New technology could help solve a critical waste problem and unlock a new market for Australian manufacturers.
In
Firmly rooted in the metals recycling industry, family-owned Recycal is helping to future-proof recycling in the Apple Isle.
“THIS FOCUS ON PRECISION AND EFFICIENCY NOT ONLY MAXIMISES CLIENT RETURNS BUT ALSO MINIMISES THE AMOUNT OF WASTE THAT ENDS UP IN LANDFILLS, UNDERSCORING RECYCAL’S COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.”
Brett Rowe, Recycal State Manager (Tasmania)
08 INNOVATION ZONE
A look at some of the latest ideas to help tackle waste and recycling. 16
Green-technology company Sircel helps councils nd circular solutions for e-waste. 18
DE TRIUMPH
Australia’s sixth largest city nds a modern solution to a tough challenge.
A guide to meeting regulatory compliance at lower costs than intunnel composting. 24 X FACTOR
A 25-tonne reduced tail tracked excavator is winning the hearts of waste management operators.
Convenient recycling solutions have never been easier, with new services introduced by the Uber for waste.
30 CAREFUL, IT BITES
Primal power, focus, determination, and adaptability. e Tana Shark takes on the symbolism of its namesake.
33 WOW FACTOR
New technology could help solve a critical waste problem and unlock a new market for Australian manufacturers. 36 HARD ROW TO HOE
Some heavy lifting is required to ensure Australia’s organics recycling industry thrives.
38 THE MAIN EVENT
Mainstream Recycling enlists the help of wet processing experts CDE to extract maximum recovery from waste.
40 INTRODUCING MPS
A new business is drawing on years of experience to unlock the potential in material management.
43 PRIDE OF THE FLEET
Cleanaway Organics Eastern Creek strengthens a trusted partnership.
46 INVESTING IN SHREDDING
Group CNJ expands its footprint, developing a recycling operation in Melbourne.
48 POWERFUL FOCUS
Eriez continues to provide trusted technical solutions to the recycling, packaging and processing industries.
50 WORD ON THE STREET
“Packed” and “productive” are the top two trending terms for the 2024 Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo.
54 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
57 LAST WORD
With its multi-rotor design the Genox J-series pipe shredder easily shreds HDPE pipes of all sizes.
When combined with a Genox washing plant and Genox pelletising system, you can truly close the loop on HDPE pipes. Pipe to pellets. Pellets to pipe. This is the circular economy in action.
Genox make world-class recycling solutions, for real-world recycling applications.
Finding a better way From the Editor
It’s been said that we cannot solve the issues associated with waste contamination and consumption of constrained resources with business as usual. at’s why innovation is key.
ankfully for the waste, recycling and resource recovery sector, there is no shortage of extraordinary people who are changing the game.
As Australia tackles national waste targets and strives to remain at the forefront of global sustainability advancements, there’s a brains trust seeking better technology, products and solutions.
e ingenuity and determination never cease to amaze me. And I’m not alone. Seasoned food technologist Tom Debney has garnered some impressive credentials throughout an esteemed career, but even he’s experienced ‘wow’ moments while working on his latest project.
e Business Development Manager for Vortair, Tom believes the team has unlocked technology that could not only change how waste is dealt with, but also convert it to added value products, potentially unlocking new markets for Australian manufacturers.
In this edition we look at the technology tipped to o er a solution for a whole range of problem wastes.
Problem and hazardous wastes are also the focus of this edition’s cover story.
Family-owned recycling company Recycal is rmly rooted in the metals recycling industry. rough extensive programs, advanced facilities, and cuttingedge technology, it’s helping to future-proof recycling in the Apple Isle with a multi-million-dollar development. We look at what is set to be an environmental, economic, and nancial boon for Tasmania.
We also put the spotlight on some of the innovations helping to make machinery and processes quicker, faster, and cheaper.
And to inspire you even further, don’t miss the talented individuals and companies who shared their ideas at this year’s Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo Innovations Pitch Fest.
Waste Management Review is available by subscription from the publisher. e rights of refusal are reserved by the publisher
ARTICLES
All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. e Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.
COVER Cover image: Recycal
COPYRIGHT
Waste Management Review is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in Waste Management Review is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. e Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every e ort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. e opinions expressed in Waste Management Review are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.
Lisa Korycki
The innovation zone
Visitors to the 2024 Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo had a front seat to waste solutions and products before they even hit the market.
Ashopper cart with organisational features, a roller compactor for waste management, and sustainable home construction using recycled plastic. All three featured at the 2024 Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo (AWRE) as new and emerging businesses put their bright ideas to the test during the Innovations Pitch Fest.
In its third year, the Pitch Fest is designed to showcase innovative solutions for the waste and recycling sector, presented by the individuals and companies leading them.
Caitlyn Touzell, General Manager of Boomerang Labs, which sponsored the Pitch Fest, said transitioning to a circular economy would require solutions at all stages of supply chain, consumer behaviour and governance.
“Basically, anywhere we are using things we need to be looking at the circularity element,” she said.
She was impressed by the level of maturity and potential of the solutions being presented at the 2024 Pitch Fest, stating they could impact individuals, corporate for governance and everyone in between.
Speakers had two minutes to make their pitch to the judges and audience. On the line was recognition of their idea, and a stand at AWRE 2025 to exhibit their product.
Reusable cup system Cercle is loud, bold, simple and e ective. And according to Manager Patrick Manley, it proves reuse works.
Since April 2021, Cercle has removed 479,000 co ee cups from wastage. In one building alone, it has surpassed 100,000 users.
Cafes or businesses sign up to Cercle. Users order their co ee and dispose of the empty cup in a drop pod. Cercle collects, washes and returns the cups to be reused again.
Each cup has a unique barcode on the bottom, so Cercle knows exactly
how many cups have been reused and where.
Patrick said the organisation was eager to scale up to ensure it can collect, move and process large amounts of reusable cups. It’s also started working with a social enterprise, making
Pitch Fest winners Stephen Barbaro and Patrick Manley, of Cercle. Images: Prime Creative Media
the process an environmental and social solution.
Jeanne O’Donnell developed the Shoppacart, a foldable shopping trolley, to reduce the need for plastic and reusable bags, make shopping easier and help eliminate the number of abandoned trolleys around shopping centres.
Made from mostly recycled materials, the Shoppacart folds up into the boot of a car. It includes a phone holder, cup holder, bag hook and bulky goods shelf.
“We need to change the way we shop,” Jeanne said.
“ e shopping cart is lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, and you don’t have to remember your bags. It’s always in the back of your car.”
Elias Elias, Managing Director of Envirocrush, said the company was challenging the status quo of Australia’s commercial waste industry.
“We all understand how much blood, sweat, tears, money, time and personal investment goes into pretty much any enterprise, but particularly small business.”
Justin Bonsey, Pitch Fest judge
“Our mission is to reshape industry norms by rede ning the business model to align with our customers interests, and signi cantly reduce waste processing costs while pursuing true environmental stewardship,” Elias said.
Envirocrush uses exclusive crush trucks to compact waste into bins by as much as 80 per cent. is compaction means
more waste can be put in bins, resulting in a reduction of waste collections on roads and transport emissions.
“We may often not realise that waste management companies are in essence transport companies transporting waste from A to B, whether it be to a transport station to be recycled, or from there to land ll,” Elias said. “Regardless of
transportation purpose, vehicle emissions are emitted in the process.
“I’m proud to say Envirocrush takes environmental stewardship seriously. By reducing the number of unnecessary waste collections happening today, we are e ectively cutting the amount of diesel fuel consumed in the process, which signi cantly reduces vehicle emissions.”
Betty Lei is the Director of GreenWave Group, an Australian distributor of Fujian biodegradable, compostable and recyclable packaging products.
She said GreenWave’s mission is to provide a range of innovative and ecofriendly products that meet customer
needs while re ecting a passion for social responsibility and protecting the Earth.
e biodegradable packaging is made of organic material, such as corn or potato starch, sugar cane and cellulose, which easily break down over time without leaving toxins or harmful chemicals. All products have national and international certi cation.
Graham Stevens, from Polymer Tech 1RX, has developed a solution that uses recycled plastic as a surface treatment to bond polyethelyne.
“It’s fast, it’s very inexpensive, and it promotes long-term surface modi cation,” Graham said.
He said further development was necessary, but the process could be used in housing construction, such as header beams above windows and doors, reducing the need for timber materials.
Justin Bonsey, Principal of Edge Impact and one of the Pitch Fest judges, acknowledged the e ort of presenters, noting that it’s di cult to start an initiative from scratch.
“ ere’s a lot of really great ideas. Judging is a hard decision because we all understand how much blood, sweat, tears, money, time and personal investment goes into pretty much any enterprise, but particularly small businesses,” he said.
“Starting an initiative from scratch, coming up with your new idea or a way to change the system as it is now is very di cult. It requires persistence, patience and drive, something everybody here who’s presented today would certainly know about.”
He said judges assessed each of the pitches on a set of criteria – innovation, providing a solution, impact, scalability, as well as circularity.
He outlined the strengths and some areas of growth for each of the pitches before announcing Cercle as the winner.
Justin said there were a lot of strengths in the Cercle pitch, including its lifecycle assessment to ensure it was capturing and quantifying data from the collections.
“You’re looking beyond just recycling rates and land ll avoidance towards emissions and carbon reductions. Working in the consulting world, I can tell you carbon really is the new currency for sustainability,” he said.
He also praised Cercle for continuing to evolve and expand the initiative.
“You’re working with building managers, you’re thinking about washing systems on site, you’re trying to make it a commercially sustainable and hopefully commercially pro table initiative.”
Shoppacart Founder Jeanne O’Donnell makes her pitch.
Every waste is different – that’s why the adaptable IFE machines are so successful in this industry. Secondary raw materials of the highest quality and purity are the result.
Waste glass, wood, batteries, scrap, household waste and much more – IFE focuses on practical, efficient solutions for almost all areas. In this way we make a sustainable contribution to the preservation and protection of our environment.
Shredding the
devil’s scrap
Family-owned recycling company Recycal is firmly rooted in the metals recycling industry. Through extensive programs, advanced facilities and a commitment to corporate and social responsibility, it’s helping to future-proof recycling in the Apple Isle.
The Rowe family’s involvement in the recycling industry dates back to 1990. Its experience is broad, from dissolving copper scrap to produce chemicals for use in the mining industry, to chemically treating silver bearing wastes to recover the pure silver, and mainstream metal recycling.
is business laid the foundation for what would become Recycal, a company reborn in 2012 with a mission to revive superior service it was previously known for.
Drawing on decades of experience and industry knowledge, Recycal has established itself as a leader in metal recycling, rekindling relationships
with past clients and expanding its customer base. At its core, is a commitment to environmental sustainability and resource recovery.
Recycal has invested almost $29 million (including $2 million in Federal Government funding) into its advanced heavy duty shredder processing capabilities at its Rocherlea site.
e company’s forthcoming $23 million oc processing plant ( oc being the material and metals that don’t stick to the magnets) will recover metals as small as one millimetre, a capability unprecedented in the Southern Hemisphere.
land lls across the island,” Brett says.
