Waste Management Review November 2019 by Prime Creative Media

NOVEMBER 2019

Rethinking tradition APR’s Darren Thorpe on the company’s response to National Sword.

FEATURES Talking to Bingo, SUEZ and Cleanaway Whatever happened to MWOO? Calls for Victorian CDS Interview with QLD Environment Minister

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COVER STORY IT’S TIME FOR GLASS OUT

Victoria’s challenging commodities markets has inspired a rethink of traditional processing from commercial and industrial recycler Australian Paper Recovery.

MINISTER TOURS WETHERILL PARK As Australia moves towards banning international waste exports, ResourceCo’s process engineered fuel site, fulfils an important role in Australia’s resource recovery framework.

“WHEN IT’S CONTAMINATED WITH OTHER PRODUCTS IT’S TOO HARD FOR THEM TO USE, SO BY GOING TO A SEPARATE GLASS COLLECTION WE ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE A MUCH CLEANER AND VALUABLE SORTED RESOURCE.” - Darren Thorpe, Australian Paper Recovery Managing Director

In this issue

Features

IN 18 ACQUISITIONS THE SPOTLIGHT

32 CONCENTRATING CONTAMINANTS

WHAT HAPPENED TO MWOO?

B UYING IT BACK

ONTAINER DEPOSIT 46 CACTION

Waste Management Review talks to Australia’s major waste management companies about the role of scalability in the future of the waste sector.

e speak to key industry W stakeholders about resource recovery exemptions one year on from MWOO.

The City of Charles Sturt recently decided to prioritise purchasing products made from recycled material.

30 UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

Repurpose It has partnered with a leading mulch distributor to scale up its green waste capabilities.

CDE’s Daniel Webber explains how high-pressure filtration and decontamination can increase the resale potential of construction and demolition waste.

INCINERATING OCEANS OF PLASTIC

Waste Management Review explores incineration as a solution for non-recyclable plastic.

The Municipal Association of Victoria has called on the Victorian Government to take action on a CDS.

ERO WASTE IN THE 49 ZSUNSHINE STATE

Queensland Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch highlights the state’s plan to drive resource recovery.

ECYCLING PLASTIC 52 RTHE NATURAL WAY Natures Organics explains its journey to producing products made from 100 per cent recycled plastic.

54 MOBILE MULTIVITAMIN

Bio Gro talks to Waste Management Review about improving soil health through high-energy screening.

56 DEWATERING THE MARKET

Aqseptence Group explains how high solids separation can unlock the economic growth potential inherent in food waste.

Regulars

54 PRODUCT SHOWCASE 65 LAST WORD

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 3

PUBLISHER

Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

Toli Papadopoulos toli.papadopoulos@primecreative.com.au

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Holly Keys holly.keys@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER

From the Editor

Scaling up

Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au

ART DIRECTOR

Blake Storey blake.storey@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN

Thinking about the future direction of the waste sector triggers a mix of excitement and apprehension. Improving our natural environment through litter reduction via container deposit schemes brings zeal in cleaning up our glass streams – one of the biggest contaminants. Likewise, closing the loop on the construction and demolition sector with new resource recovery companies like Green Bear Recycling cropping up is also an exciting prospect. But the pathway to getting there can sometimes bring apprehension, as the SKM stockpile fiasco showed. What can be equally disconcerting is the reality of trying to operate a business and make investment decisions without certainty. The question then surrounds the role of major waste management companies in establishing the much-needed infrastructure and capacity to leave our environment in a better state for the future. Cleanaway acquiring the senior secured debt in SKM Recycling Group shows us that vertically integrated business models may be able to prop up previously unviable projects. SUEZ’s Mark Venhoek attests to the fact that certainty is key to understanding where investments need to be made. Some of SUEZ’s European businesses, such as an advanced packaging sorting facility in Germany, would not be possible without the regulatory signals like the Green Dot policy. As with any approach to scaling up, there is a range of questions that need to be answered about what the market implications are. Waste Management Review obtained the views of Bingo Industries, Cleanaway and SUEZ about their approach to scaling up and the future direction of the sector, detailed on page 18. Many of these companies are embarking on an ambitious growth strategy which isn’t without risk. Corio Waste Management, a smaller family-based business, also highlights the opportunity for smaller companies to find their niche. But without risk, there would be no progress, and we would look back at China’s National Sword in 10 years and see it as a missed opportunity.

4 / WMR / November 2019

Kerry Pert, Madeline McCarty

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

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Blake Storey

HEAD OFFICE

Prime Creative Pty Ltd 11-15 Buckhurst Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 Australia p: +61 3 9690 8766 f: +61 3 9682 0044 enquiries@primecreative.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au

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ARTICLES

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

Waste Management Review is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in Waste Management Review is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in Waste Management Review are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

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News

Contract awarded for East Rockingham WtE facility

The new facility will recover resources from around 300,000 tonnes of residual waste per annum.

A construction contract for the East Rockingham Resource Recovery Facility has been awarded to ACCIONA. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a new waste-to-energy (WtE) facility was awarded by the facility’s development consortium. The consortium comprises the New Energy Corporation, Tribe Infrastructure Group and Hitachi Zosen INOVA (HZI). Under the EPC contract, ACCIONA will deliver the project in partnership with HZI INOVA. According to a consortium statement, the project encompasses the design, construction, financing and operation of a greenfield WtE facility in the Rockingham Industry

6 / WMR / November 2019

Zone south of Perth. “The new facility will recover resources from approximately 300,000 tonnes of residual waste from municipal, commercial and industrial sources per year, and up to 30,000 tonnes of biosolids,” the statement reads. “The WtE facility will generate approximately 29 megawatts of reliable renewable energy, enough to power over 36,000 homes.” ACCIONA Geotech Managing Directer Bede Noonan said the facility was a landmark project for Australia. “WtE is gaining traction quickly, and it’s great to see New Energy, Tribe and our EPC partner HZI developing the second large-scale plant here,” Mr Noonan said. “Not only will we be able to build on

the capabilities harnessed for our first project in Perth, but we will also get the opportunity to work with industry leader HZI to bring the best available technology to Australia for the first time.” New Energy Chairman Enzo Gullotti said awarding the contract was the final piece of the project puzzle, with construction expected to commence in the coming months. “This project is well aligned with WA’s recently released Waste Strategy, supporting kerbside organics separation and helping make aggressive landfill diversion targets possible for the Perth region,” he said. “We also look forward to rewarding the bold leadership of Perth’s local government authorities, namely the EMRC and the City of Cockburn.”

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News

Scott Morrison visits New York MRF

The Prime Minister highlighted the potential in waste-toenergy to help facilities generate their own energy.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has highlighted his commitment to working collaboratively with state governments and industry to grow Australia’s recycling infrastructure capacity. The statements were made following a tour of the Sims Metal Management materials recovery facility (MRF) in Brooklyn, New York. Commenting on the scale and scope of the MRF, Mr Morrison said he was excited to see similar technology employed in Australia. “What we’re seeing here is truly exciting, and it is truly achievable because it is commercial, and it’s a partnership between the public and the private sectors,” Mr Morrison said. “I mean, up to about two-thirds of the revenue that is generated here doesn’t come from the contracts they have with governments, it comes from the products and the revenue streams that are generated by selling that outside

8 / WMR / November 2019

of this facility.” Mr Morrison said the facility’s success highlighted that improving the recycling sector was achievable through public and private sector partnerships. “There are many environmental challenges that we face, and we need to take action on all of them, but this one for Australia, in a highly urbanised society, one where our waste is our responsibility, these are the commercial solutions that we need to have in place,” Mr Morrison said. “And this will be a centrepiece of our focus, not only on our domestic environmental agenda, but on our international environmental agenda.” Sims Metal Management CEO Alistair Field said it was important that contractual arrangements with city governments were mutually beneficial. “We work very closely with New York City, and in the times that we have ebbs

and flows and commodity cycles, there has to be an understanding of how our business can manage through those cycles,” Mr Field said. “We have seen instances here in the US and throughout the world where that has not worked. So that’s a really key arrangement and our commercial arrangement with business and government.” When asked by media why similar technology wasn’t being implemented in Australia, Mr Morrison said the scale of operations was challenging. The Prime Minister added that he would work closely with state governments and the Commonwealth to build that scale. “The discussion I had with the states at the last meeting of COAG was a very enthusiastic one. I think there’s a real willingness to identify the things that can facilitate this sort of commercial activity,” Mr Morrison said. “One of the things we are looking at is the procurement practices of our road building agencies to ensure that they are incorporating recycled asphalt into their procurement of the tens of billions of dollars that we are spending on roads.” Mr Morrison said higher energy costs in Australia were also a challenge, however noted the potential inherent in waste-to-energy processes. “One of the exciting things about waste management is that it can generate its own energy, and plants like this can potentially become fully energy self-sufficient, through recycling waste and converting it through gasification and other processes into energy,” Mr Morrison said.

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News

Environment Minister discusses export ban with industry The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) has hosted a waste and resource recovery roundtable in Sydney with Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley. According to a WMRR statement, executives from Australia’s leading waste, recycling and resource recovery firms shared their insights with Ms Ley on the current barriers to their growth and success, including the lack of a nationally consistent and harmonised policy and regulatory framework. “The minister was keen to hear about the current challenges and opportunities, and importantly, the key elements that would give the export ban, announced at the COAG meeting in August, the greatest chance at success,” the statement reads. The roundtable was attended by executives from SUEZ, Cleanaway, Veolia, JJ Richards, ResourceCo, Tyrecycle, Visy Industries, Re.Group, Bingo Industries, Alex Fraser and O-I. WMRR CEO Gayle Sloan said industry certainty is lacking in Australia, due to different policies, strategies, regulations and specifications across jurisdictions and the lack of markets. “The goal posts are constantly changing and often, our industry is a political football which exacerbates the challenges because it causes greater instability and uncertainty,” Ms Sloan said. “The minister listened intently and said she had a clear idea of the current landscape and need for greater harmonisation, which we appreciated.”

Ms Sloan said Ms Ley advised that the forthcoming export ban on waste paper, plastic, glass and tyres would be on the agenda at the 8 November Meeting of Environment Ministers. According to the WMRR statement, industry leaders said they would applaud the ban if it was coupled with the expansion of reprocessing and recycling, and the development of domestic remanufacturing. “Sure, we can stop shipping these materials, and industry does not want to export – we absolutely want to reprocess and recycle right here in Australia – but if there’s no buyback or take-up of the recycled products, where does that leave us?” Ms Sloan said. “The ban must be supported first and foremost by sustainable and mandated procurement at all levels of government, with the Commonwealth leading the way.” In a separate statement, Ms Ley said the Federal Government would work with Australia’s leading recyclers to achieve the earliest possible export ban timeframe. “The Prime Minister has agreed with all state and territory governments that a ban will be put in place, and we want to establish a clear timetable and clear strategic priorities by working with both industry and the state environment ministers,” Ms Ley said. “A ban on plastic exports should not lead to higher levels of stockpiling in Australia, and I will be challenging all parties, the states, the industry participants and the community to embark on genuine

A roundtable was held with the government and Australia’s largest waste companies.

change in tackling waste.” Following her meeting with WMRR, Ms Ley said it was clear that policy consistency was needed across the states. “We need to give industry the confidence to invest in recycling and remanufacturing, and an assurance that markets are being created for their products,” Ms Ley said. Ms Ley also met with industry leaders at the Australian Council of Recycling in Melbourne, including senior executives from Visy, Veolia, Orora, O-I, PACT, Sims Metal Management, Reconomy-Downer, Close the Loop and Tyrecycle. “The clear message from this and my previous meetings is that the recycling industry is in no doubt about the opportunities for re-manufactured products or the ability to generate future investment for expansion,” Ms Ley said. “Concerns remain, however, about excessive or inconsistent planning regulations that could hamper that growth and the disparate range of collection strategies across local government.”

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 11

News

Australia’s largest LoRaWAN smart waste network launched

Real-time data from the bin sensors will be delivered via the City of Canada Bay’s new LoraWan.

The City of Canada Bay and Smart Sensor Technologies have launched Australia’s largest long-range widearea network (LoRaWAN) enabled smart waste network. The pilot program will see 95 smart sensors installed in Sydney’s inner west. City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said the sensors will provide council with critical operations data, such as when a bin is overflowing. “We’re committed to being at the cutting edge when it comes to smart city technologies like our bin sensor pilot program,” Mr Tsirekas said. “With our population only continuing

12 / WMR / November 2019

to grow, the program will enable us to respond to increased demand and use our resources wisely, deploying bins and collection staff when and where they are needed most.” Real-time data from the bin sensors will be delivered via the City of Canada Bay’s new LoRaWAN, managed by Internet of Things integrator Meshed. Smart Sensor Technologies Managing Director Leon Hayes said the wireless network enables information to be shared across long distances with minimal energy use, and is free for community use as part of the City of Canada Bay’s Smart City Plan.

“We’ve been working with the City of Canada Bay to implement smart city technologies since 2015, starting with our Bigbelly Solar Compactors and now our world-first LoRaWAN ultrasonic and laser sensors,” Mr Hayes said. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the City of Canada Bay and assisting them in maintaining an optimised, smart waste management system for many years to come.” The pilot program will be evaluated after 12 months, with a view to installing further bin sensors throughout the city.

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COVER STORY

Australian Paper Recovery is getting involved in municipal solid recyclables in the wake of National Sword.

It’s time for glass out VICTORIA’S CHALLENGING COMMODITIES MARKETS HAS INSPIRED A RETHINK OF TRADITIONAL PROCESSING FROM COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL RECYCLER AUSTRALIAN PAPER RECOVERY.

s Victoria deals with the fallout of SKM, numerous solutions to the state’s ailing recycling market are being proposed, including additional bins for difficult waste streams. Earlier this year, the City of Yarra announced plans to trial a fourth kerbside glass bin in 1300 households. In making the decision, the council acknowledged that there less landfill space in future and this will place additional pressure on the waste and recycling industry. Months later, other councils, such as Macedon Ranges Shire followed suit. The City of Yarra’s move towards a fourth kerbside glass bin collection service is part of a bigger push towards cleaning up Victoria’s recycling crisis. The Victorian Government is working in partnership with local government and the waste industry on

14 / WMR / November 2019

a major overhaul of kerbside collection, with expressions of interest to be released in 2021. It comes as KordaMentha secured a $10 million loan from the Victorian Government to help clean up SKM waste stockpile sites and resume waste processing. Darren Thorpe, Australian Paper Recovery’s Managing Director, says the situation should serve as a wake-up call that the current system is broken and needs to be repaired. “In the past it’s just been about quantity, with a let’s produce as many tonnes as we can per hour attitude, but now it’s all going to be about quality as we transition to a sustainable circular economy,” Darren says. Australian Paper Recovery (APR) has collected waste paper, plastic and cardboard since 2002, but it’s recent market trends that are prompting a

new approach to its traditional role as a commercial and industrial (C&I) processor. APR has, over time, become an important resource for the C&I sector. It has handled more than two million tonnes of pre-consumer and post-consumer waste and processed it into new materials for domestic and international markets. Darren’s extensive background in paper recovery helped propel the business forward, while also learning extensively along the way. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Darren’s career began in October 1984 at the Smorgon’s Paper Mill, following in the footsteps of his father and uncles. It was there that Darren made his start as an accounts payable clerk, learning the intricacies and nuances involved with fibre

collection and recovery. He then worked his way up to Regional Sales Manager, before the business expanded into rural Victoria in the mid 80s. But despite a streak of successes, the mill was unfortunately sold in September 1989, and the corrugating plant sold to Visy in partnership with Amcor. Following this, Darren went onto work for Southern Waste Paper – now part of Visy, where he remained for 12-and-a-half years before starting APR in 2002. Over the years, Darren turned his attention towards the C&I sector, with the paper manufacturing sector evolving throughout the mid 90s and early 2000s. “Back in the 90s, there were seven paper mills in Victoria and now there’s four, so it makes a massive difference to fibre recycling. That is why the export market presented such a viable opportunity as there was no use for it here in Victoria,” he says. “The closure of the Broadfield and Fairfield Mills also created an opportunity to send product overseas.” The present state of the industry led Darren towards the overseas markets, working for Visy in WA. The same path inspired Darren to establish his own business in 2002, moving to Springvale, in Melbourne to start APR. “For the first 18 months, we were just trading paper overseas because that’s what the market demanded,” Darren says. In 2005, APR moved to Dandenong and started another operation at Laverton. More than 17 years on, the company now has five facilities in Victoria, including its materials recovery facility (MRF) in Truganina, a C&I processing site at Dandenong and secure destruction and shredding facility in Fairfield.

