Waste Management Strategy 2015–2020:

Background Document

December 2014

Author: Helen Millicer

Reviewer: David Rako

Acknowledgements

Appreciation for their contribution to this project go to:

Representatives at Wheelie Waste, Sustainability Victoria, Loddon-Mallee Regional Waste and

Resource Recovery Management Group, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Hume City Council,

Whittlesea City Council, City of Yarra, City of Greater Bendigo and Mt Alexander Shire Council.

Disclaimer

While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are factually

correct, One Planet Consulting and Macedon Ranges Shire Council give no warranty regarding its

accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any particular purpose and to the extent permitted

by law, does not accept liability for loss or damages incurred as a result of reliance placed upon the

content of this publication. This publication is provided on the basis that all persons accessing it

undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content.

1 CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1

2 SUMMARY OF PAST WASTE STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE FOR MACEDON RANGES

SHIRE .............................................................................................................................................. 2

3 BENCHMARKING WITH OTHER COUNCILS ................................................................................ 5

4 EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON WASTE STRATEGY ..................................................................... 9

4.1 PESTEL analysis .................................................................................................................... 9

4.2 Strategic framework .............................................................................................................. 11

5 DETAILED ACTION PLAN 2015-2020 .......................................................................................... 16

5.1 Gather useful data and maintain information systems .......................................................... 16

5.2 Track local and external trends and forecast implications .................................................... 18

5.3 Provide leadership through example and procurement ........................................................ 19

5.4 Provide cost effective services .............................................................................................. 20

5.5 Encourage and promote resource efficiency and productivity .............................................. 29

5.6 Inform, promote and engage the community on the costs and benefits of actions .............. 33

5.7 Support innovative programs and communications that target difficult or environmentally

potent waste streams ............................................................................................................ 35

5.8 Provide consistent and effective public place infrastructure and systems ............................ 37

5.9 Summary of Actions .............................................................................................................. 40

6 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 46

1

1 INTRODUCTION

The Macedon Ranges Waste Management Strategy 2015-2020 has been developed to

guide Council and the community towards a future of less waste. It outlines key actions for

improving waste management – to reduce the volume of waste being sent to landfill, and to

increase the volume of material resources recovered for re-use and recycling.

This Background Document supports the directions and recommendations of the strategy,

by providing information on findings from the research undertaken in development of the

strategy.

The development of the Macedon Ranges Waste Management Strategy 2015-2020 drew on

existing data obtained from Council and other sources, now represented in this Background

Document. Where anomalies were identified in data, either it was not used, or was used

with caution and qualifications. The most reliable benchmark data is the 2013 report by

Sustainability Victoria (SV), Victorian Local Government Annual Survey, 2010-11. Reference

is also made to the 2011 report by Calder Regional Waste Management Group (CRWMG),

Waste Composition Report, 2013.

To inform the development of recommendations presented in the Macedon Ranges Waste

Management Strategy 2015-2020, a review of Council waste activities and performance was

undertaken, alongside a scan of work in other councils, and a review of external factors

impacting on waste management. 21 recommendations were developed and matched to 3

objectives, reflecting goals of the Council Plan:

- Deliver affordable, efficient, productive and coordinated waste and resource reuse systems

- Empower and involve the community in reducing waste and litter and increasing reuse and recovery

- Protect the amenity of townships and landscapes for current and future generations through clean and litter free spaces

It should be noted that although recommendations are presented according to objectives in this background document, the adopted Macedon Ranges Waste Management Strategy 2015-2020 presents the recommendations according to implementation timeframes.

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2 SUMMARY OF PAST WASTE STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE

FOR MACEDON RANGES SHIRE

MRSC has produced a number of Waste Strategies (2000 and 2007) that have contributed

to Council making important changes to its waste and recycling assets, services and

programs. The most significant changes in the last 15 years have been:

Closure of all three landfills within the Shire (Kyneton, Lancefield and Bullengarook)

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Pollution Abatement Notices (PANs) being

issued for all three landfills, necessitating remedial action and investment (detailed in

section 6.4.5)

Closure of Recycling Depots at Daraweit Guim, Malmsbury and Tylden (late 2011)

Standardisation of operations at all three Transfer Stations (Kyneton, Woodend,

Romsey)

Commencement of residential recyclables and garden organics kerbside collection

from major townships.

The 2007 Waste Management Strategy adopted on 22 August 2007 contained nine key

recommendations, most of which have been adopted, as outlined in Table 1 below.

Key Recommendation (as written in the 2007 Strategy) Action since 2007 Strategy

Landfill Closure and Regional Disposal Options

1. That Council continue to rehabilitate, maintain and monitor

the Kyneton, Bullengarook and Lancefield closed landfills

consistent with statutory obligations

Council has received 3 Pollution

Abatement Notices (PANs) for the

three landfills. Council is

conducting monitoring works as

required by EPA Victoria.

Remedial works at Kyneton are to

be completed by 1 July 2015.

2. That Council through the Calder and Metropolitan

Regional Waste Management Groups develop long term

agreements with the City of Hume for disposal of waste

from Macedon Ranges Shire

No formal agreement negotiated.

Currently paying market rate for

disposal.

Resource Recovery Facilities

3. That Council agrees to maintain and operate the

Woodend Resource Recovery Facility consistent with

statutory obligations

Council has made investments in

the improved site layout and

operations at Woodend.

3

4. That Council agrees not to pursue an additional Resource

Recovery Facility for the southern district at this stage but

retains the Council owned industrial land located off

Newry Drive with a view to obtaining a more suitable site

in the future

Council has not pursued any

additional facility beyond its

existing three transfer stations.

Extensions to Collection Areas

5. That the kerbside collection area be extended subject to:

a) Preliminary discussions with the collection contractor to identify areas which can be economically serviced.

b) A survey of residents in identified areas in accordance with Council policy.

c) Negotiations with the current contractor, Cleanaway, to determine a contract rate for areas identified for collection.

d) A report to Council to approve any variation to the contract rate and to declare extensions to the garbage district.

Kerbside services have been

extended by Council. New waste

and recycling kerbside collections

contracts commenced in January

2010 with Wheelie Waste and this

extended to garden organics in

October 2011.

6. Notwithstanding the above, that at least two years prior to

the expiry of the new kerbside waste and recycling

collection contract, Council will review the area serviced

with a view to extending the area to the whole of the Shire.

To be considered within the

preparation of the 2015-2020

Waste Management Strategy.

Additional Kerbside Services

7. Hard Waste.

That Council decides not to proceed with a hard rubbish

collection service at this stage due to OH&S and public

liability issues and costs.

Council has not proceeded with a

hard rubbish collection service.

Residents are able to deliver to

the Sunbury or Mt Alexander

landfills, or to any of three Council

transfer stations.

8. Clothing and other Recycling.

a) That the results of trials being carried out for a collection of clothing and other recyclables materials be considered by Council in future deliberations.

b) That a charity bin(s) be placed in one of the transfer stations as a trial to assess whether this would be a more effective way of capturing this part of the waste stream.

Council has not proceeded with

trials of charity bins at transfer

stations for clothing collections.

There are approximately a dozen

charity bins in the Shire.

Council has expanded and

standardised bin collections at all

transfer stations to include

batteries, waste lube oil,

mattresses, and a number of

other materials/products.

4

9. Green Waste

a) That Council investigates options for, and the viability of, introducing a green waste service, both as part of the new kerbside contract in 2011 and as an additional service within the terms of the current contract.

b) That proposals being currently considered by the City of Bendigo for green waste collection and treatment be considered by Council in future deliberations.

Council investigated options and

in 2011 commenced a fortnightly

green waste kerbside collection

service in township areas. This

will have inevitably cut the

quantity of garden waste to landfill

and associated costs.

Table 1 Key Recommendations from 2007 Waste Management Strategy and actions to date

5

3 BENCHMARKING WITH OTHER COUNCILS

One of the largest contributing factors to the quantity and composition of waste and recycling

entering the council collection system is its location and economy. Highly urbanised

communities such as Hume have higher quantities in the council system than do peri-urban/

agricultural areas such as Mornington Peninsula or Macedon Ranges (Figure 1).

Since its survey data was presented to Sustainability Victoria in 2010-11 to inform the graph

in Figure 1 below, MRSC has introduced garden organics kerbside collection. This will have

resulted in some of the weight moving from the general waste (GW) to the recycling system.

However, Mornington Peninsula has both a garden organics kerbside and drop-off service,

and higher quantities in its recyclable collection. Most notably it has smaller overall waste

generation from households than MRSC, largely due to its smaller bin (80 litres) and long

standing education program, particularly targeting schools and groups.

Figure 1 Comparison of kerbside collection quantities (kg) per household, 2010-11

3.1 Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (2013 population 152,260,

budget $143M)

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council attributes its low landfill costs and quantities to 10 years

of ‘training to recycle’. Over 10 years ago Council replaced the 240 litre general waste bins

with 80 litre bins and education programs. While there were concerns about going to smaller

bins, it was clear that the aim was to reduce waste and costs of landfill. At the same time

Council introduced recycling bins. Residents can choose a 120litre bin at greater cost,

paying $3.25 per extra litre ($130 extra).

Council owns the three transfer stations and contracts out the operations and these have

been dramatically improved since diversion targets and incentives were included in the

tenders and contracts. These targets continue to climb each year and incentives are paid out

as a percentage of avoided landfill fees. The contractor is investing capital and resources

into improved resource recovery. Council also has three smaller satellite sites that operate

on weekends from which material is transported for improved sorting at the transfer stations.

0.00

100.00

200.00

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MacedonRanges

Hume Bendigo Whittlesea MtAlexander

Shire

MooraboolShire

MorningtonPen Shire

Victoria

Kerbside GW /hshold kg/a Kerbside recyclables /hshold kg/a

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For many years Council had a dedicated waste/recycling education officer successfully

engaging with schools, community and business groups (many now have their own recycling

programs). This position has disappeared due to amalgamations of the regional waste

management groups and so Council is considering and negotiating options.

