EcoRecycle Victoria Business Plan 2002-03 to 2004-05...INTRODUCTION EcoRecycle Victoria is pleased...

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EcoRecycle Victoria Business Plan

2002-03 to 2004-05

© 2002 EcoRecycle Victoria

FORWARD The Victorian Government has recently signalled significant changes to the way in which we manage waste in Victoria. In the context of Growing Victoria Together, recent changes to the Environment Protection Act have re-enforced the goal of sustainability incorporating economic, environmental and social responsibilities. Growing Victoria Together identifies a number of priority actions for the Government which, in full or part, will be implemented though EcoRecycle Victoria programs. These include:

• investing in long term social and physical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, roads, public transport, and waste management

• increasing recycling and effective waste management and increasing the development of renewable energy sources

• supporting new community building initiatives and developing partnerships with local government around local community needs.

The 2002-03 year will be one of considerable and fundamental change for EcoRecycle Victoria. Recent changes to the Environment Protection Act have established a new framework for our operations and new responsibilities. The changes to the Act are fundamental and far reaching: They include:

• voluntary sustainability covenants aimed at reducing the overall environmental impact of an organisation or group of organisations activities

• clarification of the roles of statutory bodies involved in waste management (EPA Victoria, EcoRecycle Victoria and Regional Waste Management Groups)

• progressive increases in the landfill levy to provide an incentive to avoid waste and to provide funding for waste reduction programs

• the integration of the Litter Act into the Environment Protection Act with increased penalties and simplified enforcement.

All these changes impact on what EcoRecycle Victoria does and how we work with the Victorian community to ensure we achieve the sustainable use, recovery and reuse of resources. EcoRecycle Victoria has been given the key responsibility for planning for solid industrial waste throughout Victoria. This statutory planning role, in addition to the overall strategy development role, reinforces the need for the changes to the organisation that were initiated last year. We acknowledge the challenge of strategy development and planning for waste management, in the context of sustainability, for the next 5 to 10 years. The Strategy and Plan will need to be based on relevant and comprehensive research and data. The process of effectively engaging key stakeholders will need new approaches and skills.

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The outcomes in terms of the Strategy and Plan will set the future priorities and targets for EcoRecycle Victoria and the Victorian community, and will likely change again the nature of our programs. In the coming year, our focus will be on the development of challenging and effective strategies and plans for solid waste. In parallel, we will continue core programs; community engagement, best practice kerbside recycling, infrastructure development, litter abatement and influencing commercial and industrial waste practices. In developing the future directions and in implementing ongoing programs we will build on our partnerships with EPA Victoria, the Regional Waste Management Groups, other Government agencies, local governments, the business sector, the community and educators. EcoRecycle Victoria’s role as an effective planner and facilitator will be essential to achieving the required outcomes. . Mike Hill Chairperson

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INTRODUCTION EcoRecycle Victoria is pleased to present the 2002-03 to 2004-05 Business Plan. This year’s Plan picks up on many of the Government’s priorities in Growing Victoria Together. Growing Victoria Together Priority

EcoRecycle Victoria Programs

Investment in long-term social and physical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, roads, public transport, and waste management

Infrastructure Investment $10 million over three years

Increased recycling and effective waste management and increased development of renewable energy sources

Kerbside Recycling National Packaging Covenant Transition $7.8 million over three years

Promote the creation and use of new ideas and technologies to attract investment and employment in new and existing industries

Infrastructure Investment $10 million over three years

Promote growth in information and communications, biotechnology, professional services, design, advanced manufacturing and environmental management

Waste Reduction in Industry & Commerce Green Waste Action Plan $8.2 million over three years

Support new community building initiatives and develop partnerships with local government around local community needs

Advisory and Information Services Community Engagement and Education $4.85 million over three years

Strengthen the capacity of the public sector to deliver high quality, responsive, accessible and efficient services

Advisory and Information Services Community Engagement and Education $4.85 million over three years

The Plan reflects the substantial change and increase in EcoRecycle Victoria’s role and income set out in the recent changes to the Environment Protection Act.

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These changes give EcoRecycle Victoria a key role in statewide planning for solid industrial waste and clearer relationships with Regional Waste Management Groups. In adopting these changes, the Plan reinforces the shift in the nature of the assistance that EcoRecycle Victoria will provide to the Victorian community to reduce waste and recover and recycle more effectively. This Plan reflects an increasing income and expenditure over the three-year period as the landfill levy increases take effect. The key roles of developing the Statewide Solid Waste Strategy and the Solid Industrial Waste Management Plan will be our priority for 2003-05. The Strategy and Plan will determine the directions and priorities for future action to reduce waste for the next five years. They will influence and drive the key programs of EcoRecycle Victoria and Regional Waste Management Groups, particularly in infrastructure development, and reflect an increased commitment to life cycle management issues, both in terms of community education and product stewardship. Effective engagement of stakeholders in the development of the Strategy and Plan will be critical to their effectiveness. This engagement process will be based on the position of EcoRecycle Victoria as a knowledge provider and change agent, seeking to engage and influence the attitudes and behaviours of all Victorians. This will be achieved through: • providing leadership, assistance and quality advice • engaging and building relationships with stakeholders • fostering innovation • influencing and educating stakeholder groups. The Business Plan also continues several initiatives commenced in the last year: • extending the Advisory and Information Services program • increased priority for research and data collection to meet both the needs for

strategy development and to monitor performance. EcoRecycle Victoria will also continue its role as the key agency for managing projects under the National Packaging Covenant Kerbside Recycling Transitional Arrangements in Victoria. These activities are set out in the Appendix to the Business Plan. For each of the Programs, we have identified outcomes to be achieved in 2002-03. The detailed programs and outcomes for the latter years will depend on the Strategy and Plan as discussed above.

