17 minute read
COUNCIL IN FOCUS
Taking responsibility
SIX YEARS AGO, THE CITY OF HOBART SET AN AMBITIOUS GOAL OF ZERO WASTE TO LANDFILL BY 2030. LORD MAYOR ANNA REYNOLDS SHARES HOW THE COUNCIL IS EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE TO REACH ITS TARGET.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds is “very much” looking forward to the day the council can permanently decommission and rehabilitate the landfill facility nestled in bushland at the foot of kunanyi/Mount Wellington.
She says the council’s ambitious goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030 comes down to “the choices our residents make about their waste”.
To help influence those choices the council is working to make low-waste options easier, cost-effective and more convenient, targeting the four top household waste streams – disposable nappies, food, plastic and textiles.
One of the most recent initiatives is a rebate program to put cash back into the pockets of parents who switch to reusable nappies.
“Disposable nappies were invented for convenience and most of us have become used to the ‘throw it away’ lifestyle over the years,” Anna says.
“We know the ‘ick’ factor is also of concern, but becoming a more sustainable community means a return to taking responsibility for our own waste and understanding the impacts our choices have.
“Even though the long-term cost of disposable nappies is greater than that for cloth, many parents are deterred by the upfront cost of reusable nappies. By offering a cashback program, it can help make that initial cost a little less daunting – and the risk of trying something new a little more acceptable.”
A child requires an average of 6000 disposable nappies from birth to toilet training. By comparison, it takes about 24 reusable cloth nappies to fulfil the same needs. Even substituting one nappy a day can divert more than 1000 individual nappies from landfill over a child’s life.
The city offered 100 residents a 50 per cent rebate (up to $50) on the price of cloth nappies to help them make the switch from disposables. It also partnered with local business, Tiny Footprints, to run workshops for parents to bust the myths around hygiene, ease of use and the quality of the nappies.
Hannah Leitch is a big advocate of cloth nappies. The mother of two began using cloth nappies following the birth of her son 20 months ago. She’s now also using them for her youngest, who is just 11 weeks old.
She said the thought of all the waste created by nappies going to landfill was enough encouragement for her to “give it a go”.
“I started right from newborn and, in all honesty, I find them quite easy,” Hannah says.
“They’re so much better now than they used to be. If you follow the instructions, they should last right through to toilet training and can be used again.”
Hannah says she’s noticed more people using cloth nappies. In fact, there’s social media groups dedicated to advising and supporting parents who choose to use cloth.
“There’s a lot more consciousness of the environmental impact of using disposables, people are more aware,” she says. “Disposables were invented for convenience but there’s a cost to them.
“I know a lot more people who are using them now, I’d like to think that more and more people are doing it.”
Reducing environmental impacts isn’t the only benefit of people making
(Picture: City of Hobart)
McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre.
(Picture: City of Hobart)
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds.
the switch to cloth nappies. Hannah says while the initial outlay may be expensive, cloth nappies can “save you a lot of money” in the long-term.
She says incentives such as the council’s rebate are a great opportunity for people who are unsure of making the switch to try cloth nappies without a big initial outlay.
“It’s especially good for people not sure if they want to commit to cloth nappies. They can buy a few and see how they go. It gives them that opportunity to try.”
If you do decide to use cloth nappies, Hannah suggests buying second-hand to keep the cost down and help create a circular economy, and to look for Australian brands.
The nappy rebate follows on from a similar project called The Undies Project, which was initiated by Women’s Health Tasmania and funded by a City of Hobart Urban Sustainability Grant, to provide reusable period underwear to residents on low incomes.
Anna says the concept has been expanded through the nappy subsidy, with the purchase of reusable menstrual items also eligible for the rebate.
It’s incentives such as these that have helped the City of Hobart slash the amount of waste going to landfill by 60 per cent in the past decade. One of the major drivers was the introduction of a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection.
“When a waste audit showed us that food and organic material made up more than half of all residential waste, we introduced a FOGO collection to convert this waste into compost, replacing the previous green waste service,” Anna says.
“In its first year, an additional 500 tonnes of organic waste was composted and diverted from landfill.”
Anna says the success of the program continues to grow as the community gains a better understanding of how to use the service, and more businesses get on board.
Last year, Hobart became the first Australian city to enact a ban on singleuse plastic packaging for takeaway food. Council officers worked with the local business community for more than 12 months to transition to compostable packaging before the law was enforced on 1 July, this year.