“With a heavy-duty shredder now in place at the Recycal Rocherlea yard this will never need to happen again. All the unprocessed scrap generated in Tasmania can be shredded here in Tasmania, by local sta .
various castings for both Tasmanian and mainland industries.
e facility boosts Tasmania’s environmental sustainability by reducing the number of valuable metals that end up in land lls, while producing a non-hazardous oc from the shredder which can be safely disposed of in standard land ll.
Brett Rowe, Recycal State Manager (Tasmania), says the investment aligns with, and surpasses, global best practices, enabling Recycal to e ciently process all unprocessed scrap metals and e-waste generated in Tasmania.
“Over the past 50 years, commodity prices have declined to such an extent that, for about seven of those years, recycling unprocessed scrap was uneconomical, leading to its disposal in
“Handling and being responsible for what is generated on the island, and not having to export it to ird World countries or the mainland, is a great result for Tasmania –environmentally, economically, and nancially – with the ow-on e ect of downstream jobs.”
He says government funding is recognition of the bene ts of having a shredder in Tasmania, which will save millions annually in freight equalisation subsidies. Additionally, it generates about one million dollars a year for local land lls and contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars in waste levies which are reinvested into local recycling projects in Tasmania.
e shredder produces a clean, dense, suitably sized “green recycled steel” for Recycal’s sister company, Castings Tasmania, which melts it down to create
Brett says this closed-loop system ensures that valuable materials are continually repurposed, reducing the environmental footprint, and allows Recycal to help clients achieve their decarbonisation goals.
“Recycal has the capability to handle any scrap metal arising, ensuring maximum recovery rates and high-quality end products,” he says.
“ is focus on precision and e ciency not only maximises client returns, but also minimises the amount of waste that ends up in land lls, underscoring Recycal’s commitment to environmental sustainability.”
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Reusing recycled scrap metal and diverting metal-rich unprocessed waste from land lls aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where materials are continually reused and recycled.
Brett says recovering critical minerals and metals via urban mining and recycling them into green metals with
Recycal has invested millions into the Rocherlea facility in Tasmania to introduce best practise metal recycling. Images: Recycal
The staff at Recyal’s Rocherlea facility.
clean hydro and renewable energy is a truly amazing Tasmanian success story.
He says that as Australia transitions to a circular economy, Recycal is well positioned to play its role and help reduce reliance on virgin materials. Backed by a team of experienced professionals, Recycal Tasmania has re ned and expanded its recycling services to align with evolving industry requirements.
Castings Tasmania boasts a rich history dating back to 1834 and is an icon of the Tasmanian landscape. In 2019, Recycal assumed operational control of the foundry, and with a $10 million investment is revitalising it into a modern, e cient, and sustainable enterprise.
Currently employing about 100 sta , Castings Tasmania is leading investments aimed at modernising the foundry, ensuring it can compete, but more importantly stand out, with quality, ontime Australian-made green castings from local recycled steel scrap.
e company processes copper PVC cable o cuts to recover the pure copper, which is then transformed into copper granules. ese granules are used by another sister company, ACL Metal Powders, in Tasmania, where they are melted down to make a ne sintered powder which is exported globally.
Recycal Tasmania also o ers demolition services tailored to meet the demands of large-scale projects rich in metal content. And it specialises in the recycling of printed circuit board-free transformers, managing the entire removal process both on-site and o -site while meeting the highest environmental standards.
Sister company Ecocycle specialises in recycling mercury, working closely with Recycal to tackle even the most challenging recycling tasks.
Ecocycle is Australasia’s foremost mercury and silver recovery and recycling enterprise, with operations spanning every state. It is the only company in Australia fully licensed by environmental protection agencies to handle and recycle mercury-containing waste.
Silver from x-rays, silver and mercury from oil and gas industries, dental amalgam, and button cell batteries are all recycled, and the metals recovered for reuse.
Mercury is required to be retired from early 2025 and Ecocycle is installing a new plant into its Kwinana Beach facility to turn elementary mercury into mercury sulphide.
Brett says this intricate, vertically integrated network of recycling and
repurposing ensures that metals are e ciently reused.
CUTTING-EDGE FACILITIES
Recycal’s facilities are among the most advanced in the industry, boasting an array of processing equipment, including state-of-the-art shredders and non-ferrous sorting and separation plants.
e company’s commitment to excellence extends to its infrastructure and professional image, evident in the upkeep of its sites, where you’ll nd largelandscaped areas, water features, and meticulously cleaned yards and vehicles.
Fully concreted yards comprise stormwater pits with removable grates, triple inceptor pits, with cyclonic HumeCeptor Units that polish the storm water before it leaves the site.
“State-of-the-art concreted facilities not only attract top-tier employees but also enhance equipment longevity, ensure safer operations, and maintain cleanliness,” Brett says.
“Muddy, dirt-based recycling yards contaminate the ground, are unsafe, create environmental challenges, and leave a trail of dirt and dust when trucks leave sites. is just doesn’t work for Recycal.
“ e importance of a professional image is paramount, re ecting a commitment to both clients and the environment.”
Recycal sites are equipped with Arti cial Intelligence camera technology that detect size, shape, type, movement and any rise in temperature, enhancing the management of security, re prevention, and overall safety.
Yards are also equipped with hydrants and re hose reels. e Rocherlea site boasts more than 20 hydrant outlets strategically positioned around the premises with water cannons placed in higher risk areas.
ese features not only enhance operational e ciency but also ensure that Recycal’s processes are environmentally friendly and safe.
Brett Rowe, Recycal State Manager (Tasmania).
“Fire safety, prevention and responsibility are important to the group and this new technology helps us achieve these goals with early detection and 24/7 monitoring,” Brett says.
He says the company’s commitment to safety is unparalleled, complying to the highest standards and incorporating rigorous training for all employees.
Since 2016, the group has adhered to the ISO management system and proudly holds ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 accreditations. e team is currently working to obtain R2 accreditation.
“Recycal’s management team is steadfast in their pursuit of pioneering recycling methodologies, striving to enhance their corporate clients’ experience while giving them the comfort they need in environmental excellence,” Brett says.
“ is ethos of continuous improvement and forward-thinking has earned Recycal recognition from clients and solidi ed our
position as Australia’s most progressive metal recycling entity.
“ is relentless pursuit of excellence ensures that Recycal remains at the cutting edge of the recycling industry.”
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
As Recycal leads the charge in sustainable metal recycling, Brett says its positive impact on Tasmania and beyond is undeniable. He says that by embracing innovation, fostering community engagement, and championing environmental sustainability, Recycal exempli es what it means to be a responsible and forward-thinking enterprise in the modern age.
“ e Honourable Pam Allan, Chair of the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Board, envisions Tasmania as a place where nothing is wasted,” Brett says. “Recycal is at the forefront of making this vision a reality, dedicating itself to creating a cleaner, greener Tasmania.”
However, its ambition extends beyond the borders of Tasmania. Recycal is equally committed to fostering a sustainable future for all Australians, ensuring that valuable resources are recovered and repurposed e ciently.
By investing in cutting-edge recycling technologies and facilities, Recycal aims to set new standards for sustainability and e ciency in the recycling industry nationwide.
“By leading the charge in sustainable metal recycling, Recycal is not only protecting the environment but also paving the way for a more sustainable future across Australia,” Brett says.
“Nationwide e orts in recycling and resource recovery are crucial in reducing land ll waste, conserving natural resources, and mitigating environmental impact.”
For more information, visit: www.recycal.net
The Recycal Rocherlea facility can handle any scrap metal arising to ensure maximum recovery rates and quality end products.
Not all e-waste
solutions are equal
Green-technology company Sircel is helping councils find circular solutions for e-waste.
Australians produced an average of 20 kilograms of e-waste each in 2019, almost three times the global average, according to the Australian Local Government Association.
Only about a third of the total of e-waste materials generated are recovered, meaning about $430 million of materials are sent to land ll each and every year. And it’s getting worse not better. at’s despite – when handled correctly – 90 per cent to 95 per cent of e-waste components can be
recycled. Precious resources including glass, steel, aluminium and copper can be recovered and recycled into new products.
As Australia transitions to a circular economy and aims for 80 per cent resource recovery for all waste streams by 2030, there’s growing recognition of the importance of e-waste recycling.
But capturing the value of e-waste will require a huge mind shift, says Anthony Karam, Founder and Chief Executive O cer of green-technology company Sircel.
“We need to be shifting from waste management to resource recovery,” Anthony says.
“When you work with recyclers as opposed to waste managers the end result is a better outcome for the economy and more regenerated resources.
“All the material in e-waste has already been sourced and re ned. When you’re accessing that material to recycle it’s at a re ned speci cation and higher value if you can put it back into the circular economy.”
Local government is often at the forefront of managing the ballooning e-waste problem with expectations for managing household and commercial waste within their municipalities.
Complex operating environments, competing demands of limited budgets, and procurement pressures often drive councils to the lowest cost solutions as opposed to those with impact and outcome.
Anthony says councils should be incentivised to partner with companies o ering “best-in-class” solutions that deliver a better service, reduce pressure on land ll, drive circular economy outcomes, and achieve a higher environmental outcome.
“ e success metric for recycling e-waste needs to be much broader than lower cost,” he says.
“Rather than traditional cost-based tenders, councils should be seeking the most strategic partner who can drive long-term bene t for the community.”
Sircel is leading the way with world-class resource recovery from e-waste. Images: Sircel
Sircel is leading the way with worldclass resource recovery and land ll diversion rates. It has developed a worldrst, proprietary process that diverts up to 100 per cent of e-waste from land ll, redirecting the valuable commodities back into the circular economy.
It works with councils, schools and community organisations to provide drop-o events to dispose of and recycle their e-waste in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Since 2021, Sircel has run more than 45 events for 20 councils in Victoria and New South Wales, helping thousands of households dispose of their e-waste ethically, easily and safely.
Events are based on council’s insights and their residents’ needs and are wholly managed by Sircel’s in-house events management team and trained sta .
Since it began working with councils, Sircel has received and processed 979 tonnes of e-waste from households around Australia, including 472 tonnes of TVs/ at screens, 197 tonnes of printers, 280 tonnes of computers and laptops and 30 tonnes of white goods.
Sircel also consults with councils on e ective, end-to-end e-waste management and recycling and provides safe, secure collection and transport of e-waste from resource recovery centres.
Comprehensive and credible reporting on environmental, social and governance goals gives councils clear understanding of the mass of e-waste diverted from land ll across three categories – National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) materials, nonNTCRS materials and incidentals such batteries and ouros.
But not all e-waste providers are equal. Anthony says councils, at the very least, should satisfy themselves with a visit to a preferred recycler.
He says, when assessing the suitability of an e-waste partner, councils should:
• Assess their accreditations; talk to their clients and partners. Sircel’s Villawood site is now R2 certi ed; and operates under Environment Protection Authority licencing.
• Ask for a site visit. Sircel hosts guided tours for all current and potential clients, including government
departments, local councils, waste contractors to show them how large-scale e-waste recycling really works.
