Note: This meeting was held via Teams link, due to the Covid-19 related lockdown in place at the time in Perth and Peel.
The Waste Authority was pleased to release the 2021-22 Waste Strategy Action Plan following the Minister for Environment’s approval. The Action Plan and Business Plan support the delivery of headline strategies and targets outlined in the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030. These documents are available on the Waste Authority’s website.
The Waste Authority noted key outcomes of the recent meeting of the Program Risk and Performance Committee (PRPC) held on 22 June 2021. The PRPC provides oversight and guidance to the Waste Authority on risk management, program evaluation and financial reporting.
The Waste Authority released the Roads to Reuse Pilot Report on 24 June 2021 and a copy of this report is available on the Waste Authority’s website. The report provides key findings of the Roads to Reuse (RtR) Pilot project delivered by the Waste Authority, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Main Roads WA with support from the Waste Recycling Industry Association WA and the Department of Health. The RtR program protects public health and the environment by supporting the supply of recycled construction and demolition products which meet product specifications.
The report highlights the key benefits of the RtR program and using recycled construction and demolition products that meet these agreed specifications in civil applications such as road construction. Main Roads WA has used over 62,000 tonnes of RtR material in Western Australian roads so far. There are four accredited RtR recyclers in Western Australia, with five sites producing RtR material.
The Waste Authority was pleased to note the National Waste and Recycling Industry Council’s recent call for the national adoption and promotion of the Roads to Reuse program in other states and territories, to drive greater recovery and reuse of construction and demolition materials back into civil works across Australia.
The Waste Authority considered a draft Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Rollout Plan, highlighting actions required across the C&D supply chain including demolition, recycling, construction and procurement. The draft C&D Rollout Plan captures existing and proposed work, including matters identified at the 11 May 2021 C&D Stakeholder Roundtable. Consultation, including with representatives from each part of the C&D supply chain, will occur over the coming months to refine the C&D Rollout Plan and its implementation.
A report on the 2020-21 food organics garden organics (FOGO) Rollout Plan was approved by the Waste Authority. The FOGO Reference Group, including organics recyclers and other experts from the waste and recycling sector, along with local and state government, supported the development and implementation of the 2020-21 FOGO Rollout Plan.
A subsequent 2021-22 FOGO Rollout Plan was approved by the Waste Authority. It focuses on facilitating market development actions for FOGO derived products, matching processing capacity with projected FOGO generation rates and providing support to key stakeholders in planning and implementing FOGO services. The plan considers a rollout schedule of local government FOGO services, projected FOGO collection rates, processing capacity and outputs to inform planning. The 2020-21 FOGO Rollout Plan report and the 2021-22 FOGO Rollout Plan are expected to be published on the Waste Authority website in August 2021.
A Step-by-Step Guide to support planning, implementation and monitoring of better practice FOGO services is under development as a key resource to support local governments and others with the FOGO rollout. The Step-by-Step guide is expected to be released in the coming months.
The Waste Authority approved the Market Development Strategy for FOGO Derived Products which is based on significant stakeholder consultation and outlines market development actions to develop and maintain end markets for FOGO derived products in Western Australia. The report is expected to be published on the Waste Authority website in August 2021.
The Waste Authority noted progress on a report currently in development, on the impacts and benefits of kerbside collection systems within Perth and Peel. This report will assist in assessing various kerbside services, with variables including system costs, recovery rates and greenhouse gas emissions. The report is expected to be completed shortly.
The Waste Authority approved a more streamlined and effective WasteSorted Schools grants program (previously known as the Waste Wise Schools program) to be implemented from the commencement of the 2022 school year. The WasteSorted Schools grants will target infrastructure and initiatives that avoid and recover school waste.
Funding will be available for merit selected projects that divert waste from landfill, such as paper and cardboard, food waste, single-use packaging and recyclables. Two competitive grant rounds will be available each year, with these dates being advertised at the commencement of the school year to enable schools to forward plan. A new online application form, grant guidelines, acquittal documentation and supporting documents will be finalised for February 2022.
An update on the recycling infrastructure modernisation WA project was noted by the Waste Authority. In February 2021, the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments announced a joint investment of $70 million for nine projects in Western Australia to reprocess plastics, tyres, paper and cardboard. Contracts and funding schedules are currently being progressed with proponents. It is anticipated that works will commence on some projects from August 2021.
The Waste Authority received a presentation from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation on progress of significant waste reform work currently underway, including updates on the Waste-derived materials; Closing the Loop: Waste reforms for a circular economy and the Waste not, want not: Valuing waste as a resource discussion papers, the review of the waste levy and the review of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007.
An update on work underway to determine the quantities and types of e-waste in Western Australia was discussed. An E-Waste Materials Flow Analysis report will be finalised by August 2021. The outcomes of this work will assist in preparing for implementation of the Western Australian Government’s decision to ban e-waste from being disposed of to landfill by 2024.
The Waste Authority noted the 2019-20 Waste and Recycling snapshot for Western Australia. The introduction of mandatory reporting under the revised Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Regulations 2008 has provided for a more complete dataset compared to 2018-19 reporting. The 2019-20 Waste and Recycling report is expected to be released by August 2021 and will be available on the Waste Authority website.
The Waste Authority received an update on the State waste infrastructure audit and needs analysis. In September 2020, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation engaged two consultants to undertake an audit and needs analysis to support the development of a State waste infrastructure plan.
Part 1 of the project; to undertake an infrastructure audit, with surveys provided to every waste facility in the State, has been completed and an up-to-date comprehensive waste infrastructure register has been developed. This has informed Part 2 of the project; a needs analysis, including scenario modelling to consider and propose different combinations of waste and resource recovery facilities required to meet the needs of Western Australia until 2050 and to achieve targets outlined in the Waste Strategy. The needs analysis is on track to be completed in August 2021.
The Waste Authority noted an update on the development of local government waste plans. Forty of the 43 waste plans have been submitted to date, and three local governments have been granted extensions for the submission of their waste plans.
The Waste Authority formally acknowledged Bernard Ryan, Senior Manager Policy, Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Division, DWER, who was recently presented with a Significant Achievement Award during DWER’s Woola Recognition Awards Ceremony. Bernard received the Award for being ‘an amazing waste guru who has a deep understanding of the many and varied interconnected factors involved in reducing the level of waste generation, improving the level of resource recovery and protecting the environment. Bernard has the ability and knowledge to skilfully connect all the elements and people so there is sound policy, developed on accurate information, supported by practical programs and ensures policy and programs are implemented with flexibility, commitment and excellence.’ The successful Roads to Reuse project was cited as one example.
The Waste Authority officially acknowledged and recognised the valuable contribution of Marcelle Broderick in progressing the work of the Waste Authority and her excellent leadership in managing the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Division, DWER. The Waste Authority acknowledged Marcelle’s tireless efforts in streamlining processes and administration to deliver great outcomes for the Waste Authority and DWER. Members wished Marcelle the very best in her future endeavours. Marcelle leaves DWER at the end of July 2021.
The next meeting of the Waste Authority will be held on 23 September 2021.