Waste Management Review September 2019 by Prime Creative Media

SEPTEMBER 2019

Future resource focus KTS Recycling’s Craig Davis on the company’s new refusederived fuel technology.

FEATURES City of Melbourne in focus Tasmania’s Waste Action Plan EPA Victoria’s stockpiling training ALDI’s waste reduction initiatives

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COVER STORY

PARTICLE SIZE INNOVATION

Melbourne’s Knox Transfer Station is pioneering refuse-derived fuel using an Australian-first technology to achieve a small particle size.

LIFTING LANEWAY RECOVERY The City of Melbourne talks to Waste Management Review about the city’s Draft Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy and recycling initiatives in the CBD.

“THE PRIME MINISTER’S ANNOUNCEMENT WILL ONLY FUEL THE NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS FOR MATERIAL THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE SENT OVERSEAS.” -Robbie McKernan, FOCUS enviro Director

In this issue

Features

THE 22 GROWING ISLAND STATE

THE 34 RECLAIMING OZONE

ADDLES AND 36 PPACKAGING

aste Management Review W explores Tasmania’s new draft Waste Action Plan and industry growth outside the mainland.

HOOKED

ON EXPANSION

Kelly’s Waste Management has invested in a new Palfinger hookloader to maximise payloads.

BATTERY REVAMP

Daryl Moyle, Ecocycle Business Development Manager, speaks with Waste Management Review about the company’s recent rebrand.

OODCHIPS TO 32 WENERGY

Veolia’s recent moves in the waste-to-energy market has seen them team up with specialist equipment supplier Finlay.

-Gas Rapid Recovery Sales A and Marketing Co-ordinator Kate Patterson warns of a silent waste contributor.

Wastech Engineering’s Jeff Goodwin explains how the ATRITOR Turbo Separator can help businesses achieve a 99 per cent food waste recovery rate.

ALED TO 40 BPERFECTION

aterial Recovery Solutions M explains its unique value proposition offered to the market.

XTINGUISHING 44 ERISK

Waste Management Review explores the Victorian EPA’s amended policy for combustible recyclable and waste materials.

NEXT 50 THE GENERATION

Waste Expo Australia is set to explore the future of waste and resource recovery in the country.

52 CRUSHING CONTAMINATION

aste Management Review W speaks with Yarra City Council about the council’s ongoing trial of kerbside glass separation.

56 PACKAGING PROGRESS

Daniel Baker, ALDI Australia’s Corporate Responsibility Director, explains the company’s new packaging commitments.

Regulars

6 NEWS 58 P ROMOTIONAL FEATURES 65 LAST WORD

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 3

PUBLISHER

Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

From the Editor

Victorian recycling network takes a hit The shutdown of SKM Recycling sent a shock through the Victorian waste management system in July with more than 33 Melbourne councils affected. In the wake of SKM’s decision to not accept recyclables at its sites, a number of major metropolitan councils were forced to send their waste to landfill. As it announced its waste would temporarily go to landfill, the City of Boroondara argued that the fundamental issue is that the capacity required to manage all of the state’s recyclables does not currently exist with the Victorian infrastructure. It issued a reminder on social media that the Victorian Government could use the $500 million it’s collected from waste levies to find a long-term solution. Fortunately, a week later, Boroondara had reached an agreement with Visy to receive and process 100 per cent of the city’s kerbside recycling collections. At the time of writing in early August, the City of Melbourne was another major council forced to send 45 tonnes of recycling to landfill each day since the announcement. In response, the city announced it would bring its investment in infrastructure forward. To fill the void, Victoria’s Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group (MWRRG) opened expressions of interest to find an economical solution for councils. The MWRRG is looking at collaborative procurements for recycling services with 11 council clusters covering more than 60 councils. These will be in place by June 2020. With the City of Boroondara’s sentiments in mind, the fundamental question we should be asking ourselves is why governments allowed a mere three companies to process around 90 per cent of recyclable goods in Victoria? SKM relied largely on overseas markets to support its business model, which we know have become unsustainable in the wake of waste import crackdowns in China, Malaysia, Thailand and other countries. The disruptions to the Victorian waste management system have demonstrated the risk of taking the low-cost option and now it’s time to find a sustainable solution. The recent Council of Australian Governments meeting pledged to ban recyclable waste from overseas exports. With no timeline in place, it remains to be seen what the implications (good and bad) for the sector will be. However, the recent discussion in building local markets makes me cautiously optimistic. That’s not to mention $20 million in federal funding linked to the exports plan and more announcements no doubt to come.

4 / WMR / September 2019

Toli Papadopoulos toli.papadopoulos@primecreative.com.au

JOURNALIST

Holly Keys holly.keys@primecreative.com.au

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

ART DIRECTOR

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

Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Blake Storey

HEAD OFFICE

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ARTICLES

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

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.

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News

Melbourne fast-tracks waste strategy

The City of Melbourne will run expressions of interest for technology in Melbourne’s inner city laneways.

The City of Melbourne will fasttrack the delivery of its Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy and bring investment in infrastructure forward. Following SKM’s decision to no longer accept waste material, the city has been forced to send 45 tonnes of recycling to landfill each day. Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the city, and its subsidiary Citywide, will run an independent feasibility study into establishing a large-scale recycling centre in Greater Melbourne. “As a matter of urgency, our waste collection business Citywide will work with independent experts to look at the best way to create a specialised recycling facility in Victoria that will be stable and sustainable,” Ms Capp said. “The study will consider the potential size and location for a new facility, as well as the number of municipalities it could service. It would also consider the level of recycled material required for it to be viable and potential

6 / WMR / September 2019

markets for recycled materials.” Ms Capp said the city would also investigate new ways to reduce contamination throughout the municipality. “We want to stop recyclables going to landfill as soon as possible and deliver long-term improvements for our residents and businesses,” Ms Capp said. “We are going to increase the number of shared waste hubs for businesses in the central city.” Ms Capp said the city is also examining international best practices and will run an expression of interest period for technology usable in Melbourne’s inner-city laneways. “This could include using everything from mini compactor bins, specialised vehicles and collection of source separated materials such as glass, organics, paper and cardboard,” Ms Capp said. “Ultimately, we need to work

towards the model used by many European countries where recycling streams are collected and processed separately.” According to Ms Capp, the issue cannot be tackled by individual municipalities, which is why the City of Melbourne will be working with other councils, the Victorian Government and the community to achieve longterm change. City of Melbourne Environment Chair Cathy Oke said local residents and businesses also need to play their part to reduce contamination in waste streams. “Rather than send our recycling overseas, we will examine the feasibility and cost of preparing materials for manufacturing use here in Victoria,” Ms Oke said. “We need to provide a cleaner product for our recycling industry to return to a more sustainable and stable footing.”

News

NT to consider container deposit scheme recommendations The Northern Territory Government is considering recommendations into the state’s container deposit scheme after an independent review. The review showed a 30 per cent increase in the number of containers recycled since the scheme commenced in 2012. Additionally, 83 per cent of review participants considered the scheme successful. According to Environment Minister Eva Lawler, the scheme generated more than $11 million for community groups, schools and Territorians in 2017-18. “Protecting our environment creates

jobs, and good environmental policy like the container deposit scheme is smart economic policy for the Territory,” Ms Lawler said. “We are making the Territory cleaner, increasing our recycling and removing litter from landfill – since 2012 more than half a billion containers have been processed under the container deposit scheme.” The review highlighted 21 recommendations to improve the scheme, with the state government supporting 17 in full, two in principle and leaving the remaining two subject to further consideration. Ms Lawler said recommendations

The government’s independent review highlighted 21changes to improve its container deposit scheme.

8 / WMR / September 2019

fall into five broad categories, accessibility in regional and remote areas; broadening the scheme to include currently exempt containers such as wine bottles and milk cartons; reducing the regulatory burden on industry; targeted community awareness and improved data collection and regular auditing. “An implementation plan has been developed which will see the recommendations rolled out in phases over the next two years, which includes consultation with industry and engagement with local government and community organisations through the process,” Ms Lawler said.

News

ARRB reviews the use of vehicle tyres in bitumen

ARRB were asked to identify the benefits and limitations of using crumb rubber in asphalt and spray seals.

The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) is recommending further research into the use of passenger vehicle tyres in bitumen production. ARRB Senior Professional Leader Guy Hand said Victoria’s Department of Transport, formerly VicRoads, engaged ARRB to undertake a literature review on the subject. “Using more end-of-life tyres in road construction is a known way to curb the significant environmental challenge for Australia. The question is, how do we make that happen? One possibility is to engage the use of end-of-life car tyres,” Mr Hand said. Most crumb rubber repurposed into Australian road construction currently

10 / WMR / September 2019

comes from end-of-life truck tyres. According to Mr Hand, truck tyres are predominantly composed of natural rubber, whereas car tyres contain a high proportion of synthetic rubber, as well as a nylon component. “It is not well understood whether synthetic rubber will behave in bitumen in the same nature that natural rubber does,” Mr Hand said. “No data from an Australian context is available to establish the compatibility and performance of synthetic rubber in bitumen.” Mr Hand said the key objective of the review is to understand the current specifications of crumb rubber sourced by other road agencies and the market

availability and processing requirements of passenger vehicle tyres. ARRB were additionally asked to identify the benefits and limitations of using passenger vehicle tyre crumb rubber as a road material in asphalt and sprayed seals. “There are also barriers for recycling car tyres to be considered, such as economic, environmental and processing challenges,” Mr Hand said. “With the Victorian Government’s focus on increasing the use of recycled materials in road construction, this literature review will help inform all stakeholders on the issues associated with the use of passenger vehicle tyres in bitumen.”

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News

WMRR releases EfW fact sheet The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) and Bioenergy Australia have released the first in a series of energyfrom-waste (EfW) fact sheets. The fact sheet references the waste hierarchy, outlining EfW as only suitable when waste can’t otherwise be reused or recycled. “In Australia general waste is normally disposed of to landfill, without

WMRR’s fact sheet lists waste-to-energy as part of the waste hierarchy.

12 / WMR / September 2019

additional value being recovered,” the fact sheet reads. “It is at this stage that diverting the material to an EfW plant for energy recovery can provide for better environmental outcomes.” WMRR NSW EfW Working Group Chair Miles Mason said interest was building on the role and benefits of EfW in an integrated waste management system.

“There is a growing dialogue around waste issues and media coverage is increasing. However, there is also a lot of misinformation out there,” Mr Mason said. “The fact sheet answers some of the common questions that often stem due to a lack of easy-to-understand information such as: does EfW smell? Is it safe? Does it reduce greenhouse gas emissions? And how does EfW fit in a circular economy? This document is a good starting point in the conversation.” According to the fact sheet, EfW facilities use technology to control emissions by removing chemical contaminants and further filtering the air to remove particulates from gas. “As part of the planning and permitting process, a comprehensive air quality and human health risk assessment is carried out,” the fact sheet reads. “During operations, exhaust emissions from these facilities are continuously monitored using gas measuring equipment to ensure they comply with even the most stringent environmental standards.” WMRR NSW EfW Working Group Vice Chair Shaun Rainford said there are varying levels of understanding around the terms, concepts, suitable waste types and costs. “There are different definitions and policies across jurisdictions, adding to the complexity of EfW,” he said. “As the peak body of the waste management and resource recovery industry, it is WMRR’s role to assist in education and provide factual elements to the conversation.”

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COVER STORY Craig Davis and Rod Tanner experimented with a variety of shredders for refuse-derived fuel before discovering the UNTHA XR3000.

Particle size innovation MELBOURNE’S KNOX TRANSFER STATION IS PIONEERING REFUSEDERIVED FUEL USING AN AUSTRALIAN-FIRST TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE A SMALL PARTICLE SIZE.

ver the years, Melbourne’s Knox Transfer Station has grown from being more than just a transfer station to a hard waste processor for a number of councils. Operated by KTS Recycling and located in Wantirna South, the company also runs transfer stations in Coldstream, Skye and Wesburn. Craig Davis, Process Manager at KTS, joined the company 14 months ago to support the company’s entrance into the refuse-derived fuel (RDF) market. RDF is used as a renewable substitute for fossil fuels in cement kilns and specialised energyfrom-waste plants. The motivation for KTS to get involved with RDF was inspired by its collection of hard waste and mattresses through parent company WM Waste Management Services. To maximise resource recovery and find a home for

14 / WMR / September 2019

residual plastics, textiles, wood and other materials, the company started looking at RDF around five years ago. “We were shredding and extracting metals from hard waste and mattresses and hand sorting cardboard and timber with the remaining material going to landfill,” Craig explains. KTS’ expansion into recycling mattresses initially saw it shred and recycle metal with the remainder sent to landfill, but it believed it could be doing more. “We didn’t just want to be seen as a wheel’s business and a processor, we wanted to do something different and stay ahead of the curve,” he says. PROCESS ENGINEERING In late 2017, KTS Recycling began to establish an interim RDF manufacturing facility at its Knox Transfer Station with support from Sustainability Victoria’s

Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund. Extensive trial and error was required to ensure the material could meet specification, in particular the particle size for the fuel’s end user. Craig’s background working with various shredders and grinders at SUEZ and Veolia helped fast track the process, experimenting with a number of different shredders, trommels and screens on-site. However, despite extensive experimentation, no processes could consistently achieve its less than 50-millimetre output particle requirements. This led KTS to look outside of its existing resources and investigate a new and innovative resolution. Owner Mark Jeffs flew to Europe last year to check out the UNTHA XR3000 mobil-e in action. As a specialist in machinery and manufacturing

technology, Craig also went overseas earlier this year to inspect and test the XR3000. Mark and Craig were both impressed by the single-pass shredding and lower rotation speed capabilities of the technology. As lower speeds generally have lower wearing costs and a reduced fire risk, the machine was seen as highly advantageous for KTS. The XR3000’s ability to handle up to 30 tonnes of commercial, industrial and wood waste per hour was also a big plus. Having previously engaged with FOCUS enviro on a number of other waste processing and technology choices, KTS turned to the company to provide an RDF solution. FOCUS enviro then called on the product knowledge and experience of its technology partner UNTHA. After discussing KTS’ requirements, the 37-tonne mobile machine was shipped to their Knox headquarters in July 2019, becoming the first ever Australian company to use the technology. The UNTHA XR3000 mobile-e has been applied successfully in more than 9000 successful installations worldwide. A diesel mechanic by trade, Mark has achieved a long line of innovations through KTS and parent company WM Waste Management, including becoming one of the first organisations to trial and

purchase electric refuse vehicles. Mark says that alternative fuel is becoming more and more important in Australia and as a progressive environmental company KTS wanted to stay ahead of the curve. “We acknowledged that by investing in world class RDF production technology, we could produce a high-quality resource, efficiently, and hopefully really drive the market for this crucial energy source,” Mark says. Rod Tanner, Business Support Manager at KTS Recycling, says one of the most important criterions of the company’s operations is to ensure a reliable small particle size. “The challenging aspect to our operations is that we make our product today, but we don’t really get feedback from the markets until weeks later so we have to do a lot of our testing locally to ensure we get our products right.” Michael Strickland, KTS Project Manager, says that there would be big ramifications if deleterious materials ended up in the fuel. COUNCIL COLLABORATIONS Rod says the majority of customers in hard rubbish are local government and are accountable for landfill diversion

targets, making the business case even more attractive. “We service customers all over Melbourne and even some regional councils as far as mattresses go,” Rod says. “We’ve actually got a contract with the North East Regional Waste Management Group so we service all the way up to Albury-Wodonga.” He says that with more than a dozen customers working with KTS Recycling, the company is looking at opening up conversations with more commercial and industrial operators. KTS’ process will involve taking RDFcompliant material from its other sites and processing it in Wantirna South. Rod says that at this stage the main material going through the UNTHA is typical kerbside hard waste collected items, including mattresses and foam. Depending on calorific value results over the coming months, the company will also look at increasing its commercial and industrial waste processing. Rod says that KTS is committed to doubling its initial output of RDF over the next four years. While RDF remains relatively niche in Australia, the markets in Europe have grown exponentially. According to data compiled by the UK association RDF Industry Group, the proportion of refuse-derived and