• Reporting: how do they track and prove the results they are reporting? Sircel tags and manages each load as it arrives; has customised its reporting process and can o er bespoke reporting.
• Assess their downstreaming and o shore practices. Sircel downstreams batteries, and processes all e-waste in Australia.
• Insu cient state and federal regulations on toxins in electronics and end-of life disposal. is lax regulation allows corporations to produce and dispose of electronics with few restrictions, contributing to environmental harm which councils must deal with.
• How do they process equipment? Is manufacturing done on-site, or is equipment shipped to a di erent location for processing? If e-waste is processed on site, what methods are used to handle the materials? If equipment is shipped to other processors for handling, where does it go and what happens to it?
“When dealing with councils we’re quite happy to host them and walk them through the process so they can see the plant in operation,” Anthony says.
“When they’re ready to make their decision, they are making an informed decision. ey’ve seen the plant; they’ve seen it work and that the outputs are not going to land ll as opposed to signing up to a deal with no real machinery on site, heaps of shipping containers and no idea what’s happening to their waste.
“I know the way we process here, as a recycler, we have the best opportunity to extract value right through the chain.
For more information, visit: www.sircel.com
A world-first proprietary process diverts up to 100 per cent of e-waste from landfill.
Modern answer
to a tough challenge
Australia’s sixth largest city is turning to advanced technology in its plan for a sustainable waste future.
Looking for a solution to dwindling land ll capacity, the City of Gold Coast council is taking an advanced-tech approach and proposing an ambitious recycling and energy precinct as the future for its waste management.
Industry pundits have described the Gold Coast approach – an Advanced Resource Recovery Centre (ARRC) comprising eight individual facilities, including residual waste-toenergy – as bold.
Designed to boost recovery and recycling, and divert up to 97 per cent of land ll, the $1.6 billion ARRC project includes a materials recovery facility (MRF), organics processing facility, construction and demolition waste recycling facility, a new sewage treatment plant and recycled water treatment plant, green hydrogen
electrolysis facility, community education centre and the big ticket item – the residual waste-to-energy facility to process waste that cannot be recovered or recycled.
Currently in the feasibility stage, if regulatory approvals are successful, it will be a rst for Queensland. While there are waste-to-energy proposals touted for other areas of the state, the Gold Coast project is being driven by the local government.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says the city is looking for advanced tech solutions for all areas of resource recovery and waste management, and waste-to-energy is just one element of a circular approach.
“Our residual waste-to-energy facility is an important part of our plan but it’s not the only part,” Tom says. “ e priority is to recover and recycle as
much material as we can, increase remanufacturing opportunities to support a circular economy, and work with our community to avoid waste generation in the rst place.
“ is is the next step in work we’re already doing.”
e City of Gold Coast more than doubled its residential green organics service in 2023, when the service became a part of the standard bin set – it is the biggest expansion of a green organics service by a council in Australia to date. e City now has 135,000 green organics bins in service and the diversion of that material from land ll is evident in the tonnages every month.
“We’re undertaking widespread engagement on circular economy opportunities with industry and business across the country. We’re actively looking for the people with the tech and advancements to make our circular economy the best in Australia,” Tom says. “We’re investing in research, including for a solution for soft plastics. We’re trialling solutions for food organics, which remains a challenge in south-east Queensland without an economically viable option for widescale processing.
“But we’re pragmatic. A zero-waste future is ideal, but we know there will always be residual waste – the countries with the best recycling rates in the world still have waste-toenergy facilities.”
The Advanced Resource Recovery Centre will be built primarily in the Stapylton area, in the Gold Coast’s premium industrial precinct.
With the facility scheduled to be operational by the end of 2031, timelines are tight and as such, the council is seeking commercial technology that has a demonstrated operational performance with municipal solid waste at scale of at least two years.
It’s particularly interested in technological advancements in air pollution control components, incorporating carbon capture or the reuse of carbon dioxide to reduce CO2 emissions, and in Air Pollution Control residue (APCr) treatment and reuse. e proposed facility will comply with the Queensland Government’s Energy from Waste Policy, which adopts
safety standards from the European Union where waste-to-energy is an established technology. e standards and scrutiny are welcome.
Tom says that as a local government, the council is held to a high standard of governance and performance. It’s tasked with the responsibility of doing what’s right by the community – for wellbeing, economic prosperity, and for a safe and secure future.
He welcomes the stringent requirements for assessment, and later operation, because he wants what’s best for the community and it means nding the most advanced solutions on o er.
“We know waste-to-energy technology has advanced over the years
and it o ers a modern answer to a tough challenge,” he says. “We can’t keep digging holes and maintaining land lls, and the emissions that come from them, for 30 years.
“What you put in your general waste bin today will still be your local government’s problem in 2054. It will be a problem for your children’s children – another two generations dealing with the waste we create today.
“We must do better than that. Technology has moved on, and so should we.”
For more information, visit: www.cityofgoldcoast.com.au/arrc
An image from an animated video about the City of Gold Coast’s proposed Advanced Resource Recovery Centre. Images: City of Gold Coast
Advancing compost
technology
Comox Valley Regional District: A guide to meeting regulatory compliance at lower costs than in-tunnel composting.
In sustainable waste management, Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) in British Columbia, Canada, stands out for its cutting-edge approach to organic waste processing.
From the Campbell River Waste Management Centre, CVRD serves more than 30,000 single-family homes, managing 14,500 tonnes of organic waste each year. is waste is transformed into Class A compost, branded as SkyRocket Compost.
CVRD’s commitment to sustainability, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship positions it as a leader in the composting industry.
STRINGENT COMPLIANCE
e regulatory framework governing the CVRD’s operations is set by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. ese regulations mandate that composting activities occur within enclosed buildings to mitigate environmental impacts, particularly concerning odour management and other emissions, including a clear separation of stormwater from leachate and process water.
CVRD has embraced these challenges, incorporating innovative solutions into its facility design to ensure compliance and to minimise its environmental footprint.
NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGY
Central to the CVRD’s success is the implementation of six SG Bunker Systems from Sustainable Generation (SG), featuring GORE Covers.
SG’s Advanced Composting Technology at CVRD is designed to handle an input capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes of food organics and garden organics (FOGO) waste annually while providing superior environmental protection, odour management, and meeting stringent regulatory compliance requirements. e system is also robust enough to withstand extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain and snow, ensuring year-round operation.
Comox Valley Regional District site layout. Images: Sustainable Generation
Scott Woods, Sustainable Generation’s Founder and Chief Executive O cer, says economic and process control e ciency are the two most signi cant advantages of using Sustainable Generation’s CASP (covered aerated static pile) technology instead of in-tunnel.
In-tunnel technologies often shortcycle the process by reducing the processing time to achieve hygenisation only, rather than a stable, mature compost. erefore, the compost is frequently hot and has the potential to emit odours when removed from the tunnels into outdoor curing or storage areas.
“Compared to in-tunnel composting, Sustainable Generations CASP systems o er an elevated level of performance for hygenisation and controlling odours, producing a stable and mature compost,” Scott says. “With lower capital costs and ongoing operational costs, this
approach means SG Systems have the lowest total cost of ownership over the facility’s lifetime.”
INNOVATION AND EFFICIENCY
e composting process at the CVRD facility is structured into a six-week treatment period, divided into two phases of three weeks each. During this period, organic waste undergoes controlled processes to ensure optimal compost quality.
e process is controlled using the SG Bunker System with GORE Covers to provide in-vessel performance without expensive tunnels and bio lters that increase overhead costs.
Applying a six-week treatment process ensures the end product is mature, so odours are not an issue. Tunnels typically have a seven-to-21-day treatment time followed by windrow turning to nish composting. Scott says windrow turning
increases the already expensive capital and operational costs required for the tunnel process.
In- oor trenching with water traps is employed for aeration and leachate capture while facilitating proper air ow and moisture control. Positive aeration with oxygen monitoring and control ensures that the composting material receives adequate air, which is crucial for microbial activity and compost maturation.
e facility has temperature and oxygen probes that continuously monitor and regulate the composting environment to maintain ideal conditions, ensuring the composting process is e cient and e ective.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Since becoming operational, CVRD has yielded impressive results. e compost produced is notably clean, with low contamination levels thanks to the district’s composting education program, making it suitable for agricultural and landscaping applications.
is quality compost supports sustainability goals by improving soil health, reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers, and promoting organic farming practices.
Additionally, the inbuilding design of the SG Bunker System meets all permitting requirements and minimises potential impacts on the surrounding community and ecosystem. is enclosed system mitigates environmental concerns, enhancing the project’s overall environmental bene ts.
MODEL FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Brian Fuchs, Global Business Specialist at Gore Cover System –W. L. Gore & Associates, says CVRD’s creative composting project sets a new e ciency and environmental responsibility benchmark.
“It is an inspiration and a blueprint for others looking to improve
Comox Valley Regional District enclosed receiving/mixing and primary composting.
their waste management practices,” Brian says. “CVRD’s success demonstrates the power of advanced technology and collaboration in achieving sustainability goals.
“By leveraging the latest composting technology, CVRD has addressed critical ecological challenges and made signi cant advancements in waste management.
“ e project contributes to a cleaner, greener future by diverting organic waste from land lls and transforming it into a valuable resource.”
Scott says the Comox Valley Regional District’s composting facility is a testament to innovation and environmental stewardship in the composting industry.
e project advances the district’s sustainability goals and highlights the potential for other communities to
adopt similar strategies, driving a global shift towards more sustainable waste management solutions.
“By diverting about 30 per cent of collected waste from the regional land ll, CVRD is making signi cant strides toward achieving its waste diversion goal of 70 per cent,” Scott says. “ e quality compost supports sustainable agriculture,
improves soil health, and reduces the reliance on chemical fertilisers. CVRD’s success story underscores the importance of integrating advanced technology and regulatory compliance in waste management practices.”
For more information, visit: www.sustainable-generation.com
CVRD under roof secondary composting SG BUNKER System with GORE Cover.
X factor
Two years ago, equipment manufacturer JCB introduced a 25-tonne reduced tail tracked excavator to its X Series. They’ve since been in demand from waste management operators keen to make the most of the reduced slewing radius.
Western-Australia-based Capital Recycling has been quick to appreciate the bene ts of an excavator capable of working in tight spaces.
A multifaceted company specialising in concrete and aggregate recycling, demolition, civil works, as well as transport within these elds, Capital Recycling was founded in 1996 by Managing Director Ray Gullotto. It o ers a range of services from big
projects and small and operates the two largest construction and demolition (C&D) recycling facilities in the state. e eet includes several JCB machines, with a JCB 245XR as its latest addition.
“No job is too big or too small for Capital Recycling,” Ray says.
“Since 1996 we have been o ering demolition services in Perth, and customers can bene t from this longterm experience. We recycle building
materials and can safely remove asbestos if required.
“Our attention to detail and a solid safety record has also seen us attain an increasing number of highpro le projects.”
Will Johnson, JCB CEA Territory Manager, says Capital Recycling’s investment in JCB equipment highlights its dedication to the industries in which it operates and the wider community.