All festivals and events in the region must submit a waste and recycling plan to Council’s

Recreation Department.

Council’s next big moves are a new strategy, and it is expanding the range of products

included in the recycling bin. Effective from 1 July 2014 residents can include: hard plastics

(Tupperware, plates, toys), metals (pots and pans). All this goes to the SKM processing

facility in Coolaroo.

3.2 City of Whittlesea (2013 population 179,260, budget $168M)

The City of Whittlesea has constraints in that there are no landfill sites and no transfer

stations where materials can be sorted in the municipality. The priorities in council’s new

strategy are:

Reduce contamination of recycling

Reduce recyclables in the waste stream

Work with commercial businesses to trial recycling

Move away from voucher system for landfill to pre-booked hard waste collection

service.

Council has been conducting an annual audit of 200 household waste and recycling bins for

several years to assess contents and contamination trends. A more direct action is that a

contractor walks the streets doing inspection of residential bins prior to pick up (on rotation of

areas). They apply stickers and do visits to rectify behaviour. Estimated cost around $30,000

but it repays in reduction of contamination, improved recycling behaviour and higher rebate.

Council is very happy with the current garden organics system as there is a very low

contamination rate (1%), because the service is optional and user pays (45% = 30,000

households) rather than compulsory for all households. This means participants are keen

and more inclined to use the service correctly. The current fee is $65, rising with CPI to $74-

75. Council also offers a prebooked bundled service. All organics gets made into certified

compost.

While council has public place recycling bins, contamination rates are too high in some

areas, and in these areas all contents go to landfill. Council will be ramping up public

signage and education.

3.3 City of Greater Bendigo (2013 population 105,332, budget

$155.9M)

The City of Bendigo’s very recent Waste & Resource Management Strategy (early 2014)

sets ambitious numeric targets for reduction of waste to landfill and increased diversion.

They have two landfills, and the Eaglehawk facility is nearing capacity (5-7yrs). Their

priorities are:

7

Commence an organics collection once they are confident that it is appropriately

treated

Determine the feasibility of an advanced recovery facility for Eaglehawk site.

Currently Bendigo transports 50% of its waste to the Patho site near Echuca at a reasonable

price and deposits the other 50% into its own landfill.

Council is happy with successful social enterprise contractor at Eaglehawk TipShop. ‘Future

Employment Opportunities’ has also won tenders to set up similar ventures in Portland and

Hamilton. Council intends to maintain services in-house rather than engaging external

contractors (with exception for Elwaste for recycling). A motivation is to preserve local

employment and investment.

3.4 Hume City Council (2013 population 183,263, budget $186M)

Hume City Council’s current Waste Strategy concludes in 2016. In terms of kerbside

collections, waste bins are 80 litre and 140 litre, with an incentive rebate of $16 paid to move

to the smaller bin. Garden organics kerbside collection is an optional user pays system

offering two sized bins (140 litre bin = $96.50 and 240 litre bin = $113) fruit and vegetables

are accepted. Hume also offers all households two free prebooked hard waste collections or

one tip trip voucher.

There are two council landfills and recycling centres in Sunbury and Cambellfield and a

private landfill at Bulla. Council manages the gatehouse and weighbridge, and private

operators manage the sites.

A private contractor has been running a successful TipShop at the Sunbury site for 18 years

with around 30,000 visitors p/a, including from MRSC especially Gisborne. There is

generally a 4 week turn around on items such as bikes. They handle timber, tools, furniture,

toys, books, magazines and more.

These buildings and circulation area for sorting materials has been recently expanded by

Council with $150,000 grant from Sustainability Victoria.

Hume also accepts free of charge:

household chemicals

paint (up to 20 litre)

white goods.

3.5 Mt Alexander Shire Council (2013 population 17,994, budget

$30.5M)

Mt Alexander Shire Council’s 5 year Waste Strategy concludes in 2015.

Council only provides waste and recycling kerbside collections, no organics kerbside

collection. A move to lower waste to landfill was the introduction of 80 litre bins for kerbside

waste collection in place of the standard 140 litre bins in 2011-12. Some 30% properties

have made the move and pay ~$100 less on waste rates. More people are making the

switch with each rate notice.

8

Council also offers a discount on worm farms and compost bins to encourage lower

quantities of food in the waste bin. This appears to be popular.

Mt Alexander has its own landfill in Castlemaine with a weighbridge and transfer station for

sorting and distribution, and a second transfer station in Maldon. In addition to the items

received by MRSC at its transfer stations, Mt Alexander receives all plastics 1-7, white

goods, timber and building rubble.

9

4 EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON WASTE STRATEGY

4.1 PESTEL analysis

There are a number of external influences acting upon MRSC’s current and future waste and

recycling operations. These have been grouped using the PESTEL analysis headings

(political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal).

4.1.1 Political

The policy push for market cost recovery extends to increases in landfill fees, monitoring

and open reporting of quantities, contamination and performance. There has been an

increase in the funds retained by the Victorian government from landfill levies resulting in a

drop in the number and size of grants available to local councils and communities for

individual, discrete projects.

Within Victoria the State Government has strengthened the role of the regulator, EPA

Victoria to be clearer on regulations and enforce compliance. Sustainability Victoria has

increased its focus on cost effective market recovery of materials, and investigations into

material flows as a means to support efficiency and waste reduction, particularly in

commercial and industrial sectors such as manufacturing, and in regards to organics (food

and garden material). There will continue to be support for recycling infrastructure for local

councils, attention on major waste streams like organics.

Federal and state waste and resource recovery policies are raising the standards around

the waste and recovery sectors, such as introducing market mechanisms such as Product

Stewardship programs (targets, levies and rules) upon manufacturers/importers to recover

products at ‘end of life’1.

Increased diversion through voluntary schemes will grow. Industry, local governments

and communities will increasingly pursue and support initiatives that lower landfill costs and

‘waste’ through diversion and better sorting of materials.

4.1.2 Economic

The Australian economy will change shape with a slowing mining sector, particularly coal

exports, increased international investment in food production and land. With increased

global demand for commodities and product, price of goods and fuel will increase in

Australia. The trend toward lower average wages in real terms will continue and provide

motivation for people to keep products longer and recover more product/materials.

This will provide greater incentive for recovery of product and materials through improved

separation (at source i.e. at home and at Transfer Stations), repair (Men’s sheds), resale

(Tip Shop) and sorting (at recycling facilities i.e. VISY).

Higher cost of fuel will impact economic activity, and the economics of transport of waste,

and may contribute to increases in illegal dumping.

1 Australian Government, Dept of Environment, 2014, Product list and notices

10

Climate change will hit regional rural areas hard with another extended drought and hotter

weather, and possibly more flooding events. This will impact the agricultural productivity and

economic activity within regions. This will dint consumer confidence and economic activity.

Federal, state and local councils will make greater investments in protecting and repairing

infrastructure and communities, minimising risks and costs of bushfire, heat waves and

floods.

4.1.3 Social

Growing population will impact upon quantities of waste and recycling, provision of

services and education programs in the municipality. This plus an aging population and early

retirement may mean more people are running micro-businesses from home and in the

region.

Fashion trends may continue to encompass retro clothing and furniture, with interest in

improved separation of product through charity stores or ‘Tip Shops’.

The resurgence of community social cohesion activities such as the Men’s Sheds and

community markets may provide a social/employment aspect to Council’s collection services

and transfer stations.

4.1.4 Technological

Continuing rapid adoption of new technologies, such as electronic goods, TVs, mobile

phones generates greater quantities of still working products from homes and workplaces

across MRSC.

The rise of innovations such as 3D printing may enable the repair of more products.

Council may consider expanding and integrating its collection system with other

organisations and businesses across the municipality to improve economies of scale,

collection, retrieval, repair and reuse or transport to a central location.

Increasing number of companies will be shifting out of carbon intensive fuels with vehicle

fleets moving across to electric, hybrid and low emission fuels. Council may include this as a

requirement in future council contracts.

4.1.5 Environmental

The impacts of climate change will lead to increased quantities of material entering the

waste stream as rubbish after fires, floods or other extreme weather events. A challenge for

councils will be dealing with large quantities during and after emergencies, and the costs. It

will also extend to increased focus upon possible contamination of water supply and

combustion of landfill. There may also be growing interest in improving the productivity and

resilience of land through soil improvement via composting and organic soil conditioner.

Life cycle analysis of the real environmental cost of materials and products will become

increasingly commonplace, as purchasing policies and procurement tenders by companies

11

such as Coles and local governments require suppliers to measure and report their

environmental footprint. This will extend to increasing scrutiny of the real cost of resources,

in terms of all steps in the production and disposal supply chain.

There may be growing community and business expectation for lowering emissions from

waste collection and landfill. This may extend to a push to measure, monitor and flare

methane from landfills and organic treatment systems.

4.1.6 Legislation/regulations

State and federal legislation and regulations around pollution, contamination, landfill and

waste might be streamlined, but are not likely to be diminished. There will be an increased

array of materials and products collected through formal and informal product stewardship

arrangements.

The approach to carbon emissions will eventually settle with an increasing shift away from

carbon based energy sources to low emission or zero emission sources. This will be partly

driven by government policy and legislation, business and community action and pressure,

investment and cost. Groups such as 350.org that are mobilising communities around the

world to divest from carbon-intensive businesses and sectors will grow in influence. This will

result in changes to the business case and reputation of carbon-intensive activities.

There may be renewed calls for revised EPA regulations enabling easier reuse of materials

and products, subject to streamlined processing, measurement and monitoring. This would

assist reduce the quantity of material going to landfill through greater recovery and reuse.

4.2 Strategic framework

This section outlines relevant external policies and legislation that impact upon current and

future waste and recycling activities within the Shire.