Its network ensures it can partner with major organisations such as Australian Paper to deliver fibre for processing at Australian Paper’s Maryvale facility. APR established a purpose-built facility in 2013 in Dandenong South at Thomas Murrell Crescent to allow it to service the market effectively. Extensive planning went into improving on-site logistics, with a traffic management plan ensuring smooth vehicle movements. “We needed to get vehicles in and out of the facilities in an efficient and safe manner, so we built a purposebuilt facility in Dandenong in 2013 and designed it so we could get vehicles in and out in a timely manner,” he says. Darren says that due to the ease of use of the facility, APR tripled its volumes. Working with major retail and hospitality outlets, APR covered the broader market segment. But when China’s National Sword policy was announced in 2017, and a glut of materials was released into the market, APR began to reconsider its strategy and look at entering the municipal solid recycling space. “We moved into the domestic space because of National Sword as we were

dealing with regional MRFs who had a problem getting rid of mixed paper because the quality that they were making wasn’t meeting export or local quality specifications,” Darren says. “So that’s when we went to Sustainability Victoria with a proposal in late 2017 which they supported. We were fortunate enough to get a grant of $475,000 to build our value-add fibre sorting facility.” The proposal led to a new MRF at Truganina, which processes up to 39,000 tonnes of kerbside recyclables per annum. The MRF sees materials run along a conveyor belt with contaminants removed, before running over several ballistic separators to pull out any fibre. Containers are then dropped down to conveyors to extract metal such as steel. Manual sorters take off milk, detergents and soft drink bottles. As the MRF was continually refined, APR envisioned a plan to partner with other regional MRFs and value-add their fibre products. But new opportunities soon emerged as the City of Yarra embarked on a single-stream glass recycling program.

The company works with a number of manufacturers to turn plastic into value-added products.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 15

COVER STORY

Darren Thorpe says it’s about quality material processing for APR, not quantity.

GOING GLASS OUT APR took a “glass out” approach and started to partner with the City of Yarra, with other metropolitan councils soon following suit. “If you put all the commodities together in a single stream recycling program you have a lot of contamination due to the fact that broken glass is mixed in with other products,” Darren says. “Once you separate glass, it’s a very valuable and recoverable resources that can be utilised in a circular economy through the likes of O&I and others such as aggregate companies such as Alex Fraser, Sunshine Groupe and Fulton Hogan. “But when it’s contaminated with other products, it’s too hard for them to use, so by moving to a separate glass collection we are able to produce a much cleaner and valuable resource.” He adds that glass is the biggest source of contamination in kerbside bins besides fibre, polymers, aluminium and steel. “We’ve made it quite clear to the councils that we will only receive material that has glass out.” Taking its “glass out” strategy a step further, APR in September agreed on a new partnership with the City

16 / WMR / November 2019

of Ballarat. From 30 September, the council will ask its residents to take their glass to several free drop-off sites around the municipality using containers provided by council or their own. City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh in a statement said that for many years, Ballarat shipped its recycled material overseas for processing, which was no longer an option. With quality now being a key priority, Darren says APR has continued to partner with a number of local manufacturers, including Huhtamaki and Norske Skog for fibre. Norske Skog is one of the world’s largest suppliers of newsprint while Huhtamaki produces consumer packaged goods such as egg, paperboard and plastic packaging. Darren says that wherever possible, products are repurposed into their original form in a circular motion such as cleaning products or soft drinks. In other cases, waste streams like milk bottles are repurposed as plastic pellets. He says the main priority is adding as much value as possible and keeping products out of landfill. “Vicfam Plastics is a company we’re working with to make the plastic pellets and they’ve been greater partners with us in other commodities

in our business.” Darren says APR aims to be as diligent as possible in ensuring material is contaminant-free and is in the process of auditing materials that come in from both councils and the C&I space. Overall, Darren is excited about the future possibilities for APR and predicts the company’s current plans will only lead to further growth for the company. “Our facility is the way of the future. The commodities that we’ll generate out of the sorting facility will provide end users with a quality product,” he says. “All indications are that our MRF will be at capacity by Christmas and, as such, we’ll be looking to build a new facility taking on board the learnings from this facility.” However, APR will only enter the market when a need presents itself, as its focus is quality, not quantity. Its next stage is to build a receivable area with an additional 1200-square-metre facility planned in four to five months time at a cost of around $1.3 million. While ensuring its operations are economically viable is the number one priority, Darren hopes APR can make a vital contribution to the sector at a critical juncture. “We’ve shown the initiative to go out there and do something different because no-one wants to keep doing the same thing and have a broken system. We need to make some changes even when it’s difficult,” Darren says. He says that the challenges going forward will be getting the message out to the community to stop ‘wishcycling’.” “Education, commitment and understanding by residents will certainly be a major influence in the way we view recycling in the future. Developing more local production opportunities and government procurement policy for recycled products will also be part of the now ‘broken system’ we are trying to fix,” Darren says.

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UP FRONT

Acquisitions in the spotlight WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW TALKS TO SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES ABOUT THE ROLE OF SCALABILITY IN THE FUTURE OF THE WASTE SECTOR. Bingo Industries, through the acquisition of Dial A Dump Industries, has set its sites on building a Resource Ecology Park in the middle of western Sydney.

ver the past few years, Australia’s waste management giants have looked to becoming vertically integrated businesses. One of Australia’s largest waste management companies, Cleanaway acquired health and waste disposal giant Toxfree in 2018. Most recently, building and demolition (B&D) market leader Bingo Industries acquired Dial A Dump Industries (DADI) and set its sights on building a resource recovery park as part of the acquisition. Cleanaway has also looked to potentially take on SKM Recycling after acquiring its debt for $60 million. Waste Management Review explores the role of scalability and vertically integrated business models in the waste sector’s future.

18 / WMR / November 2019

BINGO TAKES IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL Daniel Tartak, Bingo Industries Managing Director, believes that further market consolidation will support the waste industry during a challenging phase. “The industry is still very fragmented. We’ve seen consolidation in the last few years, but there still needs to be some more consolidation over the sector across the country,” Daniel tells Waste Management Review. “It still remains very competitive, even following these acquisitions [DADI and Toxfree]. I don’t think much is changing in the industry.” Daniel says Bingo’s DADI acquisition allows the company to compete with the multinationals on a greater scale with vertically integrated assets. He

says it comes at a critical time for the sector where recycling infrastructure investment is needed at a greater level. “There’s many small players who don’t invest into their business and the sector, and right now we need that,” he says. “We’ve done it to a large extent over the last few years. We’ve poured almost $1 billion into acquisitions and key infrastructure so as some of the smaller players start getting amalgamated or consolidated you will see more investment.” Bingo Industries agreed to divest its recycling facility in Banksmeadow, NSW to ease ACCC competition concerns regarding its $578 million acquisition of DADI. The ACCC required Bingo to divest the facility to maintain competition for B&D

processing in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Following this, the ACCC announced it would not oppose the acquisition after accepting a courtenforceable undertaking from Bingo to divest its Banksmeadow processing facility. CPE Capital was announced as the buyer for $50 million in September. In announcing the company’s fullyear results in August, Daniel noted that the asset base secured through the acquisition would transform the business for many years to come. Some of its most recent redevelopments include Bingo’s first recycling centre in West Melbourne, Victoria, having first entered the market in 2017 through several strategic acquisitions. Its total network capacity, including contribution from the DADI acquisition, increased from 2.2 million tonnes in financial year 2017-18 to 3.8 million tonnes in 2018-19. It will be closer to 4.4 million tonnes by the end of 2019-20 allowing for Patons Lane and Mortdale redevelopments. In 2019, Bingo reconfigured its NSW network as part of the DADI integration by rationalising some sites and converting others into transfer stations in a move to attract and aggregate waste volumes for processing at its advanced recycling centres. Bingo expects solid growth in 2019-20 underpinned by a full-year contribution from its Patons Lane Recycling Centre and Landfill, West Melbourne Recycling Centre and DADI. The business also expects to benefit from the Queensland waste levy and associated pricing increases. Through Eastern Creek, Bingo is turning its attentions to building an 82-hectare Recycling Ecology Park in the middle of western Sydney to accept putrescible and non-putrescible waste at a large scale. Strategically positioned near the Western Sydney Airport and the

Bingo Industries Managing Director Daniel Tartak says further consolidation of the waste sector is needed around the country.

Sydney CBD, it currently can handle two million tonnes per annum and in the future will comprise a new C&I processing facility, refuse-derived fuel, alternative waste treatment facility and new recycled product manufacturing facility. Daniel says that the new $60 million C&I processing facility at Eastern Creek, comprising the most sophisticated equipment in the world, should be operational in about 12 months’ time. He points to the importance of a vertically integrated business model to maintaining a chain of custody on the movement of waste. Likewise, he notes a vertically integrated company allows for scalability. “When you become a large business, the fact that you have a large quantity of waste can sometimes work to your detriment, so controlling access to collections, transfers, recycling and landfill gives you control over your business,” he says. On questions of whether one company owning multiple assets is reducing choice for customers, Daniel says that this would only potentially be the case in a duopoly structure. “You have six large players so there

is plenty of choice even if companies control those assets. Even with consolidation over the last few years, the market is very fragmented. There’s still six big players and hundreds of small players. “Every time you tender, you are facing five big opponents and a heap of different small private companies.” Daniel says that through Bingo’s five-year plan, the company plans to build multiple recycling facilities. He says these will be able to handle all waste streams in the market from putrescible MSW, C&I waste to nonputrescible, C&I and B&D waste, separating them and then turning most of those individual waste streams into products to sell back to market. “It’s [Eastern Creek] a master integrated asset able to handle all waste streams, with a focus on landfill diversion. It will be one of Sydney’s key infrastructure assets, which the market will rely on to meet state recycling targets going forward,” he says. As Bingo continues to grow, Daniel says the company intends to maintain its leading position in the B&D sector while at the same time expanding its C&I business.

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UP FRONT

“A company like Cleanaway cannot have a Footprint 2025 strategy flowing through without commingled assets in Victoria,” says Cleanaway CEO Vik Bansal.

“We’re five years old in the C&I sector and a relatively small player in NSW and Victoria, so we really want to grow that business in both states, but also geographically around the east coast of Australia,” Daniel says. “We’ve (the waste sector) been out of sight, out of mind for too long and now is the time for industry to change and improve.”

CLEANAWAY GROWS ITS FOOTPRINT With more than 300 sites, 115 prized infrastructure assets and around 6000 employees and 4950 vehicles, Cleanaway is Australia’s largest waste management company. At the heart of its approach to scaling up and supporting Australia’s recycling woes is Cleanaway’s Footprint 2025 strategy – a plan to significantly grow its infrastructure by 2025. Launched in 2015, Footprint 2025 continues to expand. It’s already done so in 2019 with a new waste transfer station and resource recovery facility in Sydney licensed to process 300,000 tonnes of putrescible waste per annum. In addition, its recent infrastructure moves also include a new South East

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Melbourne Organics Facility, a 50 per cent stake in ResourceCo’s process engineered fuel facility in Sydney and a transfer station in Perth. Official data on market share is difficult to come by, but CEO Vik Bansal estimates the company controls around the mid to high 20 per cent of the total waste management market. Its annual report shows the integration of Toxfree is on track to achieve a $35 million synergy target by June 2020. Cleanaway’s acquisition of Toxfree in 2018 was unopposed by the ACCC and concluded that increased vertical integration would be unlikely to substantially lessen competition due to competitive constraints imposed by alternative suppliers. The official review shows customers can and do disaggregate contracts if they are dissatisfied with pricing and/or service levels. Likewise, there are other large suppliers present in multiple waste streams and geographical areas throughout Australia. Cleanaway’s net revenue, which represents gross revenue less landfill levies collected and passed through the customer, increased by 35 per cent in 2018-19 to $2.11 billion compared

to the prior corresponding period. Its growth was driven by a combination of organic growth and the Toxfree acquisition. “We have spent about $150 million building prized waste infrastructure across the country which includes transfer stations, resource recovery centres, used oil refinery and liquid, hazardous and non-hazardous waste processing facilities organically and via the acquisition of Toxfree,” Vik says. Its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 34 per cent to $433.7 million in 2018-19 due to improved profit performances across solid waste services, industrial and waste services and liquid waste and health services. In its annual report, Cleanaway highlights itself as having an excellent balance sheet with debt ratios well within banking covenant requirements. The annual report declares volatility in the commodities supply chain has led to increased sorting costs and instability in commodity pricing. Vik has often maintained Australia’s recycling crisis presents an opportunity rather than a threat to the viability of the sector. “It is the right thing for the waste industry in Australia and in general. There is something not right about waste going to developing countries and them sorting it out. We just don’t want that to happen,” Vik says. He says that being a publicly listed entity places additional pressure on Cleanaway as a company, but it’s a challenge it is pleased to take on. “Because we are a listed entity and have to go to market every six months, our changes become a lot more visible than an international subsidiary or a company which is not listed,” he says. The positive side effect of market fluctuations is that Cleanaway has fast-tracked much of its Footprint 2025 strategy to support

the local marketplace. Following the collapse of SKM Recycling Group, Cleanaway Waste Management acquired the senior secured debt in the group for around $60 million with the exception of its glass recovery services business. This includes the property, plant and equipment from a network of five recycling sites, comprising three materials recovery facilities (MRFs), a transfer station in Victoria and a MRF in Tasmania. SKM also has two sites in South Australia. KordaMentha have been appointed the receivers of the group. At the time of Waste Management Review’s interview with Vik, Cleanaway was looking to acquire the assets and return them to a sustainable footing as part of the sale process being undertaken by the receivers. Prior to the publication date, Cleanaway was successful in its bid for SKM assets with completion of the process on track for the end of October. One of its sites in the network includes an advanced plastic sorting facility in Victoria. Commenting on the acquisition, Vik said significant progress had been made in clearing waste stockpiles from the sites, repairing plant and equipment and bringing the sites to required safety, environmental and operational standards. “We expect to gradually restore operations in Victoria over the coming months,” he said. Speaking to Waste Management Review, Vik agrees some systematic changes are needed to support the future viability of the industry. However, he concedes collection will be difficult to consolidate due to the low barriers to entry. “There is something fundamentally wrong about the industry structure. Aside from Visy, there is not even a single big waste management player

which is upstream and vertically integrated. There is not even a single big waste management player in commingled recycling in Victoria. “China’s National Sword has triggered the industry structure to go back on a balanced, even, long-term sustainable footing and hence our interest in SKM assets.” “A company like Cleanaway cannot have a Footprint 2025 strategy flowing through without commingled assets in Victoria. That is part and parcel of a vertically integrated waste management company.” It was speculated that Cleanaway was interested in buying SKM’s glass recycling business not covered by the receivership. Vik says that while Cleanaway was initially interested in this, the acquisition is now in doubt given the scale of glass stockpiles. Instead, should Cleanaway acquire SKM’s assets, Vik says Cleanaway will look at building its own glass beneficiation plant. He says that Cleanaway’s future focus will be to become a downstream processor. “We see ourselves investing in plastic pelletising and going downstream on glass crushers,”

Vik says. Vik says that Cleanaway’s view is that Australia needs to move to a harmonised national four-bin system with mandatory FOGO and glass bins the key to improving commodity value. “We are ready to invest a lot more in different parts of the country if we can see that certainty of policy and harmonisation,” he says, adding there is a fair amount of Footprint 2025 still to be revealed. Likewise, he says that whenever Cleanaway invests, it looks at the entire value chain, including location, policy framework and its total market share. Vik says that each state should have a container deposit scheme but recognises it might be difficult to harmonise all at a national level. He says this system would then become best practice through better education, investment in infrastructure and manufacturer and consumer acceptance of recycled material as the final piece of the circular economy puzzle. Footprint 2025 is going from strength to strength as Cleanaway in October announced a joint venture

Corio Waste Management CEO Mathew Dickens sees an opportunity from consolidation to compete with the major players.