Will Johnson, JCB CEA Territory Manager, Capital Recycling’s Ray Gullotto and Trevor Ayres, CEA Group Sales Manager Western Australia, with the new 245XR. Image: CEA
“With a focus on e cient business practices, we’re pleased to support Ray and his customers with products we believe are not only t for purpose, but o er substantial bene ts to him and his team when it comes to operator comfort and safety,” Will says.
“ e fuel savings we are seeing on Ray’s eet compared to competitive brands have also been really impressive.”
Improved safety and e ciency for operators are just some of the bene ts of the reduced swing of the 245XR.
Part of JCB’s X Series, the excavator platform weighs 20 to 25 tonnes, and 27 tonnes with the blade. It has a tail swing radius of 1.72 metres, which is 40 per cent less than its predecessor, the 220X excavator, making it suitable for work in tight spaces.
With a shorter swing there is also less chance of damage to nearby buildings or personnel on site when the machine is in operation.
Running on a similar hydraulic pump system as the 220X, the engine and control valves have been enlarged and better uid dynamics have been installed, maintaining e cient speed and accuracy while having increased breakout and performance.
Will says the JCB design team spent a lot of time and resources developing the 245XR, making it one of the heaviest in its class, and one of the most stable, by allocating weight to key areas to achieve equilibrium.
But the design changes don’t take away from the machine’s comfort level, with the operator’s cabin remaining at full size.
Operator feedback also contributed to the design of the cabin, which features double cushioned viscous mounts to reduce the noise to 69 decibels. e seat-mounted joystick and switch controls move with the operator.
Selectable Swing Smoothing is a feature that comes as standard with the 245XR and it enables the operator to customise the performance of the vehicle to suit any given application.
e feature can produce sharper, or more gradual movements, depending on what is required.
Operators can also smooth the slew. If more speed is needed instead of accuracy, they can switch to softer slew, so it doesn’t brake as aggressively and has a smoother action.
For more information, visit: www.jcbcea.com.au
DELIVERING A GREENER FUTURE
Komptech CEA is a leading supplier of machinery and systems for the treatment of solid waste through mechanical and mechanical biological treatments, as well as the treatment of biomass as a renewable energy source. Komptech CEA is proud to provide innovative solutions for handling waste and biomass.
Komptech CEA’s extensive range of products cover all key processing steps in modern waste handling. At Komptech CEA the focus is always on innovative technology and solutions ensuring maximum benefit to the customer.
Like to know more? why not speak to one of our team today?
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Good counsel
Convenient recycling solutions have never been easier, with new services introduced by the Uber for waste.
Local government is on the front line of Australia’s battle to manage its waste.
Bin collection, recycling, waste education and litter management are all tasked to local councils. Now they’re trying to do the heavy lifting to meet increasing sustainability expectations, land ll diversion and recycling rates.
And while councils know there is a growing appetite to recycle, they often lack the resources, infrastructure, and nances to make it happen. Until now!
RecycleSmart has always been driven by an ambition to make recycling easier, o ering on-demand pickup services for tricky to recycle items. It’s expanded its market o ering, launching two new services for local government – dropo events and collection services from recycling centres or hubs.
“ e best way to recycle better is to o er more solutions,” says Eugenie Alonzo, RecycleSmart Chief Marketing O cer. “Now we’re o ering a super easy solution to t any budget, in any shape or form.”
RecycleSmart’s doorstep collection has built a solid following, with the service operating in more than 60 councils in Australia, o ering the service to residents and businesses.
Eugenie says the new services are in response to feedback from councils that want to o er residents convenient recycling opportunities.
With the new services, councils can set up a recycling hub at a central location, nominate the types of waste residents can drop o , and then arrange a pickup by RecycleSmart when required.
Recycling events follow the same basis, with councils nominating a time
and place for residents to drop o their recycling.
RecycleSmart’s digital dashboard gives councils full transparency on the type of items collected, how much and where they are recycled.
As part of the service, council sta are also o ered training so they know exactly what items can be received and can answer resident questions.
Eugenie says that of the events and recycling centres held so far, councils are reporting greater diversion of recyclables from land ll, and better recycling behaviours.
“Convenience is key,” she says.
“It feels like everyone wants to do the right thing and recycle more, but they’re not sure how. We’re trying to make it easier.
“We’re creating the bridge between peoples’ good intentions and getting them to do the right thing.”
PROBLEMATIC PLASTICS
RecycleSmart is currently collecting more than 100 di erent items and connecting them with recycling partners. Eugenie says most councils opt to provide solutions for soft plastics and e-waste that don’t t the criteria for product stewardship.
Moira Shire in north-east Victoria has a population of more than 30,000 spread across more than 4000 square kilometres.
A 2021 kerbside waste audit by the shire identi ed soft plastics as the most problematic waste stream in land ll bins that could be avoided. is was before the collapse of instore collection service REDcycle.
A community recycling centre has been set up at Newcastle library. Image: RecycleSmart
Bethan McKay, the shire’s Environmental Services Technical O cer, estimates soft plastics now make up at least 90 per cent of contaminants because there is no other option available. e shire is working with RecycleSmart to establish drop-o points at its four main resource recovery centres in Yarrawonga, Cobram, Numurkah and Nathalia. Soft plastics is a major focus.
Soft plastics can’t be compacted to the desired compacting rate of 0.9 tonnes per cubic metre at land ll sites, this means soft plastic takes up valuable air space (about four times the amount of space as standard land lled material), which in turn reduces the life of land ll and has a direct cost to council.
Bethan says the council’s Cobram land ll is projected to have air space to cover the current waste streams until 2034-35. Diverting the hard to compact soft plastics will increase the site’s operational life.
Furthermore, as soft plastic is so lightweight, it is easily blown o site, causing an environmental hazard that must be managed by sta undertaking litter picks and regular patrols of the site. And with the Victorian Government increasing the land ll levy annually, diverting soft plastics from land ll could also save the council thousands of dollars each year.
e additional resource recovery collection is an expansion of the council’s already existing resource recovery e orts for a variety of items. In February 2025 the council will also transition to a fortnightly collection for land ll kerbside services.
“We’re asking residents for a change in behaviour and assistance to help meet a target of 80 per cent reduction in land ll waste by 2030,” Bethan says. “It’s important we o er them alternatives.
“RecycleSmart’s collection service is convenient, but accountability and knowing where our recycling is going, is also important. e circular economy outcome is de nitely a winner for us.”
RecycleSmart has entered a partnership with APR Plastics in Melbourne. All soft plastics collected will be used to create oil that will be on-sold to be turned into exible plastics again.
DATA-DRIVEN
Surf Coast Shire Council, also in Victoria, asked residents to collect their soft plastics during July and drop them o at the local transfer station in early August to help the council form a longterm strategy.
Neil Brewster, the council’s Waste Management Co-ordinator, says soft plastic by volume is the largest contaminant in the council’s
kerbside collection. e community and council have sought a solution for some time. A project several years ago determined that kerbside collection wasn’t suitable because a majority of the shire is not urban, so household collections are also not feasible.
RecycleSmart o ered a smart alternative. Council purchased a baler to compact any soft plastics collected throughout the trial. RecycleSmart will collect the bales as required. e intention is to have a permanent ongoing drop-o point.
“We’ve been wanting to do something for a long time,” Neil says. “We knew the majority of residents would jump on it; they’ve been asking for a service since supermarkets stopped taking soft plastics.
“ is trial is all about data gathering to give us an idea of what to do moving forward.”
Neil says councillors and the executive management team are supportive of environmental initiatives and ways to improve resource recovery. Surf Coast Shire introduced a four-bin kerbside collection service in 2020, prior to the Victorian Government mandate.
Surf Coast Shire has one of the highest resource recovery rates across local government areas, about 73 to 74 per cent – and waste to land ll has decreased for several years, despite a growing population. Contamination rates of the council’s food organic, garden organic (FOGO) bins is also low – on average one per cent.
“A lot of people live here because they love the bush or the coast,” Neil says. “ ey are already environmentally conscious and are looking for options to reduce the waste they produce and recover as much as they can.
“If there’s a chance an initiative will make a di erence, they’ll support it.”
FUTURE FOCUSED
e council services are another string to RecycleSmart’s bow.
RecycleSmart offers staff training for councils establishing community recycling centres and events. Image: RecycleSmart
Since its inception ve years ago the Sydney start-up has undergone exponential growth, expanded the range of items it collects and launched a successful CrowdFunding campaign.
In 2023, the on-demand service was o ered directly to residents and businesses to unlock more recycling opportunities. And in August 2024 the service started in Hobart, completing a national rollout to major capital cities.
RecycleSmart now has an area manager in each state, as well as a team of local drivers. As more waste is collected it will invest in bigger collection points.
But it’s not stopping there with plans to introduce two new packages.
Watch this space.
For more information, visit: www.recyclesmart.com
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Moira Shire is establishing recycling drop-off points at its four main resource recovery centres. Image: Moira Shire
Careful, it bites
Primal power, focus, determination, and adaptability. The Tana Shark takes on the symbolism of its namesake.
What others may consider problematic wastes, are Jamie Walmsley’s bread and butter.
e Owner Operator of JLW Operations, based out of Cootamundra in New South Wales, has made light work of mattress and tyre waste for the past decade.
He’s grown the business to an indemand mobile and on-site shredding service across Australia, providing councils and mine sites with a lowimpact solution that diverts problematic waste from land ll or dumping grounds in remote areas.
Along the way he’s amassed seven Tana Shark shredders, with another on the way.
“Shredding tyres and mattresses are the hardest things you can do on a piece of machinery,” Jamie says. “ ey are designed to be long-lasting and strong, which makes them di cult to break down.
“But with the Tana Shark, it takes just 10 minutes to go from 150 millimetres to 50, just by changing a screen.
“I don’t think you can do better in Australia than the Tana.”
e Tana Shark 440DT is a versatile waste shredder, designed for challenging materials including commercial
and industrial, construction and demolition, solid recovered fuel, plastics and ragger wire.
One machine can replace three di erent machines, eliminating the need for a pre-shredder, primary shredder and a screen, outputting a single end product in one pass.
The Tana Shark is designed for challenging waste streams including mattresses.
Images: GCM Enviro
The Tana Shark rotor with 44 knives.
Jamie researched shredders for about 12 months before trialing the Tana Shark through waste management and equipment distributor GCM Enviro.
“I liked what I saw,” Jamie says. “After one week it had won me over.”
In optimal conditions, the Tana Shark can process and remove steel from mattresses at a rate of 100 to 120 units an hour. JLW Services is currently processing about 15,000 tonnes of tyres per annum.
Jamie says the Tana Shark has an easy user interface. e TANA Control System (TCS) monitors and controls the machine functions. ere are 12 pre-programmed operations for di erent types of materials and shredding and extra customer-speci c programs can be added.
e programs adjust the machine functions, such as overcharge pressure limits, rotor revs per minute and conveyor speed to the optimal level to achieve the desired output.
If a non-crushable object blocks the rotor, TCS makes the machine reverse and try a few times until the object either goes through or the machine stops. e object can be removed safely through the opening side wall.
