16 minute read
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
WITH A LARGER CAB AND EASY ACCESS FOR MAINTENANCE, VOLVO’S EC220D EXCAVATOR IS THE PRODUCT OF CHOICE FOR LITCHFIELD GREEN WASTE RECYCLERS. MANAGER JAMIE SPILSBURY EXPLAINS.
It’s fair to say that Litchfield Green Waste Recyclers (LGWR) is impressed with Volvo’s EC220D excavator.
Since purchasing a first unit in 2017, LGWR has added an extra two to its fleet, with plans to add another later this year.
LGWR Manager Jamie Spilsby says the EC220D excavator is now a core part of the company’s services in the Northern Territory.
“We cover a lot of different aspects, such as land clearing, mulching, stage one of earthworks and bulk haulage as well,” Jamie says.
Catering from small private jobs, up to the largest of corporate clients, LGWR specialises in tree mulching and land clearing in Darwin. The EC220D excavator is used for each, as well as feeding LGWR’s 800 horsepower mulching equipment.
CAB COMFORT
LGWR uses a range of attachments with the 22 tonne EC220D excavator – general buckets and tilt buckets support mulch feeding, and the attachable timber shear and log grab are used for land clearing.
A new electro-hydraulic system and main control valve can control the on-demand flows when using these attachments, resulting in shorter cycle times and improved fuel efficiency.
Oil flows for each attachment can also be regulated from the cab, with the internal electronic control unit able to store 20 individual settings.
Jamie says he was immediately impressed with the machine’s cab size. As he explains, the EC220D excavator has helped to look after some of LGWR’s taller operators.
“We have a few guys who are taller than 6’4. The squarer-shaped cab gives our operators easier access when entering and exiting the machine,” he says.
“Other models that have the rounded cab and windows can be awkward for some of our taller operators. Some of the taller guys have to pull the seat forward when they get in,” he jokes.
The EC220D excavator has a ‘D-series’ cab, built with a focus on maximising visibility and comfort.
The cab is supported on hydraulic dampening mounts to reduce shock and vibration levels. It also has a sound absorbing lining, reducing noise levels.
An integrated air-conditioning and heating system controls the climate, with air distributed through 14 vents.
IN-HOUSE SERVICING
Projects for LGWR usually take place in demanding environments such as torrential downpours or extremely dusty.
Jamie says the EC220D excavator
Litchfield Green Waste Recyclers deploys its EC220D excavator for mulching.
Litchfield Green Waste Recyclers has three EC220D excavator units, which have an accumulated 7000 to 8000 hours of use between them.
has had no trouble in the wet, due to the machine’s dual speed tracks. The unit also effectively blocks out dust, a must-have when dealing with mulch, he adds.
Due to the isolation of some rural sites, waiting for maintenance is not an option. As such, LGWR conducts its own servicing in-house.
“The EC220D excavator makes it very easy for our mechanics. It’s got great access for services. You just need to spin one plate to access plugs underneath. You don’t need to remove guards and floor plates like other machines,” Jamie says. There’s also a door on the rear right hand side of the machine, which contains all of the excavator’s filters.
“We can do these services in the paddock; we don’t need to increase downtime by taking it to a servicing centre. The air-conditioner, condensers and radiator can all be done in day-to-day maintenance.”
Jamie estimates the three EC220D units in use at LGWR have accumulated 7000 to 8000 hours of use between them. Minimal repairs have been required.
“We service them at 250-hour operation intervals. They could easily be serviced at more than 500-hour intervals,” he says.
Volvo CE distributor CJD Equipment also has a servicing network with technicians, workshops and dealers across the country.
“The main factor that attracted us to the Volvo models was CJD’s after-sales support and spare parts,” Jamie says.
He says LGWR will look to expand its fleet as the company continues to win larger contracts.
“We’re ramping up work with another contract, doing clearing work for future mining sites,” he says. “If we need another excavator, we’ll get a Volvo.”
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All go for FOGO
TOWNSVILLE-BASED RESIDENTS HAVE EMBRACED A FOGO OR GO KERBSIDE TRIAL WITH UP TO 90 PER CENT PARTICIPATION RATE.