The XR3000 mobil-e arrived at KTS’ Knox headquarters in July 2019. www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 15

COVER STORY

solid recovered fuel has been steadily increasing each year since it began in 2010 to 2017. The sector is worth around £0.5 billion ($0.89B AUD) annually and RDF production supports more than 6800 jobs in the UK. Gary Moore, UNTHA Director for Global Business Development, says the company is continuing to work with itscustomers to maximise throughputs, minimise impurities andmaximise margins. “Australia is one of the world’s most exciting countries when it comes to waste-to-energy potential, and it’s great to now be a part of it,” Gary says. A CHANGE IN DIRECTION At the August Council of Australian Government’s meeting, federal and state and territory environment ministers agreed to work towards banning recyclable waste being exported overseas. While a timeline has yet to be established, Robbie McKernan, FOCUS enviro Director welcomes the move and sees it as an opportunity for surplus non-recyclable material to be manufactured into RDF. “The prime minister’s announcement will only fuel the need for alternative pathways for material that would otherwise be sent overseas,” Robbie says. “RDF is a high quality resource and its success is well documented in markets around the world.” Robbie says RDF is a first class alternative to landfill and can be supplied to many different types of energy facilities using fossil fuels. Calorific value is another challenge and KTS is working on bringing its moisture content down. To rectify this, KTS is continually trialling a combination of different waste compositions with one of them including mattresses.

16 / WMR / September 2019

To support the shredding process, KTS has also acquired an EDGE density separator from FOCUS enviro to remove inert materials such as glass, ceramics and concrete prior to feeding material into the UNTHA. KTS’ RDF process sees waste come in and be sorted and shredded into various piles before removing inerts through the EDGE density separator. The shredded materials are baled and wrapped into their finished product. The new XR3000 mobil-e takes advantage of an electromechanical drive without having to forgo the advantages of a mobile machine. Consistent 30-millimetre to 400-millimetre particle sizes are achievable. Three different cutting concepts are available depending on the material and fraction size – a ripper, cutter or knife system. The system comprises an internal pusher that allows the material to be pressed against the shredding shaft to maximise production. Robbie says FOCUS enviro now offers the complete alternative fuel production industry pre-shredders, density separators, industrial baling and bale wrappers and all technology components requirements to manufacture RDF. “This means our clients can source a complete RDF production line from a single supplier in Australia which is unmatched in the industry,” Robbie says. Robbie says the UNTHA X3000 mobil-e is unlike anything FOCUS enviro has previously seen in the marketplace. “We had the chance to see it in the factory and some customer sites in the UK but it’s only when you see the machine in action that you understand it is in another league entirely,” he says. “We’ve supplied shredders for decades so we were completely taken aback by the jump in machine capabilities and

process diagnostics, from the drive system to pusher arm and the knife changeover features.” Robbie says the ability to produce a homogenous and defined output fraction in a single pass has opened up more opportunities in difficult-to-shred applications. “UNTHA are now dominating the plastic granulation, tyre-derived fuel, mattress, biomass, pulper ropes and e-waste resource recovery market with their ability to reduce materials efficiently with consistent size and minimal fines,” he says. He adds that post-consumer and production waste plastics is another example where the machine is working with little to no competition in performance on an industrial level. The range of shaft and cutter configurations means the shredders are suitable for thermoplastics, duroplastics and elastomers. In the burgeoning waste-to-energy market, the shredder is also ideal for gasification or biomass markets. “At the end of the day we’re making a product that substitutes black coal and cement kilns have to burn products regardless so if you can use a renewable fuel that’s best practice from a greenhouse gas perspective,” Michael says. Craig says that the early results are highly positive and KTS has been able to trial new materials such as car and truck tyres, which has already reduced disposal and transport costs, allowing KTS to send pre-shredded tyres to an end user. The testing forms part of KTS’ broader vision to be a geographical hub for PEF in Melbourne. “Understanding where our waste stream is sitting will allow us to explore options for new residuals. We’re learning as we’re going, but we’ve already come a long way,” Craig says.

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UP FRONT

The Collective Action Group had its first meeting earlier this year.

Collaborating with confidence AUSTRALIAN PACKAGING COVENANT ORGANISATION CEO BROOKE DONNELLY TALKS ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE ACTION GROUP AND SYSTEMIC MODELS FOR ACTION ON PACKAGING RESOURCE RECOVERY.

lack of policy centralisation has been a concern for the waste and resource recovery industry since the 2009 National Waste Policy stalemate. In response, following the 2018 Meeting of Environment Ministers, the Federal Government announced it would shift its policy direction by taking an increasing role in waste reduction and recycling policy. The then-Environment Minister Melissa Price announced that in order to facilitate a unified direction on waste and recycling, a new National Waste Policy would be developed. Current Waste Reduction Minister Trevor Evans said an action plan would be devised through interjurisdictional collaboration later this year.

As part of this change in direction, the Federal Government also formally committed to the National Packaging Targets. The National Packaging Targets aim to have 100 per cent of Australian packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 or earlier. Its an ambitious goal, given only 56 per cent of Australian packaging was recovered for recycling in 201718, according to a UTS Institute of Sustainable Futures study. Additionally, the study shows of that 56 per cent, 34 per cent was exported overseas. Endorsed by the Australian Local Government Association in 2018, the targets also seek to achieve a 30 per

cent average recycled content rate by 2025, and have 70 per cent of Australia’s plastic packaging be recycled or composted by the same year. Phasing out problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging through design, innovation or the introduction of alternatives is the final target. Despite the bold goals, Australian Packagaing Covenant Organisation (APCO) CEO Brooke Donnelly is confident the targets can be meet. “We’re in a position where we need to drive change while we have the opportunity, hitting the ground running,” Brooke says. “Australian industry is vibrant, proactive and really driving the

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 19

UP FRONT

activity towards a circular economy transition, which will help us all achieve the targets.” APCO, which has been tasked with leading the implementation process, has recently established the Collective Action Group (CAG) to oversee strategic delivery of the targets. The group is comprised of 12 leading representatives from across industry and government, including Coles, Nestle, Coca Cola Amatil, Planet Ark, the Australian Council of Recycling, SUEZ and Visy. Additionally, representatives from the Queensland Department of Environment and the Federal Department of Environment and Energy are members. “We have two representatives from

chair with experience in product stewardship and co-regulatory organisations,” Brooke says. “Dr Astin understands and appreciates getting the best from member diversity and is implementing a very structured approach.” The first meeting of CAG was officially opened by Trevor Evans, the Federal Government’s Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management in June. “It was really great to have Minister Evans with us – it’s wonderful to see his appointment and also his energy and engagement with supporting the industry,” Brooke says. “It’s difficult to get such senior executives in one room at the same time, so it was a really lively and

Brooke Donnelly and Trevor Evans exchanged ideas on the 2025 National Packaging Targets at the first meeting of the Collective Action Group.

each sector of the packaging supply chain, such as brands, community, resource and recovery and retail and manufacturing,” Brooke says. Managing multiple high-level stakeholders with potentially competing interests can be challenging, which is why APCO employs a best-practice model of governance for all CAG meetings. “We have a really great chair, Dr Anne Astin, an independent

20 / WMR / September 2019

informed discussion, which is fantastic.” Brooke says CAG’s first job will be developing a set of agreed definitions for key terms such as “problematic” and “unnecessary”. “While agreeing on definitions might appear simple, it can be quite challenging and is a critical part of the process,” she says. “Developing a full and shared picture of the packaging landscape is the only way to achieve effective change.”

The CAG will then work to establish baseline metrics for each of the four targets, before developing and endorsing the Sustainable Packaging Pathway white paper. To create the white paper, Brooke says the CAG will co-design a systemic model for how Australia can transition to an advanced sustainable packaging ecosystem. The white paper will then outline the steps towards making the 2025 packaging targets a reality. “The CAG will provide advice and guidance to support the outcomes, which are the results of the 22 priority project areas in 2019,” she says. Project areas include consumption and recycling data, materiality testing, economic analysis of system interventions and sectorial circularity project delivery. According to Brooke, project areas are managed through six APCO advisory groups that sit under the CAG. She says all APCO research flows up to the advisory groups for analysis, before it again flows up to the CAG. The CAG will also oversee the results of comprehensive infrastructure mapping of the current resource recovery sector for packaging and explore alternative models. “By the time we get to the white paper, which builds on the 2018 work APCO did on problematic material issues, we will have worked with over 200 organisations and every level of government,” Brooke says. “A huge and diverse group of people will have participated in the development of the eventual roadmap.” Brooke says while the targets are complex and challenging, cooperation is the key to achieving them. “It’s our job and everybody’s job to contribute. If we all just do a little bit better today we can get there,” Brooke says. “It’s all about creating a collaborative space so we can get to the targets.”

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UP FRONT

Growing the island state WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW EXPLORES TASMANIA’S NEW DRAFT WASTE ACTION PLAN AND INDUSTRY GROWTH OUTSIDE THE MAINLAND.

Tasmania is taking action on resource recovery with a waste levy and other plans.

asmanian resource recovery has traditionally fallen behind other states and territories, with a 2018 rate of 50 per cent. The state is home to a large industrial sector, and as such, it produces more waste than its population would suggest. Tasmania’s island geography creates further challenges, with the cost of transporting waste to the mainland for recovery making the process often unviable. The state’s new draft Waste Action Plan, released 29 June, has provided a framework of identifiable actions to tackle these issues and grow Tasmania’s waste and resource recovery sector. According to former Environment Minister Elise Archer, who held the portfolio when the plan was drafted,

22 / WMR / September 2019

the government’s commitment to a statewide waste levy and container deposit scheme (CDS) are the action plan’s cornerstones. Waste Management Review spoke with the state Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment in August. According to a spokesperson for the department, the state government, waste industry, local business and broader community are all responsible for managing the waste Tasmania produces. “Our government understands it has an important role to play to help people make informed choices and support innovative waste and recycling initiatives,” the spokesperson says. “In response to some of Tasmania’s

most pressing waste issues, government has already acted through investing in controlled waste and tyre processing facilities and assisting the roll-out of national product stewardship schemes for e-waste, paint, tyres, batteries and packaging.” As new challenges and opportunities arise, Tasmania has recognised the need to take action. Core issues include finding ways to divert organic waste from landfill to reduce emissions, and helping councils and businesses adapt to recent restrictions on the importing of recyclable materials. “Shipping recyclables or recovered resources from Tasmania to end markets is a cost, and due to Tasmania’s population size and distance from markets, it can be challenging to find

a critical mass of some waste-based resources, and to improve the purity and quality, and hence value, of materials,” the spokesperson says. “As the solutions to our waste and recycling challenges are strongly market-based, capacity should be developed to support the establishment of recycling and reuse businesses, which would include support for domestic businesses entering national and international markets.” Through targeted engagement with industry and other relevant stakeholders, the department has identified a number of waste management priorities for the state, in line with the National Waste Policy. “The changing policy environment, in addition to challenging markets for recyclable materials, highlighted Tasmania’s need to develop its own strategic and integrated approach to waste management,” she says. LANDFILL LEVY The action plan’s introduction of a waste levy is particularly notable, given the state’s past reluctance. “The absence of a landfill levy, along with other challenges, means waste businesses in Tasmania have struggled, particularly in times of market disruption,” the spokesperson says. “We propose that the levy will be developed in consultation with all stakeholders and take into account the potential impacts for households and businesses.” Gayle Sloan, Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia CEO, says she is pleased Tasmania has finally proposed a waste and resource recovery strategy. “In releasing the plan, the state has acknowledged that waste management is a shared responsibility between all levels of government, the private sector and community,” she says. “The state government should be

congratulated for listening to industry about the importance of a levy as an economic tool for prioritising resource recovery, as well as working with industry and the community to design and set the levy.” The spokesperson says government will also develop legislation to indicate how collected revenue will be allocated, while ensuring regional authorities, who’s existing levies will be replaced, continue to derive a revenue stream. Currently, multiple state councils and collaborative bodies, such as the Northern Tasmanian Waste Management Group, have a locally administered voluntary levy of $5 per tonne. Christina Holmdahl, Local Government Association of Tasmania President, says the local government

waste generators, while additionally creating an income stream to reinvest in business growth, resource recovery infrastructure and other programs, such as initiatives or grants to promote landfill alternatives. Pete Shmigel, Australian Council of Recycling CEO, says the levy, and policy at large, illustrates smart and progressive reform. He adds that government needs to set the new levy at a sufficient level to drive positive results and industry investment. “This new plan can start turning the Apple Isle from a recycling laggard to a recycling leader, and that’s something our industry and no doubt the people of Tasmania support,” Pete says. Pete also notes the introduction of a CDS is a positive step towards reducing litter and improving recyclate quality.

