Waste Management Review November 2023 by Prime Creative Media

Waste Management Review

NOVEMBER 2023

2023 | NOVEMBER | ISSUE 79

Growth stocks

CDE Founder Tony Convery cements the company’s foothold in Australia.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au

FEATURES

Soft plastics scheme a platform for change BINGO goes the distance Living with purpose A glass act

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

PMS 380 PMS 376 PMS 355

COVER STORY

39 LIVING WITH PURPOSE

Repurpose It has partnered with TV host Jamie Durie to highlight the benefits of a circular economy and debunk the myths around recycling.

GROWTH STOCKS

Wet processing expert CDE invests in the future as it officially opens new Australian headquarters and warehouse facilities.

“OUR DECISION TO ESTABLISH A PRESENCE HERE WAS FUELLED BY OUR BELIEF IN THE TALENT, INNOVATION, PURPOSE AND PASSION THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS TO OFFER.” - Tony Convery, CDE Executive Chairman and Founder

In this issue

Features 16 GOING THE DISTANCE

30 GT OF RECYCLING

BINGO Industries is at the forefront of a smart, sophisticated industry pushing the boundaries.

A Victorian-based recycler combines high-performance with a long-term view to the future.

USTAINABLE 18 SOPPORTUNITIES

SING PLASTICS 32 UFOR GOOD

Wastech Engineering’s C&D waste solutions help drive greater resource recovery.

A CUT ABOVE

The M&J 4000M continues to play a key role in Australia’s transition to a circular economy.

PIPA educates the community on the importance of long-life plastics.

34 NEXT GEN

A world-first facility using Licella’s Cat-HTR platform for advanced plastics recycling nears completion.

22 CRUSHIN’ IT

RAISE A GLASS

24 A NEW MOVEMENT

LIVING WITH PURPOSE

ALLU launches a new crusher designed to achieve big results on small job sites. Orez Solutions tailors solutions for waste recycling and recovery challenges and opportunities.

PLATFORM FOR CHANGE

Inside the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s findings into the National Soft Plastics Scheme.

ResourceCo takes on previously unrecyclable waste with a new multimillion-dollar facility. Repurpose It partners with TV host Jamie Durie to debunk the myths around recycling.

HREDDING FOR 44 STHE FUTURE

CEA unlocks the potential of shredding in the waste management industry.

46 REAL-TIME REPORTING Carlson technology helps landfill operators reduce airspace.

48 GROWING PAINS

Why the compost story is a great one for farmers.

50 COUNCIL IN FOCUS

A look at how AlburyCity Council is making the most of its resources.

Regulars

53 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 57 LAST WORD

42 LIGHT THE WAY

Ecocycle takes on the challenges of recycling and recovering the value of end-of-life lighting equipment.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 3

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

GROUP MANAGING EDITOR

From the Editor

Small steps toward progress The collapse of instore collection service REDcycle in 2022 drew government and community attention to plastics recycling. Tanya Barden, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), hit the nail on the head when she said continuing to put soft plastics into landfill is not a good option for the environment or the economy. Waste Management Review spoke with Tanya just days after the National Soft Plastic Summit, held in September, where the AFGC released new research into the proposed National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS). More than four years in the making, the scheme has been described as a leading example of product stewardship that encompasses the entire supply chain and, when fully operational, will close the loop on soft plastics. It’s hoped a commitment to change across the industry will give manufacturers confidence to invest in the technology gaps needed in Australia. We’re already making some progress in that regard. The completion of a worldfirst facility using Licella’s advanced plastics recycling platform Cat-HTR (Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor) is proof of the technology operating at commercial scale and comes as Licella scales up plans for an advanced chemical recycling facility in Melbourne. And in Geelong, Victoria, a family-owned and operated company has flicked the switch on an upgraded plant that recycles polypropylene and low-density polyethylene into a pellet suitable for use in manufacturing a range of plastic products within Australia. With infrastructure like these introduced, the better chance there is of reducing plastic going to landfill. Also in this edition, we take a look at CDE Group’s new Australasian headquarters in Queensland. While impressive, the new office is more than just bricks and mortar, it signals a belief in the talent, innovation, purpose and passion within Australia to end a futile cycle of waste. Happy reading

Lisa Korycki 6 / WMR / November 2023

Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Mike Wheeler mike.wheeler@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

Lisa Korycki lisa.korycki@primecreative.com.au

JOURNALIST

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ARTICLES

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

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NEWS

Making headlines

A SNAPSHOT OF SOME OF THE STORIES AND EVENTS SHAPING THE INDUSTRY MORE TO THE DAILY GRIND A new study has revealed how spent coffee grounds can be made into biodegradable films that could one day offer an alternative to plastic. It’s part of ongoing research by Srinivas Janaswamy, associate professor in South Dakota State University’s Department of Dairy and Food Science, to create biodegradable alternatives to plastic, often from agricultural by-products. Previously, Janaswamy has prepared films from the cellulose-rich peels of avocados and corn stover. LANDMARK PROJECT Global professional services firm GHD has been appointed Owner’s Engineer by Green Steel of WA to develop Australia’s first green steel recycling mill in the town of Collie. The plant, an electric arc furnace (EAF) steel mill, will be powered by renewable energy, processing local scrap steel to produce more than 400,000 tonnes of

Green Steel WA will develop Australia’s first green steel recycling mill.

long steel products annually for local consumption and export, creating a circular economy for Western Australian steel for the first time in history.

PLASTICS GO DOWN, DOWN A new Coles initiative will prevent 28 million plastic produce bags from being produced in one year. The retail giant will replace single-use plastic bags with certified compostable bags in the fresh produce section of all South Australian stores. Made from renewable resources including corn starch, the bags can be placed in the council’s green bin or used in home compositing. VIC CDS JOBS BOOST More than 600 new jobs are expected to be created when Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) is rolled out across the state. Then Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt visited TOMRA Cleanaway’s Clayton depot recently to see the 80

reverse vending machines that are already being installed ahead of the scheme’s 1 November 2023 start date.

HIGH RETURNS Seven billion containers have been returned through Queensland’s container refund scheme in less than five years of operation. Since launching in November 2018, the Containers for Change scheme has returned more than $700 million to the pockets of Queenslanders, including almost $11 million being paid to charities and community groups. PLASTIC PROMO BAN Western Australia will become the first state to ban single-use plastic promotional film in outdoor settings as part of its Plan for Plastics. The ban will apply to material used for promotional purposes such as political elections and retail signage. It will come into effect from March 2024. COUNCILS ENERGISED Queensland council leaders have discovered the financial and environmental benefits of landfill biogas extraction at an open day at the Toowoomba Waste Management Centre. The event, a joint initiative between Toowoomba Regional Council and LGI Limited, was aimed at showing council leaders how methane emissions from landfill can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be transformed into renewable energy.

To find out more about these stories and the latest projects, visit: www.wastemanagementreview.com.au 8 / WMR / November 2023

The next generation of advanced recycling is coming. ARV is bringing Licella’s pioneering Cat-HTRTM solution to Victoria. A truly scalable advanced chemical recycling solution that transforms mixed waste plastic into high quality oil, enabling the local production of food-grade recycled plastic.

Be part of the revolution to ensure all plastic moves forward in circles. Find out more

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COVER STORY

Growth stocks

WET PROCESSING EXPERT CDE INVESTS IN THE FUTURE, OFFICIALLY OPENING NEW AUSTRALIAN HEADQUARTERS AND WAREHOUSE FACILITIES.

Tony Convery, CDE Executive Chairman (centre) and the CDE team at the office opening.

hen CDE Global sold a sand and gravel washing system to WA Limestone in 2010, it set the seeds for an intercontinental commitment to do things right. Fast forward 13 years and the Ireland-based processing equipment manufacturer has designed and engineered some of Australia’s largest resource recovery projects and been recognised with a slew of global wards. In August 2023, CDE committed additional resources to the local market, officially opening new Australian headquarters in Queensland.

Tony Convery, CDE Executive Chairman and Founder, describes the office opening as a significant milestone in the company’s history. “Our decision to establish a presence here was fuelled by our belief in the talent, innovation, purpose and passion that this country has to offer,” Tony says. “It’s a testament to our commitment to our customers’ growth, innovation, and our global expansion – where we bring our exciting offering to every corner of the world. And this corner of the world for us is very, very special. “Australia, with its culture, diverse markets and trade and

business ecosystem, presents us with countless possibilities.” Together with customers, CDE is diverting millions of tons of material from landfill, protecting sands in areas where natural reserves are in decline, and enabling production to happen closer to markets. Since its formation in 1992, the company has designed, manufactured, and commissioned wet processing plants around the world. It’s headquarters, in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, is home to a large campus dedicated to the wet processing industry. All the equipment is prewww.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 11

COVER STORY

A timeline of CDE’s history takes pride of place in the new headquarters.

12 / WMR / November 2023

wired, assembled and factory tested in manufacturing facilities in Cookstown and Monkstown, Northern Ireland. The new 2900 square-metre Australian headquarters, based in Stapylton, near Brisbane and Gold Coast, is part of wider growth plans and follows the announcement and commissioning of several new large-scale projects in the Australasian market. CDE has grown its local team to more than 20 experts across its business development, project management, installation, commissioning, and aftersales support teams, with plans for future recruitment under way. More than 60 projects across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea

Tony Convery with daughter Ellen and wife Rosemary at the headquarter’s opening.

The new headquarters is a commitment to continuing to forge connections with the local community and partners.

have been designed and engineered by CDE, including turnkey solutions for Repurpose It in Victoria – described as Australia’s most sophisticated resource recovery plant – and Walker Quarries – one of the newest and most advanced quarry wash plants in New South Wales. In 2022, CDE was awarded the contract to design, supply and install a state-of-the-art washing solution for Rino Recycling for the treatment of construction and demolition (C&D) and commercial and industrial (C&I) waste materials at its Pinkenba site in Brisbane. When operational, the new Rino Recycling plant will have the capacity to recycle more than 1.5 million tonnes of C&D waste material every year. It will

also be able to recover recycled sand and aggregates, and supply the construction industry with a quality alternative to virgin quarried material. Speaking at the CDE headquarters opening, Dan Blaser, General Manager, Rino Recycling, said the multi-milliondollar plant would take recycling to the next level. It will increase Queensland’s 75 per cent recovery rate of C&D waste to 97 per cent and aims to produce aggregates that meet specifications for use in concrete. To that end, the plant includes a CDE EVO wash, AquaCycle thickener to recycle up to 90 per cent of the process water for immediate re-use in the system, and filters. Daniel Webber, CDE’s Australasian General Manager, says the company’s purpose is to create the best world possible, a ton at a time. To do this, CDE needs to be supporting its customers to realise their purpose and vision. “Support means being there when they need us,” he says, “and that means having CDE boots on the ground. “By growing our regional team, we are closer to our clients during the sales process, resulting in better solutions being developed .We are closer during project delivery, leading to safer and

more efficient work sites, and, most importantly, we are closer once our customers’ plants are operational. This enables us to help maintain uptime through scheduled maintenance activities and prompt professional breakdown support. “We have great confidence in the potential of this market, and we’re committed to supporting new and existing customers, whose trust in CDE is key to making this investment in Australia possible. Our very first customers helped us to put the stake in the ground, which means companies like Rino now have this new facility to lean on as they move forward.” CDE’s investment in its new Australian headquarters includes the development of fully stocked and managed stores to house highwear, consumable and critical plant components. Peter Neely, CDE’s CustomCare Regional Manager for Australasia, says that for the first time in the local market CDE can offer readily available parts. “Responsive on-the-ground support and locally available parts with short lead times means we are better equipped to strengthen our direct relationships with customers, ensuring their plants continue to run material at optimum efficiency www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 13

COVER STORY

The Australian headquarters includes fully stocked and managed stores of high-wear, consumable and critical plant components.