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VISION

Victorians leading the world in the sustainable use, recovery and reuse of resources.

PURPOSE

We encourage and assist Victorians to reduce solid wastes and to use resources sustainably.

MISSION

To protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations by minimising the creation of waste, promoting the sustainable use of resources, and better managing the disposal of material, which cannot be diverted from the waste

stream for productive use.

ORGANISATIONAL VALUES

EcoRecycle Victoria will: • Be open, responsive and collaborative with stakeholders

• Fund projects equitably and with transparency • Provide quality information

• Remain independent of sectional interests

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ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES Key organisational performance measures are as follows: Monitor Indicator Frequency Effectiveness of programs

Waste • total diversion – increase • disposed to landfill (EPA data) – decrease Recycling • household percentage diversion - increase • reprocessing/recycled total – increase Litter • roads – decrease • shops/commercial – decrease • schools - decrease Industry development • investment leverage of grant projects – total

investment/grants - increase • costs (household recycling – stable, landfill

- increase) Advisory services • Impact of advice with key stakeholders

(through annual survey)

Annual Annual Annual Annual Annual

Financial health • balance sheet • operating statement • cashflow

Monthly

Staff morale • absenteeism, (sick days, pattern) turnover • annual leave • OH&S

Monthly

Productivity • milestones achieved • budgets achieved

Monthly

Public perceptions

Survey data Annual 3-yearly rolling review

Ecological footprint

• Energy use - decrease • Office waste generation- decrease • Buying recycled products- increase

6 Monthly

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ECORECYCLE VICTORIA BUDGET FORECAST 2002-03 to 2004-05 FROM BUSINESS PLAN Budget

2002-03 Budget 2003-04

Budget 2004-05

$ $ $ INCOME LANDFILL LEVY 9,000,000 12,000,000 14,000,000 DRAWDOWN OF ADDITIONAL LEVY FACILITY 800,000 - - INVESTMENT INCOME 36,000 42,000 48,000 BANK INTEREST 3,900 3,900 3,900 OTHER INCOME 472,000 127,000 77,000

TOTAL INCOME $10,311,900 $12,172,900 $14,128,900 EXPENDITURE Program Support ADMINISTRATION OVERHEADS 664,395 681,115 715,170 ALLOCATED OVERHEADS 279,942 293,939 308,636 TOTAL PROGRAM SUPPORT $944,337 $975,054 $1,023,807 9% 9% 8% Programs STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT & PERFORMANCE 991,822 1,025,531 871,263 KERBSIDE RECYCLING 91,042 243,192 245,783 ADVISORY & INFORMATION SERVICES 907,007 1,053,869 1,027,901 WASTE REDUCTION IN INDUSTRY, COMMERCE & GOVERNMENT 2,157,350 2,187,118 3,817,646 GREEN WASTE ACTION PLAN 430,731 369,789 573,976 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION 1,167,618 709,850 736,041 LITTER PREVENTION & CONTROL 604,129 729,789 633,976 INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT 2,757,841 3,167,494 4,177,543 TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENSES $9,107,540 $9,486,632 $12,084,129

TOTAL EXPENSES $10,051,877 $10,461,686 $13,107,936 NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) $260,023 $1,711,214 $1,020,964 ADD SURPLUS FROM PREVIOUS YEAR $5,458,569 $5,718,592 $7,429,806 SURPLUS $5,718,592 $7,429,806 $8,450,770 CASH AT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR IN SURPLUS $997,819 $1,409,033 $1,429,997 ACCRUED (NOT RECEIVED) LANDFILL LEVY IN SURPLUS $4,720,773 $6,020,773 $7,020,773

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PROGRAMS 1. STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE Program outcomes 2002-03 to 2004-05

• There will be a Statewide Solid Waste Strategy and Solid Industrial Waste Management Plan with defined targets and sustainability indicators, which will be underpinned by, and monitored via, detailed data collection.

• By 30 June 2003, a draft Solid Industrial Waste Management Plan will be submitted to EPA Victoria for approval.

Background Victorians produce over eight million tonnes of solid waste annually. Recent data shows that these generation rates have increased by 12% since 1997-98. During 2000-01, around 48% of this waste was recovered for recycling, the highest recovery rate ever achieved in the State. Recycling in Victoria has grown rapidly over the past decade, slowing the growth in volumes of waste disposed of to landfill to around 2% per year. Investment by the Victorian Government, local government, Regional Waste Management Groups and industry in resource recovery and processing infrastructure has ensured that a greater percentage of material is diverted for recycling rather than going to landfill. Awareness and participation by the community in waste reduction and recycling has been heightened through the Waste Wise Education Program and improved access to recycling services, particularly in non-metropolitan areas. While these achievements are not insignificant, the Victorian Government has identified the need to move forward through a strategic approach to statewide programs for solid waste management, and to plan for solid industrial waste on a statewide basis. Strategy The development of a Statewide Solid Waste Strategy (Strategy) will be the key means to implement State Environment Protection Policies and Industry Waste Management Plans. The Strategy will be set over a five to ten year time frame based on the waste hierarchy, and be ambitious, challenging, but achievable. Some of the issues to be addressed include waste avoidance and recycling in the commercial and industrial sector, product stewardship and the role of energy recovery and other new technologies in diverting residual materials from the waste stream.

