Consultation Paper - NEWRRG · 2015-11-10 · 1.1 The purpose of this consultation paper This consultation paper provides a draft overview of the strategic direction and identified

30th October 2015

Development of the North East Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan

North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group

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Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4

1.1 The purpose of this consultation paper ................................................................................................ 4

1.2 Consultation questions .......................................................................................................................... 4

2. Legislative context ........................................................................................................................................ 5

2.1 The North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group .......................................................................... 5

2.2 The North East Implementation Plan .................................................................................................... 5

3. Background research .................................................................................................................................... 6

4. Current waste and resource recovery infrastructure................................................................................... 7

4.1 Operating landfills.................................................................................................................................. 7

4.2 Closed landfills ....................................................................................................................................... 7

4.3 Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................................... 7

4.4 Resource recovery operators ................................................................................................................ 8

4.5 Source sector breakdown ...................................................................................................................... 9

4.6 Recovered, landfilled and generated waste .......................................................................................... 9

5. Strategic direction ...................................................................................................................................... 11

5.1 Vision ................................................................................................................................................... 11

5.2 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................ 11

5.3 Goals .................................................................................................................................................... 11

5.4 Strategic directions .............................................................................................................................. 11

6. Material streams current status, gaps and needs ...................................................................................... 13

7. Infrastructure current status, gaps and needs ........................................................................................... 20

8. Next steps ................................................................................................................................................... 23

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List of Tables

Table 1 Tonnes managed at of operating landfills in the north east ................................................................ 7

Table 2 infrastructure type and current volume managed in the north east ................................................... 7

Table 3 Resource recovery operators in the north east.................................................................................... 8

Table 4 Source sector for recovered, landfilled and total waste generated in the north east ......................... 9

Table 5 Estimated recovered, landfilled and total waste generated in the north east .................................. 10

Table 6 Strategic directions for waste and resource recovery in North East Victoria .................................... 11

Table 7 Material stream current status, gaps and needs ................................................................................ 13

Table 8 Infrastructure current status, gaps and needs ................................................................................... 20

Table 9 Next steps in the development of the North East Implementation Plan ........................................... 23

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1. Introduction

The North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group (NEWRRG) is in the process of developing a Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan (Implementation Plan) for the north east region.

The objective of the Implementation Plan is to set out the waste and resource recovery infrastructure needs of the region over at least a 10 year period, while minimising environmental and public health impacts and where possible reducing costs to the community.

Once developed, the Implementation Plan will function as a key guiding document for waste and resource recovery in the region, and the opportunities identified in the plan will have potential to influence future government priorities and programs. The plan will aim to:

increase the recovery of resources

minimise what is going into landfill

identify cost effective waste and resource recovery solutions

reduce the environmental and health impacts of waste.

1.1 The purpose of this consultation paper

This consultation paper provides a draft overview of the strategic direction and identified needs and priorities for the north east region. It has been prepared to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide early feedback before the draft Implementation Plan is prepared. Further consultation opportunities will be provided once the draft has been developed. If you would like to contribute to the development of the North East Implementation Plan at this stage, please respond to the questions below and email them to [email protected] by 18 December 2015.

1.2 Consultation questions

A series of questions to guide your feedback are provided below. Please provide any responses and feedback via email to [email protected] by 18 December 2015. 1. Do you or your organisation agree with the strategic directions outlined in section 5? If not, please

explain.

2. Are there any material stream or infrastructure gaps that you feel have not been identified in section 6 or section 7 of this report? Please provide a detailed explanation of these.

3. Are there any errors with data or information contained within this report? If yes, please explain.

4. Do you have any other comments about the information contained in this report or the North East Implementation Plan process?

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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2. Legislative context

2.1 The North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group

The North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group was formed on 1 August 2014 and is one of seven Waste and Resource Recovery Groups (WRRGs) in Victoria. The organisation is legislated under the Environment Protection Act 1970 (EP Act). The NEWRRG region consists of the municipal districts of the following local government authorities and alpine resort management boards:

Alpine Shire Council

Benalla Rural City Council

Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board

Indigo Shire Council

Mansfield Shire Council

Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board

Mount Buller and Mount Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board

Towong Shire Council

Wangaratta Rural City Council

Wodonga City Council.

2.2 The North East Implementation Plan

In August 2014, the EP Act was amended to establish the Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Planning Framework. The framework is designed to facilitate strategic planning for waste and resource recovery at both the state and local level for regional communities. The framework, as articulated in section 50CA of the EP Act, includes:

the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan (State Infrastructure Plan)

Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plans (Regional Implementation Plans).