to support a fast return on investment,” Peter says. The company’s pre-emptive approach to plant maintenance means thousands of replacement parts are readily available for immediate dispatch to customers throughout Australasia. The headquarters launch was also an opportunity to showcase CDE’s technology including a plant management app, CDE SmartTech, and CustomCare Parts portal. SmartTech performance is standard with any CDE plant and provides performance insights to help customers understand their plant’s performance and schedule maintenance. Sensors on the plant continuously stream real-time data accessible 24/7 from anywhere in the world. The portal will provide a 3D image of customer plants that can be used to identify parts, check their lifespans, get 14 / WMR / November 2023

quotes and place orders. The portal has been rolled out to some customers with a view to make it available to all. Daniel says CDE’s approach to aftercare is designed to ensure customers get the maximum performance from their equipment. Central to this is having a direct relationship with customers and continuing to invest resources in the markets where they are based. “Our investment in Australia is but one part of wider plans to invest in and resource our regional teams and offices to provide the best level of care possible to protect our customers’ investments,” he says. Tony agrees the office represents more than just walls and desks. It’s a commitment to continuing to forge connections with the local community and partners. “Anybody that’s been to our office knows that every day, in everything

we do, we strive to do it right and be the best. To do what’s practical so that our people can have a vision and really understand that the customer wants top level design, top level delivery, top level equipment, and then – and that’s what this headquarters is all about – top level back-up. “The responsibility to do things right is something that’s very close to my heart, in terms of setting up efficient, eco-friendly facilities, whether they’re recycling water or waste materials. And it’s something that I know is deep in every Australian’s heart. “I think together we can create a legacy that will inspire generations to come, will end this futile cycle of waste and make the world a better place.” For more information, visit: CDEGroup.com

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FEATURED TOPIC – CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION WASTE

Going the distance T

THE WASTE INDUSTRY IS EVOLVING INTO A SMART, SOPHISTICATED SECTOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. BINGO INDUSTRIES IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAT CHANGE.

o be able to make a change for future generations is a big drawcard for Chris Jeffrey, BINGO Industries Chief Executive Officer. In the top role for a little over two years, Chris is steering the company as it pushes the boundaries of diversion of waste from landfill and resource recovery. Already achieving industry-leading recovery rates of about 80 per cent at its audited facilities, BINGO has a clear pathway to get to what has been coined ‘the last mile’ – above 90 per cent. A lot of that is about diversion from landfill and circular economy. And, Chris says, it’s becoming a reality. Year-on-year the company has established more offtake partnerships and is on track to achieve higher percentages of landfill diversion. This is in part due to BINGO’s vision for the future being linked to the bottom line, and the buy-in from the entire organisation. “We’re in a unique scenario. The more we divert from landfill, the more we make and the better we leave the environment,” Chris says. “It’s tangible and the team can see it. “In the financial year 2022 alone, BINGO’s operations recovered more than 15,000-tonnes of timber, 37,500-tonnes of metal and produced more than 792,000-tonnes of our ECO product range. By diverting material from landfill, we abated more than 256,000-tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to taking more than 53,000 cars off the road for a year. “Fifteen years ago, we were a waste company. Now it’s all about 16 / WMR / November 2023

recycling and waste is morphing into a commodity.” BINGO began as a small family-owned skip bin business in Western Sydney. It has since grown into a fully integrated recycling and waste management company with operations across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Chris came to BINGO in 2017 to help with its initial public offering and to ‘corporatise’ the business. Before his appointment as CEO in 2021 he held the roles of Chief Development Officer and Chief Financial Officer, seeing the company through several large acquisitions and geographical expansion. He says governance and transition challenges at the beginning of his tenure are in the rear-view mirror and BINGO can now look forward. With a team that believes in the company’s vision for a waste-free Australia behind him, the biggest challenge, or opportunity, is raising the bar across the sector. Two key elements to that are eliminating greenwashing and mandating independent audits of recovery rates. Both, Chris says, would help attract investment in the industry. BINGO has had its key recovery rates verified independently since 2018, with the hope that other organisations would follow. It hasn’t happened. “We’ve invested a lot into resource recovery. I know what it takes to recover at 85-90 per cent versus what others are doing,” Chris says. “I’m pleased that all jurisdictions have committed to achieving a circular economy and many are implementing and reviewing changes

to their resource recovery frameworks to facilitate greater recycling and diversion of waste from landfills. However, we have also seen operators that claim to achieve high resource recovery rates, with limited recycling infrastructure to support such rates, and with no independent verification. “Consistent enforcement of rules and regulatory apparatus is vital, to not only build trust in the resource recovery processes, but also create a level playing field, recognising the investment in capital and technology by legitimate industry operators.” The construction and demolition (C&D) waste sector is leading the charge when it comes to resource recovery and diversion of waste from landfills and can be a catalyst for helping achieve waste recovery targets as set out in the National Waste Plan.

Chris Jeffrey, BINGO Industries Chief Executive Officer.

Chris Jeffrey is keen to raise the bar across the resource recovery and waste sector.

But Chris says more support is needed for innovation, broader industry collaboration and regulatory changes. BINGO teams regularly scope new pathways and partnerships to divert problematic waste streams from landfills. A recent partnership with ReDirect Recycling supplies waste engineered timber to Australian Panels to be used in particleboard manufacturing – abating 49,000 tonnes of CO2 annually – equivalent to taking about 10,904 cars off the road every year. Another long-term partnership with Vinidex diverts PVC waste from landfills to create new recycled pipe products. These partnerships reduce the reliance on virgin natural materials and deliver sustainable circular economy outcomes and, Chris says, should continue to be explored. He encourages regulators and government to develop frameworks that make such partnerships possible. That includes review and monitoring of procurement frameworks to encourage

greater use of recycled and recovered content by all levels of government for infrastructure projects. “Regulators have a critical role to play in ensuring a level playing field on one side and on the flip side, they need to make sure they’re supporting innovation,” Chris says. “The industry is investing heavily but we must also create new markets. Some co-ordination on regulations and product specifications across the country would be useful. Then we really need support by mandating use of recycled content at all levels. “Markets are improving year-on-year but there’s still the problem of people saying they want recycled content, but at a cheaper price than virgin materials. There’s also the stigma of recycled quality versus virgin. It’s a challenge that has to be looked at before we run out of landfill. It’s no longer something the government can put off, it’s a pressing requirement that is real, particularly in New South Wales.”

Chris says the diversity of challenges means the C&D sector needs to be ambitious in achieving greater waste recovery targets. Ambition is built into BINGO’s DNA. It’s Material Processing Centre 2 (MPC2) in Eastern Creek is believed to be the most advanced and largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. The facility recently won the Sustainability Initiative of the Year at the inaugural Inside Construction Foundation Awards. Over time, BINGO plans to replicate its New South Wales operations in Victoria and Queensland with vertical integration of collection, recycling and closing the loop for products. “If we can do that, we’re looking at a business that’s leading the way in terms of recycling and the circular economy,” Chris says. “It’s a positive beacon.” For more information, visit: www.bingoindustries.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 17

FEATURED TOPIC – CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION WASTE

A sustainable opportunity

CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION (C&D) WASTE RECOVERY CREATES OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE DIVERSION FROM LANDFILLS AROUND AUSTRALIA. WASTECH ENGINEERING CAN PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO REALISE THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

&D waste was one of the three largest sources of waste in Australia’s landfills in 2020-21, according to the Australian Circular Economy Hub. This presents significant opportunities for companies such as Wastech Engineering that are working hard to increase the amount of waste diverted from landfills and reused. Dean Cucé, National Business Development Manager at Wastech Engineering, says infrastructure and technological solutions targeted at C&D waste can help drive greater resource recovery.

OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH “Wastech is well-positioned to be part of the growth in the recovery of C&D waste,” Dean says. “As an end-to-end supplier to the C&D sector, we can drive value through our advisory, engineering processes and infrastructure delivery track record.” Typically, Wastech Engineering will support the design and construction of a C&D facility for a client’s specified level of purity within their waste profile and desired operational performance. That means they want to extract a specific percentage of defined materials from the process. 18 / WMR / November 2023

Dean says this is where the team at Wastech Engineering kicks into gear. The engineering and technical teams will work on a solution that meets those requirements, along with an array of other issues, such as budgetary constraints. Wastech Engineering is proud to carry out design, manufacturing

and installation in-house while partnering with global technology partners where required, creating more client value. The team goes through a process of developing detailed engineering plans and project management frameworks. “Wastech Engineering can provide technological solutions and a range of

There’s a growing appetite for C&D facilities to help capture resources and divert from landfill.

Wastech Engineering can design and build solutions to suit specific resource recovery requirements.

recommendations for the entire waste management sector.” Dean says. “We can design and build to suit the project and offer turn-key solutions.”

PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEY Part of the success of Wastech Engineering is the range of technology partners it works with across the globe, giving company an upper hand in developing its solutions. “Our technology partners can provide many different innovative applications, whether it’s optical sorters, magnetic belts, or fire suppression units through Fire Rover,” Dean says. “It’s important to note that we are technology agnostic. We take the time to understand the client’s objectives and desired performance expectations then we make recommendations based on the application and design performance of specific products.” It’s by working with technology partners that Wastech Engineering is keeping its finger on the pulse. As the market evolves, Wastech Engineering reviews its product mix and drives innovation through its partnerships. MRFs AND TRANSFER STATIONS Wastech Engineering has played a vital role in building material recovery facilities (MRFs) and transfer stations.

“MRFs are critical at driving resource recovery,” Dean says. “They provide a market for those resources that are captured to be repurposed and reused, creating a circular economy. It’s all about driving for diversion from landfills, providing options for recycled resources, and gaining additional life from these valuable commodities.” He says consumers and the market want more recycled products in the mix, and Wastech Engineering supports the expansion of recycled products within the construction and building space. Transfer stations also continue to play a significant role in the C&D space in Australia. Dean attributes this to Australia’s population spread out over a large country. “Having transfer stations and the associated infrastructure in place provides key benefits for the industry. By having places for the temporary storage of C&D waste, industry can consolidate it and turn it into something useful, further preventing the need for landfills.” The ability to sort, segregate and consolidate resources is crucial to the success of these transfer stations. It also means that waste transporters only divert the relevant materials when they take them to larger facilities such as MRFs. Dean says transfer stations have been built for some time, but there has been a recent shift in the market.

“What we are seeing is a greater appetite for C&D facilities, where they can deal with the materials themselves,” Dean says. “It depends on the region, but certain areas of Australia deal with more C&D waste. As such, those regions are looking for facilities to deal with the waste and maximise resource recovery on the spot.”