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UP FRONT

with Macquarie Capital’s Green Investment Group to develop a wasteto-energy (WtE) project in Western Sydney. A site has been acquired for a potential facility in Eastern Creek and an environmental impact statement is being prepared and released for public consultation early next year. The site is expected to cut Western Sydney’s annual landfill volumes by 500,000 tonnes – almost a third of the red bin waste generated per year in the local area.

CONSOLIDATION DEBATE Trevor Thornton is a lecturer in hazardous materials management at Deakin University and has prior experience with the Environment Protection Authority Victoria. He says the metropolitan areas certainly benefit, but one concern would be whether the same level of service is afforded to regional areas. “I’ve heard some issues about large companies that get a statewide contract but just outsource a lot of the more distant rural areas under their banner, but they don’t get the same service to the client. “But I think in the main, if you’ve got five or six companies offering the complete service, I think that’s a good thing.” Likewise, he believes the purchase of ailing companies such as SKM can only be a good thing, and that if additional oversight is required, that would be a matter for the ACCC. He says the trend towards consolidation in Australia would mirror that of other more populous nations such as the US, Canada and parts of Europe. Mathew Dickens, CEO of Corio Waste Management, a family-owned business focused on waste collection and organic waste treatment based in Geelong, sees an opportunity from consolidation to compete with the

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major players. “Consolidation does lead to less competition, but it can also mean the acquirer has more to lose as you have most of the market share and that can only go in one direction, but for companies my size it creates opportunity,” he says. Mathew says with further consolidation, Corio can aim to compete on service standards, respond quickly to changing customer requirements and provide a point of difference as a family-owned business. “From a customer perspective it [further consolidation] would mean less choice and higher prices, and that’s not a problem for us as we don’t compete on the basis of price. We know what our costs are because we measure and analyse them all the time,” he says.

waste and owns around 207 transfer stations and 190 landfills, according to Superperformance SAS data. He says there will still be room for niche, specialised operations that handle smaller volumes. “If there is going to be a remanufacturing industry that’s developed onshore, you need to spread that risk,” he says. Mathew says that Corio remains focused on growing its organic waste collections in Geelong and Melbourne treated at its composting facility based in Shepparton. “We want to build tunnel composting facilities in other regions in Victoria. It relies on government contracts, but we’re confident we can make it happen,” he says.

“If there is going to be a remanufacturing industry.... you need to spread that risk.” Mathew Dickens Corio Waste Management

He says that Corio tends to focus on what it can offer in terms of variety and frequency of service, collection standards and customer service. Mathew says the recent consolidations are nothing new but rather history repeating itself in an industry cycle where consolidation inspires new entrants into the industry. In the US, integrated companies such as Waste Management Inc, Clean Harbors, Republic Services and Advanced Disposal dominate the market. Mathew points out that Republic Services is an example of smaller operators merging to become a larger organisation, a trend that could always repeat itself locally. Republic Services is one of the largest providers of non-hazardous solid

SUEZ LOOKS TO THE MISSING LINK SUEZ Australia and New Zealand has developed its own action plan internally. It focuses on circular economy and driving partnerships and innovation across new technologies. CEO Mark Venhoek calls for a fundamental change in the market through new infrastructure with WtE one part of the bigger solution underpinning broader initiatives. As part of this paradigm shift, he wants the packaging sector, federal government and state and territories to step up and show more leadership in taking responsibility for their material processing. When it comes to the broader structure of the industry, Mark says it’s not for SUEZ to comment on the

SUEZ CEO Mark Venhoek says waste-to-energy is one part of the bigger solution to Australia’s recycling future.

specifics of others out there, but strong leadership is key. “I do believe if you have a strong sector with various leaders it’s probably easier to make some changes. “We have quite a bit of industry fragmentation around the industry but I guess the leadership for me is so not so much about market share or revenue, but what the changes we are going to make in terms of say, building new infrastructure and innovation.” He says the fundamental changes required in the marketplace will not necessarily be supported by the size of one’s business, but strong leadership in areas such as safety and compliance. Importantly, long-term visibility by the regulator and certainty of volumes is required to commit to sites and large-scale capital investments such as in WtE. In this vein, decisions such as the mixed waste organics ban in NSW are not helpful and undermine planning and confidence. Mark says a WtE solution could support markets such as plastics that have fallen victim to the laws of supply and demand or don’t meet contamination standards. “It would be a very good support and potential backup plan to ensure those volumes don’t end up in a landfill,” he says.

He says that SUEZ Australia and New Zealand is looking at a range of WtE projects. Some that have already been announced include the East Rockingham facility in WA as well as a joint venture with Australian Paper in Victoria. With the growth of population and the fact that planning new facilities can take five to 10 years, SUEZ is also committed to expanding its Elizabeth Drive Landfill in NSW. “In the interim, typically in the NSW, Sydney and greater region, we’ll still have a level of dependency on landfill I’m afraid, and a result of that we will have to expand that facility. It’s in the interest of the public to be able to secure a proper outlet.” Mark says that resource recovery parks such as Lucas Heights are likewise only one part of the solution, covering only a small percentage of Sydney’s waste and not the residual stream. “It will solve part of the problems that we might have but only on a small scale. “Most of those facilities are capable of treating a small percentage of the waste that is being generated even if there are niches, so you need solutions for the mainstream volumes.” Mark says that where relevant, SUEZ

will partner with companies that have an appropriate site and permit and align with the company’s vision and strategy. In some cases it may also reduce investment uncertainty, he adds. SUEZ is driving a number of unique projects overseas. The company has opened one of Europe’s most advanced packaging sorting facilities for lightweight packaging in Ölbronn, Germany with an annual processing capacity of 100,000 tonnes. In this case, Mark says the commercial environment in Germany is conducive to building a facility on a long-term contractual basis. “There’s nothing stopping us from opening these kinds of facilities. “If I look at the one in southern Germany, it is the most modern across the globe but it is governed by a very special system around the Green Dot, meaning plastics, paper, cardboard and metal are collected separately and treated by these levels of infrastructure.” In the Bang Phli district near Bangkok, the company plans on building a recycling plant that turns plastic waste into circular polymers, strengthening its presence in SouthEast Asia. Mark says that in Bangkok, there is not nearly the level of scalability of Australia to support the conditions. In terms of whether a four-bin system of food and glass could be the answer to Australia’s recycling concerns, he says that anything that can be done to support source separation at a higher level would make an impact on generating better quality raw materials. “We are very supportive of the COAG initiative [waste ban] and planning they put ahead, but I do believe we can do it. “There will be a bit of pain in the coming years, but I am also sure with collective passion and energy, we can see some magnificent outcomes.”

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UPFRONT

What happened to MWOO? ONE YEAR ON FROM THE NSW EPA’S BAN ON MIXED WASTE ORGANIC MATERIAL, WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW SPEAKS WITH KEY INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT RESOURCE RECOVERY EXEMPTIONS.

hen the NSW EPA banned the restricted use of mixed waste organic material (MWOO) in October 2018, industry reaction was swift. The ban’s 24-hour notice period was deemed particularly controversial, with council planning and tender processes instantly altered. The EPA’s apparent lack of transparency was also criticised, with claims industry had little access to the EPA’s internal research, or knowledge of the decision-making process. While a Technical Advisory Committee Report was prepared in April 2018, it was withheld from the public for five months. Then Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said withholding the report illustrated poor judgement on the EPA’s behalf. The report’s eventual release did little to alleviate industry’s concerns. Speaking with Waste Management Review in October, an industry stakeholder, who wished to remain anonymous, said the report lacks reference to data that supports its baseline scientific assertions. “While the report makes reference to multiple studies, those studies aren’t cited and industry hasn’t been granted access to the EPA’s research,” the stakeholder said. Additionally, the stakeholder said

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industry engagement in the lead up to the decision was poor, with no formal consultation period or submissions process. The decision was also deemed controversial due to the NSW Government consistently advising that the state had a shortage of alternative waste treatment facilities (AWT). In a joint letter to Ms Upton, the Waste Management Association of Australia, the Australian Organics Recycling Industry Association, Waste Contractors Association of NSW, Australian Council of Recycling and the Australian Organics Recycling Association said several existing long-term AWT contracts had been compromised by the decision. RED BIN REPORT MWOO, which predominantly consists of household waste organics and has traditionally been used as compost, was banned for use on agricultural land, plantation forests and in mining rehabilitation. It is worth noting the ban excludes land application of compost derived from source separated FOGO. According to a 2006 NSW Environment and Conservation Department Report, titled Recycled Organics in Mine Site Rehabilitation and authored by Georgina Kelly,

MWOO improves soil structure, moisture retention and soil aeration. The report also asserts that MWOO is a rich nutrient source that facilitates rapid micro flora and fauna regrowth. On agricultural land the material serves a similar function, acting as a soil amendment, topsoil substitute and fertiliser. Despite two decades of widespread use, the EPA’s Technical Advisory Committee Report argued that A stakeholder has questioned particular pieces of evidence used in the MWOO report.

MWOO had limited agricultural or soil benefits. “It is clear the current use of MWOO on broadacre agricultural land, with application rates restricted to 10 tonnes per hectare, could not be classified as beneficial reuse in terms of improved crop production or beneficial effects on soil chemical or physical quality,” the report reads. “Higher and/or repeat application rates are needed for the material to have any significant effects on crop growth and quality and on soil chemical and physical quality.” The report also suggests that higher MWOO application rates run the risk of greater soil contamination by metals, persistent organic chemicals and physical contaminants. The report lists one site visit, conducted 22 September 2017, where visible waste streams including nappies, plastic and clothing were found in high proportions – the specific site and/or operator is not named.

According to the anonymous stakeholder, further research should have been conducted, including more site visits and sustained onsite testing. In laboratory and glasshouse experiments referenced by the report, the effect of MWOO, and specifically ground glass, was examined on earthworm avoidance, rhizobium nodulation and clover and carrot growth. Ground glass is commonly found in MWOO as processing employs grinding to meet physical contaminant limits. While no adverse effects were observed for earthworm behaviour, rhizobium nodulation and clover growth, glass particles were seen to adhere to the surface of carrot tubers, at an application rate equivalent to 25 tonnes per hectare. “While this application rate is above current 10 tonnes per hectare agricultural guidelines, if regulations were to change (to allow the beneficial effects of MWOO to

be realised) it is possible that more MWOO would be applied, making this a real concern,” the report reads. “The fact that glass is permissible in MWOO used on agricultural land requires that this issue be either further considered experimentally, or the risk avoided by more effective glass removal.” The stakeholder questioned the carrot experiment’s inclusion in the report, given MWOO was already banned around crop harvesting. They also raised concerns over the anonymity of the technical advisory committee, and said industry had a right to know who was consulted on the decision. When asked what the EPA could do to ease industry concerns, the stakeholder said that at a minimum, the EPA should revoke the material’s ban in mining rehabilitation. They added that the EPA’s ability to change regulatory standards with a stroke of a pen had caused significant hesitation around private sector investments. “If I had money to invest in resource recovery, I wouldn’t be spending it in NSW,” the stakeholder said. On 16 October, the NSW EPA opened public consultation on the future use of MWOO and a proposed $6.5 million AWT transition package. In an associated position statement, the EPA reiterated its original MWOO position and stated further research had been undertaken to assess future controls. Consultation closes 28 November. RESOURCE RECOVERY EXEMPTIONS The use of MWOO has been restricted since 2010, including processing and distribution regulations and limits on its use for urban and domestic purposes.

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UPFRONT

“The sector is also concerned that decisions can be made without public access to the information the EPA has, and without the opportunity to raise concerns.” Ross Fox Principal Lawyer Fishburn Watson O’Brien

Specifically, EPA regulations restrict the material’s use near crops harvested below the soil surface. Within those restrictions however was a Resource Recovery Exemption Order allowed MWOO in some land applications under specific conditions, based on its then status as beneficial or fit-for-purpose. In a statement released at the time, then EPA Acting Chair Anissa Levy said the MWOO exemption was made on the basis that the material provided a beneficial reuse solution for waste. The revocation was made in 2018 because the material no longer met those requirements, she said. Resource Recovery Exemption Orders are made under clauses 91 and 92 of the 2014 Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation Act. According to Ross Fox, accredited specialist in planning and environmental law and Principal Lawyer Fishburn Watson O’Brien, the act was constructed to ensure orders and exemptions can be made, changed and revoked easily. He says while this has benefits, namely the ability to act swiftly in the face of environmental hazards, it also lends itself to overreach. “What is arguably one of the act’s strengths is also one of its greatest

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weaknesses. It’s not clear why there is no specific testing process set out in the act, but it’s certainly a matter of concern for my clients and the industry generally,” Ross says. He adds that there is no transparent framework for the revocation process when an order or exemption involves the waste industry. “The sector is also concerned that decisions can be made without public access to the information the EPA has, and without the opportunity to raise concerns,” he says. While the legislative framework for Resource Recovery Orders and Exemptions hasn’t changed significantly over the past 10 years, Ross says current conversation around the issue are a sign of a maturing waste industry. He adds that while in some cases there may be cause to revoke or amend exemptions, the EPA should be required to establish, and in some cases publicise, their argument for revocation. “Those who are operating pursuant to an order are entitled to a fair process, and a clear path to be followed by all parties to minimise the impact of that revocation to the extent that it’s possible.” Mirroring the view of the anonymous stakeholder, Ross

suggests the ease in which Resource Recovery Exemptions can be revoked has created a high degree of risk for investors. “Operators are thinking: why should I invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in a piece of equipment that can produce material up to today’s specifications, when Resource Recovery Exemption legislation allows those specifications to be changed tomorrow?” he says. “If the degree of risk is too great then it will discourage investment in resource recovery, which will have a negative impact on NSW meeting its resource recovery targets.” FLOW ON EFFECTS Christopher Malan, ELB Equipment Managing Director, says the MWOO ban has had a negative effect on organic diversion rates, and increased the amount of material sent to landfill. “In addition to the direct effects felt by NSW recyclers engaged in mixed waste organics recycling, processors from other states have expressed displeasure over the likelihood of similar measures in their state or territory,” Christopher says. “This has created uncertainty in the segment and slowed investment in the sector.” Christopher says that while ELB is committed to organics recycling, the MWOO issue far exceeds the capabilities of efficient processing. “Given the breadth of the issue caused by the removal of the exemption relates to the source of the waste rather than the recycling methodology or output product, there is little that we have been able to offer from a technical perspective to assist the industry,” he says. Despite this, Christopher is optimistic and says the NSW

Rose Read, National Waste and Recycling Industry Council CEO, says the MWOO ban has closed markets for five operating mechanical biological treatment facilities in NSW.

Government, EPA and local councils should work together to address the problem. “All parties can agree that recyclable resources, such as organics, should not be going to landfill,” he says. “It is our hope that a review of organic waste handling assists in eliminating organic waste sent to landfill.” Rose Read, National Waste and Recycling Industry Council CEO, says the MWOO ban has closed markets for five operating mechanical biological treatment facilities in NSW. “Collectively, these facilities produce in excess of 150,000 tonnes of mixed waste derived organics per year. So far, the NSW EPA has provided landfill levy exemptions for these facilities,” she adds. Furthermore, Rose says the MWOO ban has created uncertainty and confusion within both the processing industry and users of processed organics.

“It is critical that clear specifications are urgently agreed upon by regulators, processors and the final end users of the material on what is acceptable for the agriculture, forestry and site rehabilitation markets,” she says. “These specifications should be based on best available science. Without this clarity, industry cannot develop infrastructure and technology to meet the user’s needs, and the state government will not be able to meet its recycling targets.” According to Rose, industry is asking for an amended Mixed Waste Resource Recovery Order to be reinstated, that clearly defines outputs and applications. “To deliver on these outputs, industry will need financial assistance to upgrade these facilities to deliver the required resource recovery outcomes,” Rose says. “Industry will also need to transition these assets in the medium to long term, so they can continue to

provide the desired resource recovery outcomes and market specifications for NSW.” Rose says industry is also requesting that the NSW EPA insert a formal process within its waste regulations that ensures current and future Resource Recovery Orders and Exemptions cannot be amended or revoked without timely consultation and a detailed assessment with all relevant stakeholders. Charlie Emery, Australian Organics Recycling Association Director and NSW Chair, urged similar action in a submission to the NSW Environment Minister, addressing the state’s proposed 20-year waste and resource recovery strategy. In the submission, Charlie called for the creation and enforcement of consistent regulatory standards for organics processing. “Waste cannot always be a waste. At some point after beneficial processing it must become a resource,” the submission reads.