4.2.1 Calder Regional Waste Management Group (replaced by Loddon-Mallee

Waste and Resource Recovery Group)

Prior to 1 August 2014, MRSC was one of three member Councils of the Calder Regional

Waste Management Group (CRWMG); the other two member Councils being Mount

Alexander Shire Council and the City of Greater Bendigo.

Due to recent reforms to the structure of the regional waste management groups (RWMG)

by the Victorian Government through a legislative bill, the CRWMG amalgamated with

Central Murray RWMG and the Mildura RWMG to form the Loddon Mallee Waste and

Resource Recovery Group from 1 August 2014. The new LMWRRG is made up of the

following eight municipalities: MRSC, Mount Alexander Shire Council, City of Greater

Bendigo, Loddon Shire Council, Buloke Shire Council, Gannawarra Shire Council, Swan Hill

Rural City Council and Mildura Rural City Council.

The intent is that the new groups are able to allocate more resources to on-the-ground

delivery than they were previously able to do. Some responsibilities are being moved from

12

local government to the regional groups, giving them an increased role in facilitating joint

procurement of infrastructure and resource recovery services. The planning role has also

been broadened to include all material streams, including commercial and industrial and

construction and demolition.

One of the first requirements of the new LMWRRG will be the appointment of staff and

formation of a strategic plan for the LMWRRG. This will be high level and take into account

the diverse needs, circumstances and capacity of LMWRRG to service the needs of the

eight member Councils. This is likely to cover issues such as education materials, joint

studies and tenders for services, review of infrastructure and planning.

In terms of purpose and outcomes, in recent years the current CRWMG has investigated

joint initiatives. In 2010 CRWMG coordinated a study into the composition of kerbside

general waste collection bins of the three member councils. These findings lead to MRSC

deciding to introduce garden organics kerbside collection in 2011. More recently the

CRWMG undertook preliminary investigations into garden organics treatment in windrows

and joint kerbside collection contracts for all three member municipalities. However, this was

not of interest to Bendigo given they run their waste and recycling in-house.

4.2.2 Victorian Government waste policy: Getting Full Value

In April 2013 the Victoria State Government released Getting Full Value: The Victorian

Waste and Resource Recovery Policy (Getting Full Value). Getting Full Value provides a 30

year vision for waste and resource recovery across Victoria with actions to provide guidance

over the next 10 years.

The goals and strategic direction include:

Assist Victorians to reduce waste generation and achieve financial savings through

efficient resource use

Facilitate strong markets for recovered resources

Reduce illegal dumping and littering.

MRSC will be impacted by this policy as it provides key strategic vision for resource recovery

across Victoria, direction on levies, fees, grants and priority areas for government action.

A particular focus is upon organic material given the high proportion found in general waste

and going to landfill. A number of studies have been recently undertaken by Sustainability

Victoria into different organic streams, the sources and options for diversion. This includes

food, timber and garden organics. It is possible that a number of recent studies undertaken

by SV and others around organic streams will become publicly available in the next year.

13

4.2.3 Draft Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan 2013-

2043 Victoria, September 2013: Sustainability Victoria

In September 2013 Sustainability Victoria released its Draft Statewide Waste and Resource

Recovery Infrastructure Plan 2013-2043 Victoria (SWRRIP). This is a partner document to

the state policy (above).

The purpose of the SWRRIP is to provide a detailed picture of the current waste and

resource recovery sites across Victoria. Via a consultation process the SWRRIP has also

identified current and future gaps for infrastructure such as landfills and transfer stations in

what it calls a ‘hub and spoke’ approach to streamline efficiencies and costs.

For MRSC the final SWRRIP will highlight future resource recovery and disposal

infrastructure planned for Victoria over the next 30 years.

4.2.4 2013 Consultation Draft: Metropolitan Waste & Resource Recovery

Strategic Plan

In October 2013 the (former) Metropolitan Waste Management Group released the 2013

Consultation Draft: Metropolitan Waste & Resource Recovery Strategic Plan (Plan). The

Plan supports the SWRRIP and provides a road map for delivery of waste and resource

recovery services for metropolitan Melbourne.

When released the final Plan will also provide a range a market based actions and solutions

to secure infrastructure investment in both waste disposal and resource recovery.

While MRSC is located outside the boundary of metropolitan Melbourne, the Plan will have a

significant impact on MRSC as all general waste, comingled kerbside material and

recyclables collected from the three transfer stations are sent to facilities located in

metropolitan Melbourne.

4.2.5 Federal Government National Waste Policy

The National Waste Policy was finalised in 2009 and agreed to by all Australian environment

ministers. The Policy provides direction for Australia’s waste management and resource

recovery direction to 20202. The aims of the Policy are to:

avoid the generation of waste, reduce the amount of waste (including hazardous

waste) for disposal

manage waste as a resource

ensure that waste treatment, disposal, recovery and re-use is undertaken in a safe,

scientific and environmentally sound manner

contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, energy conservation and

production, water efficiency and the productivity of the land.

4.2.6 Product stewardship programs and National Act (2011).

2 Australian Government, Dept of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2013, Fact Sheet

14

‘Product stewardship’ is a term used globally covering programs created to manage the

impacts of specific products and materials, such as computers, and to stop them from

entering landfills. It acknowledges that those companies and people involved in producing,

selling, using and disposing of products have a shared responsibility.

There have been a host of voluntary programs operating for some time, some which now are

covered by the 2011 Australian Product Stewardship Act3. Programs for these items follow

the Act:

Ewaste (computers, TVs, printers) (2012)

Tyres (2014)

There are recovery targets, rules, penalties and funds managed for recovery of these items

at ‘end of life’. Other similar programs for consideration/formation in the next few years

cover:

Mercury containing lamps

Air conditioners and refrigerators with small gas charges

Architectural and decorative paint

Hand held batteries (<2kg in weight)

Packaging (consumer and beverage packaging).

Simultaneously there are voluntary schemes, some which have been operating for some

time, and there are more in the pipeline. MRSC collects a number of these items through its

transfer stations:

Mobilemuster (mobile phones)

DrumMuster (chemical containers)

Printer cartridges

Lube oil.

4.2.7 Carbon emission policies and programs

The Federal Government repealed certain elements of the Clean Energy Futures Act,

specifically the carbon price, and is negotiating with other parties that have control of the

Senate options for the future.

At the time of writing this Draft Strategy, the Government remains committed to introducing

their Direct Action program, however all parties in the Senate have stated they will reject it,

have alternatives (an internationally linked carbon trading scheme) or might negotiate to

retain other programs for renewables. It remains an area of uncertainty.

In terms of relevance to MRSC the repeal of the carbon price has meant that large landfill

owners/operators are currently renegotiating their contracts and prices removing any carbon

price (which previously reflected the cost of ongoing fugitive emissions).

3 Australian Government, Dept of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2014, Product Stewardship

15

While there are fugitive emissions from the three closed landfills within MRSC however,

Council was not, and is not required to pay for these emissions. Council could consider the

cost/benefit of installing flaring equipment or other treatment systems to cut emissions.

From the information currently available on Direct Action, it appears that the Federal

Government’s Direct Action program will not entail measures that will provide direction or

incentive through a price or other mechanisms for improved waste reduction or recycling by

comparatively small councils such as MRSC.

The main premise of Direct Action is that entities apply to the government for grant funds to

deliver lowest cost carbon abatement. It is not likely that MSRC has waste and recycling

projects of sufficient scale and abatement potential that would meet the criteria for such

funds.

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5 DETAILED ACTION PLAN 2015-2020

5.1 Gather useful data and maintain information systems

In order to effectively plan and gain maximum return on initiatives around waste, recycling

and reuse services, Councils require good data.

While MRSC operates waste and recycling assets and services for the local community, the

shortage of reliable data makes it difficult to calculate and gauge the real cost and benefit of

waste and resources management and the effectiveness of actions undertaken for different

materials.

For example, a breakdown of figures for waste at landfill in 2012-13 financial year shows that

7,481 tonnes was generated from kerbside collections and 3,168 tonnes generated from

transfer station operations, in total 10,649 tonnes from Council collections. This equates to

244.7kg per person in 2012-13. According to SV’s Annual Survey, 2013, the Victorian

average in 2010-11 was 197kg per person4.

Figure 2 MRSC population, waste and kerbside recycling and organics quantities

The figures for recycling within MRSC are fairly reliable showing a recycling rate of 95kg per

person in 2010-11 rising to 105.6kg in 2012-13. According to SV’s Annual Survey, 2013, the

Victorian average in 2010-11 was around 112kg of recyclables per person.

If these figures are correct, they show that MRSC is performing below average for both

waste to landfill and recycling. In respect to waste generation, MRSC is on a per person

4 Sustainability Victoria, 2013, Victorian Local Government Annual Survey, 2010-11, p.5

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

50,000

2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

Population Total waste to landfill (t) Kerbside recycling (t) Kerbside organics (t)

OBJECTIVE 1.

Deliver affordable, efficient, productive and coordinated waste and resource reuse systems

17

basis about 18% higher, while in the area of recycling MRSC is about 17% lower than the

average across Victoria.

A key priority over the next few years is for council to collect reliable and consistent data sets

on waste, including costs and weights, volumes and composition from both in-house and

contractor services for:

Waste from kerbside and transfer stations

Recycling from kerbside and transfer stations

Street sweeping and public bins

Litter and illegal roadside dumping.

Recommendation 1. Establish data and information systems

Require waste and recycling teams and contractors to provide recent data, and going forward, to establish and maintain meaningful data sets in electronic form for council’s analysis, covering: quantities, costs, rebates, destination, composition, levels of contamination, bin lifts, frequency and capacity of bins upon collection.

In preparation of tender specifications for future contract services, consider engaging contractors that use GPS tracking and weighing systems on lifting arms of trucks to obtain certified data on quantities collected within council contracts. The intended use of this data needs to be determined, and the contractors engaged accordingly.

Unfortunately, few contractors (unless required within the terms of the contract) collect data

on three key aspects of waste management: composition, contamination and volume of bins

upon collection. It is therefore commonplace for Councils to conduct annual or biannual

audits, and pre and post project audits to measure effectiveness of initiatives and consider

corrective modifications.