“As the solutions to our waste and recycling challenges are strongly market-based, capacity should be developed to support the establishment of recycling and reuse businesses.” Spokesperson Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

sector had been calling for action and leadership on waste and recycling for a long time. ““Our sector is pleased the state government is implementing a statewide waste levy and has announced a draft Waste Action Plan,” Christina says. “It is important that resources are directed to supporting industry, councils and the community to develop markets for recycled product and improving resource recovery.” According to the action plan, the levy will provide a pricing signal to

CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME When Tasmania announced it would implement a CDS in early June, it became the seventh state or territory to develop a scheme, leaving just Victoria behind. According to the spokesperson, drink containers account for an estimated 41 per cent of litter volume in the state. “Implementation in other Australian jurisdictions, and international case studies, show CDS’s are one of the most effective mechanisms to change littering behaviour and produce purer streams of

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 23

UP FRONT

recyclable material,” she explains. Despite announcing the scheme in June, the state has yet to introduce legislation to parliament. The spokesperson says full scheme implementation is expected by 2022. According to the draft action plan, the time required to implement the scheme is based on advice from other jurisdictions and wider government research. “This will provide time to establish the required contracts for markets that will receive the collected recyclable material,” the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesperson says. As outlined in the action plan, Tasmania hopes to achieve the lowest incidence of littering in the country by 2023. This is particularly important for a state that derives significant capital from its natural environment tourist economy. “Government is establishing a Litter and Dumping Management System, which includes an online application to improve reporting of littering and dumping, and a system for land managers to identify and address dumping or littering hotspots,” she says. “The Tasmanian Litter Act 2007 is also being amended to increase the penalties and fines for people convicted of illegal dumping.” The spokesperson says the Keep Australia Beautiful Litter Index will be used as a measurement baseline. PRIORITY AREAS Other strategy targets include ensuring 100 per cent of packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, reducing waste generation by 10 per cent per person by 2030 and achieving an 80 per cent average recovery rate from all waste streams by 2030. “All of the key areas and priority actions in the action plan will contribute

24 / WMR / September 2019

Container Deposit Scheme legislation implementation is expected by 2022.

to these goals,” she explains. The action plan identifies seven priority focus areas: moving towards a circular economy, governance, data targets and innovation networks, infrastructure planning, support for the resource recovery industry, education and community engagement and state and national policy and regulatory settings. The spokesperson highlights accurate reporting and subsequent market improvement as critical to creating an interconnected supply chain and achieving targets. According to the action plan, integration will lead to formerly separate sectors, such as food and agriculture, forming larger industries to stimulate the bio-economy. “Finding innovative approaches to preventing or reusing organic waste arises naturally out of the bio-economy, which seeks to maximise value chains for products and services,” she says. “These innovation networks provide research and development and technology transfer opportunities, for example in fit-forpurpose technologies that address specific regional needs while bringing global investment to the state.

The spokesperson says achieving the plans ambitious goals will require significant planning and investment in waste and resource recovery infrastructure. “Tasmania is likely to have similar investment priorities to those identified through infrastructure planning processes in other Australian states.” “These include kerbside source separation bins, particularly for organic waste, processing facilities for organics, drop-off facilities for various recyclable materials, specialised facilities for commercial and industrial waste, construction and demolition waste and energy-from-waste infrastructure.” The spokesperson adds that this will require greater understanding of existing capacity and waste trends. “Increasing recovery rates is not possible without supporting new and existing waste and recycling businesses. “This needs to work at the level of individual business, while also providing broader strategic approaches to developing markets in Tasmania, to help improve access to mainland and international markets.” A Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan will be established by 2021.

COUNCIL IN FOCUS

Lifting laneway recovery THE CITY OF MELBOURNE TALKS TO WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW ABOUT THE CITY’S DRAFT WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY AND RECYCLING INITIATIVES IN THE CBD. Q. What were some of the key factors influencing the development of the City of Melbourne’s Draft Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030? A. The circular economy concept underpins our Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 (WRRS), which was endorsed by council 16 July 2019. The strategy outlines an ambitious plan to transition to a 90 per cent waste from landfill diversion rate, reduce truck movements, improve public amenity and reinvigorate our recycling sector. Q. What are the key ingredients that go into making an organics trial a success? A. With food making up 50 per cent of household waste in our

The City of Melbourne would like to see more recycled product in infrastructure.

26 / WMR / September 2019

municipality, finding a solution for discarded food scraps is a key component of the WRRS. Our residents discarded an estimated 12,000 tonnes of food waste in 2016–17, and through our engagement with the community, we know people want a solution to avoid food going to landfill. Later in the year we will look at a food and organic waste collection trial, to determine how collection services could work for residents with kerbside bins. A third bin for organic waste would be rolled out and collected weekly, building on an earlier trial in 2017. The trial will help us design an effective waste collection service for the whole municipality in the future.

Q. How has the Degraves Street Recycling Facility helped boost food diversion for businesses? A. The Degraves Facility is a boutique response to the high-density café demographic, and is strategically located due to the high volume of businesses in the area. By creating a local recycling hub, the City of Melbourne has boosted amenity by limiting the amount of rubbish bins on the street and reducing truck movements. In 2013, none of the 100 businesses surrounding Degraves Street were recycling. The facility now hosts a food waste processor, a cardboard baler and co-mingled recycling bins. Each week, 2.5 tonnes of organic waste is processed by the Orca and diverted from landfill. The Orca uses aerobic digestion to break down the food waste, turning it into water that then goes safely into the sewer. Q. How is the City of Melbourne addressing challenges such as population growth, high density collection, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change? A. Ensuring Melbourne maintains its status of one of the world’s most liveable cities – as the daily population grows from 911,000 to 1.4 million by 2036 – is one of our biggest challenges and is therefore

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central to all our strategic plans. The WRRS seeks to streamline the waste system and reduce congestion on roads and footpaths, where some of our bins are stored. To action this, we will introduce more shared waste hubs for businesses in the central city, and remove some commercial bins from the public realm. We also want to expand the network of five communal waste compactors and recycling hubs in central city laneways, which currently take waste from more than 300 businesses. We can dramatically reduce the number of bins lining our laneways and the number of trucks on our streets by creating more central waste drop-off points. Reducing the impact of waste is central to the city’s commitment to taking action on climate change, and will help us reach the key target of avoiding 1.2 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Q. What are the challenges and opportunities to boost City of Melbourne’s 25 per cent recycling rate? A. Household waste makes up around five per cent of the total waste in Melbourne. Residents recycle only 25 per cent of their waste, which is low compared to the Victorian average of 45 per cent. This is mostly due to a lack of organics recycling, with food waste representing half of household waste sent to landfill. Residents discarded an estimated 12,000 tonnes of food waste in 2016–17. We already have a number of initiatives to cut down on waste to landfill, such as offering our residents and businesses extreme accuracy, speedfarms andand consistency of cut, combined with very low operating discounted worm compost bins. he new Yawei HLF fiber laser is the perfect way take your business to the next level. As for commingled kerbside recycling, at theto moment we are one of 30 councils looking for an alternate solution Designed for reprocessing of polyethylene & r dollar, the new HLF is in aofleague of its own, for companies following the closure SKM Recycling sites. opening up possibilities polypropylene flexible packaging material s the laser cutting sector; from start-ups through to full production, 3-shift Kerbside recycling will be taken to a landfill facility until Pelletising system with integrated cutter eliminates ments. other arrangements can be made. need for pre-cutting We are disappointed with this outcome and expect our uality German built Precitec auto-focus cutting head, IPG laser source, Siemens residents will feel similarly. 100% of pellets reusable straight back into your controller and a fabricated, stress-relieved fully annealed frame it really is a cut above We don’t want people to lose their good recycling production line habits while this is happening. In fact, we’d like people Minimal material degradation without affecting to increase their knowledge of what can be recycled and material properties minimise contamination as much as possible. [comments published in early August]. Fully compatible with FIMIC melt filters information:

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TRANSPORT

Hooked on expansion KELLY’S WASTE MANAGEMENT HAS INVESTED IN A NEW PALFINGER HOOKLOADER TO MAXIMISE PAYLOADS AND SUPPORT EXPECTED GROWTH IN TASMANIA’S RESOURCE RECOVERY SECTOR.

asmania’s resource recovery sector is expected to grow once the state’s new Waste Action Plan is implemented. The plan sets a transition framework for the state’s waste sector through a series of ambitious resource recovery targets. Targets include achieving an 80 per cent average recovery rate from all waste streams by 2030. To capitalise on anticipated economic growth and grow their collection fleet, Kelly’s Waste Management has invested in a new Palfinger Hookloader to maximise payloads. Kelly’s operates out of Romaine in north-west Tasmania, an area with substantial parklands and a growing population. Key industries include heavy manufacturing, forestry and farming and, as a result, the region produces a sizeable amount of waste. John Kelly, Kelly’s Waste Management Director, says the family-owned and operated business has been providing environmental solutions to Tasmania for over 50 years. John explains that after purchasing a Volvo truck with a mounted Palfinger unit, he was impressed with how well it performed. He adds that noticing how the unit supported consistent operations and driver performance inspired him to

28 / WMR / September 2019

contact Stuart Cameron, Palfinger’s Key Account Manger. After explaining Kelly’s application requirements, John says Stuart suggested a telescopic T22A hookloader. “We required a unit that could carry our large waste transfer bins, as well as our general hooklift and vacuum hooklift tankers,” John says.

hydraulics installation, which they accommodated.” John says the unit’s high-tensile steel reduces hookloader weight, allowing the company to significantly increase payloads. “Optimised weight also increases longevity and reduces fuel cost, which is a plus given our large area of operations,” he says.

The unit is installed with vac system hydraulics.

In addition to carrying large waste transfer bins, Kelly’s required a unit to accommodate a dismount vacuum container. “Kelly’s had worked with Palfinger in the past and I knew they could supply a unit to facilitate all of this in the one truck,” John says. “We initially hired Palfinger to fit the unit but ended up needing a lot more, including a vac system

The T22A hookloader is a bipoint unit, meaning horizontal forces are reduced and tipping capacity is increased. Additionally, the unit comes with an automatic mechanical safety latch that secures containers from falling during loading and unloading. John says drivers can open the latch on demand. “Our drivers love the easy

The bi-point unit reduces horizontal forces and increases tipping capacity.

operation and control they have over the unit,” he says. “It assists smooth operation, safety and reliability, which drivers say helps them run efficient and predictable routes.” The T22A allows for the use of multi-length containers and features integrated in-cab controls, that position the articulated arm during low loading situations and allows a maximum tipping angle of 48 degrees. Before assembling, the unit’s main components are sandblasted, degreased, primer painted, and electro-statically coated according to customer specifications. All additional parts are treated for anti-corrosion, maximising the life of the unit and providing a greater re-sale value. According to John, the Palfinger T22A Hookloader has run smoothly since joining the Kelly’s fleet. “The unit is really helping us keep up with demand, while also

“I’ve worked with Palfinger in the past, and while the superior quality of their units is unquestionable, it’s their commitment to service and ensuring the unit matches our requirements that keeps me coming back.” John Kelly Kelly’s Waste Management Director

guaranteeing a quality of service to councils, industry and the wider public,” John explains. “With this hooklift, Kelly’s can continue to grow and expand our range of waste services.” John says Stuart and the wider Palfinger sales team were in regular contact throughout the unit build. He adds that spare parts are only a phone call away, with Stuart

travelling down from Victoria to oversee the handover, training and first few days of operation in the field went smoothly. “I’ve worked with Palfinger in the past, and while the superior quality of their units is unquestionable, it’s their commitment to service and ensuring the unit matches our requirements that keeps me coming back,” John says.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 29

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – BATTERY RECYCLING

Battery revamp DARYL MOYLE, ECOCYCLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, SPEAKS WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW ABOUT THE COMPANY’S BATTERY RECYCLING CAPABILITIES AND RECENT REBRAND.

ess than three per cent of all batteries purchased in Australia are recycled, with the rest ending up in landfill. According to Sustainability Victoria, this means over 14,000 tonnes of batteries are destined for landfill each year. Australia’s performance in this space is poor, with the UK recovering just under 30 per cent and Switzerland recovering 72 per cent. Things are potentially looking up however, with a recent meeting of environment ministers endorsing the work of the Battery Stewardship Council to design a product stewardship scheme. Battery recycling has many benefits, ranging from keeping harmful materials out of the environment, recovering non-renewable resources and ensuring used batteries don’t start fires. Australasian mercury recovery and

recycling company Ecocycle, formerly CMA Ecocycle, have recently updated their branding to highlight different business divisions, such as Ecobatt. Daryl Moyle, Ecocycle Business Development Manager, says the revamp comes at a time when the company is continuing to invest in modern equipment and technology, specifically in the sphere of batteries. “There are so many different products that can be recycled in the sector today, however we focus on specific products and niche markets rather than being a general waste company,” Daryl says. “The idea is to help customers distinguish our different services, so having a specific brand like Ecobatt will help customers identify us as a battery recycler.” According to Daryl, the Ecobatt unit is already bringing specific

The Ecobatt unit is already battery bringing safety products to market.

battery safety products to market to minimise environmental risk, including electric vehicle recovery containers to address potential battery fires. Daryl says batteries are made up of metals, chemicals and other materials that may not seem reusable, however most elements found in batteries can, in fact, be recycled.

Ecocycle has partnered with world-leading companies to manage every step of the battery recycling process.

30 / WMR / September 2019

STEEL BIN SPECIALIST Ecocycle recycles all type of batteries to recover metals like lead, cadmium, nickel, steel, zinc, mercury, cobalt, lithium, silver and manganese. “The more complex the battery chemistry gets, the more difficult it is to extract materials and the more technical the process has to be,” Daryl says. “We’ve taken a well-researched, systematic approach to the problem, and partnered with world-leading companies to roll out proven technology to manage each step of the battery recycling process – collection, sorting and processing.” The majority of batteries on the Australian market are alkaline batteries, such as non-rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, and therefore make up the majority of the recyclable battery waste stream. But forecasts reveal that lithium-ion batteries will make up a huge volume in years to come. “Alkaline batteries, including paper, steel, zinc and manganese, can be easily recycled because the battery chemistry is simple to work with, however lithium ion presents a far more complex recycling problem,” Daryl says. “Lead-acid batteries, commonly used as car batteries, also have high recycling rates of around 95 per cent. Lead acid batteries are a success story in the recycling world.” “Ecocycle is constructing a new high-tech battery sorting plant and this will be the first of its kind in Australia and operational before the end of the year.” The sorting plant will have the capacity to process more than 5000 tonnes of batteries each year, with the ability to identify more than 3000 battery types by chemistry, brand, size and shape. Daryl says the facility will combine pre-sorting, automated and manual sorting and separate all types of batteries into their respective streams, whether it be alkaline and zinc, which make up the greatest proportion of battery waste, or lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium and button cell batteries. Despite recent actions, Daryl says a lot of work still needs to be done to develop new technology to make the battery recycling process successful. “In a world that’s increasingly reliant on batteries, recycling will become an ever-increasing source of raw materials for new batteries production,” Daryl says. “As a specialist battery recycler, the team at Ecocycle will continue to track new developments in this space.”

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – RESOURCE RECOVERY

Woodchips to energy VEOLIA’S RECENT MOVES IN THE WASTE-TO-ENERGY MARKET HAS SEEN THEM TEAM UP WITH SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER FINLAY.

opulations are growing and, as a result, so too is waste generation. Conversely, landfill capacity is declining as urban areas become increasingly dense. While the waste hierarchy privileges avoidance, reuse and recycling, interest in waste-to-energy as a solution for material that falls through the cracks is growing. Capturing this potential was the driving force behind Veolia’s decision to open a new facility in Horsley Park, New South Wales. According to site manager Stephen Bernhart, the new resource recovery facility handles wood waste material, which it then processes into a wood chip product. “After running multiple equipment trials in 2018, we have recently kicked into operation,” Stephen says. He adds that the wood chip product will be provided to a customer where it will be used as a substitute for coal within a cement kiln.