More than 270 tonnes, or the equivalent of 5400 full kerbside wheelie bins, of organic materials has been diverted from Townsville landfills since the start of a Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) Kerbside Collection Trial in October 2021.
Townsville City Council added either a third FOGO or GO kerbside bin for 1500 households in Idalia, Burdell, Vincent and Heatley as part of the trial.
Mark Molachino, Acting Mayor says the results have been positive.
“The trial has been split into two parts, with 1000 households in Idalia and Burdell using their new lime-green lidded bins for food and garden waste, meanwhile, 500 households in Vincent and Heatley have been using their extra bin for garden waste only,” Mark says.
“We have seen industry-best standards for household participation rates of up to 90 per cent in some areas. Our team has also recorded an average contamination rate of below two per cent, which tells us most households are doing the right thing and are only putting food or garden waste in the kerbside bins. Trial participants will be surveyed so we can gather further information about how the trial is going and receive any feedback they have.”
Mark says the information gathered will be used to evaluate whether the program will roll out citywide, what it might look like and what further infrastructure might be needed.
The Queensland Government provided $242,000 to council to conduct the FOGO Kerbside Collection Trial.
Maurie Soars, Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson says the trial is about exploring initiatives to reduce the amount of potential value add materials and resources going to landfills.
“Waste management is a considerable expense for ratepayers,” Maurie says. “For example, construction has started on two new landfill cells at the Stuart waste facility at the cost of more than $10 million. Our current cell, constructed in 2020, is expected to reach capacity within the next 12 months. Initiatives like the FOGO Kerbside Collection Trial are about looking for sustainable ways to divert materials from going to landfills to be reused or repurposed. One of those initiatives has been diverting the garden organic material to be processed by local business Atlas Soils to turn into a soil conditioner which council has already used in parks and gardens across Townsville.
“Council wants to achieve a goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030, and resource recovery initiatives like this are vital to helping determine the best and most effective method to achieving that.”
Maurie says the council is proud of, and delighted by, the community’s effort during the FOGO kerbside collection trial.
“The trial participants have achieved such positive results through their willingness to engage with council about the types of waste that could be placed in the new bins for kerbside collection and by willingly taking the time to separate their waste streams at home.
“Our team held a community information session and barbecue in each of the trial areas and walked
An average contamination rate of below two per cent has been recorded in the FOGO Kerbside Collection Trial.
Maurie Soars, Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson
the streets involved in the trial ahead of the FOGO collection truck to allow residents to ask any last-minute questions they may have.
“Council has also conducted regular bin tagging exercises involving our team carrying out a quick visual inspection of each of the FOGO/GO bins and providing guidance to participants on any contamination in their bins.”
Maurie says the council has also created easyto-access education and promotional material, including an A-Z guide, How to Guide, FAQ sheets, fridge magnets, video resources, letterbox drops, and targeted social media ads to help educate Townsville locals about how to reduce, reuse and recycle at home.
The council is waiting for results of a recent FOGO bin inspection audit to provide a detailed indication of mid-trial outcomes.
The FOGO Kerbside Collection Trial is planned to end in September.
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National standards to enhance recovery
AUSTRALIA CAN SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE RESOURCE RECOVERY RATES AND BETTER MEET END USER DEMAND BY ADOPTING BEST PRACTICE STANDARDS. NATIONAL WASTE AND RECYCLING COUNCIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, RICK RALPH EXPLAINS.
In April, the National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) delivered a National Recovered Material Specifications for Sorting and Processing Facilities Report to the Australian Government. This report provides information intended to assist Australian recyclers enhance the volume and value of tradable products in domestic and overseas markets and stimulate domestic reuse of recovered materials.
NWRIC, with assistance from MRA Consulting, was engaged by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to consider and
NWRIC has recommended national performance standards for sorting and processing facilities.
recommend national performance standards for primary sorting facilities and secondary processing facilities handling glass, plastics, metals, paper and cardboard, and organics collected through the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) stream.