It is important that audits are comprehensive on these three aspects of waste management

as this informs such activities and investments as education programs and changes to

frequency of bin collection and size.

Recommendation 2. Conduct targeted and representative audits to obtain baseline data on volume and composition of household and public place bins

Conduct targeted and representative audits of waste, recycling and green bins from kerbside collections.

Conduct an audit of public place waste litter bins in different townships and public locations to assess quantity, composition and volume capacity of bins with a view to potential introduction of public place recycling in future years.

One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. There are likely to be valuable ‘waste’

streams within the municipality that are currently under-utilised. It is possible that some of

these will be outside of council’s collection system and that combined may be more cost-

effective for the benefit of all.

For example, Council’s contactors currently transport garden material from the green

organics bin to Camperdown Composting (a round trip of approximately 400km). This

existing arrangement works well and the material is treated to become quality compost,

however, it appears there may be major untapped opportunities for a composting facility

within the Shire given the high quality and consistent organic material streams arising locally.

18

This is from farms, food processing facilities, abattoir, stock sales yards, wood lots and

sawmills. Likewise there are other valuable material streams such as cardboard, plastics,

paper, and textiles that could be reused or recycled within the region.

One example of how this material may be mapped is provided by Mount Alexander Shire

Council, who is currently embarking upon a waste audit and resource mapping exercise

within its community entitled the ‘Waste Less’ project. It may be possible for MRSC to tap

into this project and share data to help identify smart local reuse and recycling options.

Recommendation 3. Survey local organisations and trader groups to identify resource use options to support increased reuse of valuable materials

Survey major local organisations and trader groups in the municipality to identify waste, recycling and reuse opportunities.

Use this information to consider business cases and potential market activity for appropriate activities or to facilitate business- to- business exchange.

5.2 Track local and external trends and forecast impl ications

Many councils are grappling with identical problems to those experienced at MRSC (such as

rising quantities to landfill and high rates of contamination in recycling bins), and are trialing

different approaches to improve waste, recycling, reuse, contracts, education and

communications. State and federal governments also undertake major assessments into

improvements and problem trends in waste, recycling and reuse.5

Council will gain from linking into networks where such robust and comprehensive data and

information is shared. This includes attending conferences and memberships to relevant

peak industry groups such as Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA). Being

on the fringe of Metropolitan Melbourne, MRSC can tap into both the information networks

for both the regional and the metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Groups. Council

should engage with these groups by publishing and sharing its audits and reports,

presenting at events and discussing needs and opportunities. Council can also meet with the

Board and senior staff, and seek to have input into the Strategic Plans and projects for these

organisations.

Council needs to recognise that many studies are retrospective and forecast scenarios

typically around ‘business as usual’, seldom considering scenarios involving factors such as

changing fuel prices or scarcity of materials. In conducting any business case analysis

around waste and recycling in the future, and in the next waste management strategy, it is

important that Council assesses the impacts of such major factors upon services, prices,

risks and options.

Recommendation 4. Track trends and forecast implications of factors such as chancing fuel and resource prices for waste systems and council’s own operations

Participate and share information through networks such as the Metropolitan and the Loddon Mallee Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Groups.

5 Sustainability Victoria, 2013, Draft Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan, p.62

19

Participate in relevant conferences and expert seminars to hear of recent initiatives in other councils and agencies.

Track the trends within council’s own data on waste and recycling quantities, costs and forecast a number of scenarios with key factors.

5.3 Provide leadership through example and procurement

5.3.1 Leadership through Council ’s own operations

Council has an opportunity to be a leader within the municipality in reducing its own waste to

landfill, increasing recycling and reuse of materials and products. This may also provide an

opportunity to reduce its own costs and increase the rebate paid for recyclables. Council will

then be able to promote such benefits to other organisations within the Shire.

Currently all Council facilities are serviced by both general waste and recycling services.

Consistent with the residential kerbside service, Wheelie Waste collect 240 litre bins from

libraries and maternal and child health centres. Larger premises such as the Council offices,

leisure centres and a public pool are serviced by 3m3 front lift bins by a another contractor.

Council does not have data on whether its bins are at capacity or otherwise when collected,

the composition of waste or recycling, or the levels of contamination.

There may be opportunity to rationalise some of the contract services to reduce costs, and to

provide incentives for actions that result in lower waste to landfill, lower emissions and

higher recycling rates. Other actions can be cost effective, like improving signage within

these facilities and next to bin systems to ensure staff and visitors correctly separate into

bins, and to reinforce good habits.

Council also has the capacity to adopt and model good systems with staff, visitors and

cleaners. With the current reformation of its internal Green Team, there is the opportunity to

introduce targets for teams across the organisation, increase re-use and recycling, and offer

team rewards. Another key action is to ensure cleaners at council facilities correctly handle

waste and recycling. One common and significant error is placing bin liners in recycling bins

which results in the bag and recyclable contents being discarded at the sorting facility and

sent to landfill. Such items must be loose for recycling and not bagged.

Council can also consider introducing annual reporting on a few measures into its Annual

Report to demonstrate its commitment to improving waste behaviour.6

Recommendation 5. Demonstrate leadership in waste management and resource recovery through Council’s operations and contracts, and report on performance

Set a target for Council to be a leader in waste, recycling and reuse within the municipality. Integrate targets and actions into departmental teams, performance measures and council reporting, including its Annual Report.

Gather data sets on council performance from existing contractors and ensure electronic data provision is a requirement in future contracts.

Publish and share data and trends with council staff and visitors to show action and impact.

6 Encycle Consulting, 2013, Study into commercial and industrial waste and recycling in Australia by industry division, Australian Government.

20

Ensure council cleaners practice correct separation, handling and disposal of materials into bins and if necessary support training.

5.3.2 Council’s procurement power

Council also has the capacity to show leadership, plan for the future and benefit from

exercising its buying power. It can do this in a number of ways, including:

Reviewing its Procurement Policy and exploring a new direction towards more

sustainable procurement such as products with a high proportion of recycled content

for office supplies including paper, parks and gardens supplies including signs and

benches, construction supplies including cement, plaster board and flooring.

Promoting one of the discretionary criteria in evaluation of tenders, concerning

whether the Tenderer is able to offer an environmental advantage with products and

works that are (a) environmentally sound in manufacture and disposal, (b) recyclable,

(c) energy efficient and (d) have a long life cycle with minimal maintenance and

repair. An initial focus would be to employ the criteria when considering tenders for

major areas of expenditure.

Requiring improved performance on carbon emissions and fuel efficiency from its

waste collection contractor from, for example, the use of hybrid electric and fuel

trucks.

Recommendation 6. Enhance Council’s procurement policy and power

Promote more sustainable procurement such as products with a high proportion of recycled content.

Encourage Officers to actively use the discretionary procurement criteria of “environmental advantage” in which products and works that are:

a) environmentally sound in manufacture and disposal b) recyclable c) energy efficient d) with a long life cycle with minimal maintenance and repair,

to attract a higher score than products and works without these characteristics.

Require better reporting and improved performance on carbon emissions and fuel efficiency from its waste and recycling collection contractors the next time tenders are invited for the waste and recycling contracts.

5.4 Provide cost effective services

5.4.1 Staff and contractor performance

Council’s waste and recycling services and sites are managed by a combination of council

staff and contractors. It was beyond the scope and capacity of this project and available data

to make recommendations on changes to allocations between staff and contractors on the

basis of cost or performance, however good examples are available in other Councils.

Irrespective of whether staff or contractors, Council should establish performance targets

and incentives to ensure cost effective and increasingly efficient services are provided.

21

Both Council staff and contractors are an essential part of Council’s service delivery, and as

such they both should reflect the values and priorities of Council.

It is important that staff performance targets and contract tender specifications reflect

Council’s objectives and goals for the period of this Strategy to 2020. Without the

cooperation of Council staff and contractors, Council and the community will not be able to

shift from current trends of increased waste to landfill, increased costs for disposal and

negative environmental impacts.

Service Provider

Education programs Council

Street cleaning Council

Roadside litter and dumping collection Council

Roadside litter, dumping and hazardous land management fines and

enforcement

Council

Transfer stations operations Council

Recycling and waste collections from Transfer stations Contractors

Street and park litter bins collection Contractors

Recycling and waste collections from Council facilities Contractors

Residential kerbside bin collections Contractors

Landfill management (closed sites) Council

Landfill capital upgrades and monitoring Contractors

Table 2 Current providers of services in Macedon Ranges Shire

For example, the City of Whittlesea requires their contractor to do periodic visual inspections

of residential kerbside bins to identify and exclude contaminated bins from collection. The

contractor walks, inspects and applies stickers to contaminated bins, and following a report

to Council repeat offenders receive a letter from Council and finally a visit to explain and help

rectify behaviour. Whittlesea believes the cost is repaid through a reduction in

contamination, higher rebates, and improved recycling behaviour overall.

22

Likewise, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has recently entered into a new recycling

contract which has expanded the range of items accepted in recycling, including hard

plastics (Tupperware, plates, toys) and metals (pots and pans). This will help lower volumes

of waste to landfill and associated costs, and help improve performance.

Recommendation 7. Guide staff and contractor performance

Introduce measurement, targets and reporting into Council waste and recycling services tenders and contracts.

Integrate objectives, goals and cooperative arrangements that provide support and incentive for continuous improvement in cost effective service delivery.

5.4.2 Kerbside collection systems

Council currently offers three kerbside collection systems for households (general waste,

comingled recycling and garden organics) and receives a rebate for the comingled

recyclable collection.

Bin Size

Currently MRSC is increasing the size of waste bins from 120 litres to 140 litres when the

most common waste bin size amongst Victorian Councils is 120 litres (50 of 79 councils use

120 litre bins) and the statewide trend is to downsize bins. By contrast, in both Mornington

Peninsula and Mt Alexander Shire Councils, the 80 litre bin is the default bin size and

residents have strong incentive in pricing structures to use the smaller bin rather than 120 or

360 litre bins.