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The Strategy will also:

• identify priorities • establish waste reduction targets – e.g. by material, sector, region • establish “best practice” – e.g. systems, facilities • identify infrastructure needs – e.g. type, location • identify costs • identify key players and assign responsibility • set milestones and a timetable • identify monitoring & reporting requirements

The Solid Industrial Waste Management Plan (Plan) will analyse the sources and components of the waste stream, the levels of resource recovery both now and into the future, and provide an economic assessment of possible waste management options. It will set out a statement of priorities dealing with:

• waste minimisation • provision of infrastructure • waste collection and transport • waste disposal • waste reduction and resource recovery programs • principles to guide waste minimisation and alternatives to landfill • analysis of the need for additional solid industrial waste disposal facilities for

the next five years. Both the Strategy and Plan will require effective consultation and engagement of stakeholders. A communications strategy facilitating their development will be implemented. The Strategy and Plan will be underpinned by a comprehensive research and data collection program, including annual breakdowns on the source of waste to landfill (i.e. municipal, building & demolition, commercial & industrial), annual reprocessing industry and local government surveys, a revised annual litter survey and, during 2002-03, the conduct of a further life cycle assessment study for recyclables to incorporate an energy from waste assessment and green organics and timber waste. In the planning period, a major survey will be undertaken at licensed landfills throughout Victoria to determine the composition of waste streams from the municipal, building & demolition and commercial & industrial sectors. Key projects/outcomes for 2002-03 A draft Solid Industrial Waste Management Plan will be submitted to EPA

Victoria for approval. The Statewide Solid Waste Strategy will be completed, with defined targets

and sustainability indicators, and disseminated.

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• A number of key research and data collection and analysis projects will be undertaken to support the Strategy and Plan process and to measure performance. These will include:

− Local Government Data Collection 2001-02 - survey undertaken, data analysed and report disseminated

− Waste Categorisation System at Landfills - ongoing rollout of categorisation system to sites without computerised systems and weighbridges

− Reprocessing Industries Survey 2001-02 - industry survey of reprocessors of recyclable materials completed and report disseminated

− Annual Stakeholder Survey - revised survey agreed, survey undertaken − Litter Data Collection - revised methodology agreed, surveys undertaken

and report disseminated − Guide to Best Practice at Transfer Stations - review of existing guide

completed and revisions disseminated − Life Cycle Assessment - including energy from waste - to assist in the

development of a strategic approach to the use of waste materials for energy generation. Work completed and report disseminated.

Key projects/outcomes for 2003-04 to 2004-05 • Compositional Surveys at Licensed Landfills - landfill based surveys to

determine composition of waste going to landfill for Municipal, Building & Demolition and Commercial & Industrial sectors completed

• Local Government Data Collection 2002-03 and 2003-04 - completed and reports disseminated

• Reprocessing Industries Survey 2002-03 and 2003-04 - industry surveys completed and reports disseminated

• Public Views 2004 “Community Attitudes to Waste and Recycling” - revised survey agreed, survey undertaken and report disseminated

• Annual Stakeholder Surveys - completed • Litter Data Collection - survey/s undertaken and report disseminated. Interim Key performance indicators and targets 2002-03 to 2004/05∗ Comprehensive data collection program established to enable ongoing reporting against targets and measures established in the Strategy, via: • Annual Local Government Data Collection Surveys • Annual Reprocessing Industry Surveys • Annual Stakeholder Surveys • Annual Litter Data Collection Surveys • Annual Landfill Levy Data by source of waste to landfill ∗ Performance indicators in all Programs are considered to be interim at this stage. The Strategy and Plan will set out more comprehensive indicators and targets.

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STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT & PERFORMANCE FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005

$ $ $ Data collection 120,000 290,000 120,000Statewide Solid Waste Strategy and Solid Industrial Waste Management Plan Development Strategy consultation and finalisation 100,000 40,000 20,000 Transfer station best practice 10,000 LCA , strategy & other projects 200,000 100,000 100,000Program support 561,822 595,531 631,263 Program total 991,822 1,025,531 871,263

