facilities must play in handling residual wastes. Without further government policy and regulatory interventions to rapidly grow demand for recovered materials and build WtE plants to process non-recyclable materials, the 80 per cent resource recovery target will not be met.

Resourcing the world. veolia.com/anz

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RECYCLING