The recent trend in increased quantities and costs of waste to landfill within MRSC (evident

in Figure ) is likely to be partly due to the shift to the larger bin.

Eleven years of statewide data shows ‘as the bin size increases, the corresponding

household yield increases’. SV’s Annual Survey, 2013 goes on to say:

‘Smaller bins, such as the preferred 80 L bin produced on average 426 kg of garbage

per household per year, compared to the 240 L bin which yielded 590 kg per

household. This represents 164 kg (38%) more garbage generated annually by a 240

L bin compared to the 80 L bin.’ 7

Figure 3 Waste yield by collection system, Victoria 2010-11

7 Sustainability Victoria, 2013, Victorian Local Government Annual Survey, 2010-11, p.24

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

80L 120L 140L 240L

Hou

seho

ld y

ield

(kg

)

Garbage bin system

23

In aiming to reduce the volume of waste generated at the household level and then being

sent to landfill, Council needs to determine the feasibility of introducing smaller bin sizes.

The open landscape and windy conditions of the region present problems with smaller bins

being more vulnerable to being blown over, indicating that an alternative option, like retaining

the existing bin sizes but collecting on a fortnightly basis, may be a more appropriate means

to encourage better waste management at the household level. The collection could remain

weekly for 3 or 4 months over summer to avoid potential problems with odor, and in special

circumstances, a second bin could be provided. A fortnightly collection would provide the

added benefit of reduced operational costs and reduced greenhouse emissions from

transport.

Recommendation 8. Investigate the business case for different service options to

encourage reduction of waste at the household level:

a) Potential introduction of 80 litre bins for general waste, retaining the current

weekly collection cycle

b) Potential introduction of a fortnightly collection schedule for general waste,

retaining the existing 120 and 140 litre bins.

Council may consider:

Costs, benefits and means of introducing 80 litre bins, possibly through a progressive roll out of 80 litre bins with a sunset for all larger bins by 2020, or a faster changeover.

Costs, benefits and means of converting to a fortnightly collection for general waste, possibly timed with collection of recycling materials

A proportional cost structure that will provide clear and strong incentive for residents to choose the smallest bin or less frequent collection

A requirement that the contractor seek out bins made with recycled plastic content and that all discarded bins are recycled.

Waste bin contents

In 2011 the CRWMG commissioned an audit of 200 residential kerbside general waste bins

in each three member municipalities (Macedon, Bendigo and Mt Alexander)8. This audit is

the only recent data on any of the three kerbside collections in the Shire. The audit

measured both the weight and composition of general waste bin contents focusing upon

recyclables in the waste bin; it did not assess capacity of the bins (% full) or do a breakdown

of ‘other waste’.

8 Calder Regional Waste Management Group, 2011, Garbage Audits

24

Figure 4 Composition of domestic kerbside general waste collection for MRSC (% by weight)

The audit found that the average weight of general waste in the region was 10.54kg per

household, while in MRSC the average weight was 13.28kg per household (higher by

2.74kg). Recyclables incorrectly placed in the waste bin instead of the comingled recycling

bin included aluminium and steel cans, glass, paper and cardboard. Together with garden

organics, this accounted for 13.6% composition by weight.

While this is a reduction from the previous year’s audit of 20.1%, it illustrates that nearly

1.5kg in each MRSC general waste bin was put in the wrong bin as it would be accepted

under the terms of the recycling collection agreement. With the introduction of kerbside

garden organics collection in late 2011, the proportions will have changed. However,

observations by contractors indicate that the average household is still disposing of valuable

recyclable material to landfill, incurring landfill costs and a loss from the recycling rebate.

‘Other waste’ in the general waste bin that could be accommodated in an expanded

recycling contract or deposited at the transfer stations for proper disposal, recycling or reuse

included:

electrical items and wires = toasters, telephones, mobile phone charges, cables,

extension leads

organics = garden material, food, clothing, hats, bags, timber

containers = oil containers

medical items = sharp containers and syringes

metals = tow ball, meat grinder, fans.

There are significant opportunities for households to reduce the quantity and cost of material

disposed to landfill by placing items in the correct bin or dropping off material at a transfer

station.

It is unfortunate that at 86.4%, this ‘other waste’ stream was not further assessed. Typically,

organics can be as high as 40% by weight, even amongst Councils with garden recycling

bins (for more detail refer to Section 6.4.4)

Recycling bins

25

Furthermore, with regard to comingled recycling, the available data suggests that MRSC

receives a lower rebate payment than many other councils. Recycling rebates paid to

councils vary according to the value of the material within the collection. Specifically this

means that a high rebate is paid for delivery of a high percentage of valuable materials

(cardboard, metals, and certain plastics) with a low rate of contamination of material that

cannot be processed by the recycling facility (food scraps, garden material, soft plastics).

The price is generally fixed at the time of the contract and also takes account of local and

global demand and commodity prices for raw and recyclable materials.

Contamination rate (%)

Year Metro Non-metro State

2000-01 10.5 5.9 9.5

2001-02 6.5 6.8 6.6

2002-03 5.8 9.5 6.7

2003-04 8.3 9.8 8.7

2004-05 9.9 11.5 10.3

2005-06 11.1 11.9 11.3

2006-07 9.4 11.5 10.0

2007-08 9.8 11.8 10.3

2008-09 8.0 10.8 8.8

2009-10 6.9 8.8 7.5

2010-11 8.2 8.4 8.3

Table 3 Kerbside recyclables contamination rate, Victoria 2000-01 to 2010-11

MRSC currently has no data on the composition of either its kerbside recycling or garden

organics collections, and therefore is unsure of its contamination rate and value of the

collection. However, Council’s collection contractor, Wheelie Waste suggests that

contamination is higher in MRSC recycling collection (~10%) than other municipalities they

service, and hence a lower rebate price is paid than the average. They observe that priority

areas for improvement are Gisborne and Kyneton.

Recommendation 9 Utilise baseline audit data and conduct regular audits of kerbside and public place bin contents to inform and update contract services and education campaigns

That Council use the outcomes from Recommendation 2 to inform kerbside collection specifications and contracts to ensure services contribute to reducing waste to landfill and increasing recycling.

That through bin audits, Council verifies areas of high levels of contamination for the purposes of conducting and targeting education and/or notification campaigns.

That audits assess composition by weight and per cent, calculating food, garden organics, types of plastics, etc.

That Council use this information in negotiations for an expansion in the list of items in the next recycling contract and more effective inspection and notification system for households.

5.4.3 Transfer stations

MRSC currently owns and operates three transfer stations located at Woodend, Kyneton

and Romsey. There are consistent services, prices and arrangements at each site.

26

The transfer stations are a valuable asset for MRSC as they are an efficient clearing house

between members of the public and specialist material recyclers. The transfer stations

enable members of the community to drop off items for recycling rather than dispose as

general waste to landfill. As the list of items banned from landfill grows and

product/materials become more valuable, these transfer stations will become increasingly

important to Council and the community.

Council charges a fee for dropping off certain items. Depending upon the item’s value or

whether there is an industry levy in place, Council also receives a rebate for some items

from collection companies. In the case of lube oil for example, there is a national levy

supporting collection, and so this material is collected free of charge and then professionally

cleaned for reuse by industry. Another example is plastic chemical containers, funded under

the DrumMUSTER program able to be dropped off for free.

These sites are also important as an alternative to hard rubbish street pick up collections

that tend to be provided by many urban and peri-urban councils, such as Hume and

Whittlesea. Hard rubbish street collections are an expensive service and possibly contribute

to litter and dumping (for more detail refer to Section 5.8.3).

In terms of operating capacity, there is a reasonable buffer zone of approximately 500m from

sensitive uses such as residential properties at Kyneton and Romsey transfer stations.

However, there are residential premises within 50m of the Woodend transfer station,

meaning noise and some activities need to be limited on the site.

All sites could accommodate some expansion in the number of items collected with more

bays or bins without requiring additional staff resources. For more information refer to

Section 5.7.

In 2009-10 Council discontinued on-selling items that had been deposited at transfer stations

and landfills, with only professional contractors collecting specific items from sites. This

resulted in a 50% drop in gate revenue, and possibly an increase in the quantity of material

sent to landfill and therefore a possibly higher cost to council. It is appropriate to reconsider

the current policies and practices behind the transfer stations in the context of full financial

cost, resource recovery and local productivity.

In terms of operations of existing transfer stations there is significant room for improvement

in data collection. As a priority Council must introduce a system that records the quantity of

specific items received from the public and collected by contractors, particularly high cost,

problematic or valuable items such as mattresses and fridges, lube oil and car batteries.

All contractors should be providing a record of quantities collected and frequency. This will

enable Council to correlate quantities with service costs and rebates for recycling, and

determine the fair charges for these services. Any new recording system has to be

accompanied by training and monitoring for staff and contractors. In addition, Council

should shift to electronic record keeping and trend tracking.

Recommendation 10. Maintain data and information systems to enable better management and analysis of data regarding waste streams at transfer stations, and from kerbside and public place collections

27

Introduce an improved system to record the quantity of specific items deposited at all Transfer Stations to enable correlation between costs, income and quantities of specific items.

Investigate the feasibility of using electronic weighing devices to obtain data on collected waste

5.4.4 Organic materials

It is likely that there is a considerable quantity of organic material entering the waste stream

within the Shire, however, much of it is unmeasured and unknown.

Currently around 9,850 households pay a nominal fee to receive a kerbside garden organics

bin collection service. In 2013-14 this diverted 3,100 tonnes from landfill to Camperdown

Compost for processing into compost for use on dairy farms in that region.

Council also receives between 132 to 218 tonnes of garden organic material at the transfer

stations at no charge where it is mulched and made available for community and Council.

