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Support for Waste Reduction in South Australia

Vaughan LevitzkeActing Chief Executive Zero Waste SA

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South Australian Waste Waste disposal is increasing

– increased from 860,000 tpy in 1995/6 to 1.12million tpy in 2002/03

Its diversity is increasing– Plastics, multi-layered packaging, coatings, treatments,

chemicals

Recycling is increasing– Building and demolition wastes now approx. 64%– Domestic waste recycling (Plastics, glass, metals, paper and

cardboard recycling continues to improve), now approx. 23%– Commercial waste recycling increasing to approx. 50%– Employment in these industries is also increasing– We recycled approx 1.3m tonnes last year

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Waste to landfill

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Metropolitan Waste tonnage = revenue

Building/ Demo52%

Special4%

Commercial16%

Domestic28%

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Global Imperatives for Waste Reduction Sustainability

Concepts– Intergenerational

equity– De-materialisation of

the economy– The “Triple bottom

line” approach– Extended Producer

Responsibility– Waste Hierarchy– Zero Waste

Drivers and tools– Public opinion– Increasing consumerism– Waste growth– landfills, incinerators and

health– Climate change– More eco-efficient use of

resources– Increasing costs /value of

raw materials /virgin resources

– Life Cycle Analysis of products

– Ecological footprint analysis

– Technological change– Trade

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Drivers for change in SA Funding /resources, costs Regulatory role vs non regulatory role Need a “champion” to progress change New Government policy commitments Community attitudes Technology, Planning, Infrastructure Expertise knowledge Sustainability agenda Closure of Wingfield

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Change is needed- urgently

It is no longer acceptable to argue that it simply costs too much to implement the change

What will be the cost if we don’t, and we missed the opportunity?

There is strong government commitment to this change

Local government and industry must play their part in the change.

South Australia is in a unique position to learn from others and take the next leap forward.

– Its not easy- otherwise we would have done this before!

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The ZERO WASTE Bill

Passed Parlt- Proclamation– Regulations re appointments to Board positions

outstanding

Establishes Zero Waste SA– Objectives principles and Functions– Powers– Chief Executive & Board of Zero Waste SA

Business plan and Annual reporting– Waste to Resources Fund– Waste Strategy– Funding

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3-year Business Plan Waste Strategy

• Development• Auditing and monitoring

Local Govt regional waste plans*• Development• Monitoring• Assistance- Now

Education• Schools• Local Govt- packages for adoption, advisory and

info service*• Industry

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Promote Zero Waste objectives• Promotion• Public Events*

Infrastructure and Investment– Infrastructure support for the Recycling

Industry• Metro Adelaide*• Regional infrastructure*• Industry

– Best Practice metro rural and regional councils*

• Funds tied to strategy development*

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Waste Reduction-Industry, Govt and Community– Industry accreditation– Greening of Government– Household hazardous waste collection*- Now– Plastic shopping bags

• Local govt program*• Schools and community groups

Litter and illegal dumping– KESAB – Cigarette butts*- Now

R&D– In-vessel composting

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For Councils?

Waste strategy/ plan development assistance

Infrastructure assistance based on the plan Zero Waste Councils Education assistance HHHaz waste collection Litter reduction Green events R&D In-direct market development, greening

programs, r&d

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Regional Waste Plans

Not about – single issues– adopting a new system– only domestic waste– council infrastructure

It is about working together,– Achieving economies of scale,– Sharing information,– Minimising costs to the community– Identifying opportunities– Giving the community what it demands

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Infrastructure support

Must have the support of the region and the council and the regional plan

Must be consistent with and meet ZWSA business plan objectives

Must meet best practice standards, including OH&S, EPA requirements, council planning and building requirements

Must be consistent with the State Waste Strategy Not for land, education, promotion, marketing,

R&D, investigations. Not retrospective. ZWSA will have a formal call for EOI from

councils and others

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Landfill is Stone-age Technology

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Zero Waste Councils

Best practice kerbside collection, contracting, sorting etc

Outcome oriented ie systems that achieve yields and diversion from landfill

Based on a comprehensive regional strategy

$ Per tenement/ household basis Details to be developed, however based on

Eco-Recycle Victoria Funds should be used in waste

management/ recycling initiatives of council.

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Summary-

Assistance with planning at regional and local levels

Assistance with infrastructure costs- MRFs, transfer, recycling depots, drop off,

Assistance in achieving best practice ($ value per rateable property)

Assistance with education, information, data collection, litter control, advice.

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A Statutory Waste Strategy for SA Required to provide the policy

framework outlining objectives and priorities required for reform

Will emphasise waste as a resource, waste avoidance, increased reuse and recycling

Emphasise the establishment of waste processing and recycling infrastructure

Discourage disposal of waste to landfill and additional landfill sites

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Waste Strategy cont’d

Guide efforts of State and Local government, business and community in waste avoidance, reduction, reuse, recycling and resource recovery

Strategy to be prepared, implemented and maintained by Zero Waste SA

EPA and Planning decisions must have regard to the strategy

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How will Zero Waste operate?

Partnerships– Commonwealth, State Govt, Local Govt and

industry– NGO’s (eg KESAB) and EPA– Other similar organisations interstate (Eco-

recycle, NSW) Leverage funding from other sectors Set strategic directions Consult with, facilitate and empower people

and groups to achieve change

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Portfolio Structure

O ffice of S ustainabilit y

Departm ent for Environm ent and Heritag e EPA Zero W aste SA Departm ent of Land W ater B iodiversit y

M inister for Environm ent and C onservation

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Thanks

Questions?