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2. KERBSIDE RECYCLING Program outcome 2002-03 to 2004-05 Kerbside recycling across the state will be firmly established on a sustainable basis, employing best practice collection to supply robust primary and secondary markets. Background Kerbside recycling is well supported across the state achieving a high participation rate and high community satisfaction levels (Public Views Survey 2001). Ninety-five percent of Victorian households have access to collection services for kerbside recycling, with the balance of households having access to drop-off facilities (largely in rural areas). Recycling cans, glass bottles, containers and paper and cardboard from households has been shown to have a positive impact on the environment, and an overall net benefit to the Victorian community of $42 per household per year. Victorians generated 1.6 million tonnes of solid waste through kerbside collection services, an average of 947 kg per household per year. Garbage accounted for 72% of this, or 1.16 million tonnes - 1.12 million tonnes collected through kerbside garbage collection systems and a further 37,000 tonnes through hard waste collection systems. The average yield of recyclables was 192 kg per household per year, with the corresponding figure for garbage collections being 620 kg. On a statewide average, Victorians diverted 23% of their kerbside waste stream into recyclables collections. Our challenge as a community is to build on the success of the kerbside recycling to date, to recycle greater quantities of material in a cost efficient and sustainable manner, whilst also adopting behaviours to reduce the amounts of waste created in the first place. Strategy The Best Practice Kerbside Recycling Program is Victoria’s initiative under the transitional provisions of the National Packaging Covenant (NPC). The NPC is a voluntary agreement between government and the packaging industry to improve the recovery of post consumer packaging and paper. The Program provides a financial incentive to councils to implement preferred service standards in respect of contracting, containerisation and service operation. Under the NPC transitional arrangements, EcoRecycle Victoria manages this project for the Victorian NPC Kerbside Recycling Committee. Victoria has obtained funding of $8.1 million to support the Program. Implementation of the Best Practice Kerbside Recycling Program is the preferred option for councils when their collection contacts are tendered. The adoption of

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this program across a majority of councils will improve the average diversion rates as well as quality, cost-effectiveness and safety of recycling programs in Victoria. Victoria is working with WorkCover Victoria in its current review of handling issues in the waste and recycling industries to ensure that these are reflected in the Best Practice Kerbside Recycling Program. Key projects/outcomes for 2002-03 • Encouraging the uptake of the preferred service standards by contracting

councils and implementing the NPC transitional program • Continuing to support the recovery of recyclable materials through statewide

education and infrastructure programs. Key projects/outcomes for 2003-05

• EcoRecycle Victoria will continue to manage the best practice program to achieve a target of at least 80% of contracting councils participating in the program and 100% of sorters and collectors achieving accreditation.

• As a result of the program, kerbside materials recovery will increase 27% statewide.

Interim key performance indicators and targets 2002-03 to 2004-05

Key performance measures

Baseline 2001 Target end June 2005

% of councils implementing Best Practice Kerbside Recycling Program

8

65

NB: a number of councils have contracts expiring

post 30/6/05

% Household diversion rate or recyclables (i.e. containers and paper/cardboard) Metro Provincial Rural

25.6

18.0

15.8

To be established in the Strategy

Annual diversion of recyclables (i.e. containers and paper/cardboard)

337,000 tonnes

To be established in the

Strategy

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KERBSIDE RECYCLING FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 $ $ $

Education and campaigns 15,300 200,000 200,000Infrastructure support cf 34,995 Program support 40,747 43,192 45,783 Program total 91,042 243,192 245,783

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3. ADVISORY AND INFORMATION SERVICES Program outcome 2002-03 to 2004-05 EcoRecycle Victoria will be an acknowledged and authoritative reference source on waste reduction and sustainable resource use through its core competencies in change management, relationship management and communication. Background In recent years, EcoRecycle Victoria has gathered information from many sources about waste generation, waste avoidance and the activities of stakeholders from many sectors. Reports of projects and research have been published in hard copy and the Internet. An information line for the public has successfully responded to thousands of questions related to waste issues. The knowledge that EcoRecycle Victoria has built is one of its key assets. This asset now needs to be used more effectively both within the organisation in program development and implementation, but also made more accessible to all interested stakeholders in a form which best meets their needs. Strategy The Advisory and Information Services Program will enhance EcoRecycle Victoria’s strategic support through the promotion of successes to key stakeholders; building community support for waste issues; implementation of knowledge strategies; the effective use of Intranet, Internet and development of communities of practice extranets for specified stakeholder groups. In achieving this, processes, systems and information collection will be developed further to:

• provide leadership, assistance and quality advice • engage and build relationships with stakeholders • foster innovation • influence and educate stakeholder groups. EcoRecycle Victoria will develop an expanded information base, accessible to stakeholders through electronic means. Electronic publishing will be used to reduce waste and facilitate the targeted dissemination of information. Specific resources such as the EcoRecycle Victoria web site will be enhanced and promoted to ensure that all Victorians continue to have access to information and assistance programs in education, recycling and waste reduction.

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EcoRecycle Victoria will continue to work closely with Regional Waste Management Groups to support the implementation of regional plans and the success of local events. EcoRecycle Victoria will develop productive relationships with existing and new stakeholder groups and the community in the development and implementation of community engagement and waste reduction programs. Key projects/outcomes for 2002-03

• EcoRecycle Victoria’s web site will be rebuilt, upgraded and maintained for daily, weekly and annual content reviews.

• Extranet based community of practice will be identified and developed. • An Intranet covering processes, knowledge base access and data capture,

delivering first levels of input templates and filtered data will be implemented. • Key publications in a consistent format and style will be produced. • Records management system will be reviewed to ensure complete data

capture. • Core publications identified and published, with the emphasis on electronic

publishing. K

ey projects/outcomes for 2003-04 to 2004-05

Development of EcoRecycle Victoria portal as first stop for expertise in the waste management area.

