Energy from Waste in Australia — is there a future?
14 March, 2016 by Dr Ron Wainberg, Technical Director, MRA Consulting GroupEnergy from Waste (EfW) is very well established overseas, but in Australia it has yet to get off the ground. The reasons for this are to be found in a complex combination of different historical factors: adequate landfill capacity, poor financial incentives, unfavourable public perceptions and lack of government policy support. While these are changing, they have combined in the past to prevent any meaningful EfW projects from gaining traction. But the position is changing.
A refuse-collecting robot
29 February, 2016The Volvo Group, three universities and waste recycling company Renova have developed a robot that automatically collects and empties refuse bins, with the help of a drone on the roof of the refuse truck.
Source Separated Organic Waste Method now approved
17 February, 2016The Sourced Separated Organic Waste Method provides an incentive for business, local government and charity organisations to divert organic waste from landfill.
Washdown facility to protect agricultural land
22 January, 2016A heavy-vehicle washdown facility, opened in the town of Dalby, Queensland, will minimise and control the spread of weed seed throughout the region.
Battery Rescue UNISEG Pallet and Battery Rescue Collection Service
09 December, 2015Battery Rescue's UNISEG Pallet has been designed for the storage, collection and direct transportation of used lead acid batteries (ULABs). The chemical- and acid-proof pallet incorporates a liquid-retaining bund area to capture up to 25 L of acid leaks and is weather resistant when closed.
The state of origin of waste: NSW vs Qld
09 December, 2015 by Mike Ritchie, Director, MRA Consulting GroupIn the business sector, most of the economically viable waste streams are already being recycled. But for many waste streams, the inherent commodity value is just too low to justify the costs of recovery.
Your litter is watching you
07 December, 2015British researchers have found that people are less likely to drop litter if the item in question has printed eyes on it.
South Australia considers pay-as-you-throw scheme
24 November, 2015 by Mike Ritchie, Director, MRA Consulting GroupSouth Australia's suggested waste management reforms discuss the concept of 'pay as you throw' or 'save as you throw' variable-rate pricing for waste services.
WMAA launches new waste conference
19 November, 2015The Waste Management Association of Australia will next year hold WasteNSW 2016 — the first WMAA NSW waste and resource recovery conference run by the industry, for the industry.
Investment opportunities in Victoria's waste and resource recovery sector
12 October, 2015The Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Investment Prospectus is a plan to support investment and create new jobs in the state's waste and resource recovery sector through collaborations with other government agencies.
Suez to buy Sembcorp Industries' stake in SembSita Pacific
24 September, 2015Suez Environnement has signed an agreement with Singaporean company Sembcorp Industries — an energy, water and marine group — to purchase the latter's 40% stake in SembSita Pacific for $485 million.
Frankston is Victoria's Sustainable City of the Year
24 September, 2015As part of Frankston City's Draft Waste Minimisation and Management Plan, the municipality is comparing its waste disposal statistics with the rest of Victoria — with positive results.
Remediation should be safe, effective and consultative, says ARCADIS
16 September, 2015A representative from ARCADIS has claimed that government and industry need to think twice and involve local citizens before they rush in and remove toxic contaminants from a polluted site.
Proposed levy for a National Paint Product Stewardship Scheme
14 September, 2015The ACCC proposes to authorise the Australian Paint Manufacturers' Federation, Paint Stewardship and certain paint manufacturers to introduce a 15 cents per litre levy to support a National Paint Product Stewardship Scheme.
Best practice organics collection in Albury Wodonga
11 September, 2015The councils of the Albury Wodonga region have set the best practice benchmark for food and garden waste (FOGO) recycling in Australia, following their recent commencement of combined garden and food collection services for households.