Rick Ralph, NWRIC Chief Executive Officer, says by adopting a number of affordable and relatively straightforward measures it is possible to substantially increase resource recovery rates and better meet end user demand.
“While both minimum and best practice standards are essential, best practice specifications are key to growing resource recovery rates and increasing the quality and commercial value of resources and should be used wherever possible,” Rick says.
The recommendations in the report are informed by a thorough literature review and audit of recovered resource specifications both locally and internationally, material flow mapping, and a comprehensive stakeholder consultation process.
“The review also found that key international markets are increasingly demanding higher standards for recycled products. The proper framework must be in place and easy to
National Waste and Recycling Council Chief Executive Officer, Rick Ralph.
access in Australia to allow industry to respond,” Rick says.
“Countries such as China and Malaysia are setting higher quality import specifications which are impacting what Australian sorters and processors can export. We need to protect our trading capacity by having these minimum and best practice standards in place.”
The review identified 65 national and international recovered resource specifications for materials collected through the MSW stream: 14 glass, 25 plastic, eight metal, 10 paper and eight organics.
Of these specifications, 38 are national standards or regulations developed by different national or state governments and bodies. The other 27 are international standards developed by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) or other international bodies.
NWRIC has recommended a total of 49 existing sorting and processing specifications for each material type and stage of the recovery process, along with indicative time frames, responsibilities and practical actions necessary both upstream and downstream to achieve each specification.
“Change doesn’t mean a massive overhaul though. We can achieve this while also ensuring the recommended actions are practical to implement, commercially sound, deliver added value back to the resource recovery chain, actually increase resource recovery, and can also adapt to changing technology and market conditions,” Rick says.
“These recommended upstream and downstream actions have the added advantage of contributing to the implementation of the 2019 National Waste Policy Action Plan.”
The recommendations include amendments to 11 of the recommended specifications to improve the quality of the resources being recovered; and development of seven new specifications to cover unprocessed glass fines, glass sand for filtration and insulation applications, liquid paperboard bale, shredded mixed flexible plastic, advanced recycling feedstock, advanced recycling output (oil) and pulp.
“Critically, the Report recommends several upstream actions, including changes to packaging design, what should be accepted in yellow bins, expansion of container deposit schemes (CDS), that will significantly improve the quality and quantity of resources recovered,” Rick says.
Packaging design should encourage the production of mono-material packaging, ensure caps and rings can easily be removed, avoid pressuresensitised labels and coloured PET, limit tin content, reduce the use of metal closures on glass products, as well as phase out the use of PVC and PS in packaging where possible.
Producers and brands should clearly label aerosol cans, especially those containing flammable substances with safe disposal instructions to mitigate potential risk of explosion in compaction trucks and sorting facilities. The Australian Recycling Label should also indicate the appropriate recycling categorisation for packaging made from PVC or PS.
Federal, state, territory and local governments should consider national bin input standards to reduce inconsistencies between local government areas, including community education campaigns on key bin contaminant issues.
State, territory and local governments should consider expanding the type of glass and plastic containers collected through CDS, and, where possible, align end of waste and resource recovery orders for organics with food and organic collection and processing contracts.
AORA and the agricultural sector should consider developing an organic product certification scheme, driven by end user consultation to create higher value products for agriculture and incentivise product innovation.
To increase confidence and reduce confusion, a joint industry online portal (e.g. NWRIC, ACOR, AORA, APCO, Chemistry Australia) should be developed that provides sorters, processors and end users with a free single point of access to all relevant recovered material specifications.
Finally, consideration should be given to assisting sorters and processors gain independent certification of processed outputs against the recommended specifications to give domestic and international end users greater confidence in the quality of material being supplied. If deemed appropriate, certification could also help streamline the export permit process.
“The quality of the resource recovery value chain dictates negotiations between individual seller-buyer contracts. These specifications are about increasing the value and volume of recovered resources and making it easier for sorters and processors to produce high quality recycled outputs,” Rick says.
The full report is available at: www.nwric.com.au/national-recycledmaterial-specifications/
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