The mulch is not treated to compost requirements under Australian Standard (AS 4454), but

is suitable to use as soil conditioner and mulch. At many times of the year, the volume of

mulch is greater than the demand.

While this imbalance may be addressed by re-introduction of a drop off fee, it should be

noted that this risks an increase in dumping on roadsides or burning on properties, thereby

shifting the problem.

There are opportunities to improve the handling and storage of the material at Kyneton and

Romsey transfer stations as has recently been done at Woodend with hardstand and

containment corrals. In any case, the material should be periodically cleared to prevent

sludge and leachate forming at the bottom of the pile.

Figure 5 Green organic recycling from three Transfer Stations, MRSC

Consideration should be given to residual material being added to the loads transported to

Camperdown to be processed into compost. Another option may be to process the residual

material with manure waste from the sale yards and possibly leaves collected from streets and

parks to produce a soil conditioner or fertiliser. This type of treatment would need to be

investigated, possibly at a regional scale through the new Loddon-Mallee Regional Waste and

Resource Recovery Group.

Other known organics within the Shire include:

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Quantity (kg)

28

Household kitchen food scraps

Food arising from hospitals, food premises and schools

Organic material from the Kyneton Abattoir, stock sale yards, sawmills and timber

manufacturers

Agricultural sectors including: dry land farming, wineries, orchards, stables and

horticulture.

Given the general concern about high volumes of organic waste across Victoria, Council

may want to undertake investigations into alternative options for managing organics into the

future, either as an individual council, through the newly formed Loddon-Mallee Regional

Waste and Resource Recovery Group, or through initiatives of Sustainability Victoria.

Within its existing arrangement Council may want to negotiate a shift for food to be included

in the current green bin. This may enable changes to the frequency of both general waste

and green bin collections. Such a change would require clear and coordinated

communications, education and inspections, particularly in the early stages to support the

shift for households and ensure low contamination by plastics, textiles and metals. A number

of other Councils have and are making this shift across Australia, however, all are grappling

with significant contamination issues (e.g. Hunter Valley in NSW, Nillumbik in Victoria).

Irrespective of any moves to integrate food into the garden organics household bin, an

effective way to cut the quantity of food disposed to landfill is to support household

composting.

Both Mornington Peninsula and Mt Alexander Shire Councils provide low cost compost bins

and worm farms to their residents. This can result in the removal of most food from waste

bins per week. The provision of compost bins and worm farms needs to be accompanied

with education programs, like practical workshops which have proven to be popular in many

councils. This is a comparatively cost effective initiative that delivers waste reduction

outcomes and more sustainable practices in the home.

Recommendation 11. Address options for improving management of organic waste

That Council investigates the potential costs and benefits of changing the current household kerbside garden green organics collection to accept food.

That Council survey key businesses and community sectors to ascertain the magnitude, destinations and current income, costs and emissions associated with current handling of organic materials.

That Council continues to work collaboratively with Sustainability Victoria and regional waste management groups regarding management of all organic waste and associated services.

That Council improve containment facilities for receipt and mulching of green organics at transfer stations, and introduce a process for periodic removal of remnant material.

That Council provide residents with access to discounted compost bins and worm farms, and encourages and promotes and partners with organisations that run workshops on composting, worms and healthy soil.

5.4.5 Managing landfills and ongoing environmental impacts

29

Council has three closed landfill sites all which require ongoing monitoring and budget

allocations to manage leachate (environmentally hazardous fluids seeping from the ground),

and to manage greenhouse gas emissions (mostly methane) as there is currently no flaring

at the sites. These costs are a consequence of earlier waste management and disposal

practices. The cost of managing closed landfill sites is ultimately a cost to the community,

and needs to be avoided or at least reduced through improved waste behaviour and

management practices.

By law Council must maintain and control environmental pollution from these sites. Each is

currently the subject of a number of Pollution Abatement Notices (PAN) from Environment

Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, and the Kyneton Landfill also currently has a ‘Failure to

Comply’ notice. Together these cover groundwater monitoring, undertaking works to draw

down leachate, preventing flow into neighbouring waterways, sewer infrastructure and

landfill cap assessments.

Council has to comply with these requirements by investing funds into these works, likely to

entail an initial cost of over $2.5M, and then continue investing in ongoing maintenance and

monitoring.

Recommendation 12. Manage landfills and associated environmental impacts

Plan and undertake works as required by EPA to address the environmental impact of waste contained within the three closed landfills within the Shire, and clearly communicate the work and costs to the community.

5.5 Encourage and promote resource efficiency and productivity

The Victorian Waste and Resources Recovery Policy Getting Full Value states one of its

goals as: “Facilitate strong markets for recovered resources”9.

It observes that historically the planning around waste “has largely been driven by the push

to divert waste from landfills. This ‘push’ has not always been matched by a consumer ‘pull’

or industry demand. Strong demand for all recovered materials and the products made from

them is fundamental to the successful recovery of materials. It is also the most efficient way

of diverting waste from landfills.”

In Macedon Ranges Shire there are three resource recovery systems (transfer stations) in

operation, and there is potential for further diversion and market pull through each one. Each

one also works for different audiences and with different materials, including:

1. Council contracted collections of comingled recyclables, green organics and

specialist items (from kerbside and transfer stations)

2. Individual organisations engaging contractors for standard comingled collection

(schools, hospitals for bin pick up)

3. Individual organisations selling or exchanging materials of value (business to

business - such as the abattoir selling skins and bones for use in other products like

fertiliser).

9 Victorian Government, 2013, Getting Full Value, p.29

30

Almost without exception, the better the separation of items at source, the lower the

contamination of waste streams and the higher the price paid for the recovered materials.

For example, car repair shops that separate their metals, plastics and glass by type will be

paid a higher price for each material type than if they do limited separation into comingled

recycling collections, or none at all.

Numerous case studies show that organisations that separate materials after use are able to

identify quality control issues, wasteful processes and designs, and therefore can respond to

opportunities to increase productivity and profitability. Such good waste practices can also

lead to business-to-business exchanges for provision of materials, and it is likely that such

exchanges occur locally.

Recommendation 13. Encourage and promote resource efficiency across the business sector

Co-host sessions with SV, industry groups and local trader groups on resource efficiency, including waste and recycling.

5.5.1 Encourage market pull for resource reuse

In addition to surveying organisations in the municipality on waste and recycling, Council can

gather and facilitate information sharing on potential demand for materials, and promote

market pull for reuse and reprocessing of materials. Effective methods may be via an annual

forum on business development and efficiency, waste, recycling and reuse that is open to all

organisations, possibly in partnership with organisations like Sustainability Victoria and local

trader groups, and possibly showcasing good examples of best practices by local businesses.

This sharing of information will inevitably lead to exchange of resources, improved profitability,

reduced costs and less waste. It may also contribute to stronger employment and investment.

Council can also integrate issues concerning market pull for material recycling and reuse

into its communications to residents and businesses, highlighting the importance of recycling

and buying it back. For example recycled paper appears in products like toilet paper, paper

towels and insulation. Unless consumers buy it back it goes offshore or to landfill. Likewise

plastics become benches, posts, picture frames and bottles.

Council should investigate the requirements and benefits of becoming a member of ECO-

Buy to further develop and enhance resource recovery in relation to procurement practices

for goods and services. This will enable council to demonstrate leadership and promote

similar practices to local businesses and the community.

Recommendation 14. Encourage market pull for resource reuse and efficiency

Encourage and promote market pull for reuse and reprocessing of materials through council procurement practices and through communications and forums with residents and businesses.

5.5.2 Recycle Shop options

As mentioned in Section 5.4.3, Council ceased selling items from its transfer stations in

2009-10. There were a number of issues that led to this decision including the number of

staff required to manage and supervise materials, separation, risks and site maintenance.

31

However it is timely to reconsider the operation of these three facilities and assess the scope

for further ‘valuable’ items to be separated for reuse.

Currently Council has specialist collection services at its transfer stations for a number of

readily identifiable items such as sump oil, car batteries and IT equipment. There are

nevertheless many items that still go to landfill that could possibly be delivered and diverted

for reuse, repair or recycling, particularly finished goods such as indoor and outdoor

furniture, bikes, tools, books, crockery, etc.

Table 5 sets out the options available to Council and considerations.

Options Considerations

1 Council continue to

operate transfer

stations as currently

Low operation cost, no change to quantity going to landfill or

back into the economy

2 Council seek other

operators wanting

specific material

streams that could be

reasonably separated

and collected on an

ongoing basis

Investigation of new and expanding opportunities such as

collection of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), hand held

batteries, plasterboard, etc is warranted

Council’s website and signage at transfer stations should

also encourage interested parties to contact Council to

discuss ongoing exchange of materials.

3 Council make items

available free of

charge

This requires staff time to supervise, select, separate, tidy

and then dispose of unsold items.

Liability for damage is reduced when items are donated

rather than sold.

This requires an area to be set aside for objects to be stored,

viewed and accessed.

4 Council resume sale

of items such as

furniture, machines

etc to the public

This requires staff time to supervise, select, separate, tidy

and then dispose of unsold items.

Liability for damage is increased when items are sold, so

clear statements on liability would be required.

This requires an area to be set aside for objects to be stored,

viewed and accessed. It increases the number of cash

transactions.

5 Council enters into an

arrangement with a

service provider to

run a Recycle Shop

on site or elsewhere

This requires contract management and clear delineation of

responsibilities, costs and income.

An area needs to be set aside on site for the operation and

access.

It provides potential for Council to utilise skilled operators

and generate new employment opportunities with the

Council.

Table 4 Options available for Recycle Shops at Transfer Stations

32

There are a number of experienced operators running successful recycling shops at landfill

and transfer station facilities in Victoria. One example is Future Employment Opportunities

that operates the recycle shop in Eaglehawk, near Bendigo. The City of Hume has

contracted Grab A Load to sort, fix and sell stock out of stores located on land at the

entrance to the Sunbury landfill and the old Hume Landfill which has now become a transfer

station. While another community enterprise Outlook Environmental has set up retail outlets

at transfer stations at Reservoir, Hampton Park and Mornington.