Each of the seven Waste and Resource Recovery Groups must prepare a Regional Implementation Plan in accordance with the EP Act and the Ministerial guidelines, and assist Sustainability Victoria (SV) in the development of the State Infrastructure Plan. Once the Implementation Plans are finalised, the State Infrastructure Plan will be reviewed and updated to integrate and reflect the Regional Implementation Plans. Together, these plans will provide the strategic direction for waste and resource recovery infrastructure needs in the respective regions and the State for the next 10 years.

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3. Background research

The NEWRRG has spent the last twelve months undertaking extensive background research to inform the Implementation Plan. This research, combined with consultation with key industry, local government, alpine resorts and state government stakeholders, has enabled us to assess the needs, gaps and opportunities for waste and resource recovery infrastructure in the region and establish a strategic direction. The research has included:

a literature review of recent regional, state and national research

extensive data collection and analysis including:

– detailed surveys of and data collection from local government and alpine resort waste staff

– interviews with and surveys of local government planning and economic development staff

– detailed surveys of and data collection from the regional reprocessing industry as part of a State study

– two detailed studies into options for future waste disposal and recovery options

– detailed surveys of and data collection from the commercial and industrial (C&I), and construction and demolition (C&D) sectors within the region

a review of local government and alpine resort strategies and plans

consultation with the Local Government Waste Forum and its Technical Advisory Sub-Committee convened by the NEWRRG to understand priorities for future waste and resource recovery infrastructure development

consultation with representatives of local government, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Sustainability Victoria, and neighbouring WRRGs around current and future risks to the region’s waste and resource recovery system

consideration of the State Infrastructure Plan - to create an integrated waste and resource recovery system across the State it is necessary for the overarching strategic direction of all seven Regional Implementation Plans to align with that of the State Infrastructure Plan.

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4. Current waste and resource recovery infrastructure

4.1 Operating landfills

There are five operating landfills in the north east region (Table 1). The Benalla, Bowser and Myrtleford landfills are licensed whilst the Corryong and Cobungra landfills are exempt from licensing. Of municipal waste generated in the region, only 44% is sent to these landfills. The other 56%, and a large amount of solid industrial waste, is landfilled outside of the region – in Albury or Shepparton1.

Table 1 Tonnes managed at of operating landfills in the north east

Council/Resort Landfill Tonnes currently managed (2013-14)

Alpine Myrtleford 3,100

Benalla Benalla 11,000

Towong Corryong 1,700

Wangaratta Bowser 21,600

Mt Hotham Cobungra 220

4.2 Closed landfills

The State Infrastructure Plan lists the 11 closed landfills in the north east region, as identified by the EPA. In 2006 over 30 landfill sites in the region were identified as having been closed within the last 30 years. It is estimated that at least 26 of these sites remain un-rehabilitated. Pollution Abatement Notices have been issued on the two previously licensed closed landfills in the last two years and rehabilitation is now under way at these sites2.

4.3 Infrastructure

Sixteen resource recovery centres in the region are managed by councils and two are council-owned but privately managed. There is also a small sorting facility at each of the alpine resorts. Table 2 lists these centres and facilities and the tonnes managed annually at each of these.

Table 2 infrastructure type and current volume managed in the north east3

Council/Resort Resource Recovery Centre/Transfer Station

Tonnes currently managed (annually)

Alpine Shire Dinner Plain Not reported

Myrtleford >1000

Porepunkah <1000

Mt Beauty <1000

Benalla Rural City Benalla >1000

Indigo Shire Beechworth 500

Rutherglen 300

1 Nolan Consulting (2014) Future Landfill Options Study 2 URS (2006) A Risk Assessment of Selected Landfill Sites in the North Eastern Waste Management Region 3 Sustainability Victoria (2013/14) North East WRRG Local Government Survey

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Council/Resort Resource Recovery Centre/Transfer Station

Tonnes currently managed (annually)

Mansfield Shire Mansfield >1000

Woods Point 60

Towong Shire Tallangatta <1000

Wodonga City Wodonga 2500

Wangaratta Rural City Boorhaman <10

Eldorado 40

Wangaratta >1000

Glenrowan 15

Markwood 50

Moyhu 30

Springhurst 15

Whitfield 25

Falls Creek Resort Falls Creek 525*

Mt Buller Resort Mt Buller 694*

Mt Hotham Resort Mt Hotham Not reported

4.4 Resource recovery operators

There is currently one operational Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), and ten other private reprocessing facilities in the north east (Table 3). Combined they employ around 514 people (full time equivalent).

