Technology is often cited as a solution to an increasing waste problem. However, technology in itself will not provide a sustainable solution to the waste issue.
A triangulated approach to waste management is required addressing policy and drivers and infrastructure and behavioural change collectively. Although addressing each of these issues in isolation can increase the levels of recycling and landfill diversion, it is more effective to address these issues in parallel, using an integrated approach. It is important to understand the interaction and implications of addressing one area over others.
The recycling and diversion targets identified within the Queensland Waste Strategy will require a systematic change in the way waste management is delivered.
The term “waste management” refers to managing a problem; a material of no use at the end of its life. Across the world, this term is migrating to “resource management” in recognition of the inherent value contained in waste realised through re-use and recycling systems. More recently, policies on sustainable resource management and climate change have extended the debate further to “carbon management”, in recognition of the contribution waste management can have on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the waste we produce. This can be achieved by reducing the quantity of organic material sent to landfill and increasing the quantity of material recycled or recovering energy from it, which reduces the use of fossil fuels.
The context of the new Queensland waste strategy
The proposed waste strategy for Queensland provides a clear direction and focus for waste and resource management for the next decade by focusing on waste avoidance, the more effective use of resources and resource recovery. While the targets set within the strategy are challenging, the introduction of the disposal levy for commercial and industrial (C&I) waste and construction and demolition (C&D) wastes should provide an economic incentive for businesses to change their behaviour. However, to be successful, the necessary infrastructure has to be developed and there has to be a demand for recycled material. If disposal bans for priority products are to be phased in, the timetable for such a programme has to be developed quickly. This will provide a degree of certainty for industry and allow the necessary investment in infrastructure to be made with greater confidence.
Linked to this is the need to ensure that any markets developed for recycled products maximise the benefits of recycling by ensuring that both market development programmes and local authority sustainable product procurement strategies are in place. The strategy refers to the need to increase materials recycling and the establishment of new markets. Careful consideration is required to ensure high-quality material is achieved (thereby minimising excessive processing and reject costs). This can be achieved by enforcing material quality standards for dry recyclables and organic materials. All recycling markets should, where possible, aim to service high-end value market applications and seek to minimise the life cycle impact from different materials and products.
A triangulated approach to waste management
Increased levels of recycling can be achieved through policy drivers, the introduction of infrastructure or a focus on behaviour change, eg introducing a landfill levy or Materials Recycling Facilities (MRF), or because environmentally conscious people will recycle regardless of any system or approach. However, whilst you can have good policies and the best infrastructure in place, without a motivated population, material quantities and quality could be compromised.
Delivering “effective waste management” relies on these three areas developing together in an integrated way because decisions in one area directly influence the performance of another.
How these areas can help increase waste recycling
Waste consists of many different materials which vary in quantity, shape, size, density and ability to combust and have different potential for recovery, either as heat and energy or as a secondary product. To understand how to implement policies to achieve, for example, resource efficiency, it is necessary to understand what materials are available and then select the most appropriate approach to minimise, collect, treat, recover and only then dispose of these materials.
What underpins each of these areas is robust data from which informed decisions can be made. It is critical to have a good understanding of the quantity and composition of the different waste streams which need to be managed. There’s an old saying: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” This is certainly true for the waste industry. Where systems or protocols are not in place to capture this data, priority should be given to developing these so:
- any change can be measured and the impact of the change in meeting a policy objective can be determined
- the technology design configuration required to process the expected input waste is known, minimising risk and cost to all parties involved
- the impact of behavioural change can be measured.
© Sinclair Knight Merz
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Who does this affect?
Government and operators of waste management facilities
What do I need to do?
Gain an understanding of the implications of the new Draft Queensland Waste Strategy and how it impacts resource management
Author: Dr Darren Perrin, Principal Consultant / Team Leader
Darren is a chartered waste manager at SKM Enviros with over 10 years’ experience in the waste industry, mainly in consultancy. His key expertise is in waste composition, recycling collection and separation systems, scheme performance monitoring, waste strategy and waste technologies. Darren was a trainer on a two-year project funded by UK Government departments providing advice and guidance on waste composition, strategy and the performance of different residual waste treatment technologies to local authorities across England.
© Sinclair Knight Merz
Requests to re-publish achieve articles should be made here