Veolia’s facility processes a significant amount of wood waste, such as pallets, offcuts and plywood which need to be shredded, and has the capacity to receive 430,000 tonnes of general solid nonputrescible waste per year. “We have detailed specifications we need to meet to supply our wasteto-energy customer, and a big part of that is ensuring we achieved a material size sub 50 millimetres,” he says. “It’s quite a challenging task because it’s such a small grade, so we decided to invite multiple suppliers out to the site to run tests and demonstrate their equipment.” Stephen says Finlay Screening, Crushing and Recycling Systems, a supplier of screening and processing equipment for the waste and recycling industry, stood out during the trials. “Finlay were heads and shoulders above the rest in demonstrating not

Finlay, Screening, Crushing and Recycling Systems stood out in demonstrating what their equipment could achieve. 32 / WMR / September 2019

just what their equipment could achieve, but how it could achieve it consistently,” he explains. Finlay initially trialed a medium speed shredder, however, the resulting material didn’t quite meet specifications. Three weeks later they were back, with a Terex Finlay 693+ Super Track Screening Plant that, according to Stephen, worked extremely well. “During the second trial there was a large lump of steel which had passed through the primary shredder into the secondary shredder,” Stephen says. “The TDSV20 shredder shut down as intended, and Finlay representatives opened it up to remove the steel. The machine was back up and running in approximately three minutes – I was very impressed with how the equipment handled it.” According to Stephen, Finlay also demonstrated how the shredding equipment could maintain the

required tonnage throughput in spite of the small material specifications. In addition to the screening plant, Stephen purchased a Terex Finlay TDS 820 Slow Speed Shredder and a Terex Finlay TDS V20 Mid Speed Shredder and Finlay 5032HD wheeled conveyor. Built to process bulky, solid waste, the TDS 820 has a two-metre shaft manufactured with a fully welded tooth configuration. Stephen explains that the length allows for significant throughput and size reduction of material. “The machine’s independent gearboxes enable each shaft to be run separately, which reduces material wrappage and facilitates viable shredding,” he adds. The Terex Mid Speed Shredder has a twin-shaft, allowing it to

perform both primary and secondary shredding. The TDS V20 also has the ability to self-protect against uncrushable material like steel, making it well suited to shredding waste wood materials. “We have had no trouble meeting specifications after procuring the equipment, all three machines have been running very well.” According to Stephen, there has been very little down time at the Horsley Park facility. “There were one or two minor teething issues initially, but Finlay were able to handle them quickly and without fuss,” he says. Finlay representatives also assisted on-site equipment training when the facility was commissioned. “They are very forthcoming with their information and we were able

Finlay representatives assisted in on-site equipment training.

to get local contractors trained up on how to run and maintain the shredders and screening plant as well,” he says. “We are at a really exciting stage in our capability with an eye for expansion, so it’s crucial to have equipment that’s both reliable and efficient.”

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – HAZARDOUS WASTE

Reclaiming the ozone AS GOVERNMENTS AND INDUSTRY TACKLE THE ISSUE OF GREENHOUSE GASES, A-GAS RAPID RECOVERY SALES AND MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR KATE PATTERSON WARNS OF A SILENT WASTE CONTRIBUTOR.

efrigerant, which usually takes the form of a gas or liquid, is a commonly overlooked waste stream. The material is so overlooked in fact, that there is no mention of it in the 2018 National Waste Report. According to the Australian Refrigerant Council (ARC), domestic end-of-life fridges, freezers and air conditioners represent over 200 tonnes of illegally dumped and potentially discharged refrigerant each year. Adding industrial fridges and construction site cooling systems to that number highlights refrigerant as a

kilogram of refrigerant R410a has the same greenhouse impact as two tonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of running a car for six months. Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995, all persons handling refrigerant must hold a current Refrigerant Handling Licence, issued by the ARC on behalf of the Federal Government. Recovery companies that comply with licensing and other removal regulations, such as responsible reporting, receive Arctick approval though the ARC.

A-Gas Rapid Recovery launched in Australia in 2018.

significant waste stream. When handled incorrectly, refrigerant can be emitted into the atmosphere where it causes harmful environmental impacts. According to the Department of the Environment and Energy, one

34 / WMR / September 2019

According to A-Gas Rapid Recovery Sales and Marketing Coordinator Kate Patterson, Arctick compliance is crucial in the refrigerant recovery business, because of the damage fluorocarbon refrigerants can inflict

on the ozone layer. Refrigerant recovery company A-Gas Rapid Recovery launched in Australia in April 2018 following success internationally. Kate says A-Gas Rapid Recovery are consistently Arctick-compliant and place significant stock in both positive environmental outcomes and workplace safety. She adds that expanding into the Australian market was particularly important for A-Gas Rapid Recovery, given the country’s problems with the ozone layer. “The ozone layer here in Australia is noticeably thin and depleted, meaning protecting against the discharge of harmful gases is more significant than ever,” Kate says. “While hydrofluorocarbon range refrigerants don’t affect the ozone in the same way as fluorocarbon, they’re still a greenhouse gas, and as such, contribute to global warming.” Kate says when A-Gas Rapid Recovery’s recovery specialists correctly recover refrigerant they remove liability from the customer. “When a customer books with A-Gas Rapid Recovery we send one of our certified, highly trained technicians out to their site to assess specific application needs,” she says. “Following this, an A-Gas Rapid Recovery technician will arrive on site to salvage the material using highspeed recovery equipment.” A-Gas Rapid Recovery also has the technical capabilities to work with

End-of-life fridges represent over 200 tonnes of illegally dumped and potentially discharged refrigerant each year.

councils and large-scale construction projects. Kate adds people would be surprised how much refrigerant exists on a typical building or demolition site. “Working with domestic clients might seem like a totally different practice than working on a job like

kerbside council collection but the process is fundamentally the same, just scaled up.” Kate says while refrigerant is not often considered in the same problematic waste stream league as soft plastic or glass fines, it is classified as a

hazardous material for a reason. “Refrigerant is not right there in your face, there’s no overflowing refrigerant bins or massive stockpiles,” Kate says. “But when not recovered correctly, refrigerant can escape into the atmosphere and cause huge ‘invisible’ damage.” Kate says A-Gas Rapid Recovery documents every step of the removal process including the make, model and serial number for each recovered unit, refrigerant type and material weight. “We then send the customer a digital copy of the job sheet and can provide an annual Arctick compliance report,” she says. “Once reclaimed, the refrigerant can be transported to a secure site and safely transformed into substances that neither deplete the ozone layer nor contribute to global warming.”

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – ORGANICS

Paddles and packaging WASTECH ENGINEERING’S JEFF GOODWIN EXPLAINS HOW THE ATRITOR TURBO SEPARATOR CAN HELP BUSINESSES ACHIEVE A FOOD WASTE RECOVERY RATE OF 99 PER CENT.

Wastech has been working with UK manufacturer ATRITOR to add food de-packaging to its product roster.

rowing populations and an associated increase in food consumption is accelerating the organic waste problem in Australia and around the world. As reported by Waste Management Review in June, many Australian businesses are hesitant to engage in the source separation of food waste. This is due to a limited number of recycling facilities able to process the recovered organics, together with concerns around the ability to recycle packaging. With the National Packaging Targets are squarely on the waste industry’s agenda, the ability to effectively separate recyclable packaging from its contents is therefore equally important. Jeff Goodwin, Wastech Engineering’s National Product Manager Projects,

36 / WMR / September 2019

says growing issues around food waste generation, paired with rising landfill restrictions and capacity levels, was the driving factor behind a recent addition to Wastech’s product portfolio. “Working with UK manufacturer ATRITOR, Wastech has added a range of turbo separators for food de-packaging to our product roster,” Jeff says. “As the exclusive Australian representative for ATRITOR, Wastech can provide customers with a solution offering a typical food waste recovery rate of 99 per cent for both dry and liquid products.” Jeff says the high recovery rate makes the Turbo Separator ideally suited for use in product destruction units. The Turbo Separator range comprises four models designed and engineered

to efficiently remove a wide range of products from their packaging. “Wastech’s distribution range includes the TS1260, TS2096, TS3096 and TS42120 models, with a material dependant separation rate ranging from 600 kilograms an hour to 20,000 kilograms an hour,” Jeff says. According to Jeff, the equipment ideal for separating out-of-date, out-ofspecification or mislabelled products. “Historically, expired and mislabelled food products were consigned to landfill due to the difficulty of extracting organics from packaging,” Jeff says. “With the ATRITOR Turbo Separator we can begin shifting that practice.” Jeff says the Turbo Separator is sufficiently flexible and can depackage a range of products and packaging materials including supermarket waste, tin cans, polymer bottles and soft packaging. “Additionally, the Turbo Separator is equally at home separating gypsum from the backing paper in plasterboard,” Jeff says. “The recovered gypsum can be used in agriculture or re-used in plasterboard manufacturing, while the recovered paper can be further recycled.” Jeff says the Turbo Separator also works for blister packs, sachets, pouches, paper bags, aluminium cans, plastic bottles, plastic drums and TetraPak.

“The only unsuitable application is glass containers or bottles, as the glass shatters and the shards will contaminate the organics,” he explains. The Turbo Separator combines centrifugal forces, self-generated airflow and mechanical processes to remove organic material from packaging. Jeff says this allows the recovered materials to be recycled or disposed of correctly. Packaged materials are fed by an infeed conveyor into the separation chamber, where a number of rotating paddles open up the packaging. The force of the paddles then creates a squeezing effect, which separates packaging from its contents without destroying the packaging. Depending on the material, the recovered organics can then be used for animal feed, nutrient-rich compost

The Turbo Separator can de-package a range of products and packaging materials.

or anaerobic digestion. Wastech can supply the Turbo Separator as a complete package, with an infeed hopper and conveyor, separation chamber and outfeed conveyors. The separator is also delivered

with a maintenance access platform and control cabinet. “The Turbo Separator’s rugged and durable construction, coupled with high product separation rates and economy of operation, is an ideal proposition for all de-packaging applications.”

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – WASTEWATER

Controlling pumps and scarcity NHP ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SMART MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS PROVIDE REAL-TIME OPERATIONAL DISRUPTION DATA AND ENERGY EFFICIENT PUMPING TO WASTEWATER FACILITIES.

ustralia’s dry and inconsistent climate poses a challenge to water security. As a consequence, increasing the capacity of wastewater recycling facilities is vital to mitigating resource scarcity and increasing climate resistance. Recycling wastewater can ease pressure on water resources and avoid the need to discharge the material into the environment. Managing masses of liquid can be challenging, however, given the rheological makeup of the material. For wastewater facilities to operate effectively, they require centralised pumping systems supported by reliable motor control. Power distribution, automation and motor control specialists NHP Electrical Engineering Products (NHP) have been operating in the wastewater space for decades. Michael Liberatore, NHP Automation, Safety and Motor Control Business Manager, says within the digitised modern world, it’s important that NHP can deliver customer-focused Industrial Internet of Things initiatives and tools. “Water is an essential input that feeds the production cycle of almost all other industries,” Michael says. “In the contemporary climate, where limited water resources and concerns about the environmental impact of electricity production are real,

38 / WMR / September 2019

innovation is central to success.” According to Michael, Smart Motor Control is one of many innovative solutions supported by the company. He adds that efficient motor control enables application flexibility, as well as higher productivity and workplace safety. “At the core of this are inventive solutions that provide a reliable supply of water to minimise network upgrade disruptions and optimise capital investment.”

Smart Motor Control enables real-time monitoring of wastewater networks.

Michael says Smart Motor Control supports secure wastewater networks by enabling real-time monitoring and asset management. Additionally, he says 75 per cent of motor control failures can be prevented by applying appropriate protection measures. “Efficient motors drive wastewater management performance, and the impact of motor failure can be significant,” he explains. “With Smart Motor Control devices,

clients can improve productivity and help avoid motor failures with an integrated, data-driven approach.” Michael says the technology diagnoses problems early and identifies where they are, which allows clients to transform data into actionable information to reduce production losses. Michael says Smart Motor Control systems minimise energy expenditure by reducing overall system power requirements and wear and tear on equipment. “Smart Motor Control can be easily integrated into clients’ existing motor control systems to offer higher productivity and shorter downtimes,” he explains. Be it pumping station treatment plants or pipelines, Michael says NHP can provide complete solutions for the most complex water and wastewater applications. NHP offers a complete portfolio of Smart Motor Control solutions, from simple fixed and variable speed control to precise torque and position control. “With Smart Motor Control Devices, energy consumption can be monitored on each motor individually at any point,” he explains. “Our Smart Motor Control solution helps customers achieve advanced pressure and flow control, including soft start, stop capabilities and energy savings.”

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – BALERS

Baled to perfection MATERIAL RECOVERY SOLUTIONS EXPLAINS ITS UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION AS IT BECOMES THE EXCLUSIVE AGENT FOR GODSWILL BALERS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

nternational original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Godswill Paper Machinery Company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of balers. With nearly 200 balers in operation in Australia and New Zealand, Godswill holds a substantial market share, with many operating in highvolume applications. Since 1987, Godswill Paper machinery has proven to be an international player with exclusive agents committed to providing front

The GB-1175TR two ram baler is one of Godswill’s flagship models. 40 / WMR / September 2019

line service and support globally. To offer the reliable equipment locally, Material Recovery Solutions (MRS) recently became the exclusive agent for Godswill balers in Australia and New Zealand. Its range includes, but is not limited to – channel, two ram, closed door and custom build balers. Flagship models comprise the GB1111FX channel baler and the GB1175TR two ram baler. Marcus Corrigan, Managing Director of MRS, says the new

agreeement is not a decision Godswill made lightly. “We believe in putting after-sales support first and supporting our customers. Their confidence in us results in new orders,” Marcus says. MRS technicians are armed with a suite of OEM spare parts to support Godswill products along with a full-serviced in-house machine shop, allowing items to be manufactured quickly. Simon Davidson, Project Engineer at

Godswill balers are designed to provide export bale weights at high throughputs.

MRS, says the company aims to offer unrivalled support to the marketplace. “It’s very significant to be able to offer quality components to a high tolerance,” Simon says. “OEM parts are trialled and tested over many years to ensure longevity and reduce damage to other aspects of the machinery caused by faulty parts.” Godswill balers are designed to provide export bale weights at high throughputs across a range of material types.

Channel balers support fibrous materials such as paper, cardboard and various waste streams. The two ram balers, designed to bale high memory materials such as plastic bottles and LDPE film, can also bale an array of other materials. Custom builds are also available for niche applications. Simon says the Godswill range was designed with usability and ease of maintenance in mind. “Touchscreen human machine interface (HMI) combined with a push button system offers ease of use.” Simon adds that customisable material settings with selective switchovers support effortless material changeovers. “HMI provides intuitive diagnostics. Combined with our 24/7 service and support, we are able to ensure liability and year-long operations.” “Our direct communication and close relationship with Godswill as a supplier enables us to get a quick response on all issues backed up by our technical knowledge and industry experience.” “Through default, all Godswill balers have innovative safety functions with dual redundancy systems to operate in the safest possible manner.” Marcus says the company currently manufacture systems to service the baling, processing, recovery and product destruction industries. “We are expanding our scope within

the industry by providing solutions in the collection sector, currently manufacturing a number of automated document collection vehicles.” Marcus’ 20 years of experience in the material processing industry, including 15 in the material recovery industry, ensures he can serve customers with an advanced level of industry knowledge. “While MRS is a young company, the ever-expanding team of engineers, technicians and manufacturers offer a wealth of knowledge adding to our overall diversity. I am proud of our achievements and excited about the future,” Marcus says.