FUTURE OF C&D WASTE Dean believes consumer expectations will be critical to changing the C&D waste space. “Businesses and consumers now expect to have recycled, low-carbon products as part of an overall building and construction strategy,” he says. “Major building suppliers are progressively increasing their recycled content within their product mix. Resource recovery within C&D must keep up with the ongoing demand now and into the future. “The presence of a market for C&D waste is fantastic and will continue to drive greater resource recovery. Ultimately, like many other waste streams, the emphasis is enabling a circular, low-carbon solution in the future. It’s an exciting time within the C&D space.” For more information, visit: www.wastech.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 19

FEATURED TOPIC – CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION WASTE

A cut above

THE M&J 4000M’S REPUTATION IS BUILT ON HEAVY-DUTY STRENGTH AND RELIABILITY. IT CONTINUES TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN AUSTRALIA’S TRANSITION TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY.

hredders are an important tool in the recycling and waste management sector, cutting waste and operating expenses down to size. For the past 35 years, M&J Recycling, headquartered in Denmark, has produced robustly designed shredders specifically for the waste industry. And while technology, environmental regulations and waste streams continue to evolve, M&J has not compromised on its engineering quality. That adherence to quality is one reason why the M&J is the shredder of choice for serious waste operators who understand the whole of life cost and uptime in their operations, says Paul Doran, Tutt Bryant Equipment National Business Manager, Crushing and Screening. He says the M&J 4000M will play a key role in helping Australia toward a circular economy. It’s why the 4000M is part of the wide range of waste products on offer from Tutt Bryant Equipment. Tutt Bryant Equipment is one of the largest multi-brand national distributors of construction equipment in Australia,

M&J 400M was purpose-built for tough waste applications.

distributing equipment, parts, and services to support the recycling, demolition, and waste industries. Since 2019, Tutt Bryant Equipment has been the exclusive national distributor of M&J Recycling mobile shredding equipment. Paul says the construction and demolition waste stream is where the M&J 4000M sets itself apart. “While many shredders on the market were born out of the forestry industry, the M&J was designed and purpose-built for tough waste applications,” Paul says. “The M&J is at home with C&D waste, light gauge metal, whitegoods, municipal solid waste, large logs, all timber, green waste, tyres and even cars. This flexibility in managing different waste streams means it provides a very long serviceable life for its owners.” The heavy-duty knives of the M&J 4000M are welded onto the shafts, meaning the machine is not out of operation for extended periods because small individual teeth or cutting combs need to be replaced. “The knives can last for weeks between maintenance events, depending on the abrasiveness of the waste,” Paul says. “That enables planned hard facing of the knives to suit the operation’s requirements.” The knife designs can be tailored to several different applications and provide for cutting in both directions to optimise production, unlike some others that only cut in a single direction. The shafts rotate asynchronously, to ensure there is no wasted effort, and reverse when no load is detected – this throws the waste around in the hopper so the knives can grab.

The open cutting table allows for smaller particles to fall through for increased production of “free tonnes”. This simple design aspect ensures the fines do not contribute to the wear of the knives, shaft or cutting table. There are six programs to tailor shaft movement to specific applications to increase production or maximise product separation. The shafts have sensors to protect themselves should an unshreddable item enter the hopper. The operator can then view the item’s position using a hopper camera unique to M&J. Paul says many owners use the shredders for size reduction to reduce air voids at landfills, thus extending the life of landfill, and ensuring transfer station payloads are optimised. This also results in less greenhouse gas emissions – greater densities of truckloads mean less vehicle on the roads. All M&J shredders are equipped with M&J Performance, a digital solution that optimises operations through remote data monitoring of the shredder’s condition, performance, and maintenance needs. With more than 1000 installations globally, the M&J reputation has been built on heavy-duty strength, reliability, and professional support. Paul is so confident of the shredder’s performance he’s happy to refer potential customers to existing customers directly to discuss. Stock units are also available for inspection. For more information, contact: paul.doran@tuttbryant.com.au

20 / WMR / November 2023

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FEATURED TOPIC – CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION WASTE

The ALLU Crusher AC 5-17FD fills a gap in the construction and demolition sector.

Crushin’ it

ALLU ‘S NEW MODEL CRUSHER HAS BEEN RELEASED IN AUSTRALIA TO HELP IMPROVE RESOURCE RECOVERY IN CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE.

LLU is launching a new crusher in Australia, designed to increase resource recovery on small construction and demolition sites. The ALLU Crusher AC 5-17FD is compatible with a skid steer crusher for use in urban and semi-urban job sites where space is an issue for large equipment and material storage. Following delivery of the first of the new model crusher in Victoria in September, Sami Rahman, ALLU Area Sales Manager, says it fills a gap in the construction and demolition (C&D) sector. “Previously it’s been difficult to efficiently recover resources on sites where there isn’t enough room to bring in large equipment such as excavators and traditional mobile crushers,” he says.

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“The ALLU Crusher AC 5-17FD has just arrived in Australia and we see it playing an important role in supporting sustainable practices and waste reduction in various industries.” C&D waste is the third largest waste stream in Australia, behind municipal solid waste and commercial and industrial waste. While there’s growing recognition in the industry that recycling C&D waste reduces the need for virgin resources, recovery rates vary from 55 per cent to 75 per cent across Australia, according to a 2011 report by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Sami says the ALLU Crusher AC 5-17FD will help improve recovery rates and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

“The ALLU crushing bucket screens and separates different materials found in construction and demolition waste, such as concrete, brick, wood, metal, and plastics,” Sami says. “The AC 5-17FD crusher will reduce waste volume by crushing it down to six different sizes starting at 0-15-millimetres, for the smallest fragment, up to the largest fragment of 0-75-millimetres.” By using the screening bucket on-site, construction and demolition materials can be processed and recycled directly, reducing the environmental impact associated with waste management. On-site processing and recycling also eliminate the need for offsite transportation and disposal, reducing transportation costs, landfill

fees, and the need for external processing facilities. Sami says the ALLU Crusher AC 5-17FD has long-lasting jaw plates and because there are no external parts affecting the material flow while loading, there is minimal wear and breakage. The sides of the crusher are straight, and the tip plate is angled. Sami says that makes it easier to fill with material and difficult to damage the crusher. The bent side plates add overall strength to the bucket frame construction without adding weight. The flywheel and belt drive are placed inside the unit to keep them safe from wear. Changing the fragment size has been made as easy as possible with the pin adjusted method. The crusher works in two directions – forward mode for dry material and reverse mode for wet material – which helps to avoid jamming or bridging of the material. Reverse mode, Sami says, is particularly suited for asphalt crushing. The new model, like all ALLU crushers, has direct drive motor hydraulics resulting in less belts and maintenance. A low speed and high torque motor ensures a quick start even when the crusher is fully loaded. A new system of dampeners reduces the noise and vibration of the AC 5-17FD, resulting in operator comfort. Sami says one of the more noticeable features of the model is that it’s been designed in a way that allows the operator to park the crusher on the ground and open the front door of the skid steer loader. “The ALLU Crusher buckets are the new heavy-duty range of hydraulic attachments purpose designed and suitable for the demolition and recycling industries,” Sami says. The AC 5-17FD is the latest in a range of ALLU buckets making quick work of crushing on site around the

globe. The ALLU brand is distributed in Australia by an independent dealer network. ALLU Crusher bucket attachments are designed to increase efficiency and productivity by reducing the need for traditional processing equipment and streamlining the material handling process. They can be easily mounted on excavators and wheel loaders and used for primary and secondary crushing tasks, providing a cost-effective solution

for material processing. ALLU Crusher buckets come in various sizes and capacities to accommodate different machines and applications. They are often equipped with features such as adjustable output size, reversible crushing direction, and replaceable teeth or blades to optimise performance and durability. For more information, visit: www.attachmentspecialists.com.au/allu or www.allu.net

Construction and demolition waste can be processed on-site and recyled directly.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 23

FEATURED TOPIC - CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION WASTE

Creating a movement

OREZ SOLUTIONS PROVIDES TAILORED SYSTEMS FOR WASTE RECYCLING AND RECOVERY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

rez Solutions exists to help minimise the amount of waste in landfills by delivering bespoke waste management solutions. Its remedies don’t just focus on reducing waste but on turning it into byproducts that have utility and value. Orez was established three years ago as a division of Construction Equipment Australia (CEA).

CEA is a national capital equipment distribution business, working with brands such as JCB, Atlas Copco, Dynapac, Ditch Witch and Komptech. The company recently rebranded the Environmental Solutions division to Orez, a name that embodies a dedication to a sustainable future of zero waste. As such, Orez provides an end-to-end service offering. It starts with preliminary

Orez Solutions, working at the cutting edge of tailored solutions for waste management facilities.

24 / WMR / November 2023

and detailed design, facility construction and commissioning, through to ongoing service and maintenance. The team at Orez helps clients to create a circular economy. It’s a situation where all types of waste are recovered or repurposed as far as possible. Sean Galdermans is the General Manager of Orez and has been involved in the industry for more than 10 years.

Developing customised solutions for its clients ensures Orez provides the best technology for the problems at hand.

“At Orez, we exist to help minimise the amount of waste that ends up in landfill,” Sean says. “We are not just providing solutions. We’re creating a movement towards a cleaner, healthier planet.”

ONE PLACE, ONE PROVIDER Orez offers a one-stop shop, providing a diverse range of products and services under one roof. It provides exclusive access to leading equipment and technologies, meaning clients only need to deal with a single provider who will take full accountability for solution delivery. “Being a CEA business means Orez can leverage CEA’s extensive national infrastructure and resources in its customer offerings,” says Sean. “Orez is also closely supported by CEA’s extensive distribution network of more than seven branches, 70 dealer outlets, and more than 300 employees to ensure the highest standards when it comes to supporting the needs of its customer base. CEA (and Orez) are part of the CFC group of companies.” A HOLISTIC SOLUTION By understanding its clients’ challenges, Orez can develop tailored proposals. These include designs that integrate its leading products seamlessly to deliver a comprehensive solution to meet customer requirements. Orez is among the leading experts in the industry, being fully across the technologies and equipment it represents and integrates.

Sean says that Orez’s expertise helps solve customer challenges. It also provides insights into potential solutions and technologies they didn’t even know existed. “Being able to provide an end-toend service offering has created a lot of interest from the industry,” adds Darren Quin, Business Development Manager. “Helping our clients create a circular economy where all types of waste streams are recovered or repurposed, as far as is technologically possible ,is also gaining momentum. Being really interested in what happens to the material after we’ve sorted it is a different approach. This is new and exciting.”

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS Orez is driven by its desire to create ever more sustainable waste management practices. That’s why it partners with global leaders in waste management technology and manufacturing. “It’s these partners, combined with our operating experience and in-house expertise, that means Orez can offer a one-stop shop for solutions,” Sean says. “Organisations work with us to improve their diversion from landfills, and we help them to achieve their sustainability goals.” There has been a change in attitude towards construction and demolition (C&D) waste streams within Australia. These streams represent a store of valuable resources for a vast array of industries. “C & D waste is more than a resource,” says Michael McConnell, Orez Business

Development Manager. “It is a key raw material with greater economic autonomy to decarbonise strategic sectors. It has a diverse material composition that requires tailor-made sorting facilities.” Orez has seen new and improved technology enter the market in response to stringent requirements of its end users. These technologies include NIR (near infrared) sorting, ballistic separation and densiometric separators. All these devices are suitable for dealing with and separating a various array of materials with different densities. “These are all available and easily integrated into C&D sorting systems,” Michael says. “It makes sorting C&D waste streams far more efficient, cleaner and safer for personnel.”

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Artificial intelligence (AI) enabled machines and robotic recycling equipment are viewed by Orez as the next technological step in waste management. They have enormous potential to revolutionise how the industry handles waste and manages resources. “Some of the benefits of AI include automated sorting,” Sean says. “It can improve the efficiency of the recycling process, detect the materials that make up an object, increase sorting accuracy and improve recycling rates.” For more information, visit: orez.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 25

Powering the Circular Economy

sc1pher

FEATURED TOPIC – PLASTICS

Platform for change A LOOK AT THE AUSTRALIAN FOOD AND GROCERY COUNCIL’S NATIONAL SCHEME FOR RECYCLING SOFT PLASTIC PACKAGING

The 2023 National Soft Plastic Summit included representatives from across the packaging supply chain.

he future of soft plastics recycling in Australia is taking shape as the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) works with the entire packaging supply chain to create a national scheme supported by business, government and consumers. Tanya Barden, Chief Executive Officer of the AFGC, says engagement with all parts of the new circular economy of soft plastic recycling will be critical to further refine the design of a ground-breaking, industry-led product stewardship scheme for soft plastic packaging. The AFGC has led the development of the National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS) for the past four years. In September, 2023, the AFGC held the National Soft Plastic Summit in Canberra, where it released details of several reports highlighting progress so far.