Table 3 Resource recovery operators in the north east

Business name Location Facility type

Endeavour Foundation (Vatmi Recycling) MRF Wangaratta MRF - Commingled

Alpine MDF Wangaratta Reprocessor - Organics

D&R Henderson Benalla Reprocessor - Organics

Greenchip Baranduda Reprocessor - Organics

Jackson's Earthmoving Wodonga Reprocessor - C&D

Mansfield Crushing Mansfield Reprocessor - C&D

Oztek Holdings Barnawartha Reprocessor - Organics

Shoalhaven Recycling (mobile in region) Bombaderry head office (NSW)

Reprocessor - Organics

Visy Board Wodonga Reprocessor - Paper and cardboard

AR Fuels Barnawartha Reprocessor - Organics

Wodonga Rendering Wodonga Reprocessor - Organics

The Endeavour Foundation MRF sorts recyclables collected from the municipal and C&I sectors and then sends the separated materials to reprocessors to be recycled into new materials.

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The major products reprocessed and sold on by reprocessors in the region include crushed concrete, asphalt, bricks, packaging glass, metal steel, aluminium cans, biomass fuel (solid and liquid), bone and meat meal, paper and cardboard, and plastics.

Reprocessing is not always the core business for the companies listed in Table 3; it may be an additional activity. For example, D&R Henderson is primarily a particleboard manufacturer, but it also has a co-generation facility to turn excess waste from its facility and others in the region into energy.

Other nearby reprocessors include, Norske Skog in Albury NSW (a large paper and cardboard reprocessing facility) and Carbonmate Organics Recycling facility in Gregadoo NSW (near Wagga Wagga).

4.5 Source sector breakdown

The volume of waste recovered, landfilled and generated from the municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial and construction and demolition sectors is shown in Table 4.

Table 4 Source sector for recovered, landfilled and total waste generated in the north east4

Source Sector Recovered (tonnes)

Landfilled (tonnes)

Total generated (tonnes)

Recovered (%)

Municipal Solid Waste 25,199 35,740 60,939 41%

Commercial & Industrial 61,623 29,922 91,545 67%

Construction & Demolition 74,795 17,455 92,250 81%

Total 161,617 83,117 244,734 66%

The commercial and industrial and construction and demolition sectors are both generating approximately the same volume of material per year, whilst municipal solid waste generation is about a third of these combined. Source separation and market pull, as well as increasing landfill gate fees have resulted in recovery rates of more than 65% for commercial and industrial waste, and more than 80% for construction and demolition waste.

However, as this data has been modelled by SV based on statewide data, it does not account for additional organics diversion in the north east – in 2013-14 the alpine resorts collected an additional 97 tonnes of food organics from the commercial sector, and the four largest councils in the region recently introduced a third, green-lidded kerbside bin for the collection of food and garden organics in all urban areas. It is anticipated that the introduction of this service will recover an additional 1,800 tonnes of food and 8,500 tonnes of garden organics annually, further increasing the resource recovery rate to 60% in the municipal solid waste stream and the overall recovery rate for the region to 70%.

4.6 Recovered, landfilled and generated waste

The volumes of materials recovered, landfilled and generated in the region are shown in Table 5. This data has been modelled by SV and is based on statewide data. The 29,406 tonnes of potentially recoverable organic material (food, garden and wood/timber) does not include the food organics services provided by the alpine resorts to the commercial sector or the newly introduced food and garden organics collections to households in four council areas in the region.

4 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability

Victoria

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Organics are also recovered in the region in a number of other ways including:

chipping of green and woody waste into raw mulch

composting of a wide range of materials into certified composts and soil additives

reuse of clean timber in MDF and particle board

rendering of abattoir waste into bonemeal and other products

production of biodiesel from abattoir waste and waste oil.

Table 5 Estimated recovered, landfilled and total waste generated in the north east5

Material Category Recovered (tonnes)

Landfilled (tonnes)

Total generated (tonnes)

Recovered (%)

Organics Food 1,532 18,000 19,532 8%

Garden 7,495 5,211 12,706 59%

Wood/timber 2,462 6,062 8,524 29%

Other 6,826 133 6,959 98%

Paper/ Cardboard 29,102 9,651 38,752 75%

Glass 3,432 1,634 5,067 68%

Plastics 3,144 8,488 11,632 27%

Rubber (inc. Tyres) 588 Unavailable 588 100%

Metals 32,342 1,402 33,744 96%

Aggregates, Masonry & Soil 74,630 17,905 92,535 81%

Textiles 65 3,135 3,200 2%

Electronic waste 207 Unavailable 207 100%

Other Unavailable 11,496 11,496 0%

TOTAL 161,824 83,117 244,941 66%

There is an opportunity to recover a majority of the materials currently being landfilled, excluding the category ‘other’ which includes all non-recyclable waste. This is equivalent to 71,621 tonnes of waste that is produced in the north east and currently being landfilled could be recycled or reused.