Fast Fact The Godswill balers line-up includes but is not limited to: • Channel balers designed to bale fibrous materials such as papers/ cardboards and various waste streams. • Two ram baler designed to bale high memory materials such as plastic bottles. LDPE film can also bale an array of other materials making it ideal to bale various material types. • Closed door balers offer high compaction across all material types at low volume throughput. • Custom builds committed to work closely with end users. Godswill has and will always consider building custom balers for niche applications. Flagship models include the GB1111FX channel baler. Depending on specification it has a real-world throughput of 21 tonnes per hour when baling cardboard and 25 tonnes per hour when baling paper. The GB1175TR two ram baler, depending on specification orders, has a throughput of five tonnes per hour when baling PET bottles (non-pierced) and six tonnes per hour when baling HDPE bottles.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 41

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – WHEEL LOADERS

Landfill loading CATERPILLAR ASIA PACIFIC EXPLAINS HOW DIFFERENTIAL LOCKS AND CAT CONNECT TECHNOLOGY CAN INCREASE LANDFILL OPERATION EFFICIENCY.

ot all landfill sites are the same, with many posing unique and harsh environmental challenges for operators. Land is often unlevel, with small space for movement and barriers to reach cells. In these environments, managing multiple seemingly competing requirements such as maximising operational efficiency, economic viability and worker safety, can be a challenge. Ayden Piri, Caterpillar (Cat) Asia Pacific Industry Specialist Account Manager, says landfill operators require reliable and efficient machinery to facilitate safe site management and consistent operations. He says Cat is uniquely positioned to understand machinery requirements relevant to the waste industry, with over 40 years experience providing for the sector in multiple application modes. According to Ayden, Cat M Series waste handling wheel loaders are popular with landfill operators due to their heavy-duty handling capacity.

“Cat’s waste handling wheel loaders deliver sustainable productivity, fuel efficiency, ease of serviceability, ergonomics and operator comfort,” Ayden says. “These environmentally-friendly front end loader machines apply proven technology systematically and strategically, to meet our customer’s high expectations.” With a global network of 172 dealers, factories in 30 countries and more than 10,000 Cat and dealer employees in Australia and New Zealand, the extensive reach ensures CAT is able to draw on a network of experts to solve its customers’ challenges. Ayden says M series 950- and 972-metre models have a standard front axle differential lock, which is manually activated by a switch on the cab floor. The fully automatic front and rear axle differential locks work by measuring differences in axle speeds and require no operator intervention to activate. “These disc-type differential locks

Cat M Series waste handling wheel loaders are popular with landfill operators due to their heavy-duty handling capacity.

42 / WMR / September 2019

will reduce tyre scuffing compared to other traction aids, further reducing operating costs for customers,” Ayden says. “The proven Z-bar linkage combines efficiency with great visibility to the tool, resulting in excellent penetration into the pile, high breakout forces and superior production capabilities.” M Series’ next generation ride control works as a shock absorber, which Ayden says improves ride quality and smoothness over the rough surfaces often found in transfer stations. “When paired with the Fusion coupler, from a loaded high-dump bucket to a fork to move material, the ride control system provides reduced cycle times, better productivity and a smoother, more comfortable ride for the operator,” he adds. M Series wheel loaders are equipped with Cat Connect technology, which allows operators to monitor, manage and enhance job site operations. “Cat Connect facilitates easier service access, with the legacy one-piece hood, centralised service centre’s, windshield cleaning platform and harness tie-off,” Ayden explains. “Optional purpose-built guarding is also available to help protect your machine from the harsh environments common in waste applications.” The wheel loader’s machine guarding protects the unit’s major components and systems, facilitating reliable durability. “Wear in waste handling applications is severe and can drastically cut down a machine’s life,” Ayden says.

“All Cat waste handling machines are protected in key impact areas, including undercarriages, radiators, axles and cabs.” According to Ayden, the M Series medium wheel loader is 10 per cent more fuel efficient than the industryleading K Series, and up to 25 per cent more fuel efficient than the H Series. The updated Caterpillar powershift transmission, with a lock-up clutch torque converter, is standard on all M Series wheel loaders. “The new torque converters have been matched with engine power and hydraulics to improve performance and fuel efficiency, while also managing the pile or loading trucks,” he says. “The rugged transmission also has a new split-flow oil system, which uses multi-viscosity oil to reduce parasitics and improve fuel economy.” Ayden says the M Series hydraulic

The M Series wheel loader is 10 per cent more fuel efficient than the K Series.

system has recently undergone significant design changes. “The main hydraulic valve is now a mono-block with an integrated ride control section,” Ayden says. “The mono-block design also reduces weight, has forty per cent fewer leak points and is common

across all M Series models.” On 950- and 972-metre models, auxiliary hydraulic functions can be added at the factory or in the field, with the addition of a second remote valve. “A new thermal bypass valve has also been added to improve hydraulic system warm-up,” Ayden says.

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EVENTS – EPA VICTORIA

Extinguishing risk WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW EXPLORES THE VICTORIAN EPA’S AMENDED POLICY FOR COMBUSTIBLE RECYCLABLE AND WASTE MATERIALS AND A TRAINING PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT IT.

recent spate of waste fires has highlighted the questionable storage and management practices of some Victorian resource recovery facilities. While the issue spurred proactive responses from government and the private sector, significant media attention has resulted in public scrutiny. Figures from Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning reveal more than 100 recycling facility fires occurred in Victoria over the last 10 years, with the largest costing the Victorian Government over $110 million. In 2017, a Coolaroo facility fire burned for 20 days before it was extinguished, causing significant human health and environmental problems. This resulted in community evacuations, with facility staff and the public also requiring medical treatment. Following the fire, the Victorian Government established a Resource Recovery Facilities Audit Taskforce. The group was tasked with inspecting resource recovery facilities across the state to tackle stockpiles that might pose a fire risk. Since July 2017, the taskforce has conducted 628 inspections at 169 sites, issuing 186 notices and 35 sanctions. The extremity of the Coolaroo fire reaffirmed the importance of proper material storage and prompted the Victorian Government to revise its Waste Management Policy for

44 / WMR / September 2019

Combustible Recyclable and Waste Materials in 2018. Organisations such as SKM Services have been issued with notices in line with the policy in mid-2019 to stop accepting combustible waste until compliance was achieved. Danny Childs, EPA Resource Recovery Audit Taskforce Manager, says the waste and recycling industry is going through a period of momentous change. “EPA’s message is clear: community and environment first. Compliance and enforcement efforts against waste crime and illegal industrial and chemical waste stockpiling will continue to be a major priority,” Danny says. “In parallel, EPA has ramped up its work with industry to increase compliance understanding and risks that must be managed.” Waste Management Review explores the amended Waste Management Policy and a training partnership with the Victorian Waste Management Association (VWMA). At the VWMA 2019 State Conference, Miranda Tolmer, EPA Victoria Industry Guidance Unit Manager, discussed the combustible waste policy, its supplementary guideline report and steps towards compliance. The EPA Waste Management Policy for Combustible Recyclable and Waste Materials was designed to enforce stringent safety standards in an attempt to address the rogue operators adversely affecting the

sector’s reputation. Additionally, as with all EPA policies, it is based on the authority’s broader duty to protect human health and the environment. Noncompliance can result in sanctions under the Environment Protection Act 1970. Following the policy amendment, the EPA released a complementary set of compliance guidelines in October 2018. Miranda said the guidelines, developed in consultation with the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade, aim to support compliance and educate operators on their legal responsibilities. The guidelines stress the significance of understanding fire hazards associated with waste storage and management activities, while also outlining steps to reduce risk. During her presentation, Miranda named five key risk assessment concepts including previous occurrence, frequency, changes in operational conditions, changes in environmental conditions and behaviour. Accompanying each concept are guiding questions operators can ask themselves in order to assess their facilities risk potential. Besides previous occurrence for example, the guideline report asks – has a fire occurred in your industry, and if so, what were the consequences? “Assessing incidents or near misses provides an understanding of the context in which the incident occurs,”

the report reads. According to the guideline report, assessing this question provides a good indication of how to prevent the issue in the future. “It is also important to not just consider your site, but think about all occurrences across industry,” the report reads. The guideline lists a number of operator responsibilities to achieve compliance including ensuring new buildings and refurbishments meets requirements of local planning and

starts on nearby bushland and travels to a facility for example, operators are still liable for managing resulting harm potential. EPA guidelines suggest operators develop a risk register, where they can document a hazard and potential causes, before examining the likelihood and consequences for the business itself and wider community. “Identifying hazards and assessing risk is an ongoing exercise. Risk assessment involves developing an appreciation of the scale of potential consequences,

EPA Victoria discussed its combustible waste policy at the VWMA State Conference.

building authorities, signing off on essential safety measures and actively involving employees in site safety. Site managers must also respond to all fire prevention notices and comply with relevant Victorian occupational health and safety legislation. The policy applies to all waste and resource recovery facilities regardless of size, with only licensed waste tyre storage premises and licensed landfills excluded. Additionally, the policy states that operators are responsible for minimising harm caused by fires irrespective of how they start. If a fire

and the relative likelihood of those consequences should an event occur,” the report reads. “Understanding the consequence and likelihood of a hazard can support and inform the selection, development and application of controls.” Miranda highlighted the hierarchy of controls as a useful prioritisation framework for the identification and selection of control measures. The hierarchy prioritises eliminating the hazard, followed by substituting the hazard and engineering controls. If those mechanisms aren’t effective, the hierarchy outlines administering

controls through training and protective equipment. Miranda said risk analysis must also be accompanied by an assessment of the practicality and feasibility of each control option. She added that the primary consideration for applying controls should always be the practicality of implementation. “Risk controls should be adopted in line with a cautious approach that considers the site’s capacity, inventory, location and proximity to sensitive land uses,” Miranda said. Specific risk prevention measures include activity separation, such as separating drop off, processing and storage areas to prevent contamination and hot loads entering combustible spaces. Furthermore, early detection devices such as thermal probes to monitor storage temperature, video smoke detection and flame detection, regular inspections, routine equipment servicing and adequate waste supply are encouraged. “Whether additional actions are required depends on existing fire risk management at each site, but could include improved work procedures, maintenance and training to minimise ignition, changing the volumes and way waste material is stored and improving firefighting capabilities,” Miranda said. WORKSHOPPING THE ISSUE To educate industry on the amended policy, the EPA held five Combustible Recyclable and Waste Materials Guideline implementation workshops in the first half of 2019. The workshops involved discussions with recycling and landfill operators on steps to take to reduce the risk of fire. Sessions took participants through a virtual facility tour, identifying various risks and controls that needed to be identified, and remedial actions

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 45

EVENTS – EPA VICTORIA

operators could take. Members of the Country Fire Authority also provided advice on fire management and emergency preparedness. Matt Peake, EPA Executive Officer Resource Recovery Gippsland, says the Gippsland workshop was a great opportunity for the growing region. Gippsland’s population is projected to increase by 25 per cent by 2030, bringing higher levels of waste generation with it. “Our [Waste and Resource Recovery] implementation plan has identified that to meet the needs of our community, we need to assist industry and local government to continuously improve the performance of waste and resource recovery infrastructure and services in the region,” Matt says. “Understanding how to comply with new regulation is critical in ensuring community expectations are being meet, and that these essential services are reliable.” During her conference presentation, Miranda said the amended waste policy is less prescriptive than the original. She added that the new policy has a greater focus on working with industry to provide flexible options and individualised solutions. That said, VWMA Executive Officer Mark Smith says the guidelines are somewhat ambiguous, with differing expectations and interpretations resulting in non-compliance. He adds that operators are often unaware of their level of compliance. Mark says this uncertainty can lead to situations where well-intentioned operators are punished, when the focus should be on those operators that intentionally circumnavigate the system. Since then, the EPA has partnered with VWMA to develop a training program to assist guideline

46 / WMR / September 2019

implementation and alleviate industry confusion. Mark says the program is modelled off the guidelines, with a focus on tangible action rather than broad concepts. “VWMA wants to ensure industry understands the guidelines so we can all work together to mitigate fire risk,” Mark says. “It’s all about transferring awareness into action to support a thriving industry sector.” Mark says the program is designed to support policy compliance, while also holding organisations like the EPA to account in the delivery of prescribed outcomes. “We need the policy to work with and around industry so we can achieve the best environmental outcomes without compromising individual business needs,” Mark says. The risk-based training program will help participants identify, quantity and develop plans and processes to manage risk. Mark says to achieve this, operators must both understand inherent risks and document them. “The whole process needs to be transparent and open, government and the private sector must come together to address this problem,” Mark says. “VWMA and the EPA recognise the need to promote better practice through a shared commitment to drive industry leadership in the preventative management of combustible recyclable and waste material.” Mark says participating in the training program will demonstrate a waste and resource recovery operator’s willingness and commitment to identify and manage risk. “We aim to support members and the waste and resource recovery sector to reduce the frequency, scale and severity of fires at waste and resource recovery facilities,” he says.

Mark says the program is being developed through stakeholder consultation and is expected to commence in September. Looking forward, Danny says the EPA’s regulatory powers will be strengthened from 1 July 2020, following implementation of the new Environment Protection Act. The reform represents the most significant change to Victoria’s environmental regulatory regime since the introduction of the Environment Protection Act 1970. The new legislation is focused on preventing risks, rather than managing harm after it has occurred, and is modelled on occupational health and safety legislation. Danny says the changes will modernise the EPA’s inspection and inquiry powers and introduce strong regulatory duties across the whole waste supply chain, from generators and transporters to receivers of waste. Changes include significant increases in maximum fines and penalties, such as potential jail time for repeat illegal dumping offences and stronger fit and proper person requirements. Danny says strengthened proper person requirements mean undesirable operators can be prevented from holding a permission and/or be excluded from undertaking specified activities. “Preventing environmental harm is at the core of this act and in an Australian first, the act will introduce a general preventative environmental duty that is criminally enforceable,” Danny says. One of the most significant changes to the act is the general environmental duty. “The general duty will require people conducting activities that pose risks to human health and the environment to fully understand risks and take reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise them,” Danny says.