Expansion of knowledge chain within EcoRecycle Victoria, including increased links to waste sources worldwide.

Knowledge sharing integrated into the EcoRecycle Victoria culture and daily operations.

All electronic publications available as information sheets from web. Internet site use will increase and calls to info-line and requests for hard-copy

publications will decrease. A more effective approach will be taken to identify stakeholder and community

views on waste issues so that programs are better targeted. Extranets developed for interactive support of key waste management sectors. Web site further targeted towards personalisation for stakeholder groups.

Interim Key performance indicators and targets 2002-03 to 2004-05

Key performance measures Baseline 2001

Target end June 2005

Internet site use

Baseline to be developed in 2002-03

Increase – to be quantified after

baseline determined Use of Infoline and requests for hard copy publications

Baseline to be developed in 2002-03

Decrease – to be quantified after

baseline determined

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ADVISORY & INFORMATION SERVICES FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 $ $ $

Knowledge and information management services 150,527 150,000 150,000 PR and publications 160,000 180,000 200,000Sponsorships 50,000 150,000 75,000Communications 90,000 90,000 90,000Program support 456,480 483,869 512,901 Program total 907,007 1,053,869 1,027,901

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4. WASTE REDUCTION IN INDUSTRY, COMMERCE

AND GOVERNMENT Program outcome 2002-03 to 2004-05 Through seamless partnerships, life cycle management approaches and development of sustainable markets, commerce, industry and government will be delivering agreed waste reduction targets. Background Commercial and industrial waste, including building and demolition wastes is the largest contributor of waste to landfill in Victoria. Approximately three million tonnes of non-municipal waste was disposed of to landfill in 2000-01, which represents 69% of the total waste stream. These materials are mostly recyclable, such as plastics, paper and cardboard, food organics, timber, brick and concrete. The constraints to diversion of these materials from landfill are often attitudinal rather than technological or financial and include:

• ineffective onsite segregation of recyclable materials • a lack of understanding of why wastes are produced • poor communication through supply chains • organisation of logistics management • inadequate cost accounting systems used by commerce, which do not capture

and report the true cost of generating waste • inadequate/immature markets for some materials. The diversion of end-of-use products from landfill and storage into deconstruction and recycling programs is a problem gaining more attention from government and the industry sectors themselves. EcoRecycle Victoria has worked with and supported projects with the electrical and electronic products industries on trial take-back programs. Developing these programs into commercial activities is now the challenge for industry and government. EcoRecycle Victoria has established and supports the Local Government Buy Recycled Alliance and the Waste Wise Government program to work in partnership with the public sector to develop waste wise recycling and purchasing practices. The Waste Wise Business program has been a tool used to influence business to take up waste avoiding practices. The program has been refined, based on operational experience, to better support the needs of commerce and industry and the ways in which EcoRecycle Victoria can work with these sectors to achieve sustainable outcomes.

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The collection of household chemicals is a necessary interim approach to safely handle the end-of-life issues surrounding a range of products in use in the community. EcoRecycle Victoria supports and funds this program statewide. The community’s growing support for this program highlights a community problem with these materials, especially paint and lube oils. This problem needs the cooperative efforts of these industries and government to find a sound, cost effective solution. Strategies Waste reduction programs will focus more on larger companies and supply chains, which generate significant quantities of waste. In particular, the supply chain approach is designed to engage small and medium sized industry in waste reduction programs that are driven by commercial relationships as well as environmental outcomes. EcoRecycle Victoria will also work with selected industry associations that can demonstrate a strong desire and ability to work with their members to achieve triple bottom line outcomes. Expressions of interest will be sought from associations in a number of key sectors (e.g. building, demolition, manufacturing) to enter into cooperative arrangements, including funding support. The Waste Wise Business program will be revamped to only give acknowledgment to actual achievements, and be linked more closely with existing programs such as the National Packaging Covenant and outcomes achieved through corporate environmental management systems. Increasing emphasis will be placed on product stewardship arrangements as a key part of sustainability covenants. This will require close working arrangements with EPA Victoria and counterpart organisations in NSW. The Strategy and Plan will set targets and detailed strategies developed for key sectors and materials, and these will guide future programs for:

• industry waste reduction through education and extension • strategic investment in infrastructure, and • market development support. Key projects/outcomes for 2002-03 • EcoRecycle Victoria will engage companies to work with their supply chains to

reduce waste, rethink logistics and processes and achieve value-adding outcomes.

• The Waste Wise Business program will be used to add value and support to existing industry initiatives such as the National Packaging Covenant Action Plans, Environmental Management Systems (EMS), for example ISO 14001, and product stewardship initiatives.

• EcoRecycle Victoria will work with selected industry associations that can demonstrate a strong desire and ability to work with their members to achieve triple bottom line outcomes.

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• EcoRecycle Victoria, through its supported programs such as the Local Government Buy Recycled Alliance, will engage stakeholders in local and state government to further improve their waste recycling and purchasing programs.

• There will be a stronger partnership of government agencies, including EcoRecycle Victoria, EPA Victoria, Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria and Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development involving sharing of information, program coordination and joint initiatives where appropriate.