There is also potential for improved solutions for green and garden organics currently being chipped to produce a raw mulch which does not have an end market – some councils use the mulch in combination with soil as a weekly or daily cover at their landfill, and make available small amounts to residents as mulch.

The recovery rates for cardboard, glass, tyres, metal and aggregates, masonry and soils range from 68% to 100%. There is potential to improve some of these rates and to significantly increase the recovery of textiles, plastics, wood and timber through the promotion of existing services, aggregation and bulking, and work with local industries to develop markets.

5 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria

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5. Strategic direction

The NEWRRG has adopted the vision and purpose of the State Infrastructure Plan for the North East Implementation Plan.

5.1 Vision

North east Victoria has an integrated regional waste and resource recovery system that provides an essential community service to: protect the community, environment and public health; recover valuable resources from our waste; minimise long term costs to householders, industry and government.

5.2 Purpose

To provide strategic direction for the management of waste and resource recovery infrastructure to achieve an integrated system that effectively manages the expected mix and volumes of waste, reflects the principles of environmental justice to ensure that impacts on the community, environment and public health are not disproportionately felt, supports a viable resource recovery industry and reduces the amount of valuable materials going to landfill.

5.3 Goals

The NEWRRG has also adopted the four goals of the State Infrastructure Plan, which have a 30 year timeframe and include:

1. Landfills will only be for receiving and treating waste streams from which all materials that can be viably recovered have been extracted.

2. Materials are made available to the resource recovery market through aggregation and consolidation of volumes to create viability in recovering valuable resources from waste.

3. Waste and resource recovery facilities including landfills are established and managed over their lifetime to provide the best economic, community, environment and public health outcomes for local communities and the region and ensure their impacts are not disproportionately felt across communities.

4. Targeted information provides the evidence base to inform integrated region wide waste and resource recovery infrastructure planning and investment at the regional and local levels by industry, local government, waste and resource recovery groups, government agencies and the broader community.

5.4 Strategic directions

In line with its vision, purpose and goals, by 2025 the NEWRRG seeks to develop regional infrastructure that is cost-effective, reduces environmental and social risks, and improves environmental and economic outcomes for the region. The strategic directions outlined in Table 6 are designed to achieve this.

Table 6 Strategic directions for waste and resource recovery in North East Victoria

Strategic direction Strategic area

1. Waste and resource recovery infrastructure which advances waste and resource recovery outcomes

New technologies and approaches to improve waste and resource recovery

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Strategic direction Strategic area

2. Regional waste and resource recovery transport and aggregation infrastructure to maximise resource recovery and minimise cost to the community

Bringing volumes of waste together to gain economies of scale

Pre-sorting opportunities prior to landfill

Reducing the cost of waste and resource recovery to the community

3. Organics and other material processing infrastructure to meet the region’s current and future needs

Adequate reprocessing infrastructure for the region’s needs

Well located processing infrastructure

4. A minimum number of landfills servicing the region’s current and future needs

Reduction in landfill if alternatives are available which improve outcomes for the community and environment

Utilising large regional or out of region landfill options

5. A culture of cooperation with strong partnerships between industry, state and local government, which maximises waste and resource recovery outcomes

Partnerships and cooperation to achieve better waste and resource recovery outcomes

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6. Material streams current status, gaps and needs

The NEWRRG has spent the last twelve months undertaking extensive background research to inform the North East Implementation Plan. Through this research, combined with consultation with key industry, local government and State government stakeholders, the current status and gaps of the region’s waste and resource streams have been assessed and potential future needs identified. These are outlined in Table 7.