“It’s reasonably simple to operate,” Jamie says. “But the best bit, for me, is the di erent screen sizes that allow you to adjust the material size.
“If you have a twin shaft, it can sometimes drag material through the shredder and the end product isn’t uniform. But because the Tana Shark is a single shaft there is only one way out – through the screen.”
As a distributor of the latest in waste management and recycling equipment, GCM Enviro aims to provide customers with technology that improves its customer’s businesses and allows them to increase revenue.
Its philosophy is to maintain dialogue between manufacturers and clients to ensure that equipment design is governed by market requirements, particularly in Australia’s harsh resource recovery environment. is has earned them a reputation for robust design and reliability.
Robust and reliable are also terms Jamie uses to describe GCM Enviro’s backup service, with maintenance centres throughout Australia and New Zealand.
While JLW Services keeps on top of the Tana Shark’s maintenance, carrying out any minor work and repairs itself, it brings in GCM Enviro for the major services.
“If there are any problems, GCM Enviro is straight onto it and it gets resolved quicker than anywhere else I’ve dealt with,” Jamie says.
“ eir support has enabled us to grow the company.”
For more information, visit: www.gcmenviro.com
Featuring Sustainability Victoria, Recycling Victoria, and EPA Victoria, this new addition will be a hub for discussions on waste management and sustainability in Victoria. Head to the Government Lounge to explore collaborative solutions for waste and recycling challenges and drive innovation in sustainability.
The journey to zero landfill starts
cityofgoldcoast.com.au/arrc
The wow factor
New technology could help solve a critical waste problem and unlock a new market for Australian manufacturers.
The technology attracted Tom Debney to the Vortair, but it’s the ‘wow’ moments that continue to drive him.
e seasoned food technologist and Business Development Manager believes the team at Vortair has unlocked technology that could not only change how waste is dealt with, but also convert it to added value products.
And he’s not alone. e Vortair technology was recently awarded the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) Peter Seale Innovation Award for 2024 in recognition of its potential.
“ e technology, and the potential of what can be done with something you would normally throw out, brought me to Vortair,” Tom says.
“ e ability to convert waste into something useful is fantastic and
Vortair gives the opportunity to put a waste product back into circulation.”
e Vortair machine is a new technology for particle size reduction. It uses vortexes to disrupt materials, so they mill upon themselves, resulting in a more rounded particle.
One of the major advantages of the technology is the ability to control the micron size of materials and maintain temperatures at a level where there’s no nutritional losses – especially important if you’re dealing with organics or food products. And it’s here that the Vortair shows promise to help combat a critical waste problem.
THE PROBLEM
Australians waste about 7.6 million tonnes of food annually, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. ere are losses at every point along the
food supply and consumption chain, including on farms during processing and transport, hospitality operators, supermarkets, and households.
e Vortair system has been trialled on many horticultural inputs, converting them to a paste, dry our, or powder suitable as an ingredient in soups, sauces, stocks, and other products.
Tom says work has been completed on apple and pear pomace (the pulpy residue remaining after juice has been extracted from the fruit) as well as grapemarc (the skins, pulp, seeds, and stems of grapes that remain after pressing).
Apple pomace milled to a powder can be used in alternative protein products, with the bre acting as a key binder. Grapemarc has a high polyphenol content, which makes it attractive for use in therapeutic goods. And milling rejected allium such as onion and garlic could open opportunities to use waste
Apple biomass waste processed on the Vortair 500 mill to a fine apple powder. Images: Vortair
Image: Sergei Mishchenko/ shutterstock.com
garlic and onion as a replacement for imported powders.
ere is even interest in milling mussel and oyster shells. Milling would not only reduce the shell waste which would normally be land lled, but it would also produce a new product with high calcium content.
“ ere are so many things we could do with this technology. It’s o ering a solution for a whole range of problem wastes,” Tom says. “But there’s no point in doing something unless there’s an end market that’s worth chasing.
“In the case of fruits and vegetables, it has the potential to open new markets for manufacturers. Once you take the juice o the product, you’ve still got high value material. But there are also signi cant advantages if this technology reduces the waste that farmers would normally throw back onto their paddocks.”
Tom has extensive experience in developing strategy, management, and process control in businesses across Australia and overseas.
He is involved in mentoring several startups within the Commonwealth Scienti c and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) On program – a
program that accelerates Australia’s most promising research breakthroughs from mind to market – and has a passion for developing processes that have an impact on improving the use of resources.
With a keen understanding of chemistry, physics, micro-biology and cost analysis, Tom was asked to look at the Vortair several years ago. He says he quickly recognised its capabilities.
“ is technology is going to solve a lot of people’s problems,” he says. “Reducing waste is critically important but if we can convert what was once waste into something you get a return on, it’s well worthwhile doing.
“ ere’s a whole lot of material that doesn’t get o farm because it’s the wrong size, or color, that can now be upscaled and put into other products rapidly. In theory, that brings more farm return, but also reduces a dependance on a lot of imported dried powders. We’d be able to make them here and keep it economic. I think it will make some business in Australia more viable on a global scale.”
e Vortair machines are manufactured in Australia and assembled in Bayswater, Victoria, with fabrication taking place across the state in
Shepparton, Melbourne, and Dandenong.
e Food Grade Vortair 500 uses food grade stainless-steel 316 with a single piece titanium rotor for milling food grade materials, while the standard Vortair 500 machine is made from high tensile steel with tungsten carbide blades for increased wear resistance milling hard and tough materials.
Now at a commercial stage, the rst machine has been sold for processing pomace waste into a powder. Having a machine in action has sparked a rush of new inquiries from global and local fast moving consumer goods companies.
Vortair aims to establish a food safe facility with several machines operational to assist with further trials. It is also considering manufacturing a smaller, mobile machine to mill in situ for farmers or producers.
Until then, Tom continues to liaise with potential customers, working through how to feed the mills, food safety concerns and nutritional content for a variety of feedstocks. While Vortair is not aiming to provide all those services, he says it’s important to understand the potential challenges and limitations to help companies move forward.
Separating the plastic from paper in plasticlined paper bags on the Vortair 500 mill.
And it’s not just food waste solutions being sought. e Vortair can mill plastic wrap or poly lined bag waste back to a ake or ner powder that has potential to be reused in the manufacture of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) products.
“I’m constantly surprised by the amazing results we’re getting with the things we can mill,” Tom says.
“It’s left me scratching my head and wondering about the possibilities. I continue to get wows when we’re doing trials. I think this machine has incredible possibilities to change what and how people deal with waste.”
e Vortair will be at Waste Expo Australia, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 23-24 October.
For more information, visit: www.vortair.com.au
The first Vortair 500 machine has been sold for processing pomace waste into a powder.
Hard row to hoe
Some heavy lifting is required across the entire supply chain to ensure Australia’s organics recycling industry thrives. John McKew, National Executive Officer of the Australian Organics Recycling Association, explains.
When asked what the greatest challenge is facing the Australian organics recycling industry, the answer is unfortunately too easy – contamination.
It is also apparent that this is not unique to organics, with all recycling streams facing the issue to some degree. By its very nature, contamination – the action or state of making or being made impure by polluting or poisoning – is a problem, says John McKew, National Executive O cer of the Australian Organics Recycling Association.
“You don’t hear about good contamination events,” he says. But why is it a problem?
For organics recycling, contamination can be extremely varied in its type and consequently, di cult to detect. When it comes to chemical contamination for example, per uoroalkyl and poly uoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – also known as ‘forever chemicals’ – or microplastics, are not visible.
en you have everything else that can be visible – glass, metals, syringes, macro-plastics, packaging including
non-certi ed compostable packaging, polystyrene, etc.
e contamination possibility list goes on and on. is makes the complete removal of contamination almost impossible in an organics recycling stream and what you can remove takes a lot of time, e ort and money.
John says potentially the most important consequence of organic recycling contamination is that it can impact on the quality of the end product – the compost, mulch, or soil conditioner – especially if the contamination is high
Contamination in organics recycling can be varied and difficult to detect. Image: John McKew
“I visited an organics recycling facility recently when there was one person dedicated to removing syringes from organics feedstock arriving at the facility and alarmingly, he had a bucket of them,” John says.
“Not all were related to illicit drug use either, many were from the treatment of diabetes. I admit, that shocked me. I thought syringe disposal mentality by a diabetic requiring insulin injection would be very good and that it would not include the green organics bin. I was wrong, again.”
So, what is the answer to this contamination dilemma?
e short answer – there is no easy solution.
John believes several strategies will need to be employed, some of which already are, and over time technology and arti cial intelligence may be
able to provide better outcomes. But he says from an Australian organics recycling perspective, the issue of contamination is not the industry’s problem to deal with on its own. It’s a whole supply chain issue.
“If contamination is reaching an organics recycling facility, then it is arguably too late for e ective intervention, especially if it is a chemical contamination. e end of the supply chain is not the right place to regulate contamination, yet some of our state regulators are trying to do just that,”
John says.
“We have to start at the beginning of the supply chain, phasing out the use of problematic chemicals such as PFAS, ensuring there is adequate mechanisms and availability for the correct disposal of other contaminants. Container deposit schemes (CDS) are one example
of an e ective strategy for diversion. Education and legislation must have a role to play too.”
AORA is increasingly advocating that Australia should be aiming for a maximum of two per cent contamination in organics feedstock, by weight. Plastic is not very heavy so even two per cent can be a lot. John says the sector should be seeking to reduce that level over time.
“If we want a successful organics processing industry, and we do, then we all have to take responsibility,”
John says. “ at’s consumers, local councils who provide and collect our bins, the transport companies that take the waste to a recycling facility, the recycling processor and the government. All of us!”
For more information, visit: www.aora.org.au
The main event
Mainstream Recycling enlists the help of wet processing experts CDE to extract maximum recovery from waste.
They might be mainstream by name, but certainly not by nature.
e team at Mainstream Recycling, a division of TDG Environmental, is prepared to look outside the conventional to nd sustainable solutions for waste. Its latest project has proven that sweating on the small stu can pay dividends.
Mainstream Recycling has partnered with wet processing plant experts CDE Global to re ne soil wastes into resources for reuse in the landscape and building industries.
While CDE is well known for large-scale plants – it installed the rst Australian construction and demolition washing plant in Victoria –this latest project is seen as a litmus test
for smaller-scale operations to lay the foundations for a circular economy.
“Our rst plants were generally full turnkey solutions,” says Daniel Webber, CDE’s Australasian General Manager. “But there’s plenty of opportunities in major cities and rural areas for more compact systems to transform waste into valuable resources and protect natural reserves that are in decline.
“ at’s where we see the circular economy moving as we head toward maximum recyclability.”
Environmental, social and governance considerations are more than just lip service at Mainstream Recycling, with the company having aggressive goals for land ll diversion and resource recovery.
With recycling depots in New South Wales and Victoria, the company recycles more than 95 per cent of the recovered waste it collects.
It accepts liquid, sludge, drill slurries and solid wastes typically collected from stormwater assets such as pipes, pits, and Gross Pollutant Traps (GPTs), as well as street sweeper wastes and low level contaminated material.