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EVENTS – VWMA CONFERENCE

The state of waste THIS YEAR’S VICTORIAN WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION STATE CONFERENCE ADDRESSED THE KEY ISSUES OF A SECTOR IN FLUX.

n the lead up to their 2019 state conference, the Victorian Waste Management Association (VWMA) was urging Victorians to continue recycling, despite temporary interruptions to the state’s waste and resource recovery network. Following the closure of a major Victorian recycler in July, over 30 local councils were forced to send their recyclables to landfill. The closure prompted significant media attention and renewed discussions of the ‘waste crisis’. Public interest in the waste industry was so high in the lead up to VWMA’s event that Channel 9 sent a camera crew. Stephen Kerr, Public Relations Exchange CEO, remarked they were probably looking to capture some controversy. If so, the crew was likely disappointed, with the Yarra Valley Lodge full of positive and proactive people, ready to tackle the challenges as a collective. Mark Smith, VWMA Executive Officer, says despite recent challenges, the sector jointly delivers an efficient waste collection service to all Victorians. “The private sector supports 23,000 Victorian jobs and invests over $800 million into waste and recycling services and infrastructure annually,” Mark says. “We have the potential to create sustainable solutions out of this current crisis. I hope we capitalise on it.” The VWMA State Conference

48 / WMR / September 2019

returned to Melbourne’s Yarra Valley 30-31 July, with a range of presentations from across local government, state government and the private sector. The two-day event addressed key challenges for the waste industry including EPA updates, legal insights into regulatory changes, labour laws and overseas workers, procurement and landfill discussions and technology updates. The conference also featured an assessment of Victoria’s future waste infrastructure needs and one-month check ins on the state’s transition to compulsory electronic prescribed industrial waste transport certificates and the e-waste ban. Lily D’Ambrosio, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, opened the event, following a welcome by Peter Anderson, Victorian Transport Association CEO. Ms D’Ambrosio told attendees they could expect support and action from government. Ms D’Ambrosio said concentration in the resource recovery market had caused problems for the industry. She added that government was working hard to find new homes for Victoria’s recyclable waste. The silver lining, she said, would be expanded opportunity for existing responsible operators. The environment minister also outlined the state government’s plans for the upcoming Circular Economy

Policy, before launching into a Q&A. The first question came from National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO Rose Read, who asked Ms D’Ambrosio about government’s lack of action on a container deposit scheme (CDS). Ms D’Ambrosio said the state had no current plans to develop a CDS however welcomed industry consultation. The next session of the day was an e-waste check in with Ms Read and Libby Chaplin, Battery Stewardship Council CEO. Ms Read took attendees through e-waste policy and compliance, before examining what was working with the ban and what wasn’t. Ms Chaplin then detailed the Battery Stewardship Council’s recent scheme accreditation proposal. Following the presentations, audience members were asked to make note of

issues they were having with the ban, which VWMA will compile and address at a meeting with government ministers later in the year. Next up, the conference heard from Andrea Walton, CSIRO Research Scientist, and Kellie Watson, Sustainability Victoria Campaign Manager. Ms Walton and Ms Watson discussed separate research into community attitudes and perceptions of the waste and recycling industry. Ms Walton joked that the two research projects had come to similar conclusions, namely that despite sensationalist media attention, public trust in the industry had not changed between 2018 and 2019. After an information-packed day, attendees were treated to networking drinks and a three-course meal. On day two, Elissa McNamara, Infrastructure Victoria Resource Recovery and Recycling Advice Project Director, took attendees through the organisation’s upcoming report on future waste infrastructure needs. She said the Victorian Government was specifically seeking advice on how to develop re-processing markets, particularly for materials that rely heavily on overseas markets such as plastic. Additionally, government has asked for guidance on enabling the

use of products containing recycled materials, growing waste-to-energy investment and supporting a higher level of reuse for organics. “As set out in the terms of reference, Infrastructure Victoria has undertaken comprehensive engagement with industry, the community, local government and other relevant stakeholders,” Ms McNamara explained. She said the research team were building on previous material flow analysis and order of magnitude estimates, in addition to conducting new investigations. Ms McNamara said the research would be used to discern what specific infrastructure and material streams need support. When asked by an audience member whether Infrastructure Victoria was looking into hazardous waste, Ms McNamara said it was outside the scope of the report. “We are focusing on bigger volume, higher return materials such as plastic, glass and organics,” she said. Just before lunch, attendees heard from Gina Capasso, KHQ Lawyers Principal Solicitor, Alex Petrakos, Peak Migration Director and Founder and Brianna Cattanach, P2 Group Workplace Training Manager. Together, the presenters discussed pressing issues

for the workforce such as drug and alcohol policies, overseas worker visas and mental health. The presentations garnered significant attention from attendees, with many asking questions about their responsibilities as owners and operators, and how to best improve workplace morale and safety. Alex Serpo, NWRIC Secretary, discussed the council’s latest research on landfill levies across all states. Mr Serpo explained existing levy rates and approaches before examining how levies are invested. He said the NWRIC is currently discussing initiatives to ensure levies are structured in a manner that best incentivises higher recycling and reduced pollution. “For example, levy portability, where the levy liability is based on where the waste is generated and not disposed of, even if transported across levy regions or state and territory borders,” Mr Serpo said. Mr Smith said the event was a success and covered everything from industry branding to government policy. “I’ve been to a lot of conferences over the years and none come close to delivering the tangible benefits ours do to our members and attendees. A huge thank you to our partners for this event,” Mr Smith said.

Christopher Dean of Choice Energy speaks to attendees.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 49

EVENTS – WASTE EXPO AUSTRALIA

The next generation WASTE EXPO AUSTRALIA IS SET TO EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY IN THE COUNTRY, WITH PRESENTATIONS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF RECYCLING AND SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EPA.

aste Expo Australia’s 2018 event saw record attendance numbers, with more than 4500 trade visitors – a growth of over 28 per cent from the previous year. While national in focus, the expo’s Victorian location is sure to inspire enthusiastic conversations about current industry challenges and the role of government in addressing them. As one of the most comprehensive free-to-attend conferences for the waste management, resource recovery and wastewater sectors, Waste Expo is returning to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 23-24 October. The conference will feature two individual programs, the Oceania Clean Energy Solutions Waste Summit Conference and the EnviroConcepts Wastewater Summit. The waste summit will cover six targeted streams from resource recovery, waste-to-energy, collections, landfill and transfer stations, construction and demolition waste and commercial and industrial waste. Organisers have curated a diverse schedule of speakers from local and state governments, industry bodies and the private sector. Attendees will hear from Victorian Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, EPA Victoria Chief Executive Officer Cathy Wilkinson and Sustainability Victoria Director Resource Recovery Matt Genever. Campaspe Shire Council,

50 / WMR / September 2019

City of Holdfast Bay, Yarra City Council and Albury City Council will also present case studies. Ahead of the 2019 expo, Waste Management Review spoke with two presenters, Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) CEO Pete Shmigel and South Australian EPA Regulatory Reform Projects Manager Steven Sergi, about their perspectives on the future of waste and resource recovery in Australia. BUILDING DOMESTIC MARKETS While discussions of recycling generally centre on social and environmental benefits, a strong and sustainable sector is essential for national economic growth. According to Pete, economic drivers for recycling are dependent on competitive material prices and healthy

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio.

end markets, both of which have been challenged recently. Pete explains that the future sustainability of domestic recycling systems relies squarely on greater demand for recycled material – which will be the focus of his Waste Expo presentation. “Recycling is three arrows: collection, sorting and remanufacturing, it’s the third arrow we have to incentivise better,” he says. Pete says the waste and recycling sector has been nimble in response to China’s National Sword Policy. “Australia actually increased exports to other parts of the world last year, but that can’t last forever,” he says. According to the 2018 National Waste Report, Australian waste exports increased to Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Malaysia and Thailand in 2017.

Waste Expo Australia has seen an increase in exhibitors taking part in the event.

Indonesia, India and Malaysia have since started reviewing their waste import policies, however, highlighting the need to establish substitute domestic markets. Pete says dealing with the structural shake up of export markets requires investment in better infrastructure to drive recyclate material demand. “With Asia changing the rules of the game, we need to build more recycling resilience and sovereignty in Australia,” he explains. “It’s great to see proactivity by states who have formerly been accused of dragging their feet on recycling, but what’s desperately, and frankly, ridiculously, missing, is national coordination.” REGULATORY REFORM As the waste and resource recovery industry calls for greater regulatory certainty on a national level, multiple state governments are implementing new policy. In 2017, South Australia passed the Environment Protection (Waste Reform) Amendment Bill. The amendment gave the EPA greater powers to tackle illegal dumping and stockpiling,

which, according to Steven, will assist resource recovery growth by penalising illegal operators. Steven’s Waste Expo presentation, regulatory reform with the South Australian waste and recycling sector: Where to next, will explore these changes. “The South Australian Government is seeking to help realise the economic potential from innovation in waste and resource recovery technologies, while at the same time protecting the environment,” Steven says. “South Australia has introduced many waste management reforms over the past decade that have successfully promoted resource recovery in our state and established our reputation as a leader in this field.” South Australia has one of the highest recovery rates in the country, 83 per cent – 87 per cent of which is reprocessed locally. Steven says heightening EPA powers shows a commitment to establishing a robust regulatory environment, which supports sustainable waste and resource recovery operations. “Key amendments through this act include explicit powers

to enable regulation of material flow and stockpiling, expansion of the circumstances when financial assurances can be used and improved and proportionate powers for tackling breaches of licence conditions,” he says. Steven’s presentation will also address the EPA’s commitment to establishing a robust regulatory environment. “To support the sustainable operation of the waste and resource recovery industry, the EPA will support the best use of secondary materials in accordance with the waste management hierarchy, to provide certainty and fairness to lawful operators,” he says. Cory McCarrick, Waste Expo Director, says no other waste event in Australia gives access to such thoughtprovoking content for free. “Waste Expo Australia is about pushing boundaries and challenging operations and businesses to innovate, not just through technology but through workforce practices and policy reform,” Cory says. “We have seen a large increase in speakers and suppliers taking part in this event and we are excited to address the major issues facing the industry this year.”

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PROFILE Yarra City Council partnered with numerous stakeholders for its project.

Crushing contamination WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW SPEAKS WITH CHRIS LEIVERS, YARRA CITY COUNCIL CITY WORKS AND ASSETS DIRECTOR, ABOUT THE COUNCIL’S ONGOING TRIAL OF KERBSIDE GLASS SEPARATION.

n the beginning of June of this year, 1300 Abbottsford households were greeted with new crates for their glass waste. The crates were delivered to the inner north suburb of Melbourne as part of a kerbside glass collection trial, developed by the Yarra City Council. The problem of crushed glass and contamination has been discussed at length in the resource recovery sector. However, as Waste Management Review reported in May, government action on the issue has been slow. With funding from Sustainability Victoria, Yarra City Council is attempting to buck this trend by taking tangible steps to reduce contamination in the densely populated municipality. Another motivating issue is the lack of available landfill space in Victoria, particularly in metropolitan Melbourne. Chris Leivers, Yarra City Council Director City Works and Assets, says recycling rates across Yarra are high,

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with the majority of residents being active recyclers. Despite this, Chris says recent changes to the recycling industry have promoted a proactive response from the council in an attempt to get ahead of potential future problems. “Recent challenges in the waste and recycling industry will have an impact on all councils. A reduction in recycling processing in Melbourne will see additional pressures on the remaining processors,” Chris says. “Making sure we minimise the amount of waste we send to landfill and improve the quality of recycling will ensure we continue to have a sustainable waste collection service into the future.” The Yarra trial will run for 12 months and builds on a successful 2018 food and garden organics (FOGO) separation trial. “The initial FOGO trial provided extremely useful data and information about the collection process and

user behaviour, and identified that Yarra residents were willing to trial new ways and methods for kerbside recycling,” Chris says. “This was very heartening for us and encouraged us to combine FOGO and glass separation in a larger trial area.” Chris says results from the FOGO trial saw a 40 per cent diversion of waste from landfill, with current FOGO contamination rates now averaging less than one per cent. The trial has been named the Yarra Waste Revolution and includes a targeted education and communications program. “Recycling contamination is an ongoing issue for all councils, partly because, generally speaking, people do not have a good grasp on what is considered contamination when it comes to the kerbside recycling bin,” Chris says. “We saw a great opportunity to make our recycled materials cleaner

and more valuable, which ensures they get a new life, while also sending less waste to landfill. “The improved quality of the material will lead to higher value, increased market demand, market diversity and the development of domestic markets for recycled products.” According to Chris, public response to the trial has been positive, with most residents supportive of the new service and the city’s efforts to reduce waste sent to landfill. “In only a few short weeks, there has already been a dramatic improvement in the quality of the material being presented in glass recycling bins,” he says.

The City of Yarra says the early signs of the glass collection trial are positive.

“The Yarra Waste Revolution is a major change for residents, so this is a phenomenal achievement by the community in a very short amount of time.” To implement the trial, Yarra City Council has enlisted the support of the state government, Sustainability Victoria, RMIT University, Australian Paper Recovery, Four Seasons Waste and the Alex Fraser Group. “Partnerships with industry and government agencies are critical to the success of this trial. We all need to work together to find solutions to the current recycling crisis,” Chris says. “Our collection contractors, processors and industry partners

share our vision to find solutions to the recycling crisis, and are helping us collect and sort the materials here in Victoria.” Chris says research partners have also helped council understand the lifecycle analysis of the city’s new collection model, and what that will mean for environmental outcomes. “We couldn’t implement a trial without their participation and of course, the financial and technical support provided by our government partners,” he says. “We are actively seeking out opportunities to work with all levels of government, and the waste industry, to deliver on a new circular economy approach to waste management.” Following the trial, Chris says Yarra will consider expanding the service throughout the city. “We have had the courage to explore alternative methods and innovate in order to develop a more sustainable kerbside model that transitions away from the current system which relies heavily on export markets,” Chris says. “Our long-term ambition is to move our community towards producing zero waste by supporting circular economies and minimising the amount of waste produced.” Chris adds that making sure Yarra residents are confident in the sustainability of their waste and recycling service is key to achieving viable and environmental outcomes. “We recognise the changes we are implementing at a local level require buy-in and commitment from our residents, but are confident that we have the support of our community, who are very focused on sustainability,” he says. “Our Yarra Waste Revolution trial to separate glass and food and organic waste only started in June this year, and while it is a bit premature to provide solid data or analysis, the early signs are very positive.”

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PROFILE

Fashioning cotton gin RESEARCHERS AT DEAKIN UNIVERSITY ARE TRANSFORMING COTTON GIN TRASH INTO A BIOPLASTIC FILM AND CREATING REUSE POTENTIAL FOR THE GLOBAL PROBLEM OF TEXTILE WASTE.

he fashion industry is one of the largest industrial polluters in the world, with the United Nations Environment Authority estimating that globally, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is burned or sent to landfill each second. Additionally, War on Waste calculations suggest 6000 kilograms of clothing is sent to landfill every 10 minutes. The ABC program attributes the scale of the problem largely to fast fashion. The United Nations Environment Authority makes similar arguments, suggesting in a 2018 statement that recycling itself cannot fully address throwaway fashion culture. According to the authority, the number of times an individual garment is worn has declined by 36 per cent in the last 15 years. Existing within the linear economy of make, use, dispose – throwaway fashion largely conforms to wider patterns of consumption. Dr Maryam Naebe

of Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) is attempting to address this by studying ways to repurpose the textiles present in throwaway clothes. Deakin’s IFM was established to develop scientific solutions to some of the major challenges facing waste generation. The institute attempts to do this via scientific and engineering innovation in material design and performance. The aim, according to Maryam, is to develop new materials and structures that are both affordable and possess low social cost. The focus of Maryam’s research is sustainable approaches to value adding in natural fibres and textiles. Her most recent work centres around a common waste by-product of the textile industry, cotton gin. Under Maryam’s lead, a team of scientists from IFM, including PhD candidate Abu Naser Md Ahsanul Haque and Associate Research Fellow

Deakin’s IFM was established to develop solutions to some of the major challenges facing waste generation.