Speaking after the event, Tanya described the NPRS as some of the best collaborative work currently happening in product stewardship around the globe. “There is a genuine shift in efforts across the entire supply chain to improve systems for recycling soft plastics,” Tanya says. “Continuing to put soft plastics into landfill is not a good option for the environment or the economy. We really have to make this work.” The NPRS will largely revolve around kerbside collection, using a specialpurpose bag for household soft plastic, supplemented by other channels which could include return to store and other collection methods for regional areas. Financial contributions by brand owners will be used to fund collection and processing of soft plastic packaging, with the aim of recycling

the material into food-grade plastics for new packaging. Tanya says soft plastics are increasingly used by the food and grocery industry because they provide good barrier protection properties, which helps to preserve products, and have a lower environmental footprint than many alternatives. However, there has been no end-of-life solution that creates circularity. While some soft plastics have been recycled for use in road base, concrete and bollards, many brand owners want to use the material back in their packaging, but can’t do that safely with existing recycling technology. New, advanced chemical or mechanical recycling infrastructure is critical to developing soft plastic circularity. The collapse of in store collection service REDcycle in 2022 has drawn www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 27

FEATURED TOPIC – PLASTICS

government and community attention to the issue and accelerated expectations of getting a more robust scheme in place. Tanya says the AFGC is working with all supply chain partners to ramp up collection methods in line with processing capacity to avoid a situation where material collected exceeds end market demand. “We’re sending a strong signal to the processing industry that we’re genuine and committed to this scheme, to help give them confidence to invest in the gaps in processing technology,” she says. She says an important aspect of the scheme is that it will require brand owners to comply with packaging design obligations that increase recyclability, and obligations to use recycled content. Those who don’t will pay a financial penalty, which will help incentivise a behavioural change where brands consider the types of packaging they’re using. There is a lot of complexity to develop a robust, large-scale product stewardship scheme for soft plastic, with work over the past four years including cost benefit analysis, business cases, scheme and governance design and kerbside collection trials. The National Soft Plastic Summit was a chance to engage and update the entire supply chain, covering brand owners, retailers, all levels of government, waste collectors and

The summit and report findings will lay the groundwork for deeper consultation and scheme refinement.

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Tanya Barden, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Food and Grocery Council.

processors, environmental groups and packaging companies. The NPRS has involved trials of kerbside collection across six council areas in 2022 and 2023. Tanya says an independent audit of the trials by MRA Consulting Group shows there was good community participation and negligible contamination, both in the bag of soft plastics and in the comingled kerbside recycling bins where bagged soft plastics were placed. The trials also tested different format bags to determine which performed better. The results, she says, give confidence that material recovery facilities (MRFs) are an effective way to collect and sort soft plastic from the rest of household

recycling without negatively impacting existing recycling schemes and facilities. The AFGC recognises the need for upgrades to MRFs for more effective separation and pre-sorting. Money raised in the scheme will be used to help offset some of those costs. A separate analysis of consumer research has provided information that will help refine the scheme. It found one in three people who participated in the scheme weren’t previous REDcycle users – highlighting the potential to increase the amount of material collected. “We know consumers are highly engaged with soft plastics – they want to participate, they want a solution,” Tanya says. “There was some richness in their responses.” Respondents said they found the scheme convenient, simple, and that it increased their motivation to recycle because they could see a reduction in their general waste. The research also showed the community wants more information about where the bags of soft plastics go, and what goes in the bags, including whether material needs to be washed. A third report, an independent assessment of the maturity of the NPRS design by Deloitte, points to a scheme with a strong foundation.

“We’re sending a strong signal to the processing industry that we’re genuine and committed to this scheme, to help give them confidence to invest in the gaps in processing technology.” Tanya Barden CEO, Australian Food and Grocery Council

Tanya says the summit and report findings will lay the groundwork for deeper consultation and scheme refinement going forward, including larger pilots, consumer research and engaging with governments to show that kerbside collection of soft plastic packaging is viable. She adds that regulatory processes will also be important to the scheme’s success. “This isn’t just about brands funding a scheme to continue business as usual. In order to use recycled content, brands need to have confidence around the origin and quality of material. There need to be standards and traceability in place throughout the whole recycling supply chain.” A panel at the summit included representatives from across the entire supply chain. Tanya says when the panel was asked what’s needed to make the scheme work, all of the responses were similar: get the economics right, have offtake agreements in place, be able to collect the feedstock and make sure there is a demand for recycled content, as well as ensuring certainty of what’s recyclable through standards and traceability. “All of these elements are happening in unity,” she says. “There’s recognition in the supply chain of the urgency and moving with haste but doing it in a measured and sensible way. “We’re trying to build a whole new way of doing business for soft plastic recycling and we don’t want to cause any unintended consequences. We are therefore taking our time to test and learn to make sure the scheme is robust and credible and that we don’t get ahead of the supply chain which needs to invest in new processing infrastructure.” For more information, visit: www.afgc.org.au

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www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 29

FEATURED TOPIC – PLASTICS

The GT of recycling A

A VICTORIAN-BASED RECYCLER IS COMBINING HIGH-PERFORMANCE WITH A LONG-TERM VIEW TO THE FUTURE.

ustralia’s decision to ban the export of unprocessed plastic waste has opened new opportunities for a Victorian company. GT Recycling in Geelong has pressed the button on a new flexible plastics recycling line that has been years in the making. The upgraded plant recycles polypropylene and low-density polyethylene into a pellet suitable for use in manufacturing a range of plastic products within Australia. Doug McLean, GT Recycling Business Manager, says it aligns well with Victoria’s move toward a circular economy. “We’ve worked with researchers, including those at Deakin University, to develop and establish new products that can use high-quality, recycled raw plastic material,” Doug says. “A lot of it is designed to replace virgin plastics. “Establishing end markets in Australia has been a focus the past couple of years. We’re confident we’ll be able to market all our product into the domestic market.” GT Recycling is a family-owned and operated recycling company, drawing on the experience of a team with a combined four decades in the industry. Doug says when the Federal Government announced plastic export bans, which came into effect in July 2022, GT Recycling could see a gap in the infrastructure that would be required onshore. The company secured funding from the state and federal government’s Recycling Modernisation Fund for expansion.

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GT Recycling’s Tim McLean, Operation Manager; Doug McLean, Business Manager; and Andrew McLean, Production Manager, in front of the new INTAREMA TVEplus 1714 processing line.

“We were exporting flexible plastic at that time,” he says. “It was a natural progression to move into adding value to this product to complement our existing recycling operations in Geelong.” GT Recycling’s management team had clear goals on the type of material to be recycled and the quality of the end-product to meet customer requirements. Queue CEMAC Technologies, distributors of EREMA recycling and resource recovery equipment. GT Recycling worked with CEMAC and EREMA in 2015 when it installed an INTAREMA TVEplus 1108 for a new plastics pelletising line. For its

latest expansion, GT Recycling installed an INTAREMA TVEplus 1714. Eric Paulsen, CEMAC Managing Director, says EREMA has one of the best technologies available to convert contaminated post-consumer plastic waste into a quality end-product, efficiently and economically. EREMA’s patented preconditioning unit cuts, homogenises, heats, dries, compacts, buffers, and doses the material – all in one step – before it enters the extruder, so the extruder is continuously filled with hot and precompacted material. Eric says the principle of TVEPlus is that by putting the melt filtration before extruder degassing there is

minimal shear influence during the melting process. This prevents further reduction of the impurities, increases the filtration efficiency and results in greater homogenisation of the melt. He says the INTAREMA is newly developed technology aimed at absorbing more material in a shorter time. “The material in the preconditioning unit rotates in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the extruder, which means that the temperature range for optimal extrusion is considerably wider, and the output performance can be significantly increased,” Eric says. “The INTAREMA TVEplus 1714 is a larger machine and equipped with the continuous Laserfilter, instead of conventional back-flush filter. The continuous screen cleaning of the Laserfilter ensures that high levels of contamination, such as paper labels, aluminium or foreign polymers, can effectively be removed. The ecoSAVE execution reduces energy consumption.” Doug says GT Recycling is focused on installing technology that delivers optimum benefits for environmental and occupational health and safety compliance, while economically producing quality raw material. In his opinion, EREMA sets the benchmark in extrusion technology, and he’s confident the latest equipment will provide the results the company is looking for. Previous support from CEMAC, from the planning stage to equipment selection, through to setting up on site and commissioning, is also key to GT Recycling returning to CEMAC. “CEMAC has the experience and understanding of what is required by recyclers,” Doug says. “In addition to the EREMA equipment, we’ve got strong backup for spare parts and technology support. It’s comforting to know that we have that support at the end of the phone or at the end of the road.” The new extruder was commissioned in June 2023 and is capable of processing more than one tonne per hour. Doug plans for the new plant to wind up to three shifts, five days a week and there are further plans for expansion. “There’s significant demand for recycling services for these particular wastes at the moment and a shortage of infrastructure,” Doug says. “The quicker we can be running at full capacity the better we minimise the chances of this plastic going to landfill.” For more information, visit: www.cemactech.com

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FEATURED TOPIC – PLASTICS

Using plastic for good

PLASTIC PIPES AND FITTINGS HAVE TRANSFORMED OUR LIVES, DELIVERING ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND UTILITIES TO OUR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. PIPA IS EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LONG-LIFE PLASTICS. Although suitable recycled material volume is low, the plastic pipes industry is committed to diverting material from landfills.

t’s hard to comprehend the vast network of plastic pipelines installed and in operation in Australia and worldwide. Today’s plastic pipeline systems are still in their first life cycle. The Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA) was founded in 1999 and is the peak industry body representing manufacturers and suppliers of plastic pipe and fittings, plastic resin suppliers, fabricators, pipeline installations, and rubber seal ring manufacturers. It also represents training and certification bodies. As a non-profit association, PIPA promotes the appropriate and 32 / WMR / November 2023

contemporary use of plastic pipes and fittings throughout Australia. Its four key pillars are advocate, educate, technical and sustainability. One focus is educating about the differences between plastic pipes and fittings to other plastics, such as single-use. “Too often, plastics pipe systems are mistakenly put in the same category as single-use plastics,” says Cindy Bray, Executive General Manager. “Pipes are long-life products. They are made from materials engineered to be robust, reliable, and recyclable with a service life of more than 100 years.”

PIPA is doing a lot of work on educating the community at all levels about the importance of plastic pipes. Cindy is at the forefront of this campaign. “We are an industry that converts large volumes of virgin materials into long-life products,” she says. “It’s important that we educate a wide range of audiences on plastic pipe systems’ role. This includes how they are different to other plastic products. We also explain why manufacturing virgin material is critical for people and the planet. To help further educate on the positive use of plastics, PIPA has recently launched a digital campaign titled That’s using plastic for good. The campaign, targeted to those outside the industry, seeks to differentiate plastic pipes from single-use plastic. It highlights their essential societal role.

RECYCLING AND REUSE Most plastic pipes in use are still in their first life cycle. Cindy says this makes comparisons between annual plastics consumption and the total annual plastics recovery misleading for plastic pipes and fittings. PIPA and its members are aware of the problems society faces. Plastic pollution results primarily from its inappropriate disposal. It reflects the growing pressure to reduce reliance on short-lived, single-use products. A big drive is also to increase post-consumer and pre-consume plastic

recycling levels. For more than two decades, the plastic pipe industry has aimed to recycle the maximum amount of usable plastic pipe and other suitable materials into new pipes. “We are committed to maximising the use of post-consumer and preconsumer recycled content in products while ensuring that products remain fit for purpose,” says Cindy. “PIPA recently published a discussion paper Recycled Materials in Plastic Pipes and Industry Technical Guidelines POP208. POP208 is called Specification and Testing Guidelines for Recycled Materials Suitable for non-pressure Plastic Pipe Applications. These documents provide further education on plastic pipe material characteristics and performance criteria when using recycled materials.” Plastic pipes must be fit for purpose, regardless of their composition. Pipes manufactured with recycled content must conform to the relevant Australian Product Standards, just like those manufactured from virgin materials. This is particularly important in infrastructure applications where reliable performance and long service life are primary considerations. There is already capacity to increase the use of recycled material across a range of

non-pressure pipe products when suitable waste stream volumes become available. Unique technology known as multi-layer or sandwich construction for PVC pipes allows recycled material to be used in the core layer of the pipe between the inner and outer layers of virgin material. This means the core layer can be any colour, density, or formulation of rigid PVC material. The industry can also recycle polyethylene and polypropylene material into non-pressure drainage pipes.