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COUNCIL IN FOCUS

Buying it back FIONA JENKINS, CITY OF CHARLES STURT WASTE AND SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR, HIGHLIGHTS THE COUNCIL’S RECENT DECISION TO PRIORITISE PRODUCTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIAL.

Charles Sturt CEO Paul Sutton, Mayor Angela Evans, PAE Mayor Claire Boen and CEO Mark Withers.

Q: How has council been affected by recent waste and recycling sector instability? A: All councils have been impacted by the changes heralded by the introduction of China’s National Sword policy and the City of Charles Sturt is no different. These impacts include increased yellow lidded bin recycling costs and rising uncertainty on the future operation of the recycling sector generally. Q: Why did the City of Charles Sturt choose to sign the Local Government Association of South Australia’s (LGA) Procurement Pilot Project memorandum of understanding? A: Charles Sturt is seeking opportunities to support South Australian recycling businesses, which

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we see as critical to the future of recycling for our residents. Our residents produce 10,000 tonnes of recyclable material each year through our kerbside recycling bins. Doing our bit and buying recycled products back is the best way to ensure this industry survives and thrives in the post China Sword era. We see the LGA Procurement Pilot Project as a key part of this, as it solidifies our commitment to #buyingitback and makes it clear to everyone that we are serious about the future of recycling in our region. Q: What is council’s action plan for prioritising recycled content through procurement? A: Briefings with staff involved in the procurement of materials,

for example those working in infrastructure, have already commenced. The briefings will be ongoing throughout the project to ensure high awareness of the availability and benefits of recycled products. A new requirement has also been introduced for staff to report on their purchase of recycled products. This immediately increases the visibility of recycled product procurement across the organisation and addresses the old adage ‘you cannot manage what you haven’t measured.’ A target has been set for the purchase of recycled plastic for 201920, while targets for a wider range of recycled product purchases will be established from 2020-21. Additionally, recycled product purchases will be publicly reported against by council each year through our annual report. Q: What effect will the new procurement process have on Charles Sturt residents? A: Residents are unlikely to be aware we purchase recycled products in many cases because a road made from recycled materials looks and performs in much the same way as a road made from new/raw materials. However, council will promote some key examples to help draw attention to the benefits of our purchases as the program progresses.

Q: How does the LGA Pilot Project fit in with council’s wider waste and recycling plan? A: We have a strong commitment to recycling and have recently announced we will be jointly establishing our own materials recovery facility (MRF) with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. As part of that decision, both councils have reinforced the importance of finding local markets for recycled materials produced by the new MRF. We have a view to use this as an opportunity to support and accelerate the establishment and growth of South Australia’s circular economy. Given the principles established by both councils, the LGA Circular Economy Procurement Project strongly supports our publicly stated values and objectives as leaders in the

development of the circular economy in western Adelaide. Q: Why did Charles Sturt decide to partner with another council for the MRF? A: The two councils combined account for 20,000 tonnes of kerbside recyclable material each year. By combining our tonnes, we can establish a facility with sufficient operational efficiencies, while retaining additional plant capacity to accept additional material from other councils at a later date if required. The MRF operation will be administered through a new regional subsidiary, in the same way other regional waste authorities currently operate across Adelaide, such as the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority, Southern

Region Waste Resource Authority and East Waste. Each council will hold a 50 per cent stake in the new body. Q: How will the MRF affect recycling services in the city? A: The new MRF will place our kerbside recycling service on a more stable footing, but from a resident’s perspective, little will change. It will accept the same range of materials we currently accept in kerbside recycling bins. The main difference will be that both councils will be in a position to know and influence where their recyclable material is sent for processing. This provides an opportunity to help create grow the circular economy by selling recyclable material to local recycling companies.

FEATURED TOPIC – C&D WASTE

Concentrating contaminants CDE’S DANIEL WEBBER EXPLAINS HOW HIGH-PRESSURE FILTRATION AND DECONTAMINATION CAN INCREASE THE RESALE POTENTIAL OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE.

he NSW EPA’s new construction and demolition (C&D) waste guidelines, released April 2019, highlight environmental risk via contamination and poor recycling processes as a core concern. Daniel Webber, CDE’s Regional Manager for Australasia, says the presence of contaminants in the C&D stream is particularly significant, given one of the material’s major resale markets is road base. “If the material used in road base contains heavy metals or polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons, which are known to be carcinogenic, those materials can leach out and penetrate

the water table, and once they enter the water table, they can potentially contaminate drinking water,” Daniel says. For CDE, an international materials wet processing design and manufacture company, eliminating contaminants in C&D waste is critical to market viability. “One of the first things we noticed when we first began working with the C&D waste sector was that there are no completely pure C&D sites. “They all drag contaminated soil in eventually, and when there are no clean sites, there’s no clean materials. CDE quickly learned that this was something

we needed to address with our clients.” A central challenge to addressing the issue, Daniel says, is the variability of C&D contamination regulations across jurisdictions. “Conflicting regulations range from waste levy rates, urban development and state planning zones, to contaminant levels and disposal requirements,” he explains. “We need to be across all the various legislative requirements and, as such, prioritise working in partnership with our clients to achieve that.” According to Daniel, leachate is a focal point when dealing with C&D. He adds that because of the location of

Eliminating contaminants in C&D waste is critical to CDE’s market viability. 32 / WMR / November 2019

such as PFAS. “To wash and process contaminated C&D material, CDE designs plants that push contaminants into a tertiary water body for filtration, or alternatively, into sludge for processing via filter press technology,” Daniel says. “When a client chooses the filter press option, their material is passed through mesh under extremely high pressure to produce a dry filter cake, which is then discharged into a bay below the filter press enclosure.” Daniel says the filter press method allows CDE-designed plants to salvage 90 per cent of the original feedstock material. “If a client is running a 200-tonne-per hour plant, with feeds coming through the front end, CDE equipment can concentrate existing contaminants into 20-tonne-per-hour of feed material.

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“That means 180 tonnes of material can be repurposed and put straight back into the market as clean construction material.” Additionally, Daniel says by concentrating contaminants, operators can save on landfill charges and prevent extra investment in waste storage equipment. Effectively removing contaminants also requires high-energy scrubbing and dewatering cyclone systems. “By introducing CDE technology, plant operators can eliminate the need for settling ponds, reduce the space required to accommodate a washing plant and maximise water recycling.” CDE’s minimum target, Daniel says, is an 80 per cent recovery rate, designing plants to increase traditionally unusable recycled sand and aggregates for multiple resale applications.

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most C&D plants, large tailing ponds are often unfeasible. “C&D is not like virgin mining or quarrying, which happens in the outer suburbs or the regions. Most construction sites are in metropolitan areas,” he says. “To minimise transportation costs and therefore maintain resource recovery practicality, a lot of resource recovery also happens in metropolitan areas, meaning operators have to be much more cognisant of the contaminant problem.” To remove contaminants, CDE facilitates two separate processing methods, both of which can be customised to suit individual client needs. Daniel adds that contaminants include anything from unwanted material such a plaster board and heavy metals, to dangerous chemicals

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – WASTE-TO-ENERGY

Minister tours Wetherill Park AS AUSTRALIA MOVES TOWARDS BANNING INTERNATIONAL WASTE EXPORTS, RESOURCECO’S PROCESS ENGINEERED FUEL SITE IS FULFILLING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN AUSTRALIA’S RESOURCE RECOVERY FRAMEWORK.

Doug Elliss, General Manager at Cleanaway ResourceCo and Environment Minister Sussan Ley tour the Wetherill Park facility.

overnments around the world are seeking to establish effective ways to preserve the Earth’s limited resources and deal with surrounding issues of waste. It’s within this landscape that facilities such as Cleanaway ResourceCo’s resource recovery plant in New South Wales are demonstrating what’s possible. The Wetherill Park facility, which is Australia’s largest plant of its kind, has processed more than 100,000 tonnes of dry commercial and industrial and mixed construction and demolition waste since opening in July last year. Waste that would have otherwise been diverted to landfill is now being converted into a range of commodities including the baseload energy source –

34 / WMR / November 2019

Processed Engineered Fuel (PEF). The plant’s role in advancing Australia’s circular economy is generating interest both in Australia and overseas, including a recent visit from the Fijian Prime Minister. Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley also recently toured the state-ofthe-art resource recovery facility to see first-hand the scale of the operation. “We have a clear focus on reducing waste to landfill and increasing the nation’s recycling capacity and within that context, the operation at Wetherill Park is impressive,” Minister Ley says. Chief Executive Officer Sustainable Fuels at ResourceCo Ben Sawley says the plant can divert up to 50,000 truckloads of waste from landfill, while also reducing a reliance on fossil fuels such as coal and gas.

“In one year alone, it can replace 100,000 tonnes of coal usage and takes the equivalent of 20,000 cars annually off the road in terms of greenhouse gas emissions,” Ben says. As developed countries move away from the make, use and dispose model in favour a circular economy, the importance of supporting and establishing new markets for remanufactured products is critical. To that end, the Federal Government has committed to working with industry leaders to decrease the amount of waste going to landfill and maximise the capability of the waste management and resource recovery sector. At the recent Council of Australian Government’s (COAG) meeting, leaders agreed Australia should

establish a timetable to ban the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, while building the nation’s capacity to generate high-value recycled commodities and associated demand. They tasked environment ministers with advising on a proposed timetable and response strategy following consultation with industry and other stakeholders. That strategy will draw on the best science, research and commercial experience, including that of agencies like the CSIRO and the work of Cooperative Research Centres. “We are at a point where the circular economy needs to be the mainstream economy. “There are some fantastic individual industry examples and concepts in the market and our focus is on working with industry as we broaden our approach,” Minister Ley says.

“This is going to require government and industry working together to ensure greater consistency across local, state and federal regulation and a sensible approach to supporting markets for remanufactured products.” Ms Ley says the feedback from industry to date has been extremely positive and the clear message is that the ideas and the opportunities are there, along with the investment potential. “What we will seek to address during the Meeting of Environment Ministers and the months that follow is a policy framework that gives the recycling industry a greater sense of direction and the comfort it needs to invest,” Minister Ley says. It’s encouraging news for companies like ResourceCo, which is committed to playing a key role in Australia’s sustainable energy mix by reducing

waste and lowering carbon emissions through production of a commercially viable sustainable energy product. “The plant transforms waste from selected non-recyclable waste streams that would otherwise go into landfill into a range of commodities including a baseload energy source known as PEF, which is used as a substitute for fossil fuels in both domestic and offshore markets in the production of cement and energy,” Ben says. “The opportunity to tap further into this market makes good sense, both environmentally and economically.” ResourceCo operates a suite of 22 plants across Australia and South-East Asia, and has been at the leading edge of resource recovery for 25 years. “Investment in resource recovery and innovative waste-to-energy solutions is critical to achieving a sustainable future,” Ben says.

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TRANSPORT

Tipping sideways WITH WASTE TRANSPORT COSTS ON THE RISE, WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW EXPLORES THE EFFICIENCY FEATURES OF HIGH CAPACITY SIDE TIPPING TRAILERS.

he sheer volume and ubiquity of waste makes waste management one of the largest freight tasks in the country. With congestion, fuel costs and growing distances between waste generation and disposal points challenging the sector’s viability, waste operators are increasingly seeking more efficient transport options. Chris Lusty, Graham Lusty Trailer (GLT) Senior Engineer, says the issue is further heightened outside city centres, with transportation costs posing a challenge to waste diversion and resource recovery. According to Chris, it was this environment that inspired the Graham Graham Lusty has been designing and building trailers since 1971.

36 / WMR / November 2019

“Our team of engineers was able to conceptualise, and later materialise, a side tipper that functions without any of the issues affecting previous iterations.” Chris Lusty Graham Lusty Trailer Engineer

Lusty team’s recent design and engineering project – the High Volume Side Tipper. “Fuel costs are rising, and so too is waste generation. Additionally, resource recovery facilities and landfills are being pushed further and further from population centres,” Chris says. “With all of that mind, we decided to develop and engineer a high-capacity side tipping trailer capable of carting large amounts of waste in one trip, with the added time benefit of high-speed unloading cycles.” Debuting at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, the 70-cubic-metre capacity side tipper, which has a 10.2-tonne tare weight, is suitable for any bulk hauling application where high volumes are required. “The side tipper can carry forestry waste, organics, construction and demolition waste – ultimately it can handle anything solid,” Chris says. “That said, the initial design and concept was inspired by municipal waste.” Chris says the lack of high-

capacity options for municipal waste transportation highlighted an opportunity to diversify and capture a new market. “Many in the trailer industry stay away from maximum height side tippers because they believe the engineering is too difficult to navigate.” “But, with rising waste rates and potential municipal infrastructure growth in the works, we felt it was as good a time as ever to face the challenge.” A common problem with other highcapacity side tippers on the market, Chris says, is trouble keeping waste centred in the trailer. He adds that when operators unload, the material has a tendency to shift to the side and cause the trailer to fall. “Graham has been designing and building trailers since 1971,” Chris says. “Drawing from that experience, our team of engineers was able to conceptualise, and later materialise, a side tipper that functions without any of the issues affecting previous iterations.” Chris says the engineering team

achieved this by adding a second pivot and installing the wide wall on the opposite body side to the door to maintain centre of mass. “Having a wall tilt also allows the trailer to discharge the load more efficiently because of the superior centre of gravity,” Chris says. He adds that the side tipper average unloading time is 30 seconds, which can be sped up depending on the material stream. “That kind of speed is an industry stand out that cuts unloading times and on-site management to facilitate greater pay loads,” he says. Additionally, Chris says the new high-volume side tipper design is highly versatile, with all trailer pieces and parts manufactured in either aluminium or Hardox, specific to customer requirements. “All of our trailers can be fully

• • • • •

Graham Lusty’s trailers can be customised based on application needs.

customised based on application needs, with laser wheel alignments and tandem, tri or quad axle configurations available,” he says. “Plus, each chassis is 3D modelled

and laser cut, with steel work hand-welded using Miller digital pulse machines, which means our trailers meet and often exceeds all relevant industry standards.”