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Dr Maryam Naebe.

Dr Rechana Remadevi, have developed a method of turning cotton gin trash into a biopolymer. Cotton gin trash refers to cotton waste left over from the ginning process, which involves separating cotton from seeds. The resulting waste stream is a mix of seeds, stems, short fibres and other by-products. As a senior researcher in fibre science and technology, Maryam noticed the huge reuse potential of cotton gin waste. “About 29 million tonnes of cotton lint is produced each year, but up to a third of that ends up as cotton gin trash, where it’s then sent to landfill or burnt,” Maryam says. “After group brainstorming, we realised cotton waste represented a major environmental problem, which created significant losses in material value.” Maryam and her team’s method for transforming cotton gin trash involves dissolving the waste in environmentally-

A team of IFM scientists at Deakin University have developed a method of turning cotton gin trash into a biopolymer.

friendly chemicals. The dissolved biomass then becomes an organic polymer, which can be re-cast into a useable bioplastic film. Maryam says as a bioplastic, the organic polymer could be used in any throwaway application where synthetic plastics or films are already in use such as packaging, bale wrap and waterproofing supplies. “Compared to synthetic plastics, our bioplastic is made without the need for toxic chemicals, which makes it safer and cheaper to produce at a mass scale,” Maryam says. According to Maryam, the repurposed polymer can also be used as a fertiliser. “The product also has the added bonus of contributing to a circular economy, as it can be placed in the soil to assist the regrowth of its original form,” Maryam says. “The material is fabricated from a natural biodegradable cellulosic source and is therefore capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.”

Maryam says in addition to presenting a sustainable solution to the problem of synthetic plastic, the process could also offer cotton farmers an additional source of income by generating a resale market for cotton waste. While Maryam and her team feel positive about the scale up potential of their research, she says they are still in the beginning stages. “Cotton gin trash is challenging to work with. A lot of waste streams are quite homogeneous, containing only one or two different materials,” Maryam says. “Cotton gin waste however is heterogeneous, and consists of a lot of varied and unwanted material.” Challenging waste stream aside, the process has already been successfully applied to create a membrane-like wastewater filter. Maryam says the filter has been used to remove dyes from textile manufacturing in wastewater, highlighting the circular aspect of the process. According to Maryam, current testing

shows the bioplastic filter has the same efficiency as charcoal, the current standard for the dye filtration process. Despite working on the process for only 18 months, Maryam says researchers are now testing the method on other organic waste and fibre material. She says testing has already produced demonstrated results with lemongrass and hemp, with good progress shown for barley straw and wheat straw. Given exhibited results, Maryam says the process would not be difficult to upsell or commercialise. She says however, as with most research, that up scaling requires funding and support, both from industry and government. “Research projects often get stuck in the infancy stage because they do not get the funding support required,” Maryam says. “I would really like to see support for this kind of work, not just for my project, but all research that explores sustainable solutions for waste. If given the support to commercialise, work like this could create real change.”

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SUSTAINABILITY IN BUSINESS

Packaging progress DANIEL BAKER, ALDI AUSTRALIA’S CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY DIRECTOR, EXPLAINS THE COMPANY’S NEW PACKAGING COMMITMENTS AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE GROCERY SUPPLY CHAIN.

ALDI’s has a long history of recycling, including establishing a national battery recycling scheme in 2013.

hen ALDI entered the Australian market in 2001, the concept of not offering single-use plastic bags was novel. By 2019, Coles, Woolworths and IGA had all followed suit. Daniel Baker, ALDI Australia Corporate Responsibility Director, says over 18 years of not providing single-use plastic bags has diverted 40,000 tonnes of plastic from the environment. He adds that this is one of many effective choices in the company’s history of sustainability and waste reduction. In 2013, ALDI became the first

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supermarket to offer a national battery recycling scheme and, to date, has recycled 356 tonnes of battery waste. Additionally, in 2018 the company banned all products containing microbeads from their stores. Progressing ALDI’s history of waste reduction and recycling was a driving force behind the company’s recent commitment to a range of ambitious packaging targets, the cornerstone of which is a 25 per cent reduction in packaging by 2025. The issue of supermarkets and unnecessary plastic packaging is a familiar one, and while the rise

is often attributed to demand for grab and go options, public opinion appears to favour cutting back. According to Daniel, reducing the use of plastic packaging therefore makes environmental and economic sense. “We are committed to operating responsibly and providing value, without cutting corners or compromising the way we do business,” Daniel says. “We have a responsibility to our customers, employees, business partners and local community to develop best practice and uphold responsible business

practices. We are also a privatelyheld company, which means there is internal drive to make smart, longterm decisions.” In addition to a quarter reduction in packaging by 2025, ALDI has committed to phasing out unnecessary single-use plastics by 2020, in line with the National Packaging Targets. Similarly, Daniel says ALDI will ensure 100 per cent of their exclusive range is reformulated to be recyclable, reusable or compostable by the end of 2025. “We’ve also made positive changes to packaging solutions implemented in our stores, including introducing 100 per cent recycled and recyclable packaging for our Green Action Laundry Liquid and Wool Wash, removing over 11 million singleuse plastic forks from our noodles bowls and cups and reformulating our zucchini packaging to use 87 per cent less plastic,” Daniel says. Progression towards these targets will be publicly reported against from 2020. “This will allow us to track and measure progress, identify what is working and what isn’t and, most importantly, reporting will keep ALDI and its partners on track to progress sustainable solutions,” Daniel explains. “We recognise our commitments cannot be achieved without building true partnerships with all stakeholders to ensure the necessary changes are made that lead our business into a more sustainable future.” Making sweeping changes to packaging rates is significant for a supermarket, as it requires multiple businesses to alter their products and practices. Daniel says ALDI will therefore work to achieve these goals in close collaboration with

“We recognise our commitments cannot be achieved without building true partnerships with all stakeholders to ensure the necessary changes are made that lead our business into a more sustainable future.” Daniel Baker ALDI Australia Corporate Responsibility Director

suppliers, which will ensure they have the necessary means to make appropriate changes within their own supply chains. “When it comes to packaging changes, we’re working collaboratively with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation to tackle the challenges of packaging in a holistic manner,” Daniel says. “Having been through the process to set our own commitments, we understand the complexity of the modern groceries supply chain and the need to develop a circular economy in Australia.” Daniel says despite wanting to remove plastics immediately, the process cannot happen overnight. He says commitments have been made in consideration of ALDI’s responsibility towards the environments of their end-to-end supply chain. “We understand meeting the commitments may require re-working how we have previously done things and we appreciate our suppliers will be integral to our collective progress towards our commitments.” According to Daniel, ALDI intends to approach implementation through a three-step process. “ALDI will first look to reduce packaging, before considering what

can be reused and finally, how to ensure necessary packaging can be recycled easily,” he explains. “To do this, we aim to reduce our reliance on plastic and stimulate the development of a circular economy, with a focus on sourcing recycled content.” ALDI will aim to stimulate the Australian recycling sector by including 30 per cent recycled materials in all their plastic packaging by the end of 2025. The company will also transition to using the Australasian Recycling Label on all ALDI-branded products by the end of 2022. ALDI has also committed to reduce packaging in their fresh produce range, while providing no increase in food waste. Furthermore, Daniel says by the end of 2020, all paper and pulp-based packaging in ALDI’s everyday range will be either Forest Stewardship Council certified, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest certified or 70 per cent recycled. “When it comes to problematic materials, such as black plastics, ALDI’s priority is to reduce the use of these materials and find more sustainable alternatives – we’ve already implemented this in our produce range,” Daniel says.

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE – SHREDDERS, CRUSHERS AND GRANULATORS

Workhorse shredder SHRED-TECH’S ST-75 IS PROVING TO BE AN ALL-ROUNDER IN THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL RECYCLING SECTOR.

emaining at the forefront of innovation is a priority for any product designer or manufacturer. In the smartphone manufacturing race, Apple has long battled with rival Samsung and now Huawei for the top spot by refining its iOS mobile operating system, battery life and design. The Doc Shop installed a Shred-Tech machine for confidential shredding.

But the core purpose of making phone calls and taking photographs and videos largely remains the same with a few modifications. Taking a leaf out of the smartphone book, Shred-Tech has refined its ST-75 two-shaft shredder. While applications evolve and cost efficiencies reduce over time, Shred-

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Tech has largely focused on improving knife design and configuration in its third-generation model. The company, which has installed more than 6000 shredding and recycling systems worldwide, has remained committed to its efforts in engineering innovation and quality. It configures all its systems with application-specific knife design, cutting chamber size, horsepower, feed and discharge rates to suit the customer’s requirements. While the original model was developed in 2000, Justin Johns, Sales Manager at Shred-Tech Asia, the ST-75 has gone through various reviews to inform its newest and most versatile iteration. “The ST-75 has been a stalwart for us. We’re constantly going through design reviews internally, including using cast steel on the gearbox and drive mount that can accept a growing range of drive systems available in the market,” Justin says. “We’ve just had our 40th year running at Shred-Tech, but over the journey we’ve encountered many applications and knife designs have continually evolved to suit a range of applications.” Justin says the machine has been doing the rounds in a range of diverse and demanding recycling industries, including the medical sector, automotive industry, paper manufacturing and wood production.

The key benefit for operators is to reduce bulky items down to a transportable size for further resource recovery – a consistent benefit for any recycler looking to lower their movement costs. Another standout feature is the shredder design. The machine has been put together to allow knife changes without removing the shredder from the stand, increasing uptime and allowing for a faster rebuild when required. Shred-Tech engineers have designed each knife profile and configuration to suit the application for maximum throughput and optimum shred size. The ST-75 comes in three cutting chamber sizes, including 956 x 635, 1275 x 635 or 1591 x 635 millimetres, enabling it to handle a wide range of product sizes. Although throughputs will vary depending on the application, one company in the secure destruction and paper recycling space has quadrupled its output. Two years ago, Shred-Tech installed a shredder at the Doc Shop. ShredTech inspected the production process and recommended a ST-75, allowing the company to increase throughputs by 400 per cent and shred four tonnes per hour. Kerry Swenson, Managing Director at Doc Shop, says the company services the commercial and industrial sector nationwide

for secure document destruction. Recently it installed a Shed-Tech ST-75 machine in its processing plant to confidentially shred all material collected. The material is then baled and sent to Australian Paper to be made back into recycled copy paper, protecting the privacy of its clients and achieving a great environmental outcome. “Shred-Tech were there to support us with technical advice and, as a result, we’ve increased our ability to process more materials,” Kerry says. “They’re always there for any afterhours advice and that helps reduce any downtime.” Justin says that the machine comprises a single motor-driven machine for light applications or a dual 75 horsepower link

shaft machine to provide a high knife tip cutting force for heavycutting applications. He says the machine can generate up to around 35,500 kilograms of knife tip force. The unique design of the machined hex shafts maximises knife placement options and supports easy knife removal and machine maintenance. Justin says the hex shaft is several times stronger than a keyed shaft. He adds that the Shred-Tech hex shaft drive system offers the highest knife tip cutting force of any comparable shredder on the market. “The actual body of the shredder doesn’t really change. We have three lengths but it’s been designed so you can have linked and unlinked shafts and that’s the important part for us.” Justin adds that the design allows it to easily shred an array of materials, from steel drums, plastic drums, skids, fabrics, steel and aluminium stampings to scrap. Its capabilities also handle medical and hazardous waste, high volume confidential waste and a range of other materials. The ST-75 comes in a range of gear reduced electric or hydraulic drives with the electric model

comprising one or two 30, 40, 50 or 75 horsepower motors. The hydraulic model is equipped with high torque, low speed multi-cam, radial piston motors. “It gives you the power required to do the job. You don’t necessarily need to over-spec the machine. In the case of processing lightweight carpet rolls, this requires a lot less power and knife tipping force than a company looking to shred medical waste,” he says. He adds that the hydraulic application makes it more suitable for a host of outdoor weather conditions. Justin says an extra heavy stand and hopper has been designed to slide into the existing plant without having to pull it apart and rebuild. Siemens programmable logic controller touchscreens have the ability to diagnose any issues remotely should anything go wrong. In the area of maintenance, several design refinements have gone into easing maintenance and shredder durability. A new cast gearbox design, in combination with increases in shaft hex thickness, knife diameter and spacer thickness, has led to superior durability and higher service factors. Bearing and seal replacement can be easily completed without the need for gearbox disassembly. As Shred-Tech looks to continuously refine its products, Justin says there are no plans to optimise the ST-75 just yet. “The ST-75 is one of those workhorses and hits that sweet spot where if you were to go up to the next size, you’d risk doubling your costs so we see it in that range where it’s versatile, yet still affordable.” Contact

The ST-75 can generate up to around 35,500 kilograms of knife tip force.

Contact: Justin Johns Phone: 1800 730 684 Email: justin@shred-tech.asia Website: shred-tech.asia

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT – SHREDDERS, CRUSHERS AND GRANULATORS

ELB EQUIPMENT’S LOW-SPEED UNIVERSAL KOMPTECH SHREDDER Conditioning waste for further process steps in materials recycling often starts with shredding, which the Komptech Terminator was built for. The slow-running, single shaft shredder has robust bolt-on teeth on the shredding drum, with the opposing counter comb providing pre-shredding to required size specifications. The Terminator’s continuous cutting gap adjustment allows precise particle size shredding for subsequent process steps. The hydraulic drive with load-dependent speed control also ensures maximum engine output. The Terminator can be used on all types of waste, from household and residual, bulky and commercial to waste wood and construction and demolition (C&D). Notably, the Terminator can shred tyres from cars and special machinery due to its high tooth force. The unit has a large feed hopper which allows for bulk waste applications. The aggressive feed of the F shredding unit and programmable reverse cycles keep throughput high, while the tough, contrary-resistant U shredding unit facilitates mixed C&D application. With the shredding gap open, the unit can coarsely break up the toughest materials. The drum can also reverse at any time to pull free and get unstuck, preventing stoppages.

The mobile Terminator’s hydraulic drive with loaddependent speed control ensures full use of engine power. Similarly, the stationary version provides the option of electro-mechanical drive for high efficiency.

Contact Name: Craig Cosgrove Phone: 02 4777 7119 Email: ccosgrove@elbquip.com Website: www.elbquip.com

FINLAY’S L-140 MOBILE IMPACT CRUSHER The new generation impact crusher l-140 from Finlay Screening, Crushing and Recycling Systems has refined its style and advanced technological design to improve material flow and production capabilities in recycling applications. Finlay’s I-140 incorporates a Terex CR032 impact chamber with direct drive and advanced control systems to provide operators with high material reduction ratios and produce a consistent product shape. The high productivity and ease of maintenance and operation makes the machine ideal for large-scale producers and contact crushing operators. In the l-140, ease of material flow has been improved with each component increasing in width as the material flows through the machine. Fully hydraulic-assisted apron setting features makes apron adjustments convenient and efficient. Powered by a Caterpillar C15 540 horsepower engine, the machine leverages best practice technology. A heavy-duty vibrating feeder with integral pre-screen works to remove fine dirt fines and size bypasses material for reprocessing. Optional under crusher vibratory plate

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feeders with wear resistant liners aids material discharge flow.