IMPROVING SUSTAINABILITY Due to the long life and integrity of plastic pipe systems, there is currently a low volume to recover. However, Cindy says PIPA members are taking practical steps to minimise the impact of plastic pollution, working with the broader industry to divert suitable plastic material from landfills into long-life, recycled pipe products that meet the relevant standards. She says the plastic pipe industry is proud of its environmental sustainability initiatives. This includes processes designed to reuse any scrap materials to make other pipes, end-of-life product stewardship and other programs such as: Plastic Recycling Program: The industry is always looking at ways to work with waste management companies, major Plastic pipes deliver essential everyday services and utilities.

distributors of products and suppliers/ clients to collect volumes of plastic pipes viable for designated recycling. PIPA has established a Plastic Pipes Recycling Program, working with partners across Australia, to provide information and locations for end users to deliver their no longer-needed pipes and fittings. Education and Pilot Programs: PIPA has engaged with stakeholders within the plumbing sector to establish education and pilot programs to increase awareness of the sustainability of plastic pipes and develop the behaviours of appropriate disposal of off-cuts. “There is a wide range of programs such as the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme in Queensland and the Plumbing Industry Plastic Recycling Scheme in Western Australia,” Cindy says. “They educate and provide the industry with insights, behaviours, and a greater understanding of the volume of available plastic pipe off-cuts and fittings. This data will enable us to paint a true picture of the available material, expand these programs, and support better consumer investment and policy decisions.” The success of these programs can only be achieved through the collaboration of all stakeholders, from industry associations, manufacturers, merchants, and end users. “Through the whole life cycle – manufacturing, use and disposal – the plastic pipe industry has and will retain its long-standing commitment to improving sustainable practices and outcomes in a way that benefits all Australians,” Cindy says. “Australia’s vast landscapes require largescale, special-purpose systems to move water, wastewater, and gas and protect underground power and communication cable networks. Plastic pipeline systems provide reliability now and into the future.” For more information, visit: www.pipa.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 33

FEATURED TOPIC – PLASTICS

Next gen: Advanced recycling

AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF DEVELOPMENT, LICELLA IS A STEP CLOSER TO UNLOCKING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR END-OF-LIFE PLASTICS.

world-first facility using the advanced plastics recycling platform Cat-HTR (Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor) developed by Licella is nearing completion. The ReNew ELP facility, based in Wilton International, an established industrial site in Teesside, England, is nearing construction completion. The first stage of a flagship plant for Mura, a UK-based developer and licensee of the Cat-HTR technology, will process 20,000 tonnes annually of post-consumer, mixed plastic waste. Andrea Polson, Marketing Director for Licella, says commissioning of the UK plant is a turning point for the company’s technology. It comes as Licella’s plans for an advanced chemical recycling facility in Melbourne, called Advanced Recycling Victoria (ARV), ramp up. “When ReNew ELP turns on, that will be proof of the technology operating at commercial scale,” Andrea says. “It’s first-of-its-kind technology. Up until now we’ve had a commercial demonstration facility in New South Wales and have progressively scaled up the technology over 15 years. But this UK facility becoming operational, recycling plastic and establishing a market is a significant milestone. “Licella’s Cat-HTR technology is at the core of Mura’s Hydro PRS process. We can leverage the learnings from this first commercial facility when it is turned on, which is close.”

34 / WMR / November 2023

Dr Len Humphreys, Licella Co-Founder and Cat-HTR Co-Inventor, at the commercial demonstration facility in New South Wales.

Cat-HTR uses hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) – a next-generation advanced chemical recycling technology that uses hot pressurised water to take plastic back to the oil it originally came from. It’s unique among plastic-to-oil technologies, with the ability to process mixed end-of-life plastics, including flexible and multilayer plastics, into a high yield of oil, enabling a circular economy for previously non-recyclable plastics. Because the process uses water to create a controlled reaction, it’s more efficient than other approaches, making it less energy intensive. The Licella Cat-HTR commercial demonstration facility in Somersby, on the New South Wales Central Coast, has been running trials for commercial facilities under development around the world, including the facility under development through Licella’s subsidiary ARV. In December 2022, ARV received development licence approval from

the Victorian Environment Protection Authority for an advanced recycling plant in Altona, Melbourne. It has also gained planning approvals from the local Hobsons Bay City Council. The facility took another step forward in August 2023 with the announcement that global packaging company Amcor ANZ, and multinational confectionery company Mondelēz International, will invest in the project. Through Amcor, Mondelēz will have access to recycled content from the ARV site to meet much of its Australian soft plastic packaging needs, reducing its need for virgin plastic. Andrea says the investment is a crucial step in progressing ARV. “It sends a strong message to the market and industry in general,” she says. “There are leaders within the value chain who believe that advanced recycling is important and that these early investments are needed to help accelerate these facilities coming online. The investment

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demonstrates an appetite from industry. They want to make this happen.” But Andrea warns a groundswell of support and activity is not enough to create a circular economy for plastics within Australia. She says there needs to be government intervention to ensure advanced recycling is financially viable. Government funding, including the Recycling Modernisation Fund and the Modern Manufacturing Initiative, is helping to plug the infrastructure gaps, but the economics remain challenging. And while Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, signalled an intention to regulate packaging at an Environment Ministers meeting in June 2023, a lack of details and timeline is stymying. “How do you plan for these facilities when you don’t know what the policy looks like?” Andrea says. “If the policy

includes mandated recycled content, what percentage and when? Currently, any post-consumer recycled content for packaging in Australia is imported. How can you compete with virgin plastic if recycled content is two-to-three times more expensive? “Do you mandate on recycled content, which gives certainty to invest? Do you make virgin plastic more expensive – that’s what they did in the UK – to help close the gap between the linear and circular economy, or do you help to subsidise circular plastics, so it becomes more affordable, in conjunction with mandates? “Until some of these things are addressed, we’re not going to have these facilities being built. And we need multiple.” Andrea says a circular economy for plastics can work within Australia with collaboration and commitment from the

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Licella’s Tim Kaliyanda and Andrea Polson with Richard Smith (Amcor) at the recent National Soft Plastic Summit.

entire supply chain. The Melbourne plant has stimulated interest from others in the market. Now Licella is keen to bring others on the journey. For more information, visit: www.licella.com

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – GLASS RECYCLING

ResourceCo’s new glass recycling facility is a complete landfill diversion.

Raise a glass

RESOURCECO IS TAKING ON PREVIOUSLY UNRECYCLABLE WASTE WITH A NEW MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR RECYCLING FACILITY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

esourceCo’s latest purpose-built recycling plant is dedicated to tackling the most challenging aspect of glass resource recovery. Pushing the button to start the new facility at Wingfield in September, South Australian Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close said resource recovery is essential if the state is to transition to a circular economy and achieve net zero avoidable waste to landfill. “As our finite resources diminish, circular economy infrastructure such as ResourceCo’s new glass recycling plant allows us to maximise the potential of material that would otherwise be sent to landfill,” Close said. The South Australian Government (via Green Industries SA), in partnership with the Federal Government, provided $1,078,000 grant funding for the plant – part of the Recycling Modernisation Fund.

36 / WMR / November 2023

The official opening follows trials with local material recovery facilities (MRF) to repurpose glass collected from the state’s household waste, culminating in a foundational partnership between ResourceCo and nearby MRF, Central Adelaide Waste and Recycling Authority (CAWRA). Brad Lemmon, ResourceCo’s Chief Executive Officer Recycling and Waste, says it’s an important step in providing an alternative to landfill for waste that was previously difficult to recycle. “This investment is very much part of the heritage and DNA of ResourceCo,” Brad says. “It’s an extension of what we’ve been doing over the past 30 years – taking a relatively basic recycling concept and improving and expanding that in terms of capacity, scope, complexity of waste we can deal with, and the breadth of products we can produce.

“It’s taking ResourceCo’s operation to the next level.” The plant – built next door to ResourceCo’s crushing circuit at Wingfield – will have capacity to process about 20,000 tonnes per year of glass not suitable for returning to recycled glass. It’s been built with a range of classification and clean-up processes, which means a much poorer quality of waste glass can be processed. As a result of ResourceCo’s integrated resource recovery operations, the new glass recycling facility is a complete landfill diversion. Any residual material becomes processed-engineered fuel, while clean glass is crushed into particles suitable for use as drainage sand and other sand products. It can also be used as a fine aggregate component of asphalt.

Brad says the plant will put more glassbased sand into the marketplace. “There’s strong demand for the product and plenty of waste material out there,” Brad says. “If you can turn glass back into glass, that’s the primary objective. But there is always going to be a component of that material where that can’t happen. ResourceCo’s role is to close that gap. “As we improve our processes and continue to look for ways to increasingly take more complex or dirty waste, it will give us access to more glass that we can turn into product.” Throughout the initial trials, ResourceCo was selective about the waste coming in to ensure there were no quality issues with the end sand product. There were also limitations with the normal crushing circuit. For the new plant, ResourceCo partnered with Australian Bale Press Company, a New South Wales-based organisation that specialises in the design and manufacture of resource recovery systems for kerbside recycling, commercial and industrial waste and construction and demolition. Brad says the success of the plant is that it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It’s combining proven technology, and ResourceCo’s experience processing different waste, with equipment that is designed for purpose. The new recycling facility will put more glass-based sand into the marketplace.

Brad Lemmon, ResourceCo’s Chief Executive Officer Recycling and Waste, and Dr Susan Close, South Australian Deputy Premier, inspect the end product of the new glass recycling facility.

“When you look at the waste going into the front and high-quality sand coming out of the back end, it’s impressive,” Brad says. “It’s a really good example of taking a proven process, then using it as leverage in the next step of recovering material from more complex waste streams.” One of those complex waste streams is laminated glass. It contains a layer of film within a layer of glass that is difficult to liberate and problematic if it ends up in sand. Brad says it’s a challenge, and an opportunity, to find a process to break down that material. If ResourceCo can crack laminated glass, all of a sudden there’s access to another component of glass that currently ends up in landfill because it’s difficult to deal with. The Wingfield plant is the first for ResourceCo and Brad says the company is looking to make similar investments across the country. He’s quick to point out that without government investment, infrastructure such as the Wingfield plant would not be possible.

He says, it’s a demonstration of how funding, if well directed and well placed, creates the right outcomes. “If not for government support this plant may not necessarily have happened.” Joining Close, who is also the South Australian Minister for Climate, Environment and Water and the local MP for the area, at the plant opening was Nikki Govan, Chairperson of the Green Industries SA Board. Close said the South Australian Government is pleased to be partnering with industry, local and federal governments to invest in infrastructure such as ResourceCo’s glass recycling plant. “From grant funding, to supplying feedstock through material recovery facilities and procurement opportunities for off-take products, the partnership is truly collaborative.” For more information, visit: www.resourceco.com.au www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 37

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – ORGANICS

Debunking the myths

REPURPOSE IT IS USING ORGANIC RECYCLING TO HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS OF A CIRCULAR ECONOMY, WHILE ENCOURAGING VICTORIANS TO LIVE WITH PURPOSE.

ustralia is staring down the barrel of a National Waste Policy target to halve the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030 and shift material use to a circular economy. But 30 per cent of Victorians still believe recycling goes into landfill, according to a survey by resource recovery business Repurpose It. Thirty-three per cent of respondents don’t understand what the term circular economy means, while 88 per cent openly stated they don’t know enough about how recycling is conducted. The team at Repurpose It is determined to turn those results around. A poster child for the circular economy, for the past five years Repurpose It has been transforming waste such as soil, timber and concrete, food and garden organics, into products that can be reused in industries as diverse as infrastructure, construction and landscaping. Keen to debunk the myths around recycling, Repurpose It has partnered with award-winning landscape designer and television host Jamie Durie to produce online series Living with Purpose. The series showcases the journey of household and commercial waste, from unusable scraps to repurposed materials ready to be put to use back in the community. “The more businesses that can get involved in the circular economy the better off we’ll be,” Jamie says.