“This initiative alone is expected to remove up to 600 tonnes of single-use plastics from landfill each year,” Anna says.
“We’re receiving excellent feedback since the changes came in. Most businesses found the transition easy and they take real pride in being leaders in the shift towards more sustainable methods.”
Anna says the final top four item, textiles, is possibly the most difficult to address.
“Clothes and other fabrics are disposed of into landfill in Australia at an alarming rate. It’s something that a lot of people simply aren’t aware of – it’s somewhat of a forgotten contributor to landfill,” she says.
“We are working with textile recycler SCR Group to establish a pilot recycling program in Hobart.”
City of Hobart is offering cash back for parents to switch to cloth nappies. “Even though the long-term cost of disposable nappies is greater than that for cloth, many parents are deterred by the upfront cost of reusable nappies. By offering a cashback program, it can help make that initial cost a little less daunting – and the risk of trying something new a little more acceptable.”
Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor of Hobart
For more information visit: www.hobartcity.com.au
KOMATSU D71EXI-24 DOZER
Komatsu has released its D71EXi/PXi-24 dozer line – a new class of hydrostatic dozer for the company – that combines iMC 2.0 (intelligent Machine Control) enhancements and Tier 4 Final emissions technology to deliver industry-leading levels of performance, versatility and low operating cost.
In the same size class as its popular D65EX-18 dozer, the 23 tonne D71EXi-24 (also available in swamp dozer configuration as the D71PXi-24) is the largest hydrostatic drive dozer on the market to incorporate iMC capabilities.
It is also one of the first machines to feature Komatsu’s just-released iMC 2.0, a significant update that delivers major productivity, efficiency and cost saving advantages to its latest model “intelligent” dozers.
Power for the new dozer comes from a Komatsu SAA6D114E-6 Tier 4 Final-compliant engine rated at 179 kW, through a fully hydrostatic transmission.
According to Komatsu Dozers Product Manager Pat Munro, the move to hydrostatic drive has allowed for a significant redesign of the D71EXi/PXi-24, making it more versatile, productive, manoeuvrable, and with unmatched visibility to the blade edges.
“While it’s in the same size class as our D65 series dozers, moving to hydrostatic has allowed us to adopt a cabforward design. This, combined with our ‘super-slant’ nose design, gives incredible visibility to the work area,” Pat says.
Komatsu’s D71EXi-24 Dozer.
Contact - Komatsu
P 1800 280 884 E info@komatsu.com.au W www.komatsu.com.au
APPLIED MACHINERY GENOX S-SERIES RASPERS
The S-Series Rasper is mainly used in waste tyre recycling, providing a second “crushing” of material which has been preshredded by a twin shaft shredder.
The Rasper uses cutting and squeezing principles with rotor/counter knives to separate the steel wire from the crushed material, achieving a separation efficiency of more than 98 per cent and processing capacity of up to five tonnes an hour.
The easily replaceable DC53 cutting tools are bolt mounted, with knife supports and fixing wedges, ensuring long life and low operation costs. D2 counter knives can be adjusted individually to maintain consistent cutting clearance, while V-belts and a large flywheel ensure energy-efficient medium-speed cutting.
The casing and screen bracket are controlled by hydraulic drive, so that knife and screen replacement is convenient and quick. A two-piece chamber, fitted with wear-plates to process abrasive materials, also provides easy access for maintenance.
An independent bearing seat helps to prevent dust and debris from entering the bearing, avoiding blockages and extending the service life of the bearing.
A dual-motor drive means the S-Series Rasper can be used as a high-power single-motor drive, reducing the impact of the motor on the power grid when it is started.
The S-Series Rasper.
Contact - Applied Machinery
P 03 9707 8066 W www.genoxmachinery.com.au or www.appliedmachinery.com.au
CATERPILLAR AUSTRALIA MH3040 MATERIAL HANDLER
Delivering the power and reliability required for the most demanding material handling applications in scrap, waste, and mill yard operations, the new Cat® MH3040 builds on the successful legacy of the M325D L MH model.
The boom, sticks and other high-stress areas feature thick, multiplate fabrications, castings and forgings to withstand wear and deliver years of durable operation. Specially designed mountings on the upper frame support the new heavy-duty cab.
