31 August 2020
The Monthly Waste Management News Roundup - August
$57.5 million invested into East Rockingham waste-to-energy facility
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has released its 2019-20 investment update, detailing $1 billion in funding for 23 energy projects. According to the update the CEFC has invested $57.5 million into Western Australia's East Rockinham waste-to-energy facility. When complete, the facility will process roughly 300,000 tonnes of residual waste each year.
Federal Govt announces $4 million in funding to create new independent entity to drive food waste
The Federal Government has announced $4 million in seed funding to create a new independent entity that will be responsible for driving food waste reduction in Australia. "As part of the government's ambitious commitment to halve Australia' food waste by 2030, partnership proposals are being sought to establish a new food waste governance body to drive our National Food Waste Strategy," Envionment Minister Sussan Ley said.
VIC launches $2.6M Sustainable Infrastructure Fund
The Victorian Government has opened its $2.6 million Sustainable Infrastructure Fund grants program, which aims to increase the use of recycled materials in local infrastructure projects across the state. Grants of up to $300,000 are open to local councils and alpine resort management boards to use recycled materials such as glass, paper, cardboard, plastics and rubber to build new infrastructure including roads, footpaths, outdoor park equipment, drainages and cycleways.
Magnum's new tubs and lids for its pints range are now fully recyclable
Last year, Magnum was the first ice cream brand to use recycled polypropylene plastic in its packaging and now its rolling out over 7 million new tubs and lids for is pints range. Magnum's new tubs and lids for its pints range are fully recyclable and made with recycled polypropylene plastic (rPP). Magnum was the first to use recycled plastic within the ice cream industry and although there have been rPP options available for beauty and personal care products for some time, there were previously no solutions approved for use in food-grade packaging.
WWF proposes three Govt actions to halve plastic pollution
Phasing out cigaretty filters, microbeads and most types of disposable plastic foodware and containerrs would help halve the amount of plastic pollution flowing into Australia's envionment, according to a new report. The report, commissioned by WWF-Australia and prepared by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), presents a comprehensive set of recommendations for addressing six problematic single-use plastics: plastic bottles, soft 'scrunchable' plastics, disposable foodware, disposable packaging and conainers, cigarettes and microplastics.
Sims to open VIC recycling plant as part of 11 global resource renewal facilities
A bold plan to recycle more reusable material from metal recycling is behind the $50 million investment in the first of 11 global resource renewal facilities to be built in Campbellfield Victoria, by Sims Resource Renewal, a division of Sims Limited. The company said that more than one million tonnes of shredded material left over following metal recycling will be diverted from landfill each year and transformed into quality products, such as construction materials, electricity and recycled plastics. a global programme. In an announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) the company said that this follows on from Sims’ significant growth strategy announced in April 2019 badged the 2030 vision of Sims Resource Renewal. It will help the company achieve its purpose; create a world without waste to preserve our planet.
ACT to behind formal phase out of single-use plastics
The exposure draft of the Plastic Reduction Bill 2020 has been tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly, as the territory government formally begins implementing the phase out of certain single-use plastics. The phase out will begin from July 2021, banning the sale and supply of single-use plastic cutlery, stirrers and polystyrene food and beverage containers such as plates, cups, bowls and ‘clamshell’ takeaway containers. Recycling and Waste Reduction Minister Chris Steel said the ACT Government recognises that immediately phasing out single-use plastics could present difficulties to businesses that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
NSW commits $10M to boost solar panel recycling
The NSW Government is investing $10 million to help improve environmental performance by diverting end-of-life solar panel systems from landfill, with the first round of grants now open. NSW residents and businesses are increasingly turning to solar power systems to reduce energy costs and drive improved environmental performance. Although current waste volumes are relatively low, this emerging waste stream is expected to rapidly increase over the next decade as installed systems reach their end-of-life.
Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill introduced into Federal Parliament
The Federal Government has introduced the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 into parliament. The Bill seeks to phase out the export of 645,000 tonnes of unprocessed plastic, paper, glass and tyres each year. Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the “landmark legislation” would see Australia take responsibility for its waste by establishing a national industry framework for recycling.