All of the above are social enterprises that have a positive relationship with the relevant

Council, utilise Council sites and employ local people.

Another social enterprise which operates slightly differently is Green Collect which collects

from organisations and transfer stations and redistributes through their retail outlets in

Yarraville and Dandenong and directly to over 150 charities in their network, for example

women’s refuges. Detailed confidential information is not available on costs, profits, risks,

terms of operation and quantities sold that did not go to landfill.

There may be economic, employment, social and environmental benefits from Council

entering into such an Option 5 arrangement. In terms of suitable sites for such an operation,

while the Woodend transfer station receives larger quantities, it might be that the Kyneton

site is best located due to size and proximity to the town.

There are a number of recommended steps to investigating and undertaking such a venture.

1. Visit sites and businesses at Sunbury, Eaglehawk and Yarraville to ascertain basic

requirements and suitability for use of council sites for collection and/or sale.

2. Depending upon requirements, invite organisations to lodge an Expression of Interest

or advertise a Tender to gain confidential, costed and professional responses.

Recommendation 15. Investigate the feasibility of establishing a recycle shop at transfer station(s), or a similar operation elsewhere

Investigate and seek out operators that may want specific material streams that could be reasonably separated and collected on an ongoing basis

Conduct preliminary investigations into the requirements of a Recycling Shop, in terms of site, space, costs, income, and legal matters.

33

5.6 Inform, promote and engage the community on the costs and

benefits of actions

5.6.1 Present the case for change

Council’s community information on waste and recycling is factual and brief. It is available on

its website, as a fridge calendar, and brochures within the transfer station offices. It takes the

traditional view of waste and recycling, and has no reference to resource recovery for the

purpose of maintaining value for reuse.

Unfortunately these methods and messages are not bringing about sufficient or desired

change in behaviour. While there are other factors such as bin size (see Section 5.4.2) that

influence behaviour, Council must be more proactive in facilitating adoption of good waste

practices if it wants to see a step change in the right direction across the community and in

the average household’s performance in handling waste, recycling materials and valuing

reuse.

Council has capacity to present a more informative and compelling case for change that

resonates with each household. It can also engage across a larger number of sectors within

the community, geographic locations and communication avenues. It has the capacity to

convey the good and the bad, the benefits and the costs with waste, recycling and reuse.

Community engagement and participation are essential if there is going to be any reduction

in the rate of waste to landfill per person and in the costs of services and an increase in

resource productivity.

In building the case for change, a starting point is to compare the costs and quantities of

waste from households in other leading councils such as Mornington Peninsula Shire and

Mount Alexander Shire. The average household in Macedon Ranges Shire is performing

worse than the average home in Victoria on a number of counts. This results in higher costs,

higher emissions, smaller rebate paid for recycling and other negative consequences.

Council could report on the number of household bins rejected due to contamination, and the

cost and time involved in rectifying poor waste behaviour, and then work with residents to

address the problem through coordinated communication and education services.

A good example on changing the message and medium is provided by the Barwon Regional

Waste Management Group (BRWMG). In 2013 BRWMG undertook trials in different

townships using different communication tools and messages (calendars, bin stickers, fridge

magnets). The resulting reduced contamination in one township convinced the BRWMG to

change its communication tools and messages for a more assertive message sticker applied

to the lid of every household bin. The BRWMG website also has extensive information about

OBJECTIVE 2

Empower and involve the community in reducing waste and litter, and increasing reuse

and recovery

34

what, why, consequences etc. The BRWMG also has an active presence at major

community events, in schools and conducting market research in the main street, etc.

5.6.2 Expand the audience and share responsibility

In addition to adjusting its own practices and systems, and to working with residents, Council

needs to work with different community sectors to holistically work towards improved

productivity and efficiency. For example, community groups can include waste, recycling and

reuse issues, problems and opportunities in their meetings and seminars. They can share

the benefits and experiences in improving waste and recycling, and promote practices and

achievements to other community sectors.

Schools, businesses and community groups can establish recycling champions, awards for

innovative reuse of materials and so on. The awards could be sponsored by waste and

recycling contractors, such as Wheelie Waste or Green Waste Recycling.

At all times emphasis should be given to the argument that a consistent approach to waste,

recycling and reuse in all sections of the community will successfully and effectively change

habits, whereas a patchwork approach will cause problems, cost more, take longer and

hinder success.

As part of the newly formed Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Management

Group, Council should advocate for efficient and effective tools and programs with

households, schools, businesses, events and community groups. This might include access

to an education officer, or to programs rewarding good waste behaviour.

Recommendation 16. Inform and engage the community on best practice waste management

Consider available data and / or options to conduct surveys to better understand motivators and barriers to good waste practices.

Develop customised materials and education programs for different sectors of the community, based on findings from Recommendation 23 and Recommendation 95.

Provide reinforcing messages in communications regarding correct waste management practices and use of waste infrastructure and services

Present an informative and compelling case for change regarding waste minimisation and recycling in all communications and engagements.

5.6.3 Public venues and agreements

Council manages a number of venues and partnerships with organisations across the

municipality. These range from childcare to ovals, from libraries to senior citizen centres and

town shopping centres. Through these venues and participating groups, Council can and

does influence attitudes, behaviours and investment in waste, recycling and littering. This

influence can be strengthened, particularly prior to any change to services or infrastructure,

such as installation of recycling bins at sporting venues or in townships main streets.

Pride and shared responsibility is invaluable in achieving effective litter prevention, recycling

and waste management systems and new habits. Council will best achieve this through

cooperative relationship with key site users/managers. With such support, Council will be

able to make applications to state and national agencies for funding support for improved

recycling infrastructure.

35

With respect to council venues, Council can also include performance targets or

requirements in formal agreements. For example, agreements with major event operators for

use of grounds at Hanging Rock should specify standards for waste, recycling, disposable

food utensils, clean up of site during and after the event, signage, bin locations and

supervision of food contractors, vendors, etc. Waste Wise Event kits are available online

from NSW EPA10. Council should investigate best practice standards used at other similar

venues and events, and lift the bar on waste and recycling. Some examples are the annual

Taste of Tasmania Festival in Hobart and World Music Festival in Adelaide.

Recommendation 17. Include waste management conditions in venue agreements and permits for events

Ensure requirements for waste and recycling are included in future agreements connected with use of Council facilities.

5.7 Support innovative programs and communications that target

difficult or environmentally potent waste streams

In addition to the importance of engaging and facilitating change amongst key audiences

such as households and business, Council should also support innovative programs that

target difficult or environmentally damaging waste streams, while promoting reuse and buy-

back opportunities.

Enabling the diversion of even more specific items from the waste stream highlights the

importance for all in the community to improve their waste practices. Such a position for

continuous improvement also chips away at self-justifications that it is alright to ‘throw it all in

one bin’.

Items accepted at Transfer Stations for recycling

Pressing Steel Light globes

Aluminum/Copper & Brass/ Electric

Motors/Insulated Cable/Iron/Stainless

Steel

Computers/Electrical goods

Mattresses Mobile phones

Refrigerators Paper/Cardboard

Aluminum Cans Plastic containers

Glass bottles Oil containers

10 NSW EPA, 2014, Waste Wise Event online resources

36

Gas bottles Garden green waste

Car batteries Tyres - Car

Sump oil

Table 5 Items current accepted at Transfer Stations for recycling

At transfer stations Council already offers households free or low cost drop off of various

items. Council also provides a drop off point at one site for agricultural plastics such as

bailing twine and silage, and for agricultural chemical plastic containers through the

DrumMUSTER program.

Additional items Reasons for separation and collection

Hand held batteries Valuable casing and contents that are toxic in landfill and

recyclable

Decorative paints and

tins

Toxic in landfill and recyclable

Expanded polystyrene Occupies valuable space in landfill and is recyclable

Table 6 Additional items for recovery at Transfer Stations

Additional items can be added to the list, for which recovery systems are becoming available. Council can explore costs, benefits, collection systems through discussions with Sustainability Victoria.

Recommendation 18. Expand recovery from transfer stations

That Council investigates and expands the range of products received and separated at the Transfer Stations to include items problematic for landfill and/or having reuse value such as decorative paint tins, concrete and bricks from construction and demolition works

37

5.8 Provide consistent and effective public place infrastructure and

systems

5.8.1 Recycling and butt bins in public open places

Currently all public place bins are for general waste; there are no recycling bins in town

streets or at public open spaces other than at Hanging Rock, and these are highly

contaminated with identical contents to the waste bins. Likewise it appears that there are no

cigarette butt bins in townships.

The capital cost for bin enclosures and installation is around $1,500 for each bin, and then

there is a service cost for collection and annual cleaning. Education campaigns, signage and

audit assessments are around $10,000 - 15,000 for a trial site. Stainless steel butt bins are

expensive and are best selectively placed with the support of the benefiting premises, such

as TAB or hotel.

In the next year or two, council can gain a better understanding of the composition of street

bins and public place bins, to identify the potential for savings from landfill and potential

benefits from recycling. Then if it appears to be viable, Council can introduce public place

recycling bins into its town streets and open spaces, and butt bins (if support is provided by

venue proprietors) in 3 to 5 years, possibly on a trial basis. Recycling bins should only be

introduced if they are housed in bin enclosures that clearly indicate via apertures, colour and

symbols the types of recyclables accepted.

Given experiences in other councils and the generally high rate of contamination of recycling

bins in public places in Victoria, it is recommended that Council undertake this in a planned

way.

1. Council gains data on the quantity, contents and capacity of its current bins, their

locations, frequency of collection and destination of contents.

2. If the contents of the recycling bins at Hanging Rock are so contaminated that it goes

to landfill, Council should discontinue the recycling collection service immediately,

accompanied by signs informing the community that the service has been withdrawn

due to people putting the wrong items in the bins.