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TRANSPORT

This vast land ANDREW MCKINNA, WEST-TRANS NATIONAL SALES MANAGER, EXPLAINS HOW WEST-TRANS’ DOG TRAILER AND HOOKLIFT COMBINATIONS HELP MITIGATE TRANSPORT COST AND EASE THE TYRANNY OF DISTANCE. West-Trans offer custom built dog trailers as a matched combination to its HL20 and HL20A hooklifts.

egional communities face a number of waste management challenges, notably access to recycling markets and expansive distances between remote towns, waste processing facilities and landfills. To avoid associated fuel costs and limit driver backtracking, rogue operators have been known to cart overloaded waste bins, in breach of vehicle mass limit legislation. Andrew McKinna, West-Trans National Sales Manager, says while breaking Heavy Vehicle National Law is never acceptable, the challenge of rising transport costs is very real for the waste industry. “Waste infrastructure is often pushed to the periphery and not well placed within wider transport and freight networks. This means transporting

38 / WMR / November 2019

material from a local transfer station to a metropolitan recycling facility can be costly and even unviable,” he says. “Additionally, as existing accessible infrastructure begins to reach capacity and the end of its life, those costs are likely to rise, with the risk of illegal dumping and stockpiling rising alongside them.” According to Andrew, long-term infrastructure and market development solutions are needed to fully address the issue. He adds however that West-Trans’ built-in tri-axle dog trailer and hooklift combinations can facilitate relief in the meantime, with the addition of a dog trailer allowing operators to cart multiple bins at once. “West-Trans offers custom built dog trailers as a matched combination to our HL20 and HL20A hooklifts,

with both tipping trailer and simple rail-and-lock-trailer options available,” Andrew says. “Drivers simply lift the first bin onto the truck, reverse back to the dog trailer, then pick up the second bin, lock both bins, reconnect the trailer and hydraulics and drive away. The setup caused daily drop-off numbers to double for multiple operators.” Andrew says that when a vehicle has to travel several hours between the generation point and facility drop-off, investing an extra 10 minutes to fit a second bin far outweighs the cost and time required to run multiple trips. “The productivity benefits of the dog trailer hooklift combination allow waste companies to fulfil large contracts across vast areas, mitigating Australia’s infamous tyranny of

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distance,” he says. “With a fuel burn of roughly 2.5 kilometres per litre, it doesn’t take long for the economics of a dog trailer to add up.” West-Trans manufactures a range of fit-for-purpose dog trailers capable of carrying multiple bin sizes. Andrew adds that all custom trailers can be supplied with a swing away west-transcover tarp tower system. “Drivers never need to climb onto their vehicle to secure a load after our tarping system is installed, which enhances PLE TO USE UCES WAST ED SIM safety and streamlines operations,” Andrew says. “Additionally, our user-friendly cab gives operators the ability to control everything from inside the vehicle including weighing and reloading.” Andrew says West Trans’ hooklifts are equally operator friendly, with 29-tonne lifting capacities and both fixed and articulated models available. “West-Trans’ hooklifts are constructed with high tensile structural steel, using the latest available manufacturing technologies and production techniques,” he says. “The geometric design keeps the lifting hook close to the rear driver when lifting, which improves lift performance and truck stability, while the rugged billet steel hook is secure yet easily placed from the driver’s seat.” All HL20 and HL20A hooklifts feature fabricated bin rests, billet steel bin locks and standard hydraulic tipping frame locks. According to Andrew, this makes West-Trans hooklifts some of the most durable on the Australian market. “West-Trans has been operating in Australia for over 25 years, and in that time, has developed a deep understanding extreme accuracy, and consistency cut, combined with very low operating the unique speed requirements of an Australianofenvironment,” e new Yawei HLFsays. fiber laser is the perfect way to take your business to the next level. Andrew “With a combination of tough engineering and clever Designed for reprocessing of polyethylene & r dollar, the new HLF is in strong a league of its own, opening up possibilities for companies geometry, we build equipment that’s built polypropylene flexible packaging material s the lasertocutting last.” sector; from start-ups through to full production, 3-shift Pelletising system with integrated cutter eliminates ments. need for pre-cutting E

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TRANSPORT

Tackling the changing waste segment ISUZU IS RESPONDING TO WASTE INDUSTRY TRENDS WITH A PLAN TO IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY AND DURABILITY THROUGH THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW DUAL CONTROL WASTE AND REFUSE LINE-UP.

hen problems in the Australian recycling sector arise, such as in the international landscape, it grabs our attention quickly. At an on-the-ground level, the volatility of international recycling markets makes the triple bottom line an increasingly valuable proposition. In this vein, increased efficiencies and better environmental outcomes become critical to providing best practise contracts. Amid the chorus of calls for transformational change to our waste and resource recovery systems, Isuzu Trucks is stepping up to the plate. At this year’s Waste Expo, the

Isuzu’s factory developed range was carefully designed for Australian conditions. 40 / WMR / November 2019

company recently announced the launch of an all new dual control waste and refuse truck line-up with four models available (plus wheelbase options). The new range of factory-built and backed dual control solutions hits the Australian market as the waste sector responds to a post National Sword era. As the waste industry calls for greater efficiencies throughout their operations, the release of Isuzu’s new low-tare weight dual control waste solutions couldn’t be timelier. Developed in Australia and with celebrated origins in Isuzu’s tried and tested FSR 140-260 4x2 Dual Control model, the new, expanded dual control range aims to offer high value coupled with reliability. Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) National Sales Manager Les Spaltman says the Isuzu Dual Control range represent best value and performance in each model and is smartly specified.

He says the factory developed range has been carefully designed for Australian conditions and considerations. “Many would be aware of the discontinuation of some of the more traditional, go-to truck models in this sector. In response, we have a highly competitive, low-tare weight solution on offer – one which ticks some key boxes for Australian operators,” Les says. The existing dual rated FSR dual control model is available in 12- and 14-tonne gross vehicle mass (GVM) models. It features robust Isuzu axles, multileaf steel spring rear suspension, dual circuit air over hydraulic front and rear drum brakes with ABS, Allison LCT 2500 transmission and ISRI 6860 with integrated seat belt in both left- and right-hand driver positions. The new 16,500- and 24,000-kilogram GVM dual control models comprise standout componentry, including Hendrickson airbag rear suspension, which delivers substantial tare weight advantages. Les says these features offer a key advantage over competing brands. The new FVZ dual control models use Isuzu’s robust six-rod and trunnion taper leaf type rear suspension, offering excellent levels of cross-articulation for work in arduous terrain, for example at a waste processing facility.

The new line-up applies the spotlight to two proven platforms from Isuzu’s medium-duty F Series line-up. Isuzu’s Dual Control range boasts the company’s much-lauded sixcylinder, 24-valve 6HK1-TCC and TCS engines, renowned for their power, performance, economy and efficiency, especially under high idle conditions. Common features across all Isuzu dual control models include high precision cross shafts linking both leftand right-hand steering columns. Both driving positions are furnished with ISRI 6860 adjustable airsuspended seats with integrated seat belts, offering maximum comfort and operational visibility. All Isuzu dual control models also come equipped with Allison automatic transmission as standard equipment, from the LCT 2500 Series in the FSR,

through to the rugged 3000 Series in the FVD model and the 3500 Series in the FVZ and FVY 6x4 variants. For ease of operation, the instrument panel has been duplicated on the left-hand driving side. Both driving positions feature air-assisted steering wheel height adjustment for complete driver customisation and control. The design also retains existing cab electrical harnessing, with ‘plug and play’ additional wiring harnesses. Fresh safety elements include interlocks for control change overs, safety yellow grab handles and steps, along with Isuzu’s existing safety suite including ABS, RHS driver airbag and cornering lamps for urban laneway safety. “We’ve worked really hard to develop a compelling total cost of ownership argument across these models,” Les says.

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“Lower tare weights bring improved productivity and payload. And when you add the commonality of parts we’ve developed with our F Series range, the equation really adds up in favour of our customers.” Les says the trucks were designed specifically for Australian conditions and in response to industry needs. “We have incorporated proven efficiencies across our engines, driveline and chassis componentry, wheelbase options and in-cab appointments, making this dual control line-up extremely competitive on a number of fronts. “We know that when it comes to the waste and refuse industry, reliability, economy and durability are non-negotiables. We believe these new models have these qualities in spades.”

WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW – TRANSPORT

Team hookloader WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW SPEAKS WITH THE PALFINGER HOOKLOADER TEAM ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM PAYLOADS.

ndustrial conglomerate Sime Darby’s recent acquisition of Gough Group’s New Zealand and Australian operations led to a change of ownership for hydraulic lifting and handling company Palfinger. The change came at a time of growth for the Australian arm of the company, which has been investing in and expanding its hookloader capabilities over the past three years. According to Glen Woodrow, Palfinger Queensland and Northern Territory Account Manager, Palfinger’s Australian hookloader operations have traditionally played second fiddle to the company’s higher-profile crane manufacturing business. “Globally Palfinger is renowned for its cranes, and while our hookloaders have always been just as structurally and operationally impressive, it’s only

The Palfinger team works closely to produce detailed specification and legal loading sheets.

42 / WMR / November 2019

over the last few years that we have dedicated time and resources to grow this vital part of the Palfinger Australia business,” Glen says. “The waste industry has been central to growth for us. Additionally, working with councils on tailored transport and waste solutions has really expanded our knowledge of the sector.” Palfinger brought Glen on as National Account Manager Hooks and Skips three years ago to expand its hookloader operations. He says that prior to his appointment, Palfinger didn’t have a dedicated hookloader team. “I immediately worked with the developed hookloader business plan, which the team has been successfully using ever since,” he says. “The central ideas are collaboration and knowledge transfer, which helps us

deliver maximum payloads for clients, and as a result, maintain long-term relationships. Tailoring the business plan to suit both demographic and geographic demands has been part of the key to our success.” To continue this momentum Palfinger Australia has expanded its national footprint, with two additional team members joining the business over the past two years. They are Stuart Cameron, who oversees Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia, and Seth Ozbas, who joined the team four months ago to run New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Palfinger’s Western Australian interests are supported by Perth-based Palfinger crane salesman Mick Stone, completing the national field coverage. The four account managers work closely together and for every unit

sold, produce a detailed specification and legal loading sheet that provides clients with a complete understanding of each build. “We debrief weekly on what went well with the sale, potential room for improvement and overall customer satisfaction. This means other team members can learn from our experience and have similar wins themselves,” Glen says. Glen says Palfinger’s customer engagement in the preparatory stage is another critical success factor of Palfinger’s hookloader business plan. “We work hard to make sure that when we deliver a hookloader, it’s right the first time. It’s a very bespoke process with considerable research involved – rarely are two Palfinger hookloaders the same,” Glen says. “I like to think we turn customers into clients.”   Stuart says an increased ability to manage national accounts is a key benefit of having dedicated teams in each state. “When a supplier’s operations aren’t centralised, problems can arise, such as red tape surrounding where an order was originally placed and where the servicing will occur. But for us, this isn’t a problem. Palfinger always has an expert available to manage the situation in every state,” he says. Stuart says this is further supported

An increased ability to efficiently manage national accounts is a key benefit of having dedicated teams in each state.

by an extensive list of 37 fully trained service partners located throughout Australia. Before joining the Palfinger team, Stuart worked for another hookloader manufacturer. He says while there are many good products on the market, Palfinger’s hookloaders stand out for their durability and strength. “I know the market well and can confidently say that our top-quality European products are the best hookloaders available,” Stuart says. “I was recently involved in fitting a 20-year-old Palfinger hookloader to a brand-new Scania because the hookloader was still operating at an optimum level. Palfinger can provide that kind of longevity.”

Palfinger leverages an extensive list of 37 service partners throughout Australia to provide support.

Seth, the newest member of the hookloader team, expressed similar sentiments, saying he is impressed with the quality of the product and streamlined nature of Palfinger’s operations. He adds that while he covers the entire New South Wales and ACT region, he spends most of his time in Sydney’s western suburbs. “Most waste and recycling companies are in Sydney, so I have spent the last few months meeting with clients and cold calling potential prospects,” Seth says. “I want to make sure our clients feel comfortable to call me whenever they have a challenging opportunity, so I can arrange a quote on a new product or organise a service on existing equipment.” According to Seth, a key benefit of the multipronged Palfinger sales strategy is the ability to quickly access all previous sales and equipment data. “When I’m speaking with a client who needs specific information about a product, I am able to call the responsible person who provides the information straight away, rather than wasting time scanning through documents,” he says. “The team is really invested in working together to grow and expand Australian hookloader market.”

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 43

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – MEDICAL WASTE

Incinerating oceans of plastic AS THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY EXAMINES ITS WASTE GENERATION AND RECYCLING PRACTICES, WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW EXPLORES INCINERATION AS A SOLUTION FOR NON-RECYCLABLE PLASTIC.

hen speaking with Australian media in September, Peter Thomson, the United Nations’ top envoy for the world’s oceans, compared the fight against plastic pollution to the fight against big tobacco. Plastic has become so ubiquitous in the natural environment that United Nations scientists suggest it could serve as an indicator of the Anthropocene and lead to a reengineering of the planet. While extreme, the statement is not without merit. A Project MainStream report, for example, suggests material in the ocean could outweigh fish by 2050, with an estimated eight million metric tonnes entering the world’s oceans every year. In 2018, an Australian senate inquiry into the waste and recycling industry recommended a ban on all single-use plastics by 2030. Similarly, on the other side of the globe, members of the European Parliament earlier this year voted to ban the material by 2021 earlier this year. Though initiatives like this are a step in the right direction, associated conversations regularly focus on seemingly frivolous consumer items such as coffee lids, straws and plastic bottles. However, as plastic’s chemical composition lends itself to sterility, it is also a necessary material for the medical industry. For generations, plastic has been

44 / WMR / November 2019

Brendon Seipolt says the hospital’s recycling programs for multiple waste streams led to a 600,000-kilogram waste reduction in 2018.

used to manufacture IV drips, syringes, bandages, garments, surgical covers and other indispensable medical products. One of the most commonly used plastics in the medical industry is polypropylene, which is used to make syringes, pouches, test tubes and beakers. While it is recyclable, state and territory health regulations require it to be disposed of post-use. Problems stemming from the inadequacy of disinfection methods lead to much of this material ending up in landfill or, as is sometimes the case, the natural environment. A key issue is a lack of material substitutes for clinical products, meaning the use of single-use plastics in the medical industry is largely unavoidable. Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Woolloongabba, Queensland is one of many Australian hospitals

attempting to address the issue by introducing proactive reduction and recycling initiatives. Brendon Seipolt, PAH Operational Services, says the hospital’s actions include recycling programs for PVC, soft plastics and kimguard (a form of sterilisation wrap) and the introduction of sugar-cane-derived, biodegradable kidney dishes. Brendon says these initiatives led to a 600,000-kilogram waste reduction in 2018. Despite this, much of the waste PAH produces is nonrecyclable, namely contaminated clinical soft plastic. To handle the material, PAH engaged clinical waste incineration specialists Ace Waste. “PAH produces an average of 700,000 kilograms of clinical waste per year that requires incineration, in keeping with safety and quality practices,” Brendon says.

“This is a significant reduction of over 200,000 kilograms since 2012, through an ongoing program of appropriate waste identification and disposal.” Alexander Homewood, Ace Waste Executive Director, says that while sustainability programs like those implemented by PAH and other medical facilities are important, recycling alone cannot sufficiently address the plastic problem. “In the medical industry, the spectre of non-recyclable plastics is complex, with the reality of infection control and single-use necessity challenging the notion that recycling and landfill are the only waste management mechanisms available,” Alexander says. He adds that conservative estimates suggest 30 per cent of all clinical waste is non-recyclable contaminated plastic. “Ace Waste works with the PAH

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and other health clients throughout Queensland and Victoria to manage the second part of the equation, and in doing so close the loop with a service that destroys everything through incineration,” Alexander says. “Ace Waste’s high-temperature incinerators present a viable alternative by completely destroying infectious materials, which stops it from entering the ocean, while also ensuring pathogens are unable to enter the ground or atmosphere.” In addition to destroying the material in its entirety, the Ace Waste incineration process creates a highcalorific energy source. Incineration plants generally require natural gas to maintain combustion. However, Alexander says the high plastic content of clinical waste streams means Ace Waste’s incinerators produce

enough energy to independently maintain combustion conditions. “Contaminated plastic in clinical waste produces 28 megajoules per kilo of heat energy, and by comparison coal produces 32,” Alexander says. “By burning contaminated nonrecyclable plastic, Ace Waste is generating significant amounts of energy from a material source that usually ends up in landfill or worse, in the ocean.” While avoidance and recycling are the key drivers towards positive environmental outcomes, society can’t ignore the reality of waste generation in the medical industry. “We need to understand that some waste is unavoidable, and rather than turning a blind eye, should consider disposal methods that support the overall goal of a more healthy and sustainable future,” Alexander says.

PROFILE

Introducing a container deposit scheme could serve as a catalyst to tackle Victoria’s recycling issues.

Is Victoria ready for a CDS? WITH VICTORIA THE ONLY STATE YET TO COMMIT TO A CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME, WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW SPEAKS WITH INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT SCHEME POTENTIAL.

n the absence of an overarching waste policy, Victoria’s waste management and resource recovery sector lacks market certainty and centralised oversight. As such, an inconsistent approach to waste management created an environment that may have been more attractive to rogue operators. Challenges arise when bulk processing and limited end markets exist in the same region, as evident in Victoria’s recent spate of noncompliant stockpiles. Mark Smith, Victorian Waste Management Association (VWMA) Executive Officer, says current procurement practices encouraged a concentration of processing capacities, and this inherently concentrated risk. Mark adds that the recent SKM Recycling shut down highlights the risks inherent in any system that doesn’t seek to secure end markets for materials and

46 / WMR / November 2019

“I believe our current resource recovery issues present an opportunity to change the way government and the private sector operate.” Mark Smith Victorian Waste Management Association Chief Executive

appropriate protocols for any shocks to the system. “A series of events related to how contracts are written, commodity pricing and how businesses establish themselves brought us to where we are now. It’s not something that happened overnight,” Mark says. “I believe our current resource recovery issues present an opportunity to change the way government and the private sector operate which must see the private sector as a partner with the

government in delivering messages and engaging with the public.” Mark adds that the introduction of a Victorian container deposit scheme (CDS) could serve as a catalyst for tackling our current recycling issues, but can’t be done in isolation or on its own. When the Tasmanian Government earlier this year announced it would introduce a CDS by 2023, Victoria became the only state or territory without a scheme forthcoming or in place.