A unique separation technique then splits waste into water content, solid waste, and recyclable materials. Soil content is repurposed in the landscape industry, comingle content is recycled, and water is reused.
Tiaan Reader, Mainstream Recycling General Manager, says one of the company’s key strengths is its use of advanced recycling technologies
A new CDE wash plant will allow Mainstream Recycling to expand its services to a highdemand market. Image: Mainstream Recycling
for material separation, enhancing the quality and e ciency of the recycling process.
Installation of a new CDE wash plant at the Truganina facility in Victoria will allow the company to expand its services to a high-demand market.
At full capacity the plant will process about 30 tonnes an hour, outputting various sized clean aggregates, washed sand, and organic lightweight waste. Ferrous materials are also removed.
Maximising the e ciency, the plant includes a CDE AquaCycle, a high-rate thickener that recycles up to 90 per cent of the process water for immediate re-use in the system, designed to eliminate the need for settling ponds and minimise costly water consumption.
“ e environmental bene ts of this plant are second-to-none,” Tiaan says. “CDE’s plant will further re ne our recovery process by increasing our recovery rate and product usability; increasing on our existing recovered outputs up to ve or six and help
“There’s plenty of opportunities in major cities and rural areas for more compact systems to transform waste into valuable resources.”
Daniel Webber, CDE Australasian General Manager
us promote sustainable options to virgin material.”
“It’s about getting the most out of a waste product.”
Daniel says it’s exciting to see the plant operational and the bene ts it has. He says the modular design of the plant – it was built inside an existing facility while it continued to operate – is evidence of CDE’s ability to help other companies unlock their recycling potential.
“It was a big investment to make in the region last year when CDE opened national o ces at Stapylton,
Queensland,” Daniel says. “But we foresee market demand, and our customers need the local boots on the ground support that we can o er.
“What we’re most excited about now is how this equipment will help Mainstream’s business growth and with our commitment to the local market, how we can help more companies achieve land ll reduction while creating a saleable, usable products.”
For more information, visit: www.cdegroup.com
CDE made a major commitment to the Australian market, opening national offices at Stapylton, Queensland in 2023. Image: CDE
Introducing MPS
A new business is drawing on years of experience to unlock the potential in material management.
New business, Material Processing Solutions (MPS-PTY) enters the Australian market with a range of services and equipment to support the recycling and waste management industries.
MPS-PTY has branched from the successful United Kingdom business MPS-LTD, extending the brand’s presence globally.
Led by Managing Director Simon Sherwood, who has a proven track record in managing large-scale recycling facilities, the MPS team brings more than 50 years of combined expertise to the table, operating, commissioning, and maintaining the very equipment it supplies.
MPS has partnered with leading European manufacturers to supply equipment suitable for all waste and recycling applications.
“We have strategically partnered with leading manufacturers renowned for their high quality and reliability standards,” Simon says. “We have worked with these brands closely for more than 50 years, whether that be from operating and maintaining the equipment or installing and commissioning components
in major recycling facilities. Our operational background brings a wealth of knowledge; we have lived and breathed the recycling industry all our working careers. We believe our comprehensive understanding of the industries we support complements the brands we supply, ultimately enhancing the enduser’s business.”
Simon says MPS understands the key enablers to assist customers develop more e cient processes, lower operating costs, drive stronger nancial performance
and deliver higher product qualities that exceed current industry standards.
IFE MATERIAL HANDLING
MPS is the exclusive agent for IFE material handling across Australia and New Zealand.
Founded in 1947, IFE has more than 70 years’ experience in manufacturing equipment and provides tailor-made solutions designed to process di cult material streams. IFE has more than 150 machines in operation in most major
A turnkey solution for production of clean compost while simultaneously removing contamination. Images: MPS
waste and scrap recycling facilities across Australia and New Zealand.
e range consists of material handling solutions to almost all applications including screening technology, magnetic separation, vibrating feeders and compost clean-up systems.
“IFE is dedicated to supplying the correct solution to each customers’ individual requirements,” Simon says. “Each machine is tailor-made to guarantee customer satisfaction.”
BRT HARTNER
rough its partnership with BRT Hartner, MPS will supply opening, dosing, and screening solutions.
An internationally active company, BRT Hartner GmbH is backed by almost 30 years’ experience in development, planning, production, and sales of specialist machines within waste management and recycling.
e BRT range consists of bag openers, feed hoppers, dosing bunkers, ballistics separators, disc screens, rotor screens, screen drums, crushers for waste electrical equipment, air classi ers, moving oor conveyors, as well as perforators and bale openers which are just as much a part of the product portfolio as mixing and drying units for digestates.
CUTMETALL GMBH
MPS is the o cial sales agent for Cutmetall, supplying OEM quality parts for shredders and granulators.
Cutmetall has a strong presence in Australia, supplying parts to leading alternative fuel and tyre recycling facilities nationally.
e Cutmetall range consists of knifes, counter knifes, screens and other wear components suitable for more than 50 brands of shredders and granulators.
Simon says Australian customers can receive OEM quality parts at a reduced price by purchasing directly through the Cutmetall 24/7 webshop.
KAHL
Kahl and MPS operate jointly to provide turnkey pelletising and tyre recycling facilities across the globe, enabling recyclers to convert waste products into valuable commodities.
Kahl pelletising plants enhance the value of material such as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and solid recovered fuel
(SRF), reducing transport costs for processors by increasing the bulk density of materials.
Kahl also has more than 100 plants operating globally in bio-waste applications turning chicken manure into valuable fertiliser.
SERVICE AND SUPPORT
All brands are backed by local support with critical spare parts held locally in Australia.
Simon says MPS provides additional consultancy and contractor services such as plant and process optimisation, routine equipment health checks, vibration monitoring, facility management and network optimisation.
“We have invested signi cantly to ensure all customers and key equipment is supported locally with the early establishment of our warehouse located in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales,” he says.
“We believe our knowledge, understanding and service sets us apart. We see a future where MPS is the goto, one-stop-shop for all recyclers to access the parts, equipment and services they require.”
MPS will be at the 2024 Waste Expo Australia, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 23-24 October.
For more information, visit: www.mpsbulk.com.au
Cutmetall shredder spare parts – OEM quality spare parts to suit the likes of Lindner, Vecoplan and Eldan.
Waste Management Review
Delivers high quality, multi-platform media communications that showcase the world-class performance of the Australian
and resource recovery industries.
Waste Management Review is published 11 times a year and contains:
• A news round-up
• Interviews with industry leaders
• In-depth profiles on innovative people, facilities and services
• Coverage on international developments
• Updates and analysis on new regulations and policies
• Successful supplier/client showcases
• Details of new-to-market products and equipment.
Pride of the fleet
Cleanaway Organics Eastern Creek strengthens a trusted partnership as it tackles Sydney’s burgeoning organics recycling sector.
The diversion of food organics garden organics (FOGO) from land ll is a crucial component of more sustainable resource recovery and a key element of the National Waste Strategy.
e strategy aims to halve the amount of organic waste sent to land ll by 2030 and commits Australian state and territory governments to roll out FOGO collection services to metropolitan households and businesses.
In New South Wales, the State Government has mandated that all councils provide food and garden waste collections by 2030. Fifty-six councils had started their FOGO journey as
of May 2024, according to NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA).
But collection is just the beginning of the process to close the loop on organic and green waste. Large-scale infrastructure is required to create compost and soil conditioners for reuse in agriculture.
Cleanaway Organics Eastern Creek has positioned itself as a leader in organics recycling as the Sydney market transitions to FOGO.
e Eastern Creek licensed composting facility is strategically located to play a pivotal role in processing 220,000 tonnes, or about 20
per cent, of Sydney’s mixed household and FOGO waste.
Such a big undertaking requires machinery that is up to the task. It’s not the rst time Organics Eastern Creek has turned to Liebherr. e company recently purchased two Liebherr LH 30 M material handlers as part of a program to upgrade its eet.
Wayne Howell is one of the operations leaders at the Organics Eastern Creek facility. He says Liebherr material handlers have proven to be reliable, e cient, and solid workhorses in an often-demanding environment.
“We had a eet of Liebherr machines that had reached the end of their
Cleanaway Organics Eastern Creek purchased two Liebherr LH 30 M material handlers as part of a program to upgrade its fleet.
Image: Cleanaway Organics Eastern Creek
serviceable life – one of the units has close to 30,000 operational hours,” Wayne says. “Given our positive experience with the machines and service team at Liebherr we decided to renew the eet.”
Liebherr material handlers are powerful and adept to a range of tasks in the waste sector, making them a preferred choice across waste management and recycling operations throughout Australia and New Zealand.
e LH 30 M stands out for its handling capabilities in every kind of application. e overall stability ensures
a fast, powerful performance for lifting and loading work. e optimised design of the 140 kW engine supplies a high torque output for fast and strong movements. Load peaks are cleverly compensated to ensure that maximum torque is always available for highest handling capacity.
e two new Cleanaway Organics Eastern Creek additions will be receiving deliveries onsite, storing and loading hoppers, as well as loading products onto trucks.
Wayne says the ability to sit the mobile material handler in one spot
on the outriggers and easily move it to other locations as required, is an advantage.
Operating up to 20 hours a day, six days a week, the material handlers not only need to be robust, but operator friendly.
Steering movement and outriggers can be conveniently executed using the joystick, eliminating the need to reposition during the work cycle, providing increased productivity.
In addition, the standard automatic idling function of the LH 30 M reduces the engine speed to idle as soon as the operator takes his hand from the joystick so that no hydraulic function is activated.
Proximity sensors in the joystick restore the original engine speed as soon as the operator’s hand is moved towards the lever again. is ensures that the set engine speed is available immediately.
e result is a combination of fuel saving and reduced noise levels.
e nine-inch colour touchscreen display is intuitive in its operation and provides continuous information about all important operating data.
e shortcut keys can be individually assigned and are selected quickly and easily with the menu strip.
e cab also optimises operator comfort and e ciency with an ergonomic design to help negate operator fatigue. Large glass panels, a choice of cab elevations and rear and side monitoring ensure the operator always has a clear view around the machine. e use of viscoelastic mounts, good insulation, and low noise diesel engines minimises noise emissions and vibrations.
In addition, the Liebherr Comfort driver’s seat (an optional extra that is airsprung with automatic weight adjustment, vertical and longitudinal seat damping and seat heating), allows the operator to concentrate on the handling capacity.
The overall stability of Liebherr material handlers ensure powerful performance for lifting and loading work. Image: Liebherr
“ e comfort of the cab, and its layout, make it easy to spend all day in the machine without feeling fatigued,” Wayne says.
“We’ve had good feedback from operators. Reliability and serviceability, make the LH 30 M a standout.”
Service times are also optimised with maintenance points easily accessible via large, wide-opening service doors. Being close to one another means that service work can be completed quickly and e ciently, minimising maintenance costs.