Table 7 Material stream current status, gaps and needs

Material Current status Gaps Needs

Food Approximately 18,000 tonnes of food organics are landfilled and 1,532 tonnes recycled in the region annually (8% recovery rate) (not including the additional 1,800 tonnes predicted to be collected from kerbside services or the 97 tonnes collected annually at the alpine resorts)6

Food organics make up an estimated 14% or 13,900 tonnes per year of total solid industrial waste generated in the region, and over 7,000 tonnes of landfilled solid industrial waste7

Food and other organics make up 31% of waste from the accommodation and food services sector; 8% of this is recycled8

Food and other organics make up 48% of waste materials from the food manufacturing sector (including returned or spoiled

Facilities or options to manage an additional 14,532 tonnes of food organics annually

Three councils in the region do not provide a food collection service to residents, resulting in about 2,734 tonnes of food organics landfilled from households in these municipalities annually12

No options for the recovery of spoiled or returned food

Additional regional organics capacity to manage an additional 14,534 tonnes of food organics generated annually

Secure disposal options for non-saleable branded products that recover recyclable packing and compostable food and beverage contents13

Extension of organics services to residents in council areas which do not currently offer a kerbside service (where viable) resulting in the diversion of up to an additional 2,734 tonnes of food organics annually 14

Promotion of existing organics services or extension of new services to the commercial and industrial sector

6 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria 7 Blue Environment (2015) Solid Industrial Waste in the North East 8 Blue Environment (2015) Solid Industrial Waste in the North East 12 Calculations adapted from: EC Sustainable (2013) North East Victoria Region Kerbside Waste and Recycling Audit Report 13 Blue Environment (2015) Solid Industrial Waste in the North East 14 Calculations adapted from: EC Sustainable (2013) North East Victoria Region Kerbside Waste and Recycling Audit Report

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food landfilled due to the requirement for it to be securely buried); 79% of this is recycled9 10

The one food reprocessing facility in the region can currently only accept waste which produces 5,000 tonnes of finished product per year

11,400 tonnes of municipal food organics generated in the Albury region could be available for processing at an organics recovery facility in the north east11

Closure of the only regional processing facility or other facilities outside the region, would present a risk to current food organics recovery systems

Garden Approximately 5,211 tonnes of garden organics are landfilled and 7,495 tonnes recycled in the region annually (59% recovery rate) (not including 8,500 tonnes of garden organics predicted to be collected from new organics kerbside services)15

All resource recovery centres in the region offer drop off facilities for garden organics

Most garden organics from the commercial and industrial sector are taken to resource recovery centres and landfills

Garden organics stockpiles build up and are sometimes managed in a way that may increase contamination with grit

Garden organics being chipped produces raw mulch end product that may contain unwanted seeds and other contamination, making it unfit fit for the landscaping market

Three councils not providing a garden organics collection service to residents

A lack of hardstand areas for leachate management

Additional regional organics capacity to appropriately manage another 5,211 tonnes of garden organics annually

Local mulch and garden organics markets

A fuel source for use in cogeneration plants

Hardstand storage areas with leachate collection at resource recovery centres and landfills

Better source separation at resource recovery centres and landfills (for garden organics being chipped for mulch) to reduce contamination

9 Blue Environment (2015) Solid Industrial Waste in the North East 10 Blue Environment (2015) Solid Industrial Waste in the North East 11 Blue Environment (2009) North East Organics Study 15 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria

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Three councils in the region do not provide a garden organics collection service to residents resulting in about 36 tonnes of garden organics landfilled from households in these municipalities annually16

7,880 tonnes of municipal garden organics are generated in Albury that could be available for processing at a regional organics recovery facility17

Approximately 64,000 tonnes of organics from commercial and industrial and construction and demolition sources deposited in the Albury landfill could be available for reprocessing at a regional facility18

Extension of organics services to residents in council areas that do not currently offer a kerbside service (where viable)

Key market opportunities in the urban amenity, viticulture, horticulture, broad acre agriculture and land rehabilitation sectors19

Wood and timber

Approximately 6,062 tonnes of wood/timber waste are landfilled and 2,462 tonnes recycled in the region annually (29% recovery rate)20

Timber makes up an estimated 6%, or about 5,900 tonnes per year, of the total solid industrial waste generated in the region, and in the order of at least 3,300 tonnes of landfilled solid industrial waste 21

Timber is recovered in the region by both formal and informal processes

Timber reprocessors have some additional reprocessing capacity for waste timber available to the region, but there is a need for improved logistics systems and cleaner product22

A lack of hardstand areas at resource recovery centres to prevent contamination and increase recovery opportunities

A lack of aggregation, appropriate storage and coordinated transport of timber to reprocessors

Improvement of aggregation and transport of timber to reprocessing facilities to increase recovery

Upgrades at council resource recovery centres and landfills to improve separation of timber