Award-winning landscape designer and TV host Jamie Durie has partnered with Repurpose It to encourage the community to embrace a circular economy.

“Repurpose It’s circular economy journey not only is reducing landfill and taking a waste product and turning it into something wonderful, but it’s ticking all the boxes that all levels of government are looking for at the moment. “It’s an amazing story. I’m watching this and asking, ‘why can’t we repeat this 20 times across the country?’.”

Organics recycling is of growing economic and environmental importance for Australia. A report released in 2022 by the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) shows that across the decade, the recycled tonnage of organic waste has grown by 2.4 per cent each year. Garden organics was the largest portion of organic materials recycled nationally, www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 39

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – ORGANICS

comprising 41.6 per cent of materials. Food organics was 7.2 per cent. Ashley Johnston, General Manager Organics at Repurpose It, says any food and organic waste that is taken to the company’s Epping facility is diverted from landfill and made into compost, mulch and soils. Organic waste has been processed in an open windrow compost pile and a decontamination hall for packaged and unpackaged food that was commissioned at the end of 2021. New composting tunnels have now been built to process larger quantities of organic waste to create nutrientrich compost. Ashley describes the tunnels as fit-forpurpose bunkers, engineered to push air through the floor. Constant monitoring of temperature and moisture levels ensures a suitable environment for microbes to get to work. The tunnels reduce the maturation process from 55 days to 14 and will enable Repurpose It to process an additional 90,000 tonnes of organic waste annually. “We’re already supplying one million cubic metres of product back to Australia,” he says.

Some compost is processed outside of the tunnels for another 30 days to produce more mature products. All the resultant composts and soils are tested in the company’s grow room to ensure there are no contaminants, have nutrient value and meet Australian standards. “We’re working at this every day to ensure we recover as much valuable resources as we can,” Ashley says. The quality of those recovered resources is also reliant on what is put in household FOGO bins and is one of the catalysts behind Living with Purpose. Repurpose It donates back to local community groups to show them how mulches and composts can help feed their gardens and community centres. Ashley says it’s important to show that the cleaner the materials put into recycling, the cleaner the community environment will be. All FOGO that arrives in Epping is hand-sorted to take out anything that shouldn’t be there. On one of Jamie’s visits, that included a pair of underwear. “Repurpose It goes to great lengths to refine all of these materials to make sure they’re fit for sale and fit for a circular economy,” Jamie says.

New composting tunnels at Repurpose It’s Epping site will enable processing of larger quantities of organic waste.

“Cleaning the product is something not many people know about. Taking organics out of landfill then separating, and then turning it into products that can go back into the environment in a clean concise way is a beast of a process and it’s dirty work. “We found people don’t know enough about how recycling is conducted, and hope that by opening the doors and showing them, they can learn how to use their FOGO bins properly. The series was created to show the little things done at home each day can play a part in our future.” In a traditional linear economy, products are manufactured, used, and then discarded as waste. In contrast, the circular economy promotes a closed-loop system where products and materials are reused, repaired, remanufactured, and recycled to extend their life span and reduce resource consumption and waste generation. The City of Whittlesea is an example of the organics closed loop at work for Repurpose It partners. Repurpose It has a 10-year contract to receive all FOGO from the municipality. Earlier this year, Repurpose It donated landscaping products to Lalor North Primary School for use in its community garden. Ashley says it was while watching an episode of Living with Purpose that the extent of Repurpose It’s contribution to a local circular economy was evident. “There were people sitting in parks and enjoying the natural environment of their municipality that included products made at Repurpose It,” he says. “Everything that leaves Repurpose It can come back and be recycled again.” Find episodes of Living with Purpose on YouTube and at www.repurposeit.com.au/ living-with-purpose. For more information visit: www.repurposeit.com.au

40 / WMR / November 2023

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – LIGHTING

The latest lighting recycling technology at Ecocycle includes a tube and globe processor.

Lighting the way

THERE ARE CHALLENGES TO RECYCLING AND RECOVERING THE VALUE OF END-OF-LIFE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT, BUT ALSO OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CRITICAL MATERIALS LOST TO LANDFILL, SAYS ECOCYCLE’S ZOLTAN SEKULA.

ountries across the globe are phasing out hazardous, mercurybearing products in favour of more sustainable forms of lighting. As the demand for energy-efficient lighting solutions increases, so too does the need for proper recycling methods for both LED and mercury-bearing lights. Unfortunately, these lights continue to be thrown into general waste, rather than available recycling channels, says Zoltan Sekula, of e-waste recycler Ecocycle. Zoltan says public awareness and educational campaigns play a vital role in promoting responsible recycling. Such campaigns highlight the environmental benefits, debunk myths surrounding the disposal of LED lights and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), and provide

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information on recycling facilities and hazardous waste programs. “We need to raise awareness about the current trends in LED light imports, the residual waste from LEDs, fluorescent lamps, high pressure lights, and the regulations surrounding the ban of e-waste and mercury-containing lighting,” he says. The volume of light bulbs imported into Australia annually has declined by more than 60 per cent over the past decade but is projected to stay constant by weight with the replacement LED technology. Zoltan says this creates a significant e-waste issue that hasn’t been fully addressed – the cost of collection and recycling. And while industry sources state the total amount of lighting products

processed and recycled during the past 12 months was more than 1600 tonnes, indicating manufacturers, retailers, designers, and consumers are acting on environmental concerns for their lighting materials, he questions is this enough. The Environment Protection Authority estimates that significantly larger quantities of fluorescent lights, CFLs and high-pressure lights must be recycled. The Lighting Council Product Stewardship is a voluntary scheme introduced more than ten years ago. Federal and State Government environment departments are now leading discussions into a more progressive Producer Responsibility scheme aimed at lifting recycling rates

and reducing the number of mercurycontaining lights discarded in regular household or commercial waste. Zoltan says it’s reasoned that a small transparent levy imposed on all lighting product imports will adequately finance a regulated, national free recycling service. It’s hoped recycling rates can be raised to at least similar levels achieved by other stewardship programs, such as the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS), which is at 68 per cent. He says e-waste to landfill bans in South Australia, Victoria, and the ACT, with Western Australia to follow mid 2024, make LED light recycling a growing challenge. “LED lights need to be collected with other lighting products for specialist materials recovery rather than general electronic and electrical waste,” Zoltan says. “But incorrect disposal in general waste, rather than available recycling channels, is evident. “There are also a considerable number of mercury-bearing lights in use that require specialised recycling processes to prevent the release of mercury into the environment.” About 59 per cent of the lighting products currently recycled in Australia are fluorescent tubes – equivalent to nearly 1000 ton of mercury-bearing

fluorescent light products each year. Zoltan says limited awareness of proper recycling infrastructure has resulted in a significant proportion of mercurybearing lights still ending up in landfills. This not only contributes to increasing environmental pollution but poses long-term health risks with the potential release of mercury vapours and watersoluble methyl mercury. “CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, which is necessary for their operation,” he says. “However, continuing to allow the sale of existing CFL stocks, despite the international ban of mercury use in force since early 2022, raises concerns about proper disposal and the potential for mercury contamination.” Ecocycle is the only mercury recycler in Australia licensed by the Environment Protection Authority. It offers solutions to industry, government and retail participants who want to improve their recycling opportunities through a national network of collection points. With operations in every state, Ecocycle’s facilities adhere to stringent environmental standards and employ advanced technologies such as automated sorting, processing and material separation processes. The company continues to explore new methods to improve the efficiency

of recycling processes, recover valuable resources and minimise environmental impact. Zoltan says eco-friendly methods are crucial in achieving a sustainable approach to LED lights and CFL recycling in a circular economy. It also requires collaboration between government agencies, the lighting industry, and recycling organisations. “Government bodies should establish and enforce regulations that promote responsible recycling practices and provide incentives for manufacturers and consumers to participate in recycling initiatives,” Zoltan says. “Ecocycle supports current initiatives for a fully funded Product Stewardship program to offer free recycling services at every local government transfer station and any retailer wanting to participate. It’s the only way to collect and recycle the remaining mercurycontaining lighting equipment and instil the correct recycling of new technology lighting products. “Together, we can minimise environmental pollution, protect public health, and pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible approach to lighting waste.” For more information, visit: www.ecocycle.com.au

LED lights need to be collected with other lighting products for specialist materials recovery rather than general electronic and electrical waste.

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 43

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION - SHREDDERS

Future-focused

KOMPTECH CEA’S DEON COPE BELIEVES THERE IS ENORMOUS POTENTIAL IN THE SHREDDING SPACE FOR THE WASTE MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY.

“A

s the market pushes towards a cleaner and greener environment, there is pressure to divert more waste away from landfills,” says Deon Cope, National Brand Leader for Komptech CEA. “There are also more incentives from the federal and state governments to recycle as much as possible. That creates an increased incentive for investment into high-quality shredders.” CEA has invested a lot of time and energy into being a big player in the shredding space. It’s why CEA acquired Komptech’s Australian distribution rights. “We’ve always had a keen interest in the waste and recycling space,” Deon says. “It’s a growing market. Waste management will always be needed, regardless of the economic environment. There is always waste, and there’s always a requirement to divert waste from landfills. That’s why the spotlight is on the waste industry, particularly shredders.” Komptech has been an early adopter of new shredding and waste management techniques. Deon says the space is changing, and each shredder has a different purpose.

The Crambo is a market leader in processing organic waste.

44 / WMR / November 2023

“There are high-speed and slow-speed shredders, as well as single and doubleshaft shredders,” he says. “Each one has a different purpose, and we are always working to advance and improve our designs. Komptech CEA will have new models coming out shortly.” Other aspects of shredders are hydraulic-driven, direct (or mechanically) driven, and electric-driven. Komptech is working in all three spaces and has been at the forefront of developing new technology. There are two different models offered in Australia. The Crambo 5200 Direct is a dual-shaft slow-speed shredder with a direct/mechanical drive. The Terminator 6000s is a single-shaft hydraulic-driven slow-speed shredder. “The Crambo is the market leader in processing organic waste,” says Deon. “We offer a range of variants with the Crambo with either mobile or stationary models. It gives our customers the flexibility to work within their facilities. The 5200 direct-drive model is more fuel-efficient and offers more torque to the drum. That’s a sweet spot for the Australian market.” Deon says the Crambo 5200 is not the largest shredder available from Komptech, but it offers the highest shredding capability for its size, engine and driveline configuration of any equivalent shredder on the market today. On the other side of the coin, the Terminator has the largest engine in the category. The Terminator 6000S offers the highest horsepower and the highest torque. It’s also a multipurpose shredder so that it can handle a variety of feedstocks.