The material handler’s new 151-kW (202-hp) Cat C7.1 engine meets EU Stage V emissions standards with an after treatment system that requires no maintenance or downtime. New Smart Mode operation automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to working conditions to reduce fuel consumption, while Power Mode constantly provides maximum power to optimise productivity. The fuel-efficient engine can run up to B20 biodiesel and offers up to 25 per cent lower fuel consumption than the M325D L MH.
Offering a 12 per cent faster swing speed, the MH3040 reduces cycle times and allows operators to move more material in the same amount of time. The advanced hydraulic system features valve priority to direct pressure and flow to where it’s needed.
The handler’s new heavy lift mode boosts lifting capacities and improves controllability. Its auto warm-up features reduce the time it takes for hydraulic oil warming in cold temperatures to prolong component life.
The MH3040’s larger premium cab design includes sound suppression to reduce operating noise levels inside the cab. Smaller cab pillars, combined with large tempered windows, deliver all-round visibility. Rear view and right-side cameras are standard. A larger, 254-mm (10-in) high-resolution touchscreen monitor with jog-dial offers easy navigation of the intuitive operator controls. Joystick controls are ergonomically located within easy reach to reduce operator fatigue, while joystick settings and preferred power mode are quickly set to a specific user ID via the monitor.
Offering a maximum 15.5m (50.8-ft) reach, multiple configurations are available for the flexible MH3040 material handler to meet customer needs.
Cat® MH3040 Material Handler.
Contact - Caterpillar Australia
P NSW/ACT WesTrac 1300 881 064
VIC/TAS William Adams 1300 923 267
Western Australia WesTrac 1300 881 064
QLD/NT Hastings Deering 131 228
South Australia Cavpower 08 8343 1600
NZ TERRA 0800 93 39 39 W www.cat.com
CJD EQUIPMENT SDLG L958F WHEEL LOADER
The all-round L958F Wheel Loader is built for Australian operations.
Popular in waste and recycling, quarry operations and material handling, it combines reliability, versatility and high performance to get the job done.
The high torque, high-performance and fuel-efficient engine is connected to a tropical cooling package which allows it to work at full capacity in tough conditions.
It’s rated at 217hp/162Kw with a maximum torque of 980Nm.
A heavy-duty transmission with kick-down function is designed to work in all applications, while easy-to-access service check points make daily operations more efficient.
The spacious cab has a focus on comfort, ergonomics and practicality including wrap-around pillarless front and rear windscreens for greater depth of vision.
The L958F Wheel Loader is rated for a 5000kg load and operating weight of 17,560kg.
The all-round L958F Wheel Loader.
Contact - CJD Equipment
P 1300 139 804 E marketing@cjd.com.au W cjd.com.au
KOMATSU FOREST PETERSON 2710D HORIZONTAL GRINDER
Peterson offers a full-line of horizontal grinders from 339–894 kW, in both diesel and electric applications. The Peterson 2710 horizontal grinder is designed for mobility, high production, and frequent moves between jobs.
The 2710D Australian version is fitted with a powerful Caterpillar Tier II C18 570kW (765 hp). The 2710’s large feed opening allows it to manage a big range of materials. Measuring 153 x 81cms, when boosted by Peterson’s high lift feed roll, the feed opening’s maximum lift of 11cm, is one of the largest in its class.
Upturning rotors perform more of the reduction process through shearing and cleavage fractures in the wood, using less energy and making them more productive. Urethane cushions and shear pins help protect the mill from catastrophic damage in the event of a severe impact from contaminants in the feed stock.
The Peterson 2710D Horizontal Grinder.
Contact - Komatsu Forest
P + 61 2 9647 3600 E info.au@komatsuforest.com W www.komatsuforest.com.au
Steel wire from waste tyres is of high quality, yet the price for uncleaned steel wire is not very high. By processing the steel fraction in an Eldan Steel Cleaning System, the steel wire can be upgraded and compacted to achieve a higher price.
The in-line system is designed to be an integrated part of an Eldan Tyre Recycling line. The system screens the steel output, sorting out liberated steel and sending back pieces that are too big to re-granulated.
The system has low running costs and requires minimal operator control once running. When fully operational it can ensure up to 98 per cent pure steel, depending on the input fraction size, and can process up to 3000 kilograms per production hour. The cleaned steel is of high quality and suited for baling due to its density of 300-400kg/m3. Designed to easily integrate into an existing tyre recycling
The In-Line Steel Cleaning System. plant, the In-Line Steel Cleaning System can be tailored to processing needs. Eldan Recycling also offers a stand-alone version which can be integrated into an Eldan Tyre Recycling line or operated as a separate unit. and upscaled in the future.