At VWMA’s August State Conference, Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio told delegates that the state government had no current plans to develop a CDS. That was, despite demonstrated success in other states. Ms D’Ambrosio recently told the 7:30 report that government is closely watching other states’ CDS closely, a statement she reiterates regularly. Seeking to offer up potential solutions to Victoria’s recycling and waste management issues, the VWMA hosted a CDS discussion and knowledge transfer event in October. At the event, delegates analysed schemes and results from other states. Mark says the information will be compiled and presented to delegates attending, which included a number of vocal local governments and other associations, such as the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). The MAV is similarly active, launching its Rescue Our Recycling action plan earlier this year. The plan identifies five actions each tier of government should take to help achieve a sustainable recycling system, with a CDS nominated as a key action for the Victorian Government. The MAV’s submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Recycling and Waste Management, lodged May 2019, likewise urged the state government to introduce a scheme. Coral Ross, MAV President, says she is hopeful the parliamentary committee will recommend a scheme be introduced. “Container deposit schemes are celebrated for their strong record of success in increasing recovery of beverage containers, reducing waste to landfill, delivering community, environmental and economic benefits and decreasing litter,” the submission reads. “In light of trials and studies underway, consideration should also

be given to how a separate kerbside collection for glass may complement or supplant a CDS. Either way, it is imperative that the principles of product stewardship and extended producer responsibility apply.” CRUSHED GLASS Contamination from crushed glass in the general recycling stream is a central driver for CDS implementation. Another solution however, introducing a fourth kerbside glass bin, is also gaining traction, albeit only in preliminary trialling stages. The City of Yarra in Melbourne’s inner east launched a kerbside glass collection trial across 1300 households in April, following a successful FOGO collection trial in 2018. In September, Chris Leivers, Yarra City Council City Works and Assets Director, told Waste Management Review the trial has been successful so far, with a notable decrease in contamination observed. He added that Yarra will look to expand the service throughout the city upon the trial’s completion. While Coral applauds the success of individual council trials, she cautions against assuming statewide implementation would be straightforward and doable. “There is significant diversity across councils and regions in terms of the recycling services councils offer. Proximity to materials recovery facilities, community willingness and ability to pay, and budget and resource constraints are all relevant considerations,” she says. “Also, the Yarra and Macedon trials are small scale, so we can’t yet know how the service would work on a statewide level.” Another issue, Coral says, is whether or not councils can find a processor to take the material. “In the case of Moyne Shire

Council and their intention to roll-out separate glass collection municipalitywide, we understand that having a ready local end market for that material was key to the council making that decision.” she says. “Not all councils may be able to achieve that, plus, there’s a real question about Victoria’s infrastructure and beneficiation capacity if 79 councils all start collecting glass separately.” For these reasons, Coral says the local government sector strongly supports the introduction of a CDS as an immediate state-wide priority. She also notes that she doesn’t consider CDS to be the silver bullet that will fix everything but rather a key component of a suite of reforms needed to improve recycling outcomes. “We have to remember that removing glass from the general stream not only reduces the contamination of paper and plastic, but enables better quality glass recovery,” she says. “Ideally we want to see glass bottles and jars remanufactured into glass bottles and jars. Achieving a clean stream of material is key to that.” Mark has similar infrastructure capacity concerns and issues with a ready market for materials, highlighting the amenity impacts of glass collection in high density areas. He adds that the rise of multi-unit dwellings also needs to be considered when analysing the efficacy of a fourth kerbside bin. Mark says that waste operators already face bin collection challenges including traffic congestion, level of street access and bin placement – added to that could be a fourth collection round with noisy material. “How is that going to impact residents? And what will resident pushback look like once those collections start? It’s a concerning proposition for many VWMA members but may also be a broader traffic challenge as well.”

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PROFILE

A Total Environment Centre report shows 84 per cent of Victorians support the idea of a CDS.

IMPLEMENTATION A recent Total Environment Centre report shows that 84 per cent of Victorians support the idea of a CDS. However, the state government refuses to heed introduction calls. According to Mark, a CDS would require systematic changes to how parts of government operate, which may explain their hesitation. “There hasn’t been a consistent line from the state government on what Victoria’s future recycling program will look like,” he says. “I think that’s a problem, because we end up tinkering on a lot of little activities instead of looking towards a big fundamental shift and that shift has to take into consideration the direction the other states are taking and the region.” Many states, including New South Wales and the Northern Territory, position their CDS as a litter management initiative. Mark say that results from other jurisdictions and globally has seen CDS work as an effective platform to educate and engage with the public on waste,

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litter and recycling issues. “The minister has said multiple times that a CDS won’t adequately address current challenges, and yes it wont fix everything, but there’s never going to be a silver bullet,” he says. “It’s about identifying key challenges for the state, and then chipping away at problems that has support from all the revevant partners in the sector” Another issue, Mark says, is minimal investment in public waste education from the state government. “New South Wales has had ongoing public programs to engage the public on recycling and waste for years, while Victoria hasn’t had a state wide program or investment in this space for over 10 years,” he says. “The state government could utilise a very small component of the Sustainability Fund to finance similar programs here.” In addition to education, Mark says the state government would need to incentivise end markets for recycled materials that would see greater business uptake of recycled materials but also educating the public to seek

out products made with recycled materials. “If we look at the wider waste situation, the private sector invests $815 million each year, while the state government invests very little, with the bulk of the funds allocated going to infrastructure projects. The private sector have repeatedly spoken about the appetite to invest if they know there is market certainty. For me, this poses a question over the role state governments should play in market intervention,” he says. “While introducing a CDS will undoubtably require additional costs at the start, what we’ve seen in other states, especially New South Wales, is that the state government only have to make minimal investment for set up and roll-out.” Mark says government and industry also need to expand their focus beyond the immediate horizon and be conscious of future challenges and the future direction of the region. “We don’t want to set up a system that in two or three years becomes obsolete, or actually becomes some sort of barrier for embracing a national push on product stewardship, because Victoria decided to introduce a CDS [for example] that is in complete contrast with the rest of the country and region,” he says. While Coral says a national scheme would be ideal, she believes Victoria needs to start addressing its current challenges now. “A federal scheme in line with product stewardship was on the table a few years ago but didn’t go anywhere, and now we’ve seen each state roll-out, or commit to rolling out CDS, so it would be a grave mistake for Victoria to sit back and wait for a national CDS,” she says. “You can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”

Zero waste in the sunshine state WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW TALKS TO LEEANNE ENOCH, QUEENSLAND ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, ABOUT THE STATE’S PLAN TO DRIVE RESOURCE RECOVERY THROUGH WASTE LEVY HYPOTHECATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

n a submission to the 2018 Senate Inquiry into the Australian Waste and Recycling industry, one company described waste levies as a blunt economic instrument. The idea, as expressed in the submission, is that despite principled ideals, the waste sector, like all sectors, is profit driven. Incentivising recycling therefore needs more than ethical arguments about the future of the planet. This concept is seemingly understood by the Queensland Environment Department, which when developing its new Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy, positioned the waste levy reintroduction as its cornerstone. Additionally, the strategy pledges a hypothecation rate of 70 per cent, a significant figure when compared to other state’s lack of reinvestment commitments. Known as the sunshine state, Queensland is regarded for its beaches and natural beauty. As such, ineffective environmental management is not simply a waste of material resources, but also natural ones. According to the states Resource Recovery Industries 10-year Roadmap and Action Plan, released May 2019 through the State Development portfolio, policy drivers to support resource recovery and discourage landfill in Queensland have been historically weak.

For instance, the Transforming Queensland’s Recycling and Waste Industry Directions paper notes that the state’s 2014-2024 Waste Avoidance and Resource Productivity Strategy failed to deliver policy or regulatory certainty. According to the paper, this was largely due to the strategy being unfunded, while relying on sectoral plans to encourage behavioural change that were not underpinned by market mechanisms. As a state, Queensland has consistently reported one of the worst resource recovery rates in the country – 45 per cent in 2018. Additionally, between 2007 and 2016, the state’s resource recovery rate remained virtually unchanged, highlighting a lack of action and investment in the sector. The Resource Recovery Roadmap and Action Plan outlines four core strategies to address this via long-term market building. These are accelerating the project pipeline, developing interconnected supply chains, creating responsive policy and legislative frameworks and investing in new technologies. Within these strategies, government will work to provide facilitation services, ensure the availability of suitable industrial land and investigate opportunities for the inclusion of recycled products in government procurement policies. Shortly after the roadmap’s release,

the Environment Department released its own complementary plan, the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy. Waste Management Review spoke to Leeanne Enoch, Queensland Environment Minister, about state government’s efforts to grow environmental health through resource recovery and industry development in October. According to Minister Enoch, the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy is designed to transition Queensland towards a circular economy through longterm targets, including a 25 per cent reduction in all household waste, a 90 per cent diversion from landfill rate and a 75 per cent recycling rate across all waste types by 2050. The overall goal, Minister Enoch says, is to accelerate Queensland towards a zero-waste future. LEVY LOOPHOLE Between 2017 and 2018 Queensland produced nearly 11 million tonnes of waste, with waste generation over the last decade outstripping population growth by 19 per cent. The cause, according to the waste management strategy, is partly attributed to growing volumes of interstate waste being transported to Queensland for disposal. Minister Enoch adds that this problem stems

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PROFILE

Queensland Government Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch says the government has committed to 70 per cent of revenue raised from the levy going back to councils.

from low landfill gate prices and the absence of a waste levy. In recent years, thousands of tonnes of waste generated in New South Wales was trucked into south-east Queensland for landfilling and levy avoidance. The cross-border business resulted in lost taxpayer revenue, while also interfering with NSW and Queensland recycling data. Minister Enoch says addressing this problem is the driving force behind the state’s new waste strategy. The levy applies to 39 out of 77 local government areas, and covers an estimated 90 per cent of Queensland’s population. “It sends a direct price signal that sending waste to landfill is the least preferred option and results in lost economic opportunities.” According to Minister Enoch, the levy will also provide a funding source for programs to assist local

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government, businesses and industry to fund critical infrastructure, establish better resource recovery practices, improve overall waste management performance and sustain Queensland’s natural environment. “We have committed to 70 per cent of revenue raised from the levy going back to councils, the waste industry, environmental programs and administration of the levy,” she says. While levies have a demonstrated landfill aversion effect, with the NSW levy sitting at $141 per tonne compared to Queensland’s $75, concerns have been raised over efficacy. The issue relates to the price disparity of the two when accounting for gate fees and operating costs. Additionally, the Liberal Party introduced a motion in parliament in late August to repeal the waste levy, while the Australian Industry Group

argued the legislation was rushed to raise revenue. The group added that businesses have few alternatives to landfilling their waste. “There are always challenges associated with large-scale programs of regulatory reform,” Minister Enoch says. “The waste levy applies only to waste disposed at landfill, and is an avoidable charge if businesses reduce waste, increase recycling and divert materials to alternative uses.” To alleviate concerns, the state government has provided funding to support communities, councils and businesses manage the transition. “We provided a total of $143 million to councils to ensure the cost of the levy was not passed onto ratepayers,” Minister Enoch says. She adds the levy will additionally allow markets to grow and stimulate demand for innovative products that contain recycled material. “When you consider the success of the Queensland container refund scheme, Containers for Change, it is clear that there are amazing opportunities out there.” In the scheme’s first 10 months, nearly 800 million containers were returned, which, according to Minister Enoch, means $80 million was returned to Queensland charities and community groups. When asked about plans to implement specific procurement policies, Minister Enoch notes that the government has plans to review existing procurement initiatives. The official strategy lists stimulating demand through preferencing procurement contracts for products that use recycled material as a key government action of strategic priority three: building economic opportunity. “The Queensland Government will work with local government and the

waste management sector to develop a consistent procurement contract framework for waste management and resource recovery services,” the document reads. “Local governments should support the Queensland Government through adopting national or state standards for recycled content in procurement, stimulating demand for products containing recycled materials.” HOLISTIC APPROACH According to Minister Enoch, the strategy falls under her government’s wider commitment to protecting Australia’s unique environment and driving centralised waste management practices. “There is considerable interest in waste at a national level, with the Council of Australian Governments

tasking environment ministers with advising on a proposed timetable and response strategy to ban the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres,” she says. “The leaders agreed that the strategy must seek to reduce waste, especially plastics, decrease the amount of waste going to landfill and maximise the capability of our waste management and recycling sector to collect, recycle, reuse, convert and recover waste.” To assist this change and provide a sustained feedstock for the recycling and resource recovery sector, the Queensland Government is planning to pursue landfill disposal bans on selected waste streams. According to the strategy, bans will be underpinned by economic modelling and market development plans for diverted material.

“The Queensland Government recognises the need to give sufficient time for industry to transition and for infrastructure to be built, so a clear implementation timeframe will be provided prior to bans commencing,” the document reads. “The applicability of bans on a regional basis will also be considered.” Minister Enoch says a series of smaller waste action plans are in development to address the diversity of waste streams and their individual waste management challenges. “The next one of these is expected to be the Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan, followed by the Litter and Illegal Dumping Strategy,” she says. “Other plans, such as action plans for priority wastes such as organics, built environment waste and textiles will follow.”

ONBOARD AXLE LOAD INDICATOR DISPLAYS AXLE AND GROSS WEIGHTS SIMPLE COLOURCODED DISPLAY

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SUSTAINABILITY IN BUSINESS

Recycling plastic the natural way NATURES ORGANICS EXPLAINS ITS JOURNEY TO PRODUCING PRODUCTS MADE FROM 100 PER CENT RECYCLED PLASTIC.

t’s been a steep learning curve since personal care manufacturer Natures Organics launched in 1981. With a focus on plant-based ingredients and pioneering environmentally responsible formulations, Natures Organics has had to make tough decisions in its manufacturing of products such as laundry liquids, floor and surface cleaners and body wash. With recycled plastic pellets expensive and difficult to source, the company began using recycled plastics around 10 years ago. The bold move was no easy decision, as Natures Organics found it difficult to swap out virgin plastic stock for recycled plastic pellets. Over the past decade, technical modifications allowed it to produce 100 per cent recycled PET in its products and the company has since led the way in maintaining this structure. As an Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation member within the co-regulatory body’s membership of more than 1400 members, Natures Organics has already matched and exceeded the voluntary 2025 National Packaging Targets. It is now encouraging more businesses to use its resources and networks to meet the targets. In recent years, Natures Organics has been able to match the

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Natures Organics has exceeded the voluntary 2025 National Packaging Targets.

sustainability of its packaging in line with its original environmental goals. For many brands, changing the look of a product is usually a marketing strategy. However, when Natures Organics redesigned the bottles of its Organic Care range in early 2019, the purpose was environmental. Natures Organics uses pellets of Australian recycled plastics to mould and blow all of the bottles for its nine brands of liquid products. Nowadays nearly all of the 43 million bottles the company produces a year, across a range of 130 products, are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic. Likewise, every plastic is 100 per cent recyclable. “We call it bottles from bottles – which is very important in a sector that still relies heavily on bottles and containers made from virgin

plastic derived from petroleum,” says Nancy Clay, Commercial Manager of Natures Organics. Natures Organics is well aware that the relationship between consumers and plastic is souring. In saying that, the company acknowledges the challenges of finding a practical alternative for liquid products as they are generally advantageous over glass and metal across price, flexibility, weight and durability. “I think the push from Australian consumers is that they don’t want plastic at all, especially after seeing the War on Waste. Many consumers want plastic free options,” Nancy says. “Unfortunately in our space that is not easy or practical to implement.” The Melbourne-based manufacturer recently found a solution to coloured, dark or black plastics in their plantbased hair and skin products that were difficult for materials recovery facilities to detect. In response, the company stripped out pigments and moved to clear bottles allowing them to be passed through the recycling stream. Nancy says the latest modification is just another step along a sometimes unpredictable road to more sustainable packaging. It hasn’t always been a smooth ride for Natures Organics with the company encountering difficulties in some areas of its packaged products. New technical challenges arose when Nature Organics produced large bottles requiring handles for

Using 100 per cent recycled HDPE in Natures Organics large laundry products proved challenging.

their laundry liquids made from 100 per cent HDPE. The bottles split, deformed or failed. The company discovered that some virgin HDPE plastic was still required and for this reason now use a 50:50 mix in HDPE bottles. Then there was the challenges of price and supply. It was not until 2016, Nancy says, that a steady supply of recycled pellets was available in Australia. Yet that came at an additional cost of about 15 per cent more than virgin plastics. More recently, the rapid emergence

of compostable bioplastics on the Australian and global market seemed like an attractive alternative to petroleum-based plastics. As a company that distinguishes itself in the market as a plant-based range of brands and products, these corn-based plastics appeared compatible with the company’s environmental ethos. It was an option worth pursuing, Nancy says. However, the company’s first compostable plant-based containers immediately hit two hurdles. First, the current generation

of bioplastics must be composted in industrial facilities at temperature of at least 60° C and high humidity, which were not available in Australia. And, second, if they were mixed in with conventional waste plastics, they were not benign. Compostable bioplastics could contaminate entire batches of potentially recyclable plastics, creating an unintended negative environmental impact. “It’s hard to distinguish between the bioplastic waste bottles and conventional waste plastics. I think both consumers and recyclers were confused,” she says. So, bioplastics were shelved for the time being and Natures Organics went back to recycled plastic pellets. While consideration is being given towards plastic-free packaging, Nancy says that ultimately it’s the circular economy model that currently offers the best solutions. Today, the company buys only pellets of recycled plastic waste that have been processed onshore. Natures Organics uses its own labels to identify its bottles as made from recycled plastics. The upcoming extension of APCO’s Australasian Recycling Label to include the recycled content of packaging will also align with its business model. However, without greater demand for recycled plastic pellets, there won’t be more investment in the recycling infrastructure that’s needed to boost resource recovery in Australia. Nancy says that companies therefore need to help drive demand for recycled materials every step of the way. And, while plastics are not infinitely recyclable, the environmental returns are considerable. Every used bottle that makes its way into the recycling stream can be reprocessed 10 times, avoiding the production of ten virgin plastic bottles.