“The Crambo has a unique shredding chamber,” says Deon. “It offers a unique method of processing green waste, which allows for better sizing of materials for reuse. Similarly, the Terminator has an adjustable counter comb. It allows our customers to adjust the particle size while processing material, which means there are no baskets to change.” The other unique thing about the Terminator is how the counter comb is placed against the wall. It accounts for contaminants better, contaminants don’t have to pass through baskets, this reduces wear and potential for damage. The Crambo and Terminator are offered in both stationary and mobile models. The flexibility of a mobile unit is great for smaller sites where the shredder can be moved around for maintenance and cleaning. A stationary model has a fixed production cycle, which helps with the operations of the facility. Despite being the name of the main villain for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Terminator shredder is supporting Australia’s efforts to reduce waste and recycle more. Deon believes that the shredder space is only going to grow. “If we look at somewhere like Europe, they have much higher diversion from landfill targets,” he says. “The shredders play a huge role in that space. Ideally, Australia will start moving towards those higher targets. The focus on reducing emissions and improving green outcomes means that shredders will play an important role.” For more information, visit: www.komptechcea.com.au

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – LANDFILL MANAGEMENT

Real-time reporting WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW FINDS OUT HOW CARLSON TECHNOLOGY IS HELPING LANDFILL OPERATORS REDUCE AIRSPACE.

Operators are increasingly turning to GPS technology.

Machine guidance technology helps to optimise compaction for landfill cells.

or more than a decade, Carlson LandfillGrade machine guidance technology has been a reliable solution for the waste management sector, optimising landfill cell compaction and increasing productivity. Deployed and supported throughout Australia and New Zealand by Position Partners, Carlson LandfillGrade is a machine guidance solution designed specifically for landfill compactors. Unlike other systems that have been built for civil applications, the Carlson platform has proved a stable and fit-forpurpose option for waste management facilities of all sizes. Online tools give customers live production reports.

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“These days, software solutions are evolving rapidly with frequent updates, however this has not been necessary with the LandfillGrade solution,” says Denzil Khan, Product Manager at Position Partners. “We have customers throughout Australia and New Zealand who have been successfully using LandfillGrade for many years. It’s an easy-to-use, reliable system that consistently provides managers and operators with the results they need.” What has evolved over time, Denzil says, is the reporting and analytics capabilities provided by the company. “Each customer and site has different requirements and we pride ourselves on tailoring solutions to individual needs through our reporting and service offerings,” he says. Recent advancements in online dashboards and reporting tools have enabled Position Partners to offer customers live production reports for landfill sites, on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis.

“With relevant, real-time data displayed in a user-friendly interface, customers can make informed decisions and manage the site proactively, tracking airspace consumed per hour as the work is being done rather than after the fact.” Alternative technologies, such as survey drone flyovers, are limited in their reporting and operating conditions, Denzil says. Real-time reporting is not an option with these systems due to the post-processing of data after the flight. “As survey drones can only be operated during daylight hours, they are unsuitable for any sites running night shifts. Drones can also only operate in good weather and light winds, making them a less consistent option,” he says. With the prevalence of machine guidance systems in civil construction and earthmoving applications, Denzil says that operators are increasingly familiar with GPS technology and expect to use it when operating machines. “Many operators have a background in earthmoving and enjoy working with the technology as it gives them greater autonomy and job satisfaction that they are completing work to design.” For more information, visit: www.positionpartners.com.au

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DELIVERING A GREENER FUTURE Komptech CEA is a leading supplier of machinery and systems for the treatment of solid waste through mechanical and mechanical biological treatments, as well as the treatment of biomass as a renewable energy source. Komptech CEA is proud to provide innovative solutions for handling waste and biomass. Komptech CEA’s extensive range of products cover all key processing steps in modern waste handling. At Komptech CEA the focus is always on innovative technology and solutions ensuring maximum benefit to the customer. Like to know more? why not speak to one of our team today?

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WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION - ORGANICS

Farmers need to be educated on the role of compost in agriculture.

Growing pains

AUSTRALIAN ORGANICS RECYCLING ASSOCIATION NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER JOHN MCKEW EXPLAINS WHY THE COMPOST STORY IS A GREAT ONE FOR FARMERS.

n more than 22 years of working professionally in agriculture across dairy, beef and fodder, as well as leading a state farming organisation, John McKew, National Executive Officer of the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA), says he has never heard a farmer speak about compost. Unlike traditional fertilisers, it seems that compost simply isn’t on the radar for the vast majority of farmers, even at a basic level – what it is and how to use it. John says while it’s not surprising, it is worrying, especially from an Australian organics recycling industry perspective. “With increasing government mandates for recycling, especially organics and most notably the increasing rollout of Food Organics Garden Organics by local governments, the feedstock stream is increasing,” John says. “Consequently, the availability of composts, mulches and soil conditioners will also increase, and markets need to be developed to take these. “Agriculture, inclusive of horticulture and viticulture, are seen as obvious outlets for these products. But it cannot all be about the push of these products into these markets, there are compelling reasons for demand too.”

48 / WMR / November 2023

John recently attended the first two Queensland Farmer Demand and Market Specification for Organic Composts and Materials Workshops in Queensland, held at Clifton and Gatto. The workshops were supported by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES) and facilitated by Queensland agronomist, David Hall. John says his initial takeaway from the workshops is that farmers are unsure or confused about the use of compost generally in their production systems. This ranged from questioning why they should use compost and the value it provides, to whether it’s a suitable substitute for fertiliser and if it will result in improvement in production. “The direct substitute issue is a concern,” John says. “Especially if higher fertiliser prices result in a shift to compost and then a shift back to fertiliser once the fertiliser price becomes lower.” John says there are concerns among farmers whether compost will deliver nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the same way as fertiliser, and a general lack of appreciation of the benefits of compost on microbial activity in the soil. Then there is the question of the long game (compost) versus the short

game (fertiliser). “It is evident that there is much more work to be undertaken to educate farmers on the benefits of compost,” John says. “But in stating this, the compost story is a great one for farmers.” The benefits of compost in agriculture are considerable and include increased carbon sequestration, organic matter, microbial activity, micronutrients, nutritional supply and water holding capacity. Compost also reduces soilborne disease, soil erosion and soil compaction. “Compost can work in unison with fertiliser to increase its effectiveness and concurrently, improve the overall health of the soil – the foundation of agriculture production,” John says. “Increasingly we are hearing of the need to improve our soil health if we are to maintain and improve agriculture production. We have at our disposal a highly renewable resource in compost to facilitate this. “The time is absolutely right to start the conversation and education of the role of compost in agriculture.” For more information, visit: www.aora.org.au

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Scan the QR code to find out more. Whether it’s a skip loader, shredder, wash plant or excavator, this is your one-stop-shop for buying, selling and hiring a variety of machinery and equipment from both dealers and private sellers. Advertise on Waste Management Review Marketplace to reach the right buyer.

COUNCIL IN FOCUS

Hard on rubbish

WASTE MANAGEMENT REVIEW TAKES A LOOK AT HOW ALBURY CITY COUNCIL IS MAKING THE MOST OF ITS RESOURCES.

ustralia’s 537 local councils manage about 26 per cent of the nation’s waste, according to the Australian Local Government Association. Each year, local governments collect about 9.7 million tonnes of waste from kerbside bin services, sort it at material recovery facilities (MRFs), and dispatch what can be recycled to reprocessing facilities. At the coalface of the waste and resource recovery sector, councils are increasingly pivoting their services to embrace a circular economy. AlburyCity Council is considered a leader in this journey of renewal. The council this year endorsed an ambitious Waste Management Strategy that outlines an 80 per cent recovery rate by 2030 and technical infrastructure planned for the next five to 10 years. The council is building a Construction and Demolition Material Recovery Facility (CDMRF) and has completed a $2.2 million leachate to sewer plant, off the back of innovative programs aimed at bringing the community along the journey. AlburyCity Mayor Kylie King says the strategy is aimed at ensuring Albury continues to lead the way in the waste industry. “We are so lucky to live in a beautiful, clean city, surrounded by a precious natural environment that we need to work hard to preserve,” Kylie says. “By continuing to invest in waste reduction techniques and infrastructure we can make the most of our resources, reduce waste going into landfill, lower our carbon emissions

50 / WMR / November 2023

and protect our environment for future generations.” The Albury Waste Management Centre (AWMC) receives between 150,000 and 210,000 tonnes of waste each year from five local government areas. The landfill diversion rate of 53 per cent (up from 38 per cent in 2017), is the highest recovery rate in New South Wales. The CDMRF located within the AWMC, will enable the facility to recover up to 80 per cent of dry recyclables, catering mainly for the business sector. Council allocated $10 million in its 2022-23 budget for the CDMRF

which, it says, will make the waste management centre more efficient and environmentally friendly. Using cutting-edge screens, the specialised waste management plant will receive, sort, and prepare single stream recyclable materials for remanufacture, including bricks, timber, metals, concrete, cardboard and hard plastics. Andrea Baldwin, AlburyCity Team Leader Resource Recovery, says the emphasis on recycling, resource recovery and community education will extend the life of the landfill beyond 30 years and is setting a new standard of sustainability.

AlburyCiy’s resource recovery team has initiated several schemes to improve recycling and diversion from landfill.

Educational tours for school groups play an important role in inspiring the next generation to recycle.

“We can make the most of our resources.” Kylie King Mayor AlburyCity Council

“A key component is empowering the community to take ownership of their environmental future, which is something AlburyCity has been driving for several years,” Andrea says. A New South Wales Environment Protection Authority Circulate Industrial Ecology Grant of $62,000 kickstarted a project between AlburyCity, Federation Council, ReGyp and local builders to turn waste plasterboard into gypsum for use in agriculture. Andrea says it’s a great example of how recycling can benefit the regional economy. “Annually it’s estimated around 1000 tonnes of plasterboard offcuts from

the local building industry are sent to landfill,” Andrea says. “The recycled product is highly sought after by farmers because it has a higher gypsum purity than mined gypsum and has the added bonus of using less energy to produce it.” Another partnership between AlburyCity and the private sector added another piece to the puzzle by finding solutions to reuse soft plastics waste. “The Albury Waste Management Centre recycles thousands of tonnes of hard plastics, but most soft plastic ends up in landfill,” Andrea says. “AlburyCity worked with small to medium businesses to separate, process

and collect their soft plastic waste to be recycled into useful products, such as garden edging, fence posts, and tomato stakes, by local company Plastic Forests. “With the trial now completed, a local drop-off option has been implemented along with some businesses adopting a permanent soft plastic collection, all aiming for a cost-effective collection service for local businesses, with the possibility of extending it to other councils in the Riverina and Murray region.” Some of the key actions within the recently endorsed Waste Management Strategy include implementing a system to accept and process organics, implementing a mechanical biological treatment facility to accept both residual and commercial and industrial waste, and expanding the range of kerbside collected materials. www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 51

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

CJD EQUIPMENT, SDLG L946H WHEEL LOADER The SDLG L946H is the flagship of the latest H-Series wheel loaders presented by CJD Equipment. Renowned for its robust design, compact turning capability and load-bearing capacity, this wheel loader excels in heavy-duty operations, bulk material handling, and waste and recycling tasks. The new H-Series loaders offer features that produce better power, lower fuel consumption and emissions control. The L946H, weighing 13-tonne and featuring a 127kW/173hp output, relies on a high-torque 6-cylinder engine. It boasts a 2.3-cubic-metre bucket and a rated load capacity of four tonne. The L946H boom and loader frame have been structurally optimised with heavy-duty SDLG axles to ensure a maximum breakout force for easy lifting. The powerful SDLG Z-bar linkage guarantees excellent lifting capacities, high reach and dump clearance, and breakout forces. This improves the service life, stability and driving force in demanding applications. SDLG wheel loaders feature an electronic system that is user-friendly for all operators and includes a tropical cooling package designed to operate effectively in

challenging environments. The L946H also comes equipped with a hydraulic system incorporating advanced sealing technology and elevated working pressures, resulting in improved efficiency and productivity. CJD Equipment’s support network backs every new SDLG machine with a standard three-year, 6000-hour warranty, guaranteeing customers access to 24/7 sales, parts, and service support.