Contact - Eldan Recycling
P +45 21 49 19 67 E cn@eldan-recycling.com W eldan-recycling.com
JCB HYDRADIG WASTEMASTER
The JCB Hydradig Wastemaster wheeled excavator is designed for the waste sector, more specifically for sorting purposes. Power is provided by JCB’s own EcoMAX engine, which meets T4i engine emissions regulations and produces a maximum output of 109hp. It doesn’t use a diesel particulate filter, which is ideal in the waste industry.
Perhaps the most prominent feature of the JCB Hydradig is the 360-degree vision from the cab. A world first for wheeled excavators, JCB has moved major components including engine, colling pack and pumps into the lower chassis, away from the revolving upper body. The cab sits higher and gives the operators an unobstructed bird’s-eye view of surroundings while offering increased stability.
When working in confined spaces, manoeuvrability is of
The JCB Hydradig Wastemaster.
utmost importance. JCB has this covered with the Hydradig’s multiple steering modes. Front-wheel steer, four-wheel steer and crab steer are standard. All Australian models offer reverse steer as standard.
Contact - CEA / Deon Cope
E d.cope@jcbcea.com.au W www.jcbcea.com.au
New laws for waste tyres
AS THE WASTE TYRE INDUSTRY FACES NEW EXPORT BANS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY VICTORIA SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO DEVELOP INDUSTRY UNDERSTANDING.
Victorian businesses engaged in the transportation, storage, management and disposal of end-of-life tyres need to become familiar with their new obligations under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (EP ACT).
The new Act came into force on 1 July 2021 and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has been liaising with business groups such as Victorian Farmers Federation and Tyre Stewardship Australia to develop industry understanding.
“It’s important for waste tyre generators and everyone in the disposal chain to understand how tyres and tyrederived products are regulated for the size of operation they are undertaking,” says Mark Rossiter, Executive Director Operations EPA Victoria.
“In particular, they need to know how waste tyres and tyre-derived products are classified, their obligations for transporting them, their obligations for receiving them on site and their obligations for managing risks on site.
“This gains additional importance as the export ban on all whole used or baled tyres comes into effect on 1 December 2021.”
Mark says operators need to become familiar with the new EPA Waste Tracker system (www.epa.vic.gov.au/ for-business/waste/transporting-waste/ waste-tracker/sign-up-to-waste-tracker).
“Everyone in the waste chain; those who generate the waste, transport it or receive it, have a duty to ensure that the material is legally disposed of at a lawful place,” he says.
“The new laws allow for harsher penalties but EPA’s goal is to ensure all sectors of the waste industry understand how to comply with them.
“Reportable Priority Waste (RPW), the waste classification for tyres, will be tracked to ensure their origin and destination are captured. Transportation is different from other RPW in that the transporting vehicle does not need to be specifically permitted to carry tyres, but EPA’s intention is to ensure all waste tyres are accounted for.
“There has been significant public expense incurred to clean up waste tyre sites such as those at Numurkah and Stawell. Both created a considerable fire risk and EPA will not tolerate that occurring again.
“Under the new EP Act, there is also a General Environmental Duty (www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/ new-laws-and-your-business/generalenvironmental-duty) that states everyone must reduce the risk of harm from their activities to human health and the environment and from pollution or waste.
“Stockpiled tyres can create an unacceptable fire risk. EPA and the Victorian community have a no tolerance approach to businesses that allow that to happen and we have been actively inspecting. Most businesses will already be doing the right thing but EPA will take enforcement action where necessary to ensure proper regulation of the waste tyre industry.”
EPA aims to ensure all waste tyres are accounted for.
For more information visit: www.epa.vic.gov.au
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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A slow-running, single-shaft shredder suited to all types of waste.
CRAMBO
Less Fuel, More Power
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TOPTURN X
The Ideal Combination of Performance and Design
With a sturdy frame, powerful hydraulics and large drum, the Topturn X is ready to handle any work situation.
MULTI STAR
Screening with a Star
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NEMUS
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Combining the practice-proven virtues of its predecessors with new solutions for even greater performance.
AXTOR
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