• EcoRecycle Victoria, in conjunction with EPA Victoria, will cooperate with committed industries to support the development of product stewardship programs for end of life products and to support the establishment of voluntary sustainability covenants to give effect to these programs.

• The Waste Wise Government program will be developed to strongly support government-wide EMS initiatives.

Key projects/outcomes for 2003-04 to 2004-05 • There will be a targeted reduction in commercial and industrial waste to landfill

resulting from a genuine improvement in efficiency across manufacturing as well as improved markets for the diversion of materials. A funding support program will be introduced to assist, in line with the Strategy priorities.

• Market assistance and infrastructure grants will be focussed on priority wastes and materials, in line with the Strategy priorities.

• Sustainability covenants and/or product stewardship agreements will be completed for priority sectors and these will increasingly drive end of life programs.



Baseline 2001

Interim Target end June 2005

Non-municipal waste to landfill: Tonnes 3.0 m (2000-01) To be determined in the

Strategy and Plan Tonnes / $ gross state product

Estimated 18 tonnes per $million GSP (2000-01)

To be determined in the Strategy and Plan

Materials reprocessed 4,000,000 tonnes (2000-01)


Product stewardship

No programs established for key product sectors


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WASTE REDUCTION IN INDUSTRY, COMMERCE & GOVERNMENT FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005

$ $ $ Market development grants cf 468,899 Government programs inc. LGBRA & Commonwealth Games 2006 99,000 120,000 200,000Industry waste reduction assistance program (inc market development) 75,000 500,000 2,000,000Waste Wise Business promotion 20,000 25,000 25,000Product stewardship, Household Chemicals Collection 700,000 700,000 700,000Program support 794,451 842,118 892,646 Program Total 2,157,350 2,187,118 3,817,646

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5. GREEN WASTE ACTION PLAN Program outcome 2002-03 to 2004-05 There will be a 15% reduction in the amount of green waste going to landfill compared to 2000-01, and markets for recycled materials will be well established. Background Approximately 1.7 million tonnes of green waste is sent to landfill in Victoria each year, making up around 40% of the total waste stream. This consists of 24% garden waste, 44% food waste and 32% timber waste. The beneficial use of these materials as compost and mulch in agriculture, horticulture and landscaping can add value to these sectors whilst also reducing greenhouse emissions and significantly increasing landfill capacity for the future. Strategy To date, the absence of robust stable markets for recycled organic materials has limited waste diversion. The development of Australian Standards for composted materials and the accreditation of the first processors is a step toward the development of improved products and gaining greater market acceptance for these materials. However, significant barriers still need to be overcome. Market development activities will be pursued with major potential users: councils (through the Local Government Buy Recycled Alliance), VicRoads, residential and commercial developers, and the horticulture and viticulture industry. Waste to energy has been seen by some as potentially making a significant contribution to this sector in the future. This is an option of lower priority on the waste hierarchy than recovery and reuse and therefore the full costs and benefits of this will have to be investigated. The Strategy will identify future targets and key activities beyond 2002-03. Key projects/outcomes for 2002-03 • A detailed life cycle assessment of waste to energy technologies, composting

and home composting will be carried out to determine the full benefits compared to strategies just focusing on recycling and reuse.

• Resources will continue to be committed to support the development of markets for recycled organics as a driver for increased diversion of materials, particularly timber and commercial food organics.

• EcoRecycle Victoria will continue to work with the industry, particularly through Compost Victoria, to identify market development and awareness raising opportunities.

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Key projects/outcomes for 2003-04 to 2004-05 • While home composting will continue to be promoted and participation levels

increased there will be a shift in emphasis to promoting waste avoidance behaviours through greater awareness of the problem of domestic food organics.

• Through the uptake of accreditation across the industry, the image of waste derived composted materials will be greatly improved and traditional barriers to market development will come down.

• Market assistance and infrastructure grants will be used in building capacity in line with the State Strategy. As markets and facilities to serve them come on stream, municipal diversion programs can be further developed.



Baseline 1999/2000


Green waste in landfill per head of population

350 kg To be determined in the Strategy and Plan

Recycling rate (in total for timber, food organics and garden organics)

30% To be determined in the Strategy and Plan

Public participation in green waste programs • Home composting 66% (Public Views

2001) To be determined in the Strategy and Plan

• Green waste collections or drop-off

52% (Public Views 2001)


GREEN WASTE ACTION PLAN FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 $ $ $

Market development & campaigns 51,533 200,000 300,000Field trials cf 33,215 Infrastructure 280,144 100,000 200,000 Program support 65,839 69,789 73,976 Program total 430,731 369,789 573,976

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6. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION Program outcome 2002-03 to 2004-05 While continuing to effectively recycle, the Victorian community will be increasingly engaged in waste avoidance behaviours with greater emphasis on the reduction and reuse of materials based on a better understanding of whole-of-lifecycle issues.