3. Determine criteria for selecting trial sites for introducing public place recycling, and

develop specific communications materials to support the trial.

Recommendation 19. Determine the business case for potential introduction of public place recycling in future years

That Council gains data on street and public place bin locations, contents and destinations, and if the contents of the recycling bins at Hanging Rock is going to landfill, discontinue the collection immediately.

OBJECTIVE 3

Protect the amenity of townships and landscapes for current and future generations

through clean and litter free spaces.

38

That Council uses the data to plan the introduction of public place recycling in partnership with the community, initially on a trial basis.

5.8.2 Street litter

MRSC currently owns and operates one street sweeper and one pavement cleaner.

According to Council Operations team these resources are sufficient to maintain services for

the number of streets and pavements requiring cleaning for the foreseeable future.

There appears to be comparatively low levels of litter in townships in the Shire. This can be

confirmed through a review of litter assessment reports produced by Keep Australia

Beautiful. However, importantly, litter is a consequence of bad habits and litter not being

removed. People are more likely to litter in an area that already has litter present. For this

reason, it is important Council maintain good litter collection regimes and also encourage

non-litter behaviour through bin placement, signage and communications.

MRSC is concerned at the proportion of street sweeping that comprises leaves, particularly

from decidious trees during autumn, and is keen to minimise the quantity and cost of street

sweeping material going to landfill. Council is also keen to reduce the amount of litter flowing

into waterways. There is no recommended method to sift out leaves from street sweeping

that also contains cigarette butts, dog or possum droppings, road grit stained with oil or other

chemicals. Nevertheless, there are many examples of systems designed to capture litter,

sediments and nutrients before they enter waterways, such as litter traps in stormwater

drains, reed beds, wetlands, roadside swales and raingardens.

Recommendation 20. Reduce litter and protect the amenity of townships and landscapes.

During autumn, collect leaves (possibly by using a leaf blower in advance of a street sweeper to lift and separate leaves) and integrated into green organic waste mulched at transfer stations.

As part of the education program to be developed under Recommendation 164, consider development of a litter campaign in townships or problem areas.

5.8.3 Illegal dumping and hard rubbish collections

As with many municipalities across Victoria litter management is an important service.

MRSC has identified this issue and has initiated programs to tackle and reduce litter within

the municipality.

MRSC has identified a number of illegal dumping hot spots within the municipality and in the

2014-15 financial year will be installing closed circuit video monitoring of these hot spots.

Council’s local laws officers respond to illegal rubbish dumping and littering on public land,

and prosecute offenders. This has reduced the level of repeat offenders and high cost to

MRSC and the community and led to a reduction in associated activities such as graffiti.

MRSC currently offers no hard rubbish collections. All residents currently arrange their own

collection and transfer of hard rubbish for re-sale or reuse, or to landfill or transfer stations.

Council does not handle or subsidise collection or disposal either through vouchers

redeemable at landfill, booked pick up collections from the street nature strip, or designated

39

collection days. Those councils that have these systems have endeavoured to wind them

back as they amount to a ratepayer subsidy of a service used by only a few residents.

The kerbside hard rubbish collection systems are expensive due to logistics of truck fleet,

labour and resulting litter collection services that are required to clean up scattered objects.

Hard rubbish appearing on street nature strips (designated days or booked) also has the

effect of signifying permission for dumping at all other times of the year and creating an

expectation that Council will clean it up.

These kerbside services are also expensive due to the fact that quality, valuable products

and materials that would have returned some sales revenue to the collector are invariably

removed or ‘stolen’ before the contracted collector arrives.

Recommendation 21. Continue to manage illegal dumping and disposal of hard rubbish

Continue to monitor and prosecute people who dump rubbish on roadsides and in public places, assisted by installation of closed circuit cameras.

Do not introduce a subsidy or hard rubbish collection program. Encourage the community to deposit valuable items with charity shops or the transfer stations.

Monitor the situation regarding illegal dumping and disposal of hard rubbish.

40

5.9 Summary of Actions

A preliminary analysis of the recommendations was undertaken to test their viability and to inform the prioritisation of actions and timeframe for

implementation presented in the final strategy. The outcomes of the analysis are presented in the table below, showing the relative benefits of

implementing the recommendations, based on experience in other councils. In the table, the individual ratings for each recommendation reflect

the ease of implementation, economic, social and environmental benefits, and are marked out of ten. The criteria are weighted (% in bracket),

and a total rating assigned to each recommendation accordingly. The total rating allows comparison of the overall benefit expected to result

from implementation of recommendations.

The ‘level of confidence’ rating indicates the likelihood of benefits being realised from implementation of recommendation, again marked out of

ten. All ratings were informed by available information available at the time of strategy development and experience in other councils.

It should be noted that the numbering of recommendations in the table reflect the discussion in the above section, presented according to

objectives and associated directions. The recommendations have been re-numbered in the final strategy to reflect the timeframe for

implementation.

Summary of

Actions

Recommendations Economic

viability

(35%)

Environmental

benefits (30%)

Social

benefits

(25%)

Ease of

implement-

ation (10%)

Total

(100%)

Level of

confidence

Objective 1. Deliver affordable, efficient, productive and coordinated waste and resource reuse systems

0 5.1 Gather

useful data and

maintain

information

systems

Recommendation 1. Establish data and

information systems

8 8 8 7 7.9 10

Recommendation 2. Conduct targeted

and representative audits to obtain

baseline data on volume and

composition of household and public

place bins

8 8 9 8 8.25 10

41

Summary of

Actions

Recommendations Economic

viability

(35%)

Environmental

benefits (30%)

Social

benefits

(25%)

Ease of

implement-

ation (10%)

Total

(100%)

Level of

confidence

Recommendation 3. Survey local

organisations and trader groups to

identify resource use options to support

increased reuse of valuable materials

8 8 7 6 7.55 10

5.2. Track local

and external

trends and

forecast

implications

Recommendation 4. Track trends and

forecast implications of factors such as

chancing fuel and resource prices for

waste systems and council’s own

operations

8 8 7 7 7.65 10

5.3. Provide

leadership

through example

and procurement

Recommendation 5. Demonstrate

leadership in waste management and

resource recovery through Council’s

operations and contracts, and report on

performance

9 6 7 6 7.3 8

Recommendation 6. Enhance Council’s

procurement policy and power, through

actively sourcing products and services

that meet criteria for environmental

advantage, particularly in regards to

tenders for major expenditure

8 7 5 7 6.85 9

Recommendation 7. Guide staff and

contractor performance through

introducing targets and reporting

9 8 8 5 8.05 9

42

Summary of

Actions

Recommendations Economic

viability

(35%)

Environmental

benefits (30%)

Social

benefits

(25%)

Ease of

implement-

ation (10%)

Total

(100%)

Level of

confidence

requirements into waste and recycling

services and contracts

5.4. Provide cost

effective services

Recommendation 8. Investigate the

business case for different service options

to encourage reduction of waste at the

household level:

a) Potential introduction of 80 litre bins for general waste, retaining the current weekly collection cycle

b) Potential introduction of a fortnightly collection schedule for general waste, retaining the existing 120 and 140 litre bins.

8 8 7 8 7.75 10

Recommendation 9 Utilise baseline

audit data and conduct regular audits of

kerbside and public place bin contents

to inform and update contract services

and education campaigns

9 9 7 6 8.2 9

Recommendation 10. Maintain data

and information systems to enable

better management and analysis of data

regarding waste streams at transfer

stations and from kerbside and public

place collections

5 5 5 5 5 8

43

Summary of

Actions

Recommendations Economic

viability

(35%)

Environmental

benefits (30%)

Social

benefits

(25%)

Ease of

implement-

ation (10%)

Total

(100%)

Level of

confidence

Recommendation 11. Address options

for improving management of organic

waste

6 9 5 4 6.45 8

Recommendation 12. Manage landfills

and associated environmental impacts

to meet regulatory requirements, and

communicate the costs and benefits of

the works to the community.

5 6 4 3 4.85 10

5.5. Encourage

and promote

resource

efficiency and

productivity

Recommendation 13. Encourage and

promote resource efficiency across the

business sector

5 5 5 5 5 7

Recommendation 14. Encourage

market pull for resource reuse and

efficiency with residents and businesses

5 5 5 5 5 7

Recommendation 15. Investigate the

feasibility of establishing a recycle shop

at transfer station(s), or a similar

operation elsewhere

6 5 6 4 5.5 8

Objective 2. Empower and involve the community in reducing waste and litter, and increasing reuse and recovery

44

Summary of

Actions

Recommendations Economic

viability

(35%)

Environmental

benefits (30%)

Social

benefits

(25%)

Ease of

implement-

ation (10%)

Total

(100%)

Level of

confidence

5.6. Inform,

promote and

engage the

community on the

costs and

benefits of actions

Recommendation 16. Inform and

engage the community on best practice

waste management

7 5 8 8 6.75 8

Recommendation 17. Include waste

management conditions in venue

agreements and permits for events

8 7 8 8 7.7 8

5.7. Support

innovative

programs and

communications

that target difficult

or

environmentally

potent waste

streams

Recommendation 18. Expand recovery

from transfer stations

6 8 8 8 7.3 8

Objective 3. Protect the amenity of townships and landscapes for current and future generations through clean and litter free

spaces.

5.8. Provide

consistent and

effective public

Recommendation 19. Determine the

business case for potential introduction

of public place recycling in future years

4 6 6 6 5.3 8

45

Summary of

Actions

Recommendations Economic

viability

(35%)

Environmental

benefits (30%)

Social

benefits

(25%)

Ease of

implement-

ation (10%)

Total

(100%)

Level of

confidence

place

infrastructure and

systems.

Recommendation 20. Reduce litter and

protect the amenity of townships and

landscapes

7 6 5 5 6 8

Recommendation 21. Continue to

manage illegal dumping and disposal of

hard rubbish

8 8 7 8 7.75 9

Table 6 Summary of Actions, Waste Management Strategy, 2015-2020

46

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