Promotion of existing timber reprocessing services to industry

Hardstand areas at resource recovery centres to store material and reduce contamination

Local mulch markets

16 Calculations adapted from: EC Sustainable (2013) North East Victoria Region Kerbside Waste and Recycling Audit Report 17 Blue Environment (2009) North East Organics Study 18 Blue Environment (2009) North East Organics Study 19 Blue Environment (2009) North East Organics Study 20 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria 21 Blue Environment (2015) Solid Industrial Waste in the North East 22 Blue Environment (2009) North East Organics Study; Sustainable Resource Use (2015) Reprocessors Survey

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Glass Approximately 1,634 tonnes of glass are landfilled and 3,432 tonnes recycled in the region annually (68% recovery rate)23

Glass contributes an estimated 1% of solid industrial waste generated in the region and a similar amount to the landfilled stream, with about 70% of solid industrial waste glass being recycled

Low value glass is transported to Melbourne for reprocessing as there is no reprocessing/crushing of glass currently in the region24

No local reprocessing/crushing of glass

Exploration of the benefit of smaller scale glass crushing or local glass crushing so markets can be developed within the region for products such as pipe bedding and road base

Further trials of local reprocessing options for glass

Plastics Approximately 8,488 tonnes of plastic landfilled and 3,144 tonnes recycled in the region annually (27% recovery rate)25

Plastics are estimated to contribute over 4% by weight, or 4,250 tonnes per year, to the total solid industrial waste stream, and over 3,600 tonnes per year to landfilled solid industrial waste in the region (less than 15% by weight estimated recovery rate)26

Film and silage wrap is common in the region, but the market relies on aggregation for transportation

Reprocessors are reluctant to pick up silage wrap because it is too dirty and due to logistical issues – it is often left too long and the bags begin to break down

Economies of scale for plastic film in the region are poor due to the lack of quantity

Nearby silage wrap reprocessors (Goulburn Valley region) lack capacity to use ‘dirty’ silage wrap

Polystyrene is light and difficult to transport

No local reprocessing of plastic film

Lack of plastic balers for plastic film

No regionally coordinated hard plastics collection

No regional solution for polystyrene as it is expensive to transport

Drop off points for plastic film at regional resource recovery centres and facilitation of regional contracts for collection where viable

Assessment of the value of long term contracts for plastic film in driving recovery

Options for collection of silage wrap (although creating economies could be challenging)

A regional solution to manage polystyrene such as extrusion processes for compaction

A regional solution for hard plastics collection and transport for recycling

23 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria 24 Blue Environment (2015) Solid Industrial Waste in the North East 25 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria 26 Blue Environment (2015) Solid Industrial Waste in the North East

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Albury Waste Management Centre is the only extruder close to the region and fees apply

Wodonga separates hard plastics to bale and sends away for reprocessing

DrumMuster collects and recycles hard plastic drums

Hard plastics can be bulky and expensive to transport

Bulking of plastic film is expensive

Aggregates, Masonry and soil

Approximately 17,905 tonnes of aggregates, masonry and soil are landfilled and 74,630 tonnes recycled in the region annually (81% recovery rate)27

Masonry materials contribute an estimated 24% by weight, or over 24,000 tonnes per year, of total solid industrial waste in the region. Based on disposal based estimates and reported landfilling only about 20% (less than 5,000 tonnes) is disposed of in landfill28

There is adequate processing capacity in the region to manage these materials which are mainly recycled or managed through non-landfill means

Industry generally performs separation at the source due to the high costs to landfill it

Local government lacks the capacity to create certified products

Inconsistent management of asbestos content

Poor quality of product

A product that is VicRoads certified for use in roads

Management of asbestos contamination at landfills and resource recovery centres

Encouragement of local government to use recycled products for construction to drive markets

Textiles Approximately 3,135 tonnes of textiles are estimated to be landfilled and 65 tonnes recycled in the region annually (2% recovery rate)29

No textile recovery facilities at resource recovery centres in the region

Placement of charity bins at resource recovery centres

Local reuse and recycling opportunities for offcuts and faulty textiles, and to develop markets

27 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria 28 Blue Environment (2015) Solid Industrial Waste in the North East 29 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria

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There is no separation at resource recovery centres in the region except at the Wodonga centre where charity bins are provided

Textiles are mainly recovered through charity collections

Post industry and post retail textiles are mainly recycled via charities although some, such as faulty rolls (exact quantities are not known), goes to landfill