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE – TROMMELS AND SCREENING EQUIPMENT

Mobile multivitamin CRAIG TURNER, BIO GRO PROJECT MANAGER, TALKS TO WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW ABOUT IMPROVING SOIL HEALTH THROUGH HIGH-ENERGY SCREENING.

he viability of Australia’s productive land is being challenged by extreme weather conditions, as droughts and floods alter soil compositions and reduce nutrient levels. Sustainability Victoria modelling suggests that as a result, the country’s agricultural and horticultural sectors will feel higher rates of climate change

Han Alam, Finlay, and Craig Turner, Bio Gro undertook significant on-site testing for a new organics screen. 54 / WMR / November 2019

than other sectors. Van Schaik’s Bio Gro, a family-owned company based in Mount Gambier, South Australia that supplies growing media, mulches and composts, are working to limit these impacts by stimulating soil health and reducing organic methane emissions. Craig Turner, Bio Gro Project Manager, says the company works in partnership with various councils and private organisations to achieve optimum organic resource recovery. He says that currently, it processes in excess of 750,000 cubic metres

of organic material per annum. “The organic material is processed into a range of specialist growing and mulching mediums, soil amendments and biological growth stimulants, perfectly tailored for the urban amenity, intensive and extensive agriculture and viticulture markets,” Craig says. “To effectively process the organic material, which is inconsistent and varied by nature, we require highintensity screening equipment, which is why we work with Finlay Screening, Crushing and Recycling Systems.” Bio Gro and Finlay’s relationship began in the early 2000s, when Finlay supplied the company with a Terex 693 Double Deck screener for mulch processing. “Finlay offers a quality product with

great service and advice, is always fast to respond to any issues we have and supplies a good spare parts service with 24-hour support,” Craig says. “When we required a new screen to address high moisture level and increase productions times, Finlay was the obvious choice.” After considerable consultation and on-site testing, Bio Gro purchased a Spaleck Flip Flow from Finlay in 2017. “We needed a screen that could produce at the required volume without operators having to regularly clean screen decks, which causes downtime and poses a significant safety risk to our staff,” Craig explains. “Additionally, we wanted a mobile screen that was versatile enough to process the wide range of organic material we receive.” Craig says Bio Gro uses the Flip Flow to screen and separate compost bark, organic compost and recycled timber, at up to 100 cubic metres an hour. Spaleck Flip Flow screens are designed to screen damp and wet

The Flip Flow has helped Bio Grow reduce safety risks and improve output performance.

“Finlay offers a quality product with great service and advice, is always fast to respond to any issues we have and supplies a good spare parts service with 24-hour support.” Craig Turner Bio Gro Project Manager

materials of inhomogeneous origin, with separation cuts of 1.2 to approximately 50 millimetres. According to Craig, the machine’s base frame is agitated by a shaft and unbalanced motor drive, with vibrations passed to the frame through thrust rubbers to produce reliable and high-energy screening. A key component of the mobile system is the Spaleck 3D Combi FlipFlow screen, which Craig says screens and loosens material on a top deck with optimal turning. “The screen deck is mounted above the Flip-Flow deck to form a cascade, with 3D screen segments to reduce loads for the flip-flow screen mat,” he says. “This increases the mat service life

and guarantees optimum screening results. Plus, the screen mats are secured without screws, meaning there are no sharp edges or safety hazards.” Craig adds that the 3D screening segments guarantee correct particle size, with no long pieces or extraneous material passed to the tension shaft screen on the lower deck. “The Flip Flow has far exceeded our expectations and helped Bio Gro reduce safety risks, improve output performance and meet all our product quality requirements,” Craig says. “The screen hasn’t suffered any blockages or downtime to date, which means we can consistently produce nutrient rich mulch and soil amendments to feed our land and protect the environment.”

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE – TROMMELS AND SCREENING EQUIPMENT

Dewatering the market PHIL AMOR, AQSEPTENCE GROUP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, EXPLAINS HOW HIGH SOLIDS SEPARATION IS KEY TO UNLOCKING THE ECONOMIC GROWTH POTENTIAL INHERENT IN FOOD WASTE.

he National Food Waste Strategy estimates that food waste costs the Australian economy $20 million each year. From the inverse perspective, a 2019 report by accounting firm Ernst & Young found that better recycling technology could grow Australia’s economy by $324 million a year. While waste reduction is the central driver of most comprehensive waste strategies, rising technological efficiency in the resource recovery space suggests a growing economic opportunity. Phil Amor, Aqseptence Group Business Development Manager, says recycling food waste can be a challenging process, given stringent government regulations rapid degradation rates. As such, effectively capturing the economic potential of the material requires efficient and high-capacity processing equipment, he says. “As a core component of the food waste recovery process, quality solids separation and dewatering via trommel screens is critical for the delivery of high-quality outputs,” Phil says. He adds that the key to effective dewatering is high rates of solids capture. “When dealing with organics solid separation, operators require a very efficient trommel screen to facilitate high-quality separation rates,” Phil says.

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“The sheer force of the ContraShear Milliscreen, for example, ensures aggressive pumping and solids capture.” The Contra-Shear Milliscreen is designed and manufactured in Australia by Johnson Screens. Contra-Shear Screens consist of a Johnson Screens Vee-Wire drum with an internal feed tank. “Flow passes into the internal tank before it overflows into the weir. The internal feed tank then controls velocities and reduces the force of the flow onto the drum,” Phil says. “The Contra-Shear Milliscreen force generation allows solid separation at a faster rate than typical trommels, which makes it time and costefficient.” Phil says. “Additionally, it has a capture efficiency of up to 95 per cent for

solids greater than aperture sizing, with flow rates up to 3360 cubic metres per hour in a single unit.” According to Phil, fundamental to the separation process is the “ContraShear” action, which is produced by rotating the direction of the screen drum in the opposite direction, relative to the direction of the influent flow. “Although there are imitations in the market, the Contra-Shear Milliscreen is exclusively an Aqseptence Group product,” Phil says. He adds that customers should purchase genuine Contra-Shear Milliscreens from Aqseptence Group to avoid disappointment. Contact Contact: Andrew Torrens Phone: (07) 3867 5551 Email: andrew.torrens@aqseptence.com Website: www.aqseptence.com

Effluent water passes through the element under gravity to trap solids on the screen face.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – TROMMELS AND SCREENING EQUIPMENT

AN ARRAY OF PROCESSING CAPACITY Reduced maintenance, time and expenses remain high priorities for leading international technology supplier Komptech, which is providing a point of market differentiation through its Nemus drum screen. Contrary to competitor products, the Nemus leverages an open engine compartment accessible from all sides – adding an extra layer of safety for on-site material management. The engine unit is also hydraulically extendable allowing for streamlined oil checks. With maintenance made easy, the side wall can be folded separately or together with the drum for further changes and cleaning. The Nemus Maxx Primus drum screens by Komptech were designed for a variety of applications, including compost, wood/biomass, soil/gravel and shredded bulk, household,

residual and refuse-derived fuels. Controllable hopper and drum rotation speeds support precise material alignment. Drum overfilling is prevented by a load-dependent hopper control to support compost processing. Komptech drum screens effectively process high-bulk materials such as wood/biomass through a feed hopper tailored to the drum size. When it comes to processing excavated material such as sand, gravel and lightweight building rubble, Komptech has a solution for heavy materials. Solid contraries are kept back by a hinged hopper pre-screen and a hopper belt controller that prevents skewing on the belt. In processing shredded, household, residual waste and RDF, the machine creates ample space between screen drums and side walls for a smooth operation. Komptech also has a cellular application called “Connect!” which reports events and diagnosis codes, in addition to data on operating hours, fuel consumption and idle time by mobile radio to a central data sever. Contact Phone: 1800 ELB EQU Email: info@elbquip.com Website: www.elbquip.com

Komptech drum screens process high-bulk material.

SCREENING FOR ALL OCCASIONS Terra Select trommel screens aim to tackle often challenging materials with ease, including wet compost and hard waste such as plastics and foams. Whether it’s the Terra Select T 30 for small composting sites or the T 60 for high throughput performance, Australian distributor GCM Enviro offers a machine for all occasions. Popular among smaller composting sites, the T 30 offers flexibility, good accessibility and low operating costs. Service tasks and trommel changes can be performed easily and reliably. Those after a powerful machine with compact dimensions can look no further than the T 40, with all the technological advantages of the “big machines” transferred into the compact class. With a screening performance of up to 200 square metres per hour, the Terra Select T 60 is equipped with a 2200 millimetre trommel drum. The high-performance 81-kilowatt motor allows sufficient reserves for star screening decks or windsifter attachments. The most powerful mobile machine in the Terra Select product range is the T 70, with an ability to handle hard-to-screen

materials such as wet compost. The long trommel and its correspondingly wide screening deck is suited to screening all kinds of waste. Screening two fine screenings in one step is a standout feature of the DT 60. The double trommel screening machines perform a “coarse fine separation” to separate course fractions in the initial screening stages. GCM Enviro is the sole distributor of Terra Select machinery in Australia.

The T 60 screens up to 200 square metres per hour. Contact Phone: 02 9457 9399 Website: www.gcmenviro.com

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE – BINS AND SKIPS

Sustainability systems SEBASTIAN WADDELL OF METHOD RECYCLING EXPLAINS HOW EDUCATION AND CENTRALISED WASTE STATIONS CAN HELP REDUCE BUSINESSES’ COSTS.

ultinational corporations announcing large-scale sustainability commitments has been a common theme of 2019. As a result, organisations are under increasing pressure to take ownership of their waste. Beyond social pressure, businesses also have to deal with legislative changes, namely the introduction and/or rise of landfill levies. According to Sebastian Waddell, Method Recycling National Business Development Manager, companies are now further examining how they can reduce and separate waste and recycle more effectively. Method operates under the philosophy of open plan recycling, where centralised recycling stations replace traditional under desk bins and one source recycling. According to Sebastian, behavioural change is key to the Method process. Sebastian Waddell.

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“When bins are hidden away, people often throw their waste away mindlessly, but with our system they are confronted with a choice that forces them to think, what am I holding and where does it go?” he says. Sebastian says the first stage of switching to Method is preliminary consultation and strategy development. First, Method contacts the client’s waste contractor to ensure it has the capacity to collect the required source separated streams. If the contractor doesn’t, Sebastian says Method will encourage the client to outsource to an additional contractor. “Clients often think outsourcing will be an expensive process. However, if their current waste contractor is only collecting two streams, landfill and recycling, they are essentially sending 30 to 50 per cent of their waste to landfill. “There are significant levy fees attached to landfill disposal, so getting the client to source separate as much as they can by contacting additional parties will drastically reduce waste management overheads.” Education is the central component of this process, Sebastian says. He says that Method continuously keep its clients up to date on waste levy increases and contamination charges. After collection is addressed, Method works closely with the client on education programs and system rollouts. “We ask, what has worked for your company in the past? What hasn’t? And what goals do you want to achieve?”

We then develop support systems and collateral that underscore the do’s and dont’s of each bin, based on the waste types at that specific organisation.” Sebastian explains that while most people are open to source separating, individuals who haven’t been exposed to the process before can be hesitant. “In that case, it’s about working with those objections and helping people understand the benefits of separating their waste,” he says. “The biggest problem is always the removal of under-desk bins.” To address under-desk pushback, Method developed the precycler product, which sits on individual desks and allows people to source separate on a micro level. When an individual then needs to leave their desk, they can take the precycler with them for disposal at a central bin station, Sebastian says “One of our larger clients has 20 separate offices, and with that level of staff there was bound to be resistance, but after we introduced the precycler opposition dissolved immediately,” he says. “People are becoming more conscious of their waste and it’s clear that interest is growing. Sustainability is a slow-moving wheel, but we’re getting there.” Contact Contact: Matt Oldfield Phone: +64 27 650 0111 Email: matt@methodrecycling.com Website: www.methodrecycling.com

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – BINS AND SKIPS

ACT BINS’ HOOKLIFT MANUFACTURING ACT Bins manufactures hooklift bins in various sizes from four cubic metres up to 40 with four-five and sixmillimetre walls. This aims to provide superior strength and durability. According to ACT Bins, its bins are some of the strongest on the market, with floors, doors and rows of 100 by 80 millimetres and a 100-by-100-millimetre channel down the sides and under the floor. All the reinforcing joins along both sides are fully welded and have a 10-millimetre plate added to each side of the joins for extra strength. ACT Bins uses a 50-millimetre steel shaft for the hooklift pin and 22-millimetre side plates and 10-millimetre gussets to reinforce the front A-frame. The door hinges are 30-millimetre steel shafts. The locking mechanism has 12-millimetre steel plates. For extra security, the company notes a ratchet lock can also be added at minimal cost. Both sides of the bin have 100-millimetre chamfers along the full length of the floor to help reduce dirt or contents build-up. As an optional extra, the company can accommodate any AS2700 colour choice with two top coats of high-quality industrial enamel paint. Stencilling and welded serial numbers can also be arranged. All bins are welded to Australian standards and available

ACT Bins are welded to Australian standards and available with a range of modifications.

with a range of modifications to suit a customer’s requirements, such as rated crane lift pad eyes, oversize fork pockets and top swing watertight doors. Contact Contact: Matt Eaton Phone: 0402 197 259 Email: matt@binsandsheds.com.au Website: www.binsandsheds.com.au

BINS AND SKIPS FOR ALL OCCASIONS As a leading manufacturer and supplier of waste and recycling equipment, Wastech Engineering prides itself on providing the market with a broad range of products, suitable for a diverse range of industries. Among its product line-up is a broad array of bins and skips including open top bins and skips, auger bins, mobile garbage bins, compactor bins and ancillary equipment such as bin lifters. For larger operations producing increased quantities of waste or recyclables, Wastech offers open top skips in varied dimensions, hook heights and rail widths, providing added flexibility to fit customers’ site needs. Similarly, the company’s compactor bin range can also be manufactured to suit end user requirements, while delivering even greater refuse collection power thanks to the bins’ inbuilt compactor function. Wastech’s auger bin range provides a versatile solution suitable for commingled recycling, screened grit, powders and similar waste products. With an in-built levelling screw, the waste is evenly distributed to the rear of the bin ensuring full use of space to maximise payload.

Its complementary range of bin lifters are capable of lifting and tipping bins from 80 litres through to 3000 litres. The capabilities allow Wastech to make it easier, safer and more efficient to dispose of waste and recyclables.