Background Community engagement through formal programs such as statewide forums on key local community issues and also through processes and programs, which are open to the community, establishes the two-way communication to enable EcoRecycle Victoria to provide its services effectively. In 2001-02, community engagement forums were arranged on coastal litter, farm and silage waste, and closing the loop for waste materials in remote areas. Empowering other change agents to support waste and resource efficiency programs is one of EcoRecycle Victoria’s goals. Education is an important driver for change and EcoRecycle Victoria has developed a best practice schools program and community education network through the statewide support of Regional Education Officers (REOs) working with the Regional Waste Management Groups. The Waste Wise Events model is being used at major events around the state and is now being licensed interstate. Over 700 schools participate in the Waste Wise Schools program, and education centres supported in various ways by EcoRecycle Victoria achieve over 50,000 half-day visits per year. EcoRecycle Victoria has worked with Environment Victoria to develop a strategic framework to support the engagement of community and environmental groups in resource efficiency at a local level. This network of intersecting partnerships with the community, Regional Waste Management Groups, and local and state government agencies is the primary vehicle with which EcoRecycle Victoria is seeking to deliver the community change necessary to meet future sustainability objectives. Strategy EcoRecycle Victoria will review its engagement program to improve its effectiveness. This will explore new models for involvement of community groups, industry sectors, and schools. EcoRecycle Victoria will continue to support the core elements of the waste wise program for community change. This will focus on the continuation and expansion of the Waste Wise School program and teacher training activities.

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Priority activities for the network of Regional Education Officers will be to implement the waste education strategies that have been established by seventy out of seventy-eight councils across the State. The community capacity to support kerbside recycling, litter reduction, waste avoidance and sustainable development, will be increased through the provision of knowledge and the empowerment of new stakeholders and groups. Key projects/outcomes for 2002-03 • EcoRecycle Victoria will continue to support the core elements of the waste

wise program for community change, the Waste Wise School program and teacher training activities.

• Community and stakeholder forums will be held throughout the State for identified priority issues.

• Continue to support the network of regional education officers in targeted program implementation and through professional development and resources; priority will be given to implementation of Council education strategies, and litter prevention activities.

Key projects/outcomes for 2003-2005 • Continue a school-based program building on the success of the current

project. • Continue to support the regionally based education program; priority will be

given to implementation of Council education strategies, and litter prevention activities.


Key Performance Measures

Baseline June 2001 Target end June 2005

Amount of household waste

1.6 million tonnes To be determined in the Strategy and Plan

Number of Councils participating in Waste Wise Education strategies

70

78

Number of Councils assisted to be Waste Wise

50

60

Number of events assisted to be Waste Wise

23

35

Number of schools participating in the Waste Wise Schools

658

900

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Program Number of teachers trained in the Waste Wise Schools program

787

1100

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005

$ $ $ Community engagement 68,937 150,000 150,000Community education 600,005 50,000 50,000Schools education 244,100 240,000 250,000Program support 254,576 269,850 286,041 Program total 1,167,618 709,850 736,041

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7. LITTER PREVENTION AND CONTROL Program outcome 2002-03 to 2004-05 There will be a marked reduction in the amount of litter in public places and waterways resulting from changed community attitudes to littering. Background Litter is acknowledged by the community, local government and key agencies as a significant problem, costing the community around $50 million per annum to remove. The Victorian Government has established the Victorian Litter Action Alliance (VLAA) to provide a forum for developing statewide policies and strategies for litter abatement and to steer the implementation of Victoria’s Litter Reduction Strategy 1995. This includes ensuring a better understanding of the relationship of litter behaviour to the provision of community and event services. Recent changes in the legislation on litter will make enforcement easier to pursue, and this will facilitate more effective statewide and local programs, which combine education, infrastructure and enforcement. Strategy VLAA has identified the need to develop a best practice kit for litter to assist councils, litter prevention task forces and other management bodies. VLAA members (including EcoRecycle Victoria) have agreed to jointly fund a position of Litter Champion to champion best practice and promote the adoption of the best practice kit across the state. EcoRecycle Victoria will also provide management overhead support for the position. The collection of litter data (litter counts and behavioural data) is required to ensure that programs are well targeted and progress is assessed. Key projects/outcomes for 2002/03 • EcoRecycle Victoria will support the development of the litter best practice kit

and the promotion of litter best practice through the work of VLAA. • EcoRecycle Victoria will continue to contribute to the development and

implementation of the VLAA Business Plan. • EcoRecycle Victoria will work with EPA Victoria, Regional Waste Management

Groups and councils to facilitate integrated education, enforcement and infrastructure programs in priority areas and to assist the implementation of recent changes to the legislation.

• An agreed litter survey methodology will be implemented, involving behaviour, litter traps, ground based counts and waterways in an important step in the quantification of performance.

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• EcoRecycle Victoria will support the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria (KABV) Pride Awards through a sponsorship program.

• EcoRecycle Victoria will continue to support litter education in its schools program and by support for the implementation of council education strategies through the statewide network of Regional Education Officers.

• Continued support for grants focussed on litter prevention and abatement. Key projects/outcomes for 2003-04 to 2004-05 • Continued litter data collection. • Using litter survey protocols to set local goals and to identify hotspots,

EcoRecycle Victoria will promote improved planning and siting of facilities at events, public places and identified hot spots to reduce littering.

• We will support the work of VLAA to assist councils and management bodies to use the litter kit to develop improved local action plans.