Underdeveloped market in the region for recycling and reuse of faulty textiles and offcuts

Hazardous waste (exc. electronic waste)

There are permanent collection points at Wodonga and Wangaratta resource recovery centres for paint, fluorescent lights and batteries

Category C contaminated soil and asbestos are accepted at the Bowser landfill from commercial sources and private households

Wodonga and Wangaratta collect toxic household chemicals annually through SV’s mobile Detox Your Home service

Farm chemicals are collected through the Chemclear program

Fluorescent light bulb collection is provided at some resource recovery centres and lighting shops

Limited collection of batteries, paint and fluorescent lights outside of Wangaratta and Wodonga

Very few residents outside of Wangaratta and Wodonga attend the annual household chemical collections held at those sites

Opportunities to broaden collection of household chemicals, batteries, fluorescent lights and paint outside of Wangaratta and Wodonga

Electronic waste

Approximately 207 tonnes of electronic waste are estimated to be recycled in the region annually with none landfilled (100% recovery rate)30

The region has introduced e-waste collection in 2010 and the quantities collected in 2013-14 were 545 tonnes

A regional electronic waste contract is in place

There is great acceptance of the recycling service by residents

The Victorian government is committed to a landfill ban on electronic materials including a greater variety of materials than is currently collected for recycling

Lack of coverage of Federal product stewardship scheme in the region

No collection systems for some of the materials which may be banned from landfill by the Victorian government

Extension of access to Federal product stewardship scheme to reduce cost of recycling electronic waste to the community

Additional infrastructure, storage and contracts to divert banned materials from landfill if electronic waste ban is implemented

30 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria

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The Federal product stewardship scheme subsidises the collection and recycling of electronic waste

Energy from Waste

Two facilities use high moisture content chipped material for energy production and heat, and produce MDF

Some local materials are used in these facilities but the remainder is imported from surrounding regions and interstate.

Lack of hardstand areas at resource recovery centres to prevent contamination from grit and stones and to produce clean timber and garden waste fuel

Concrete hardstand areas at resource recovery centres to reduce contamination

Other residual waste

Approximately 11,496 tonnes of ‘other residual waste’ are landfilled in the region annually31

Only 44% of municipal waste generated in the region is sent to regional landfills. The other 56%, and a large volume of solid industrial waste is landfilled outside of the region – in Albury or Shepparton

It has been shown that aggregating waste volumes across the north east and transporting them to a large landfill in or out of region could be more competitive than many of the current landfilling arrangements32

A third bin for food and garden organics collections at four councils has resulted in a reduction of residual waste to landfill

No contingency plan for those sending waste to the Albury Waste Management Centre

No options for aggregation and bulking to reduce cost of transport of waste prior to transport

No sorting of mixed loads of waste received at landfill sites prior to disposal

A regional or out of region alternative for those councils currently landfilling their waste interstate

Pre-sorting at landfills to further improve resource recovery

Further exploration of opportunities to aggregate waste and transport to disposal point to reduce the cost to the community

Further exploration of the opportunity for councils to collaboratively dispose of waste to reduce the cost to the community

31 Victoria Regional Waste & Resource Recovery Database (RWRRD) v3; waste and resource recovery data provided by Sustainability Victoria 32 Nolan Consulting (2014) Future Landfill Options Study for the North East

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7. Infrastructure current status, gaps and needs

Research and consultation with key industry, local government and state government stakeholders has enabled the NEWRRG to assess the current status and gaps of the region’s waste and resource recovery infrastructure and identify potential future needs. These are outlined in Table 8.

Table 8 Infrastructure current status, gaps and needs

Infrastructure Current status Gaps Needs

Operating landfills

There are five operating landfills in the region: Benalla, Bowser (Wangaratta), and Myrtleford landfills are licensed, and the Corryong and Cobungra landfills which are exempt from licensing

The breakeven cost of landfilling has risen significantly recently due to licensing requirements, and construction and rehabilitation costs

The Bowser and Benalla landfills receive the largest amount of waste, and their projected costs are lower than the Corryong, Myrtleford and Cobungra landfills

Corryong and Cobungra landfills offer landfilling options to isolated communities

There is no need for extra landfill airspace capacity in the region for the next 10 years

A regional landfill accepting tonnes from Wangaratta and Benalla or additional regional councils could be cost effective within the next 10 years33

Potential ‘out of region’ which are over 200km from the region but have low gate fees and provide long term security

No regional strategy for managing the region’s residual waste

A lack of pre-sorting at resource recovery centres and landfills

A long term regional strategy for landfilling either within or outside the region

Long term solutions for sorting, bulking and transport

33 Blue Environment (2015) Future Landfill Options Study

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Closed landfills At least 30 landfill sites have been closed within the last 30 years. At least 26 of these have not yet been rehabilitated.