Key components such as the diesel engine, electronic components, slew ring, swivel drive, hydraulic cylinders and steel parts are developed and produced by Liebherr itself. is in-house manufacturing ensures components are optimally con gured to each other. High-strength steel plates result in high torsional sti ness and
optimum absorption of forces for a longer service life.
e clever control electronics permanently monitor the vital functions of the machine and components that are critical for safety are designed with redundancy to guarantee maximum reliability.
For any occasion when a spare part or extra help may be required, Liebherr has a worldwide sales and service network. A comprehensive range of parts is available on call. A simple ordering process and a high level of availability ensure fast delivery.
In addition to original new parts, Liebherr also o ers reconditioned components within the scope of the Reman program which transforms used components into new parts in accordance with industry standards.
“Liebherr’s after sales service is high standard,” Wayne says. “ e team
responds quickly if we need help during regular maintenance. Machine reliability and spare parts availability make Liebherr a good business partner.”
For more information, visit: www.liebherr.com.au
Sustainable Generation® and GORE® Cover, setting the industry standard for odour control and sitewater management.
THORHOLD, ONTARIO CANADA - WALKER ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, INC. with SG BUNKER® System and GORE Cover technology
The two new Cleanaway Organics Eastern Creek additions will be receiving deliveries onsite, storing and loading hoppers, as well as loading products onto trucks. Image: Liebherr
Chasing a bigger
market share
Group CNJ is expanding its tyre recycling beyond India with a new recycling operation in Melbourne with Fornnax Technology.
Group CNJ is investing $3.5 million in a green eld tyre shredding site in Australia as part of its strategy to expand its footprint in the overseas market.
Headquartered in Ahmedabad, India, Group CNJ is a prominent name in trading, recycling, manufacturing and service sectors with interests including recycling of rubber crumb and chips, carbon black, rubber ooring and tiles.
companies are taking advantage of expanding opportunities in the tyre recycling market. Image: sunchai/shutterstock.com
Chetan Joshi, Managing Director of Tyre Collection Australia. Image: Fornnax
e group has already acquired land for the proposed Melbourne tyre shredding facility which will have capacity to process 10 tonnes per hour, and an annual capacity of 55,000 tonnes. Expected to be operational by the end of March 2025, the plant will produce 20-25-millimetre steel-free rubber chips. e group already has a presence in Australia and has been operating Tyre Collection Australia Pty Ltd since 2018.
Chetan Joshi, Managing Director of Tyre Collection Australia, and Chairman of Nine Corporation, a subsidiary of Group CNJ which has an exclusive interaction with tyre and rubber recycling in Ahmedabad, says the expansion is in response to Australia’s export ban on whole baled tyres.
“From 1 December 2021, Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water barred export of whole baled tyres, or tyres in pieces larger than 150-millimetres,” Chetan says.
“After the law was enforced, we decided to expand into the tyre shredding business in Australia.”
Group CNJ is procuring a plant which includes primary and secondary shredders from Ahmedabad-based Fornnax Technology Pvt Ltd.
e primary shredder, SR 150, and a secondary shredder, R4000, along with steel cleaning and bre separation units, are expected to be shipped to Australia soon in preparation for installation.
Chetan says Group CNJ believes there is huge potential to grow in Australia. Up to 25 shredding companies already operate in the country, with another six expected to enter that market soon.
According to Tyre Stewardship Australia, there are, on average, about 459,000 tonnes of waste tyres that could be recovered annually.
e Nine Corporation is already operating a tyre shredding plant in Gujarat with capacity of 48,000 tonnes per month.
Chetan says Indian recyclers continue to invest in tyre recycling verticals, expanding existing capacities as well as setting up new plants to meet an increasing demand for tyre shred in the domestic market.
“Indian recyclers are setting up tyre recycling units overseas, collecting tyres, recycling them into shreds and shipping them to India for further value addition,” he says.
India is the largest importer of scrap tyres globally and considerable volumes of scrap tyres are imported
high-capacity model will also enable the recycling of truck tyres.”
THE CHITTOOR PLANT
Chetan, a Chairperson of Maya Greentech, is also investing in a new tyre recycling plant in the southern part of India.
e $2 million plant, on a seven-acre plot at Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, will be operational in 2024 and will include two Fornnax Technology R-4000 HD secondary shredders.
“ e new plant imports tyre shreds from the Australian plant for further value addition such as downsizing to crumb,” says Vineet Reddy, a partner in the Chittoor-based tyre recycling
from Australia. Currently, the Australian plant is functional on an SR-150 supplied by Fornnax Technology, with a capacity of ten tonnes per hour.
“We are ordering a second primary shredder, an SR-200 HD, launched at IRE 2024 (India Rubber Expo), with a tyre shredding capacity of 20 tonnes per hour,” Chetan says.
“Once the new line is functional, the capacity will be expanded by three-times to 35 tonnes per hour. e
venture and a founding member of Maya Greentech. “ e strategy of hiking capacity in Australia and investing in new plant in India is to connect the Chittoor plant with supplies from Tyre Collection Australia. Indian companies are taking advantage of expanding opportunities in the domestic market and increasing demand for tyre recycling in Australia.”
For more information, visit: www.fornnax.com
Chetan Joshi and Vineet Reedy at the India Rubber Expo 2024 held in Mumbai. Image: Fornnax
Powerful focus
Eriez continues to provide trusted technical solutions to the recycling, packaging and processing industries.
In 1969, Eriez patented both permanent magnetic and electromagnetic eddy current separators. Today, these powerful systems feature improved permanent magnetic circuits with rare earth magnetic material for stronger eddy currents and improved separation of nonferrous materials.
In operation, the nonferrous separator uses permanent rare earth magnets to induce eddy currents into metallic particles. is produces repelling forces that separate the metallics from non–metallics, providing a cleaner product for further processing. Removal of the metallics is selective and product loss is minimised.
e nonferrous metallic separator consists of an external drum, an internal permanent magnetic rotor, a drive, and a belt conveyor. e external drum shell of non–metallic composite material rotates at conventional belt conveyor speed. e internal rare earth alternating polarity rotor turns at a much higher revolutions per minute (RPM) than the external shell.
rough the induction of eddy currents and the resulting repelling
forces, the alternating magnetic eld selectively repels the nonferrous metals and physically separates them from other materials with minimum product loss.
Eriez’ RevX-E Eddy Current Separators feature an eccentrically mounted magnetic rotor within a nonconductive shell for the separation of nonferrous metals. e rare earth rotor produces a powerful focused eld at the end of the belt.
Advantages of the RevX-E Eccentric Eddy include a cantilevered frame design for quick conveyor belt changes (10 minutes); rack and pinion splitter adjustment for simple and precise splitter placement for optimum separation; large access panels all around the machine allow easy maintenance access; the compact design requires less space; and direct drive rotor and direct drive conveyor. It is available in three sizes – one metre, 1.2 metres and 1.5 metres. Two rotors are o ered – the LT2 Rotor Assembly, an eight pole earth eccentric rotor for coarse (+2.54 centimetre) size fractions, and the ST22 Rotor Assembly
22 pole rare earth eccentric rotor for fractions from 0.6 centimetres to 2.54 centimetres.
Eriez’ Ultra High-Frequency Eddy Current Separator recovers ultra- ne aluminium, copper, and other nonferrous nes materials typically missed on traditional eddy current separators from automotive shredder residue.
e UHF Eddy’s combination of a rotor designed to produce high gauss at the belt’s surface, with many magnetic poles operating at higher rpms, creates ultra-high-frequency changes resulting in superior separation of ne nonferrous and even bare copper wire. is UHF Eddy provides an economical solution to improve zorba recovery without the need for additional expensive sensor-based or optical sorting equipment.
Each one metre unit ships with an Eriez Brute Force feeder to provide even distribution of material across the width of the conveyor. It recovers bare copper wire and other valuable nonferrous metals as small as two to three millimetres.
Features include an ultra-highfrequency rotor, high surface gauss for superior separation, a large number of frequency changes, the rotor spins at higher RPMs, a carbon bre shell and precise rack and pinion splitter adjustments.
e rotor is a UHF 32 pole rare earth eccentric rotor for ne (less than 1.905 centimetre) size fractions.
For more information, visit: www.eriez.com.au
A cantilevered frame design for quick conveyor belt changes are just one of the features of the RevX-E Eddy Current Separator. Image: Eriez
Now you’re talking
AWRE is committed to fostering an ongoing conversation about transitioning to a circular economy. The 2024 event set the stage for a deep dive into a future where waste is minimised, resources are maximised, and Australia thrives.
What’s the word on the street following the 2024 Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo? Let’s just say “packed” and “productive” are the top two trending terms, says Ali Lawes, Event Director.
“Exhibitors and visitors alike raved about the atmosphere at this year’s show,” Ali says.
More than 2600 attendees and 124 exhibiting companies passed through the doors of the two-day event at Sydney’s International Convention and Exhibition
e AWRE Summit, an immersive one-day program aimed at tackling the critical roadblocks impeding Australia’s transition to a sustainable future, was again a major drawcard.
Ali says this year’s summit brought together industry leaders, government o cials and waste generators for a full day of collaboration. It was underpinned by engaging keynote sessions, lively panel discussions that sparked new ideas and exclusive networking breaks that fostered valuable connections.
Ali says the summit’s continued
on delivering a program that inspires and informs.
“By showcasing industry thought leaders such as Suzanne Toumbourou (Australian Council of Recycling), Brett Lemin (Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW), Asela Attapatu (NSW Environment Protection Authority), and Daniel O’Dea (Fire and Rescue New South Wales), the event provided attendees with valuable insights into the key issues impacting the waste management, resource recovery and recycling sectors today,” she says. “ e
strategies, and innovative solutions for waste disposal and recycling further enhanced the summit’s relevance and appeal to professionals in the industry.”
On the exhibition oor, the freeto-attend seminar program has in the past been a barometer of the waste and recycling industry. is year’s program was no di erent, with discussions on key industry actions and insights from policy and regulation, trends and insights to practical and tangible solutions.
One of the more popular streams was the food organics garden organics (FOGO) speaker series, curated by Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA).
State and national government policies mandate the introduction of FOGO recycling services, with the responsibility largely falling to local governments or regional council groups. e series provided an opportunity to identify and share best practice and lessons learned.
John McKew, AORA National Executive O cer, highlighted the challenges of FOGO contamination and what was needed for the industry to reach the desired levels of organics recycling into the future. While Penrith City Council’s Aisha Poole, o ered an insight into one council’s solution to tackle contamination.
e council developed a contamination service with a four-strikes and you’re out policy.
“We’re not there with a big stick. We want to help residents nd the reasons why they’re not using the right bins,” Aisha said.
“But after the fourth contamination occurrence we remove the FOGO bin and charge them for a bigger red bin.”
Ali says the Built Environment Speaker series, which looked at circular economy in design and the future of waste management and resource recovery in the built environment, also attracted plenty of attention.
e session encouraged stakeholders to rethink the way buildings are designed, with a focus on re-use and retaining materials.
In another session, Kim Hall, Chief People, Safety and Environment O cer for Veolia ANZ, discussed the importance of changing the perception of the industry to attract a skilled workforce.