Interim Key performance indicators and targets 2002-03 to 2004-05

Key performance

measures Baseline 2001 Target end June 2005

Public Views Survey 27% respondents saying there is less litter 46% respondents saying there is about the same amount of litter


Litter counts Benchmark in 2002-03


Behavioural Index Benchmark in 2002-03


LITTER PREVENTION & CONTROL FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 $ $ $

VLAA best practice program 100,000 100,000 100,000 Litter data collection 60,000 60,000 60,000 Schools anti-litter program 50,000 50,000 50,000Campaigns/advertising 128,790 250,000 250,000Litter prevention and abatement grants 100,000 100,000 100,000Sponsorship 99,500 100,000 Program Support 65,839 69,789 73,976 Program Total 604,129 729,789 633,976

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8. INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT Program outcome 2002-03 to 2004-05 Victoria will be serviced by well-located regional landfills and local transfer stations designed, constructed and managed to best practice standards.

Background The development of the physical capacity to collect, sort, process and exchange wastes is fundamental to realising their resource value and to reducing the dependence on landfill as a disposal route. Reducing the number of smaller landfills in favour of larger and better designed regional facilities is a state priority. EcoRecycle Victoria has provided over $12 million in funding to support infrastructure development in Victoria since 1997-98, in accordance with the needs identified in Regional Waste Management Plans. Of the 223 projects either completed or on-going at the end of 2001-02, 73% have been local government projects and 27% assisting private sector and not-for-profit organisations. Sixty-eight percent are rural projects and 32% urban, reflecting the need for the development of rural waste handling capacity. The development of these resource recovery facilities has been guided, where appropriate, by Best Practice Guidelines for Transfer Stations, which have been developed by EcoRecycle Victoria. The Municipal Survey 2002 and Annual Survey of Victorian Recycling Industries 2000-2001 have shown that the number of landfills has decreased by 20% in 2001 and that resource recovery has increased 20% over the previous year. These results justify the on-going commitment to infrastructure support and demonstrate the success of the program in supporting Victoria’s waste management goals. EcoRecycle Victoria’s three-year program to support the rehabilitation of unlicensed landfills through the Regional Waste Management Groups has been completed in 2001-02. A total of $1 million was committed to this program. Strategy The Strategy and Plan will identify strategic priorities for infrastructure for dealing with both municipal and solid industrial waste across the state. Funding support programs will be developed and implemented by EcoRecycle Victoria in line with the Strategy and Plan.

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Key projects/outcomes for 2002-03 • Manage and complete 84 active infrastructure projects with a total contribution

from EcoRecycle Victoria of $2.4 million. • Finalise contracts for all 2001/02 projects, which are currently in the planning

permit stage. EcoRecycle Victoria funding $1.5 million. • Initiate a targeted strategic infrastructure support program for funding through

subsequent financial years. Key projects/outcomes for 2003-04 to 2004-05 • Establish a new infrastructure development support program in accordance

with the priorities identified in the Strategy . Interim key performance indicators and targets 2002-03 to 2004-05

Key performance measures Baseline 2001


Number of landfills

156 (municipal survey) To be determined in the Strategy and Plan

Number of transfer stations and resource recovery facilities

248 To be determined in the Strategy and Plan

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 $ $ $

Infrastructure cf 2,349,829 New infrastucture grants (C & I and Municipal) 250,000 3,000,000 4,000,000Program support 158,012 167,494 177,543 Program total 2,757,841 3,167,494 4,177,543

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APPENDIX NATIONAL PACKAGING COVENANT KERBSIDE RECYCLING TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS Program outcome Kerbside recycling across the state is firmly established on a sustainable basis, employing best practice collection to supply robust primary and secondary markets. Rationale and strategies The National Packaging Covenant Business Plan Incorporating Operational Arrangements for Kerbside Recycling Groups and the National Packaging Covenant Kerbside Recycling Transitional Arrangements requires states to prepare work plans, which will: • ensure effective restructuring of the kerbside and related recycling systems

during the transitional period of the National Packaging Covenant • facilitate and assist local government to implement efficient recycling collection

systems in accordance with agreed service standards • increase the size and diversity of markets for recycled materials • raise community understanding of the range of factors that impact on the

kerbside collection system at a local level. The key activity within the Victorian Work Plan is the establishment of the Best Practice Kerbside Recycling Program to enable the implementation of sustainable and efficient recycling collection systems in accordance with agreed service standards. Approximately fifty municipalities have kerbside recycling contracts, which are due to be tendered over the three years of the program. Based on the experience of the Best Practice Kerbside Development Program, it is anticipated that at least 80% of municipalities will join the program. Details of the basis for the Preferred Service Standards have been published by EcoRecycle Victoria. Victorian Government funding will be provided for ongoing implementation of the Best Practice Kerbside Development Program for the remainder of councils yet to implement the program. Performance Measures 2000-01 to 2002-03 Measures for evaluating the overall performance of the Best Practice Kerbside Recycling Program and the establishment of targets.

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Number of councils implementing the Best Practice Kerbside Recycling Program:

End of 2000-01 12 End of 2001-02 15 End of 2002-03 17 Total 44

ACTIONS FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 $ $ $

Best practice kerbside funding 3,770,000 2,430,000 Yet to be determined

Education support materials and funds

85,000 62,000 Yet to be determined

Program support 72,000 74,000 Yet to be determined

Program total: 3,930,000 2,570,000 Yet to be determined

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