Contact – CJD Equipment P 1300 139 804 E www.cjd.com.au W enquiries@cjd.com.au

CEMAC TECHNOLOGIES, WEIMA PUEHLER E.200 DEPACKAGING AND COMPRESSION New to the Australian shores, the WEIMA-Puehler E.200 Depacking and Compression series is suitable for cost effective and reliable management of packaged production waste. Distributed by WEIMA’s long-standing partner in Australia, CEMAC technologies, the E.200 is capable of processing a range of packaging applications such as plastic bottles, Liquid Paper Boards, aluminium cans, pouches and more. The E.200 separates the contents from the packaging in one process. The packaging itself is compressed with discs of 200 or 300 millimetres ideally suited for paper, plastic, or metal recycling. The contents can be reclaimed as organic matter. Made of stainless-steel with special welding seams to prevent contamination, food grade oil and a lowmaintenance, fully automatic cleaning system within the machine ensures hygiene standards are met and allows high machine availability. WEIMA-Puehler dewatering machines and presses are simple to use with automatic operation. They are easy to maintain and can be integrated into any production

line. With the recovered output, high-quality goods can be produced again, saving waste disposal costs, and reducing food and packaging resources lost to landfill. Contact — CEMAC

P +61 (0)3 8400 6066 W www.cemactech.com

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 53

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

IVECO, ACCO, CURSOR 9 ENGINE Heavy vehicles that conform to the most stringent emissions levels are becoming increasingly sought after in the refuse collection industry, where operators and their clients seek the ‘greenest’ possible technologies. Set for launch later this year, the new IVECO ACCO takes the familiar EURO 6 emissions measure to the next level with adoption of a ‘Step E’ rating, which places more severe limits on engine cold start emission performance. The ACCO’s Cursor 9 engines are also fully compatible with second generation biofuels HVO/ XTL (EN15940), a synthetically produced paraffinic diesel fuel. To achieve their elevated emission performance, ACCO uses IVECO’s patented and proven HI-eSCR emission control technology. Hi-eSCR is a single after-treatment system featuring passive DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) – DPF regeneration does not require driver intervention. Other benefits of the technology are its simplicity and efficiency, providing many advantages compared

to EGR and SCR equivalents, including reduced fuel consumption, a lower tare weight and no additional cooling requirements as passive DPF regeneration occurs at lower temperatures. Along with ticking the environmental boxes, model dependent, the new ACCO engines offer generous outputs of 310hp / 1300Nm, 340hp / 1400Nm and 360hp / 1650Nm. Contact: IVECO

W www.iveco.com.au/product/acco-e6

APPLIED MACHINERY, MEYER CG.P SERIES RECYCLERS

Meyer is a world leader in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) recycling and colour sorting.

The CG.P model uses visible light, infrared light and UV light

to sort PET bottles and bottle scrap – specifically in relation to color sorting and color purity classification.

The stepless dimming system can remove impurities

such as discoloring, ageing, as well as fluorescent and aluminum flakes.

The CG.P series can also be used for flake color sorting

54 / WMR / November 2023

in household appliances, storage batteries, PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), HDPE (High-density polyethylene), waste

from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and other materials.

The machine can process up to three to eight tons per hour.

It’s easy to learn and simple to operate. Contact – Applied Machinery

P 03 9706 8066 E sales@appliedmachinery.com.au W www.appliedmachinery.com.au

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

ALLU CRUSHER The ALLU Crusher is a series of crushing attachments designed for skid steer loaders from four to six tonnes and excavators from eight to 38 tonnes. The series includes six different models, designed to crush a variety of materials directly on-site. Designed to be efficient in every situation, the sides of the crushers are straight, and the tip plate is angled, making it easier to fill with material and difficult to damage the crusher. The bend side plates add overall strength to the bucket frame construction without adding weight. The flywheel and belt drive are placed inside the unit to keep them safe from wear. Changing the fragment size has been made as easy as possible via a pin adjusted method. There are 16 different fragment sizes available in various models. The bottom eccentric jaw movement means material flows freely through the jaws. This increases the capacity of the material output. The jaw on the ALLU Crusher can be run in both directions which helps to avoid jamming or bridging of the material, even with wet materials.

Contact — ALLU Australian Dealer Network W www.attachmentspecialists.com.au/allu

KOMPTECH CRAMBO 5200 The Komptech Crambo 5200 is a cutting-edge industrial shredder designed to handle a wide range of materials. This makes it a versatile solution for waste processing and recycling applications. With a powerful engine and innovative technology, the Crambo 5200 excels in reducing organic material, wood waste, green waste, and more into manageable sizes. A key feature is its two-shaft shredding system. It efficiently shreds bulky materials and ensures a consistent output. The machine’s intelligent control system allows operators to adjust settings to meet specific processing requirements, optimising performance and minimising energy consumption. The Crambo 5200 is built for durability and ease of maintenance, with rugged construction and easily replaceable wear parts. Its mobility and compact design make it suitable for a variety of job sites, from composting facilities to biomass operations. With such a strong global focus on sustainability and resource conservation, the Komptech Crambo 5200 plays a crucial role in reducing waste volumes and turning them into resources.

Contact — KOMPTECH CEA P 1300 788 757 E marketadmin@cea.net.au W www.komptechcea.com.au

www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 55

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LAST WORD

Untangling plastics

MIKE RITCHIE, MANAGING DIRECTOR MRA CONSULTING GROUP, EXPLAINS WHY STOPPING PLASTIC POLLUTION IS A FOUR-LEGGED CHAIR – BETTER RECYCLING, BANS, POLLUTION ENFORCEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AID.

lastics are a key part of our society. They add enormous value to our way of life. Just think medical equipment, vehicles, desks, kitchen utensils, packaging, light switches etc. Plastics are everywhere and make life better in most applications. The biggest problem with plastic is not its use but the fact that plastic (and particularly single use packaging plastic) escapes the economy into the environment. Plastics are a scourge in the environment. Think sea birds, turtles, polluted beaches etc. There are two myths I wish to address: 1. Recycling is the only way to reduce plastic pollution; and 2. Landfilling plastic causes harm. Myth - Recycling is the only way to reduce plastic pollution We currently use 3.5 million tonnes of plastic per year. About 2.5 million tonne Recycling does not remove the motivation to litter or reduce the unintentional escape of plastic to the environment.

(MT) of this arises as waste each year. Of that only 16 per cent is recycled. Most of the recycling is drink bottles and commercial plastic in the form of pallet wrap and agricultural film plastics. In total that is about 400,000 tonnes of recycling. Of this REDcycle collected about 7000 tonne per year; hardly a blip. On the pollution side of things, WWF suggests that 130,000 of the 3.5 million tonnes ends up as plastic pollution each year. So the question is “Do we believe that if we grow plastic recycling rates, that this in itself could/would reduce the 130,000 that is being littered or illegally dumped?” I think the link is pretty weak and the only link I know of between recycling and litter is CDS (Container Deposit Schemes). CDSs provide a cash rebate to recover eligible containers. The New South Wales CDS has resulted in a 52 per

cent reduction in littering of eligible containers, in this case plastic drink bottles. But according to the NSW Environment Protection Authority, CDS container litter accounts for only 5.2 per cent of total litter volume. So even if we could eliminate drink container litter it would have a marginal effect on total litter. It goes without saying that we should do this. Every gain is a gain, and we should strive to increase diversion:

BETTER RECYCLING If we increased the container rebate from 10 cents to 20 cents we would likely reduce eligible container littering even more by capturing more than the current 52 per cent. But it doesn’t fix the other litter – chip packets, plastic bags, thongs, fishing nets, cups etc. We could expand CDS schemes to cover more plastic packaging such as cups and plates, fishing nets etc, and where feasible we should do that. Governments are now driving recycling rates upwards, which is excellent. There’s also higher landfill levies, design rules for products, labelling mandates, grants for infrastructure and recycling targets. But my main point is that, other than CDS cash rebates for collection, it is hard to see how higher recycling rates per se could have more than an indirect effect on littering and illegal dumping rates. An important part of the puzzle, but insufficient by itself. www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 57

LAST WORD

BANS In the past four years, state governments have begun selectively banning avoidable or substitutable single use plastics such as shopping bags, polystyrene cups, polystyrene clam shells etc. We need to ramp up these bans. Here is my hit list: all formed polystyrene (the stuff surrounding your new TV when it is delivered), bead polystyrene, fruit stickers, wet wipes, sunglass cleaners, helium and water balloons, single use cutlery and takeaway food containers. Banning these products will materially reduce plastic pollution. POLLUTION ENFORCEMENT We need to address the escape to the environment head on. It is too easy to litter or illegally dump in Australia and get away with it. It took the NSW EPA four separate prosecutions of the same bloke to get its first jail sentence for illegal dumping (he dumped asbestos waste outside a kindergarten). Our penalty regime is weak. Singapore, for example, does not have a domestic littering or plastic pollution problem. The reasons are simple. They do not accept littering as part of their culture. We do. New South Wales has the “Don’t be a Tosser” campaign which tries to shame people into doing the right thing. OK, but not nearly enough. It’s the sort of nice education campaign you have when you don’t have real powers to enforce. Here is a comparison of like-forlike penalties in Singapore vs Australia (averages; in Au $): Littering: Singapore - First offence $2000; Second $4000; Third $10,000. Australia - $80-$250. Littering from a vehicle: Singapore up to $50,000 (or up to one year in jail). Australia $250-$500. Illegal dumping: Singapore - First offence $50,000. Second offence 58 / WMR / November 2023

$100,000 and mandatory jail of up to one year. Australia - $7500 - $15,000. You get the picture.

INTERNATIONAL AID Australia is relatively well placed to manage plastic pollution. We have sophisticated waste collection systems, well run landfills (by and large), expanding recycling systems, an enforcement system (that could work), and governments now recognising that plastic pollution cannot continue. That is not true of most developing countries. The lack of waste management collection systems is the key problem. That is easily remedied with money. Australia should prioritise its aid program toward developing waste collection systems. It is worth reinforcing that it is the collection that is important. Whether the resultant waste is recycled or landfilled is a secondary consideration at this time. MRA does a lot of work in the Pacific. If Pacific nations were provided decent funding, most could develop robust collection and disposal systems (including recycling), to greatly reduce plastic pollution. This is no less true in Asia, Africa, and South America. Myth - Landfilling plastic causes significant harm Which brings me to the myth that landfilling plastic is pollution. Politicians and the media regularly conflate plastic pollution (littering in the environment) with landfilling. For example, “Over 80 per cent of Australia’s plastic is polluted or gets dumped in landfill!”. True but misleading. Plastic in landfill is not pollution. It causes no harm. It causes no greenhouse gas emissions. It causes little or no leachate. It slowly decomposes into microplastic but even these are entombed. A properly run landfill can dispose of plastic safely.

Mike Ritchie, Managing Director, MRA Consulting Group.

Yes, landfilling plastic is a waste of resources (oil and gas) but even that is small. Plastics manufacture consumes about seven per cent of oil and natural gas, globally. To put it another way, if all plastic used in the economy could be safely disposed to landfill and none escaped to the environment, then our plastic challenges would be greatly diminished. To be clear, recycling is generally better than landfilling from a life cycle perspective. We should always recycle it where it is viable and sensible. But we must stop conflating landfilling with pollution. They are not the same thing. It is the escape of plastic to the environment that is the real and most urgent problem that we need to solve. To fix plastic pollution we need to focus on the problem. Pollution. So here are my remedies: Improve recycling generally but particularly expand the scope and rebate value of CDS-type systems to reduce littering; Ban single use plastic products that are common in litter and pollution; Strengthen enforcement and significantly increase penalties as a deterrent and; Provide aid to support waste collection systems in developing countries. We need to stop confusing pollution, recycling and landfilling. They are different. If we want to address the scourge of plastic pollution, we need to address it head on. For more information, contact info@mraconsulting.com.au

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Waste Management Review 2023 | NOVEMBER | ISSUE 79