Pollution Abatement Notices have been issued on two previously licensed sites in the last two years; however, rehabilitation is now underway

Most medium to high risk sites have been rehabilitated

The high cost of rehabilitation to the standards required by the EPA guidelines may delay action

Strategic planning for the management of closed landfills

Appropriate budgeting to maintain closed landfills into the future

Further assessment of risk of closed sites and development of viable strategy to improve management based around risk

Investment in rehabilitation and management of high risk closed landfills

Resource recovery centres

There are 16 resource recovery centres managed by councils, two council owned privately managed resource recovery centres, and three small sorting facilities at the alpine resorts

Wodonga and Wangaratta RRCs are the largest, followed by Mansfield and Myrtleford. The rest receive less than 1000 tonnes annually and some less than 10 tonne a year

Wangaratta has adopted a strategic direction to rationalise the number of resource recovery centres they operate

More than half of transfer station residual waste skips are made up of a recyclable material

Asbestos dumping at resource recovery centres is a common occurrence

Lack of basic facilities at some smaller centres

Aging infrastructure and/or inadequate storage facilities i.e. for timber and garden waste, at many facilities

Improved management and infrastructure at resource recovery centres to encourage increased source separation

Consideration of consolidation of resource recovery centres to create economies of scale and improve management, and to reduce financial costs

Infrastructure improvements at some facilities

Provision of basic facilities like toilets at all facilities

Materials recovery facilities (MRF)

There is one MRF in the region that accepts mostly municipal, kerbside recyclables

Additional kerbside recyclables generated in the region are transported for sorting in Melbourne

Limited sorting range and higher waste output at regional MRFs due to lack of ‘expensive’ technology

A lack of capital funding available to MRFs to purchase new

Examination of the need for additional recycling capacity or better consolidation of materials for transport to Melbourne

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The regional MRF still engages staff to manually sort materials, as currently it is too expensive to invest in automated technologies

technologies, which help them remain competitive

A lack of investment in new local sorting facilities due to competition with Melbourne and a lack of material

Investment in improved sorting facilities to improve performance of regional MRFs

Regional reprocessors

There are ten reprocessors in the region, mostly located around Wodonga and Wangaratta, and two close by in NSW

The reprocessors combined employ around 514 people (full time equivalent)

28% of the recyclate accepted is from within the region, 12% from Melbourne, 32% from elsewhere in Victoria, and 28% from NSW

Recycled products and recyclates include crushed concrete, asphalt, bricks, packaging glass, metal steel, aluminium cans, biomass fuel, biodiesel, bone and meat meal, paper and cardboard, and plastics – PE-HDPE and PET

Additional capacity is planned for some of the existing reprocessing facilities

No plastics reprocessor in the region

No local glass reprocessing/crushing in the region

Limited organics reprocessing capacity in the region

Work with local government planning where needed to establish sites and possibly waste management precincts

A market sounding process with industry to consider additional reprocessing opportunities for the region

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8. Next steps

The next steps and timeline for the development of the North East Implementation Plan are outlined in Table 9.

Table 9 Next steps in the development of the North East Implementation Plan

Step Timeframe

Collection of feedback on the consultation paper stakeholders October - December 2015

Market sounding process with industry, local government and alpine resorts

October – November 2015

Community consultation on strategic direction October - November 2015

Development of infrastructure schedule and finalisation of draft North East Implementation Plan

November 2015 – March 2016

Stakeholder (including local government and alpine resorts) consultation on draft North East Implementation Plan

February – March 2016

Community consultation on draft North East Implementation Plan March - April 2016

Finalisation of North East Implementation Plan and integration with State Infrastructure Plan

May – August 2016

Submission of the final North East Implementation Plan to the Minister September 2016

The NEWRRG encourages interested stakeholders to provide feedback on this consultation paper and the strategic directions, needs and priorities of the north east region to inform the draft North East Implementation Plan. Once the draft Implementation Paper has been prepared it will be circulated to stakeholders and released for public consultation to provide a second opportunity for feedback.

Documents

Consultation Paper - NEWRRG · 2015-11-10 · 1.1 The purpose of this consultation paper This consultation paper provides a draft overview of the strategic direction and identified