“We’re a rapidly expanding sector with an ageing and shrinking workforce,” Kim says. “Waste and resource recovery is not on the employment radar but we need to let people know we are more than just waste.
“It may not be the most glamorous industry, but it o ers diverse career paths and a chance to contribute to Australia’s sustainable future.”
She agged an industry-wide campaign with peak bodies to make the waste sector an employee of choice.
With all eyes on Western Australia and Australia’s rst waste-to-energy facilities about to come online, a discussion about the future of resource recovery and alternative energy sources was timely.
e session outlined strong moves toward WtE across several states and the policy challenges.
Another highlight was the Innovation Pitch Fest, a chance for extraordinary
Innovation pitch winner Patrick Manley, Manager of Cercle, with one of the competition judges Justin Bonsey.
A seminar session on waste in the built environment was popular with audiences.
new businesses to show how they are changing the game.
Ali says it is by fostering continued innovation and collaboration that the waste and recycling sector can e ectively tackle national waste targets and remain at the forefront of global sustainability advancements.
“Australia’s transition to a circular economy hinges on the resource recovery sector. e event showcased this industry’s pivotal role, highlighting both established leaders and emerging innovators who are driving sustainable change,” she says.
“We really want this event to be a catalyst for change. Our aim is that everyone who walked through those doors, whether they’re seasoned exhibitors or just curious visitors, left feeling inspired and empowered to weave circular practices
into the very fabric of their waste management, recycling, and resource recovery projects.
“Across the two days of the event, we’ve been discussing ideas and having those ‘aha’ moments
that lead to innovative solutions and a real shift towards a more sustainable future.”
For more information, visit: www.awre.com.au
The expo floor gave attendees a chance to get up close to some of the latest machinery and technology.
WASTE INNOVATION & RECYCLING AWARDS
Recognising excellence across the waste and resource recovery sector. Sponsorship opportunities are now available for 2024.
www.wasteawards.com.au
DAF TRUCKS, DAF CF340 FAD
Assembled and engineered locally in Bayswater, Victoria, the DAF CF340 FAD is a standout in the waste management industry, offering extraordinary performance and reliability.
WASTECH ENGINEERING, CHUTE SYSTEMS
Designed for efficient disposal of waste, chutes can help promote sustainability and facilitate the separation and collection of a range of different materials for residential buildings.
Wastech Engineering specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of garbage, recycling, laundry and food organics chutes. Using the latest technology, the Wastech Smoothtubes chute systems meet the highest Australian standards
A key feature of the DAF CF340 FAD is its low tare weight, allowing for higher payload capacity and improved fuel efficiency. This advantage ensures that operators can achieve maximum productivity and profitability on each run, making it a suitable choice for waste collection and disposal.
Equipped with an Allison automatic transmission, the CF340 FAD delivers smooth and efficient power delivery, enhancing driver comfort and reducing fatigue during long shifts.
This transmission is renowned for its durability and performance, making it suited for the demanding conditions for the front loader and hook lift applications in waste management operations.
The CF340 FAD was developed after extensive consultation with industry professionals, ensuring it meets the specific needs of the waste market.
This customer-focused approach has resulted in a truck that not only meets, but exceeds, operational expectations. Its robust construction, advanced safety technology, and dependable performance make it an asset for any waste management fleet.
and are designed to minimise noise, blockages, and odours.
Made from industrial-grade plastic, the chutes offer excellent acoustic properties and corrosionproof durability, ensuring quieter and smoother waste disposal compared to traditional steel systems. Single, dual, and triple chute systems are available, as well as diversion systems.
With an extensive partnership with Australian and international architects and builders, Wastech offers comprehensive services from initial design planning to installation and commissioning, striving to provide solutions that meet the unique challenges of each project to ensure operational efficiency.
A range of spare parts and accessories are available to ensure longevity and efficiency of the chute system. Wastech also provides around-theclock service and support, 365 days a year.
Contact - Djanisa Trinder
The DAF CF340 FAD was developed to cater for the waste market. Image: DAF Trucks Australia
The Smoothtubes chute diverter system. Image: Wastech
The WA500-8 wheel loader is designed for industries that need a loading tool that delivers power and performance.
Key components are designed and manufactured by Komatsu to work together in an integrated package.
The large-capacity torque converter, combined with Komatsu’s Smart Loader Logic engine control system, automatically creates enough torque for each work
phase, allowing the loader to up-shift gears faster for improved acceleration and hill climbing ability, reducing fuel consumption with no decrease in production.
Fuel consumption savings are enhanced further with reduced idle time and auto idle shutdown. The Smart Loader Logic incorporates data from various sensors in the loader and controls engine torque based on job requirements.
The front and rear brake cooling systems assure efficient performance and added confidence in load and carry situations, while operators enjoy a more comfortable ride with a new standard, heated, airsuspension seat that provides enhanced support on rough roads. A large, quiet, pressurised cab provides excellent visibility.
Maintenance is easy and efficient with large, gullwing-type engine doors and large steps on each side of the frame and front of the cab.
Komatsu’s Komtrax remote monitoring and location system is standard, backed by an Australia-wide service and support network.
The DualPact is a split chamber, rear loading compactor that brings big results by offering a unique collection method.
The DualPact can accept multiple waste streams, such as landfill and fibre, organics and co-mingled recyclables, with zero cross contamination, eliminating the need for two trucks.
The compactor body is available in 50/50, 60/40 or 70/30 split body tailgate configurations – and body sizes from eight cubic metres up to 26 cubic metres.
The 60/40 and 70/30 configuration can accommodate the full range of bins, including the 660, and 1100 litre mobile garbage bins.
Pressure switch settings can be set independently for each chamber, allowing for different compaction ratios.
The DualPact can also be used as a back-up collection vehicle for missed bins where side loaders are in use.
The body can be fitted to a range of suitable cab chassis applications, ensuring suitability for all waste management operations.
GARWOOD INTERNATIONAL, DUALPACT REAR LOADER
KOMATSU, WA500-8 WHEEL LOADER
The WA500-8 wheel loader is suited to production and loading applications. Image: Komatsu
The DuaPact Rear Loader brings big results. Image: Garwood International
Reframing the
waste hierarchy
Repair and reuse provide a positive waste prevention measure.
Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Professor Leanne Wiseman, explains.
Australians are buying more and more smart devices, machines and equipment. Our homes and workplaces are lled with smart phones, computers, internet-connected fridges, washing machines, dishwashers and airconditioners that turn o when people leave the room.
We all love the smart things that make our lives more convenient. But as we know, these smart things break; so what happens then? Increasingly, because these smart machines and devices are di cult to x, there is a growing pile of discarded, broken devices. e software that makes these devices so attractive often prevents us accessing a cheap and a ordable x. Companies often deny there are any obstacles to repairing their products. Or they cite concerns over intellectual property, safety, security, or environmental grounds. But underlying all these arguments is a simpler reason: companies would make less money if
consumers repaired rather than bought a new product, and less money again if they lose their hold on who can repair speci c products. Unrepairable devices, products and machines are a signi cant and growing source of avoidable electronic waste – the fastest growing waste stream in the world. e scale and size of the e-waste crisis is highlighted in the recent United Nations’ Global E-Waste Monitor Report 2024. Global e-waste is growing ve times faster than recycling and Australia’s consumption and use of digitally enhanced goods is in line with this growth. is report underscores the importance of ensuring that product repair is one of the key measures required to address the growing e-waste problem:
• One-third of global electronic waste comes from small equipment and only 12 per cent is recycled.
• Rare earth elements are critical for future green technologies but less than one per cent of our supplies come from recycling.
• Manufacturing is growing ve times faster than recycling.
Across the world, there is an urgent call for greater investment in infrastructure development and more promotion of repair and reuse. It is clear that Australia cannot recycle our way out of our e-waste crisis. Repair provides a much more positive waste prevention measure compared to simply recycling materials from end-of-life products.
Yes, we need better design, better procurement, and recycling. But we also need to build and support a Repair Economy in Australia! To do this we need to remove barriers to repair and make spare parts, tools and repair information and services more accessible and more a ordable for everyone.
Repair and reuse are central to achieving a truly circular, less wasteful, and resilient economy, helping to tackle climate change and achieve Australia’s net zero ambition.
To do this, we need our local, state and Commonwealth governments to support and elevate the role that repair is playing in our move to a circular economy. is can be done by developing repair-friendly policies such as repair incentives or bonuses.
ere are good examples in the EU of how repair can be supported and elevated. In 2022, Austria set up a national repair voucher scheme, which e ectively subsidised the cost of professional repairs by allowing families to obtain a rebate of 50 per cent of the price of a repair, up to €200 per year.
France has also introduced an innovative repair voucher scheme in 2023, funded by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) income. is example of how such a scheme could be funded could be of interest in Australia, as it e ectively uses part of the existing contributions from manufacturers to extend the lifetime of products and prevent products from prematurely
Leanne Wiseman, Australian Research Council Future Fellow. Image: Leanne Wiseman
“Yes, we need better design, better procurement, and recycling. But we also need to build and support a Repair Economy in Australia! “
Leanne Wiseman Australian Research Council Future Fellow
entering the e-waste stream. France also has successfully introduced a Repairability Label which gives a score out of 10 for how repairable a product is. A repairability label on our white goods and household appliances would assist consumers to choose more repairable products and incentivise manufacturers to design more repairable products. Both repair-friendly initiatives were supported by the Productivity Commission’s Right to Repair Inquiry
report in 2021. is report contains several great recommendations of what Australia needs to do to support our Right to Repair in Australia.
GRASS ROOTS SUPPORT
Our Repair Café movement in Australia is doing a great job in raising awareness of the importance of repair in our local communities. Australia has more than 110 Repair Cafés. Since the rst Repair Café opened in Sydney in
2014, Australian Repair Cafés have expanded in number and popularity. More Australians are realising the importance and value of community place-based activities that help not only to save money and provide a venue for knowledge and skills exchange but importantly strengthens communities. It also helps to reduce waste by prioritising repair over replacement.
ere is probably a Repair Café near you – a map of Repair Cafés can be found on the Australian Repair Network’s website.
Repair cafés are run by volunteers and would bene t from support from their local communities. ey play an important role in raising awareness of the importance of repairing and reusing the things we own. ey would love to see support from their local communities, councils, local politicians and from local industries.
If we gain the Right to Repair in Australia, we could expect new products to be able to be repaired, expect to be able to repair products anywhere – not just at manufacturer centres. is would save us all money and divert signi cant volumes of waste from land ll. If we return to the old ways of repairing rather than throwing out products, we would also trigger a rebirth of repairbased businesses, employment growth and up-skilling.
ere are plenty of opportunities for our resource recovery industries to partner with the Australian Repair Network to help us elevate the role that repair can play in reducing our waste.
As resources grow scarce, we can’t just rely upon recycling to keep pace with the rapid production and consumption of smart devices, machines and equipment, and our rubbish dumps over ow, there is no time to lose.
For more information, email: l.wiseman@gri th.edu.au
The Repair Cafe movement is raising awarenessof the importance of repair. Image: BearFotos/shutterstock.com
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