Wastech’s auger bin range provides a versatile solution suitable for a range of waste products. Contact Phone: 03 8787 1600 Email: info@wastech.com.au Website: www.wastech.com.au

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WEIGHING SYSTEMS

No wasted data WITH AUSTRALIA’S WEIGHT-BASED BILLING TRANSITION UNDERWAY, TRIMBLE EXPLAINS THE STREAMLINING CAPABILITIES OF LOADRITE WEIGHING SYSTEMS.

he concept behind weight-based billing is simple – reduce waste generation by offering cost incentives for reduction and recycling. The heavier the waste, the more the generator pays. Traditionally, waste collection and disposal services billed generators based on the size and number of bins. Weight-based billing calculates costs based on the actual weight of the material being collected. The Organix19: Organics Waste Management in a Circular Economy report, authored by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, theorises a range of policy strategies to advance and integrate organics waste management within the Greater Sydney region. Within the report is an argument for legally mandating weight-based billing, which Dale Cameron, Trimble Onboard Weighing’s Australian Manager, says could gain traction. Dale says industry uptake has accelerated in recent years, due to data transparency, improved reporting and the elimination of pay disputes. Trimble LOADRITE onboard weighing systems work under the weight-based billing framework to provide real-time cost data based on individual bin weights. Dale says that when using a LOADRITE system, operators are able to provide accurate weights to their customers while maintaining openness. “The cab display shows weight data calculated from the load and position sensors, and during lifting, operators can see the bin payload,” he says.

60 / WMR / November 2019

Trimble LOADRITE onboard weighing systems work under the weight-based billing framework.

“The system also has an automatic mode that adds each bin to the total weight. “This keeps a running tally of total truck payloads and alerts operators when bins are overloaded.” Dale says the LOADRITE system provides accurate, reliable and traceable data on all loading activities. “This helps waste collectors operate more efficiently, plus helps incentivise recycling and waste reduction, as organisations will notice immediate discounts in billing when they divert more waste from the landfill stream,” Dale says. “This makes waste generators more aware of the cost of landfilling and leads to behavioural adjustments.” As with most technology, Dale says LOADRITE weighing systems have evolved in recent years, becoming easier to use and less costly than their first iterations. He adds that much of this progression is shaped by the proliferation of connected solutions and mobile applications. “Organisations are increasingly

looking to replace payload measurement systems for next-generation onboard scales that maximise payload optimisation,” Dale says. “Trimble weighing systems take that idea to the next level by delivering machine-to-machine connectivity that streamlines data collection and facilitates efficient data exchange.” Contact Contact: Simon Rush Phone: +64 9820 7736 Email: simon_rush@trimble.com Website: www.aggregates.trimble.com

The LOADRITE system provides traceable data on all loading activities.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WEIGHING SYSTEMS

Facility managers go green A PUSH TOWARDS INCREASED SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES IS INSPIRING THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTOR TO TURN TO WASTE MANAGEMENT AUDIT SOFTWARE.

sustainable transformation towards NABERS ratings usage has in the past year been making waves across the commercial and industrial (C&I) waste sector. According to the NABERS Annual Report for the financial year 201819, the new waste rating acts as the foundation of a circular economy, with 10 leading retail organisations using the system. The popular system, which measures the environmental performance of Australian buildings, tenancies and homes, has according to National Weighing & Instruments led to a spike in demand for its industrial weighing solutions in the C&I space. It comes as firms are increasingly looking to understand how much waste they are producing to not only reduce their environmental impact, but potentially lower their costs. Marketing Manager Ryan Reinker says unlike traditional waste management audit software, the Industrial Waste Management (iWM) System is an all-in-one package that comprises scale, weighing and software componentry. “The benefit of our system is you have one point of contact through us with no yearly license or software fees. Once operators purchase the system, it’s theirs,” Ryan says. He says that there is minimal maintenance required with only yearly

calibration and scales, unless users choose to take up a leasing option. The iWM system offers a comprehensive record for managing a variety of waste streams at a diverse range of facilities, including office blocks, hotels and restaurants, school, colleges and universities, factories and hospitals. The system is powered by a weighing computer and runs on Windows CE. The system also offers legal-for-trade weighing systems for those charging by weight. Key features include a versatile touchscreen, spreadsheet printouts in CSV form, full traceability for invoicing and suitability for all types of wheeled bins up to 1100 litres. Waste bins and containers can be electronically tagged by waste type and client, with a tag reader sending data directly to the terminal. Tags can be programmed with information including tare (empty weight), client ID and location. Data redundancy ensures the data can be captured using the device itself in the event of SIM failures. “For tenants, they can have a breakdown of waste streams to monitor how much they are producing,” he says. Ryan says it’s also a closed system, meaning that if companies need to allow remote access they can supply their SIM cards to National Weighing & Instruments on a closed network for remote support, assistance or training. Additionally, changes or

The Industrial Waste Management System is an all-in-one package.

alterations to software are not possible, preventing troubleshooting issues from exacerbating. With a national presence in every major city except Canberra, National Weighing & Instruments stands ready to provide strong after-sales support. “This, added to the remote login feature for service support, gives us superior after-sales assistance,” he says. As for the company’s next steps? Ryan hopes it can become even more user-friendly by offering innovative features, such as taking snapshots of bins to provide evidence of contamination in real time, as opposed to traditional manual recording. Contact Phone: 1300 669 162 Website: www.nationalweighing.com.au

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE – WEIGHING SYSTEMS

Chain of compliance A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TRANSPORT WASTE SOLUTIONS AUSTRALIA AND AXTEC IS HELPING WASTE AND TRANSPORT COMPANIES MEET THEIR CHAIN OF RESPONSIBILITY OBLIGATIONS.

hen new Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws came into effect last year, weighing systems and software supplier Transport Waste Solutions Australia (TWS) formed a strategic partnership with axle weighing and load monitoring specialist Axtec. Chris Coleman, TWS Project Manager, says that by installing Axtec products, TWS can help waste companies meet CoR obligations through accurate weighing that reduces axle overloads risk. “CoR ensures everyone in the supply chains shares compliance responsibility, meaning it’s a shared interest to ensure all vehicles leaving waste depots comply with legislation,” Chris says. He adds that Axtec products facilitate this compliance by providing reliable vehicle load information in real-time while waste collectors perform their day-to-day operations. “Axtec has been operating in the weighing space since 1991 and that experience allows it to consistently develop quality products that ensure maximum return on every truck journey without risking overloads,” Chris says. According to Chris, Axtec’s first product was a dynamic axle weighbridge, which transport and waste management companies use to charge dropoffs by weight. “As the weighbridge is certified for commercial, public and enforcement use, a number of government agencies

62 / WMR / November 2019

TWS has installed and calibrated over 30 load monitoring units for customers since May 2018.

responsible for enforcing CoR have installed their own weighbridge as a monitoring device,” Chris says. The Axtec dynamic weighbridge automatically weighs all vehicles entering the premises, including those with abnormal loads, and determines both individual axle and gross vehicle loads. “A six-axle articulated lorry can be weighed in under 40 seconds, so it’s great for maintaining streamlined processes and enhancing efficiency,” Chris says. Following the dynamic axle weighbridge, Chris says Axtec continued to innovate, introducing the onboard axle load indicator in 2007. He adds that the system provides realtime weighing information to drivers of waste vehicles from 3.5-tonne vanbased derivatives through to 26-tonne and 32-tonne rigids. “Axtec OnBoard provides the

driver with information on axle and gross vehicle loads via a very simple, easy-to-read, colour-coded bar graph display,” Chris says. “Visual and audible warnings can prompt the driver when overloads are present, while load data is simultaneously written to the built-in logger and transmitted to a tracker system.” Chris adds that the colour touchscreen automatically displays images from rear-view or sidemounted cameras, and can be set to dim when the vehicle is in motion. “All of these functions take place with absolutely no input from the driver, so there are no unnecessary distractions,” he says. “Since May 2018, TWS has installed and calibrated over 30 units for customers from large waste organisations to state government utilities and local government.”

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT – WEIGHING SYSTEMS

GARWOOD INTERNATIONAL’S EXCLUSIVE VEHICLE WEIGH SOLUTIONS RANGE Garwood International is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for the Vehicle Weighing Solutions range of weighing systems. Products include Enviroweigh, LoadWeight and the Vehicle Overload Protection System (VOPS). Garwood supplies the European licensed-for-trade EnviroWeigh system which is able to accurately weigh individual mobile garbage bins. The system allows for accuracy of 0.5 per cent or better during the normal loading cycle and there is no need to stop the lift cycle. The EnviroWeigh system provides individual bin weights while displaying a running total of collected weights, helping crews to prevent overloads. The LoadWeigh is designed for high accuracy in rugged conditions and according to Garwood International, is the first choice for waste collectors. The Vehicle Weighing Solutions weigher helps to manage overloads by measuring the weight of the vehicle and its payload, minimising damage to running gear, tyres and braking systems. Benefits include the ability to ascertain net, load, gross and axle weights as well as seamless integration to GPS/GPRS tracking systems.

Truck operators increase profits and protect investment by reducing the risk of running light and wasting money. The VOPS 2 has been developed by Vehicle Weighing Solutions as a sophisticated yet simple solution that can be fitted to most types/categories of vehicle, whether the suspension is steel or air. It gives the driver accurate loading information when and where it is needed. The VOPS 2 vehicle overload protection system aims to be an extremely reliable enclosed measurement system that does not rely on springs or moving parts. Contact Contact: Daniel McHugh Phone: (02) 9756 3756 Email: info@garwoodinternational.com.au Website: www.garwoodinternational.com.au

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT – HOOKLIFTS AND LANDFILL MONITORING EQUIPMENT

PALFINGER’S TELESCOPIC HOOKLOADERS which offer an ability to handle shorter containers. High-tensile steel reduces hookloader weight for maximised payloads while optimising the weight to increase truck longevity and reduce fuel costs. Low build and compact subframes enables reduced transport heights, with a low centre of gravity providing better and safer driving conditions. The loading of higher containers increases transported volume. Palfinger’s telescopic hookloaders also work to reduce horizontal forces and increase tipping capacity. For increased safety, articulated arms allow very low loading angles and avoid load sliding, while offering underroof and under-floor loading. Hydraulic locking secures the containers in the front while the crane operates, with tank containers or containers with hydraulic devices for very high and long containers. Cab controls are ergonomic and intuitive and offer magnetic fastening while thin cables facilitate cab control manipulation.

Palfinger’s telescopic hookloaders work to increase tipping capacity and reduce horizontal forces.

Palfinger’s hookloaders were designed for maximum payload and efficiency of operation. The variety of models boast increased payloads and tipping capacity, low transport heights, hydraulic locking, an articulated arm, cab control and a range of other features. Palfinger is able to offer hookloaders to suit a desired application, from the telescoping loaders for different container lengths loading, to its telescopic A systems

Contact Contact: Mark Gardner Phone: 0428 128 476 Email: mark.gardner@palfinger.com.au Website: www.palfinger.com.au

FLIR’S A315/A615 THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS FLIR’s thermal imaging cameras were developed to produce clearer images with greater accuracy over long distances. The FLIR A615 is a compact thermal imaging camera that is fully controlled by a PC. Due to its compliance standards, the FLIR A615 offers plug and play with third-party Machine Vision software such as National Instruments, Cognex, Matrox, MVtec and Stemmer all facilitated by GeniCam

protocol compatibility. FLIR’s A615 camera is equipped with an uncooled vanadium oxide (VoX) detector that aims to produce a crisp thermal image of 640 by 480 pixels. In addition to a high-speed infrared windowing option, the thermal image produces a clearer image than standard models. Operators that do not require as high an image quality can opt for the A315, which produces thermal images of 320 by 240 pixels. Both models make temperature differences as small as 50 millikelvin clearly visible, while including a built in 25-degree lens with motorised focus and autofocus. The A315 offers a field of view and minimum focus distance of 25 by 18.8 degrees over 0.4 metres, in addition to a focal length of 18 millimetres. For those that require a greater scope of vision, the A615 conversely uses a range of field of views and focal lengths. Contact

FLIR’s thermal imaging cameras were developed to produce clearer images with greater accuracy. 64 / WMR / November 2018

Contact: Sean Towner Phone: 0419 155 500 Email: sean.towner@flir.com.au Website: www.flir.com.au

LAST WORD

Tackling waste together NSW ENVIRONMENT MINISTER MATT KEAN LAYS OUT THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES FOR ITS 20-YEAR WASTE STRATEGY.

he origin of the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” may be lost to time, but its meaning has never been more relevant than today. Australians treasure the concept of recycling and rightfully demand a recycling system that is effective, affordable and sustainable. The readers of Waste Management Review are at the cutting edge of one of the biggest environmental challenges facing New South Wales and our country. I’m committed to working with the industry to build a truly sustainable sector which enjoys public trust and confidence. Our state is vast and the economics, infrastructure and issues of regional New South Wales pose different challenges to the ones we face in the city. But people in the city and the bush are united in their clear expectation that when we say we are recycling, that is what we are doing. They are united in expecting us to keep our word when we say we are protecting the environment and human health. And they expect that the management of waste be efficient and effective, so the bins are collected on time and their local environment is protected. The NSW Government is fully engaged with the Commonwealth

NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean says the 20-year waste strategy will involve extensive consultation.

and the other states as we work to meet the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreement to ban waste exports while building up the domestic recycling industry. To make sure we do our part to create a truly national plan, and to get our response right to the challenges we face here in NSW, we are developing a 20-year waste strategy. We are ending the cycle of knee-jerk policy that leads to poor outcomes. To get the strategy right for the short and long term, we’re going to consult intensively with local government, the waste, manufacturing and remanufacturing industries, the charitable sector, waste and recycling experts and local communities around the state.

We have three objectives for the strategy and all our state waste policies: sustainability, reliability and affordability. Sustainability means the NSW waste industry is self-sustaining, delivers improved environmental outcomes and avoids the human health impacts associated with poorly managed waste. Reliability means putting consumers at the centre of the strategy. It means making sure that the bins are always collected and our waste is managed in accordance with community expectations, so if we say something is going to be recycled, it is actually recycled. Affordability means ensuring that waste services are delivered at a reasonable cost and with the customer in mind. The government must enable industry to extract value and support them through developing policies and creating markets through our commitment to a circular economy. In February this year we published the Circular Economy Policy. Moving to a circular economy will provide long-term economic, social and environmental benefits for NSW. The policy specifies real action and timing and provides a roadmap on how we will transition to a circular economy. It will inform the development of another key priority – the Plastics

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LAST WORD

Plan, an ambitious, nation-leading comprehensive plan to deal with the issue of plastic waste in NSW. The plan will look at options to reduce single-use plastics, prevent plastic litter, address the impact of microplastics and support plastics reuse in a circular economy. Work on the plan is underway and community consultation will begin later this year. If you want to see a model for how the government sees the future of waste management, you should take a look at the Return and Earn Scheme. It’s the most comprehensive litter reduction scheme in the state’s history, and it delivers for the environment, the community and the industry. More than two billion cans, bottles and plastic containers have been collected - waste that is definitely not going into our lakes, waterways, bushland or parkland. More than $440,000 has been raised for important community work in New South Wales directly

More than $440,000 has been raised for community work from Return and Earn.

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“More than two billion cans, bottles and plastic containers have been collected - waste that is definitely not going into our lakes, waterways, bushland or parkland.” Matt Kean NSW Environment Minister

through Return and Earn. And Return and Earn ensures high quality recyclables with low levels of contamination enters the recycling stream. Many of these plastic, glass and aluminium containers collected under the scheme are processed for reuse within Australia. The scheme is a benchmark of how industry, government and the community can work together to achieve great waste outcomes. When we look at municipal solid waste – the everyday items we use and throw away – each person in NSW

produces about 0.53 tonnes of waste. Across NSW, we produce around 21.4 million tonnes of waste per year. Waste management is a huge environmental challenge. But it comes with enormous opportunity to innovate and do things differently, looking at new technologies to reduce the total impact of waste on our environment. I am looking forward to working with industry, local government and our communities to deliver this ambitious agenda. We have an opportunity to deliver great outcomes for the people of NSW.

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Waste Management Review November 2019

Articles inside

RECYCLING PLASTIC THE NATURAL WAY

WHAT HAPPENED TO MWOO?

MOBILE MULTIVITAMIN

ACQUISITIONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

ZERO WASTE IN THE SUNSHINE STATE

CONTAINER DEPOSIT ACTION