Contact Phone: 1800 777 300 Website: www.finlay.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/finlayscreeningandcrushing

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SHREDDERS, CRUSHERS AND GRANULATORS

LINCOM GROUPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HORIZONTAL GRINDING Designed for land clearing plus wood and green waste recycling, the Morbark 3400XT is an aggressive horizontal grinder with the added value of operator-friendly features. The 3400XT Wood Hog features a pin and plate hammermill with 813 millimetre (32 inch) tip swing and a variable-speed infeed system consisting of one 863 millimetre (34 inch) diametre top compression roll (Yoke) with directly-driven planetary drive and four strands of WDH 120 Chain in a staggered configuration. The grates/screens are accessed from the rear of the grinding chamber and as they are free floating in their own track and have no fasteners on the inside of the chamber, are easily changed when required. The 3400XT can accommodate engines from 520 to 800 horsepower and is also available with electric drive. The Morbark Integrated Control System (MICS) monitors engine and system pressures as well as feed wheel position and automatically adjusts feed rates to maximise production and engine efficiency. Material discharge is by means of a dual conveyor system. According to Morbark distributor Lincom Group, a significant feature of the 3400XT is it can be manufactured

as narrow as 2.53 metres and, depending on chosen options, weighs approximately 32,000 kilograms making the grinder a versatile machine with transport flexibility. Exclusive to Morbark, the model has a flexible and easily adjustable torque limiter which, in the event of something un-grindable entering the mill, will help protect the driveline and hammermill from damage. Additionally, the grinder features sloped infeed sides, providing operators with improved visibility and loading efficiency.

Contact Name: Mark Malone Phone: 1800 182 888 Email: mmalone@lincom.com.au Website: www.lincom.com.au

TANA SHARK WASTE SHREDDER Recycling rates are increasing globally and new possibilities for using waste as a resource are opening up every year. Legislation aimed at reducing disposal to landfill means new methods of resource recovery, including waste-to-energy are leading to a variety of novel systems and processes. Because the business environment is constantly changing, having a versatile machine is invaluable. The TANA Shark waste shredder was designed with exactly this in mind. The slow-speed multipurpose waste shredder is suitable for a variety of tasks, including pre-shredding, secondary shredding, small particle size shredding and inline systems. It can shred a wide variety of materials, ranging from tyres, commercial and industrial waste construction, plastics to mattresses. The TANA Shark waste shredder enables full control over the particle size from 50 to 500 millimetres (two to 20 inches) with low operation costs and a possibility to perform shredding in just one pass. One of the most problematic yet growing areas of recycling is end-of-life tyres. The TANA Shark 440 waste shredder can be used to shred tyres, with sizes ranging from car and truck tyres up to heavy earthmoving and mining. Ensuring the end result is pure rubber without any metal wires, TANA Shark 440 takes care of the shredding

process, whether its a pre-shred from 500 millimetre minus or a finished product of 50 millimetre minus. In the primary shredding phases, unwanted metal wires are removed using an over-band magnet and a range of screens which are inserted below the rotor to generate a particular size of material. The end product size and quality can be determined and finalised by using a rotor screen with suitable mesh size out of the six available, ranging from 35 up to 220 millimetres.

Contact Phone: 02 9457 9399 Website: www.gcmenviro.com

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT – SHREDDERS, CRUSHERS AND GRANULATORS

REMCO GLASSMAX CRUSHERS AND GRINDERS REMco GlassMax crushers and grinders are designed for reducing bottles, plate glass or any type of waste glass into powder or coarser sizes. The unique high-performance chambers and rotor options allow for high velocity reduction. The machines are available in fully autogenous models for low cost operations and fine cullet. Semi-autogenous versions are also available for medium cost configuration for larger feeds and hard parts-type-versions for the coarsest feeds and maximum reduction in a single pass. The crushers operate from 30 horsepower and above. The end products from glass crushing include glass sand, decorative stones, concrete and abrasive blasting. Pulverised cullet can also be reintroduced to a furnace to produce new glass containers. The reduction ratio is calculated as the relationship between maximum feed size to the desired product size. Generally the bigger the grinder, the larger its feed size. The grinders can be operated in an open or closed circuit, with closed circuits producing the best results. The REMco GlassMax incorporates unique design features such as non-metallic liners to minimise contamination, higher speed bearings and rotors and internal dust control. Standard features include hydraulically lifted hopper for a

top service, wedge-type chamber locking, extra heavy duty steel fabrication, vibration and temperature monitoring and a range of other features. Morgan Bennett Machinery also offers purchase or purchase hire arrangements.

Contact Contact: Morgan Bennett Phone: 0439 175 999 Email: morganbennettmachinery@gmail.com Website: www.morganbennettmachinery.com

THE BEHEMOTH SINGLE-SHAFT SHREDDER Applied Machinery’s BH Series heavy-duty single shaft shredder can be considered a “behemoth”. The heavy-duty size reduction machine is designed for shredding a wide variety of materials with the powerful, wear resistant machine structure well suited to demanding recycling applications. Applications include municipal solid, industrial and demolition waste, wood waste, plastics, alternative fuels and a range of other items. Its v-cutting rotor design allows for staggered cutter positioning alongside heat treated and adjustable counter knives ensuring cutter clearance can be maintained. A classifier screen enables accurate particle size control while a force feeding ram supports a precision machined chamber base with adjustable/replaceable brass guides. The machine’s powerful electric drive motors, heavy duty oversized gearboxes and shock absorption system ensure smooth processing with improved performance. Its bearings, hydraulic opening design and electrical control panel mean the machine is robust and intuitive. Other equally capable machines include GC Series Granulators, ideal for a range of materials such as plastics,

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rubber and fibres and K Series high performance single shaft shredders suitable for processing a wide range of materials. Applied Machinery works with its customers to find the right machine for them, with a number of Genox shredders and granulators also available for niche applications.

Contact Phone: 03 9706 8066 Email: sales@appliedmachinery.com.au Website: www.appliedmachinery.com.au/recycling

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT – TRUCKS AND VEHICLES

VORSTROM’S DURABLE VACUUM TRUCKS Working together with customers, Vorstrom Vacuum Equipment has created an effective range of equipment for liquid waste management, septic tank pump outs, grease trap cleaning, bulk holding tanks and leachate water transfer. The company’s studied approach means their equipment has low long-term ownership costs. The Vorstrom R560-13000 aluminium barrel vacuum unit is designed with durability and toughness in mind. According to Vorstrom, no other unit is more efficient for industrial cleaning applications and liquid waste removal services. The unit is made with quality components to ensure performance and sturdiness. The R560-13000 has a payload capacity of 13,000 litres, which allows for extra on-board jobs per load. With a full aluminium lightweight barrel to maximise payload, a super silenced 560 CFM NVE blower, oil-less and very quiet operation, the unit has high vacuum performance. Additionally, the model is designed to reduce pumping time by 10 – 20 minutes per job. Other components include aluminium hose trays to fit 8 x 10 metre lengths of three-inch suction hose and wash down water options, as well as other safety features on the build spec. Whether you’re holding or transporting regulated waste,

Vorstrom can supply a unit built to job specification. Marketing Manager Desmond Omovie says capacity isn’t just about how many litres, but how many years. “That’s why we build our tanks out of high-grade material and quality components. We are constantly leading the way in delivering on the needs of waste management contractors, providing more operating features for improved business efficiencies, while putting emphasis on safety by combining optimum quality, compliance and testing standards in everything we do.”

Contact Contact: Desmond Omovie Phone: 07 4661 8963 Email: desmond@vorstrom.com.au Website: www.vorstrom.com.au

DENNIS EAGLE REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES Dennis Eagle is a market leader in refuse collection vehicles offering superior visibility and specifically designed to meet the wide range of applications in the rapidly expanding market. One of the characteristics of the Dennis Eagle range is the integration of excellent safety features. From a onestep entry and exit cab, to tall and wide door openings, true flat floors, large glass areas for maximum visibility in addition to well-positioned grab handles and a high visibility mirror package, Dennis Eagle is one of the safest choices on the market. The company equips customers with reliability that will last beyond their contract term and the required technologies to stay ahead of changing demands while providing exceptional performance. Dennis Eagle vehicles are powered by well-proven Allison transmissions and Cummins engines, and are available with various engine options including Euro 5, Euro 6, and high density compressed natural gas (HDCNG). As one of the only vehicles designed specifically for waste collection duties in an urban environment, Dennis Eagle also boasts the best direct vision in its class, as

recognised by Transport for London with a 5-star direct vision standard (DVS) rating. Delivering excellent drivability, superior startability, and a great bin-to-bin time, Dennis Eagle trucks aim to maximise profits and minimise downtime for refuse collection operations.

Contact Contact: Shannon Mair Email: SMair@penskecv.com Phone: 0402 894 728 Website: http://www.dennis-eagle.com.au/contact/

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LAST WORD

Balancing the good and the bad of plastics THERE IS A RAFT OF POTENTIAL CHANGES AND INTERVENTIONS THAT CAN BE MADE TO BETTER POSITION PLASTICS AS THE REMARKABLE MATERIAL THAT IT IS, WRITES MATT GENEVER, DIRECTOR RESOURCE RECOVERY, SUSTAINABILITY VICTORIA.

recall not too long ago seeing a 1950s TV advertisement from the United States promoting the virtues of disposable plastics. A typical American family seated around the dinner table, enjoying a meal on plastic tableware - off the plaid orange and brown tablecloth (classic 50s!) - and sweeping the whole lot into the bin when they’re done…plates, bowls, knives, forks…all of it. Selling the dream of a “hassle-free” life. Thankfully things have changed, somewhat, since then. We saw the first global plastic waste revolution in the

80s – then in the 90s, with the move away from traditional glass packaging spurring the creation of the first kerbside recycling programs. More recently, the focus has been on the significant impact of poorly managed plastic entering our marine environment and the accumulation of microplastics. It is fair to say that the balance isn’t quite right yet. This useful, flexible, malleable and now ubiquitous material can play an infinitely useful role in our world, from lightweight prosthetic limbs to 3D models printed seemingly from mid-air. On the flipside, its use has

also become a pervasive vehicle to feed our throwaway culture. In Australia, we generate around 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, that’s around 100 kilograms of plastic waste for every person in the country. Despite the options for reuse and recycling, almost 2.2 million tonnes (87 per cent) are sent to landfill (National Waste Report 2018). However, recently shoots of new growth have emerged, signalling a dramatic change in the way we use, recover and, ultimately recycle plastic globally.

Trains at Melbourne’s Richmond station are using recycled plastic sleepers as part of an 18-month trial. www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 65

LAST WORD

only a handful of companies currently producing domestic, market-ready recycled products at scale in Australia. So, it is important for government and industry to work together to make sure that the supply side is getting the support it needs to scale up as the demand grows through procurement mechanisms.

Matt Genever.

There is a raft of potential changes and interventions that can be made to better position plastics as the remarkable material that it is. DEMAND AND SUPPLY BOTH NEED A KICK START There has been a good deal of talk on the role of government procurement in stimulating growth in the recycling sector, and rightly so. This is a fundamental step we need to get right in order to grow a healthy recycling ecosystem. One of the things that strikes me is the fragmented nature of our current secondary manufacturing market for recyclables. On one side, there are materials that have well developed markets that need little or no intervention at all – like the use of recycled aggregates in roadbase and other civil construction. On the other side, there are markets that, even if government sent a strong procurement signal, would not necessarily be ready to respond immediately. Plastic is a great example of this. The emerging opportunities are endless, from compressed plastic railway sleepers to companies like Advanced Circular Polymers who are producing food-grade recycled rPET and rHDPE. But in reality, there are

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INDUSTRY HAS THE MOMENTUM IN ITS SUPPLY CHAIN One of the key factors that helped the United Kingdom to turn around its recycling system was a shift in the supply chain. Specifically, the major supermarket chains like Tesco and Sainsbury’s moved to control more of the waste and recycling flows in and out of their businesses, in some cases becoming quasi-recyclers in their own right. In recent months, reflecting on the meetings I’ve had around investment in plastic recycling, it’s encouraging to see how many of these are from the packaging industry and food and beverage supply chain itself rather than from traditional recycling businesses. The convergence of public attitude toward plastic, new national packaging targets and the diminishing export market for mixed plastics is generating huge momentum.

YOU CAN’T SPELL CIRCULAR ECONOMY WITHOUT “JOBS” It is equal parts frustrating and astonishing that collectively we have not made a stronger link between recycling and the creation of new “advanced manufacturing” jobs in Australia. With a minimum wage of almost $19 and hour and wholesale energy prices sitting around 300 per cent higher than the US, it’s unlikely that we’re going to be a country that goes back to low margin mass-producing widgets. There is a huge opportunity for high-margin, bespoke plastic products to be made locally from recycled materials and exported internationally. In its Advanced Manufacturing Roadmap, CSIRO notes that Australia could position itself as a sustainable manufacturing hub, focusing on high-value advanced materials and applications. At the core of these materials and products will be polymers, both natural and synthetic. The options are there for us to either feed from energy-intensive virgin materials or plug in directly from a well-developed, domestic Australia recycling sector. This paradigm isn’t new. Ten years ago, it was concrete. Five years ago, it was glass. We’ve built businesses, infrastructure and end-uses for these materials and we’ll do the same for plastics.

For every kilometre of track installed, 64 tonnes of plastic waste will be recycled.

INCREDIBLY TOUGH:

NEW

THE TERMINATOR Powerful CaterpillarÂŽdiesel engine with latest exhaust treatment

Large loading area with tilt-hopper

Shredding unit for waste and biomass

Hydraulically adjustable counter comb Operating console with large colour display

Please speak to us regarding innovative solutions to waste recycling requirements.

PALFINGER T22A DINO HOOKLOADER WITH AN ARTICULATED ARM

WORLD CLASS MATERIALS HANDLING SOLUTION LIFETIME EXCELLENCE

Gough Palfinger Australia delivers and supports the world-leading Palfinger range of innovative lifting, loading and materials handling solutions for land and marine applications. We provide highly transportable and agile logistic solutions for the waste industry.

Tarp Systems

In Cab Control

Optional Front Bin Locking

Articulating Arm

The Essentials

Optional Adjustable Hook

Contact the team to find out more:

1800 HOOKLOADER 1800 466 556 | PALFINGER.COM.AU Gough Palfinger Australia - Head Office: 66 Industrial Avenue, Wacol, Queensland 4076

Waste Management Review September 2019

Articles inside

HOOKED ON EXPANSION

WOODCHIPS TO ENERGY

RECLAIMING THE OZONE

BALED TO PERFECTION

CRUSHING CONTAMINATION

EXTINGUISHING RISK

PADDLES AND PACKAGING

GROWING THE ISLAND STATE