Environmental Outcomes Australia 
News
| May 2015 | Tesla Powerpack |
Tesla Energy, the energy arm of automotive company Tesla Motors, has released its Powerwall, a wall-mounted energy storage unit that can hold 10 kilowatt hours of electric energy, and deliver it at an average of 2 kilowatts. It is complemented by a commercial system termed the Powerpack offering 100 kWh storage, and a stack of 100 such units to form a 10 megawatt hour storage unit that can be used at the scale of small electricity grids.
With the potential for large scale power storage, the viability of renewable energy sources for domestic and small business users becomes much stronger, with the potential problems of erratic power generation from renewable such as solar power or wind power, being largely overcome.
| May 2015 | Mobile muster |
MobileMuster are calling for mobile recycling for World Environment Day on 5th June. To get involved, all you need to do is find a recycling champion. It could be you, your 
manager, the CEO, the IT manager or the office-recycling guru (every office has one).Once you've successfully recruited your recycling champion all you need to do is take a photo of them with their unused mobile phone and have them include a comment on why they've been hoarding it. Then use this graphic for internal messages or on social media to encourage others to recycle. It's as simple as that! MobileMuster has developed a range of tools and promotional collateral including tips and life hacks on going e-waste free. You can get these resources by visiting the MobileMuster website, giving them a call on 1300 730 070 or emailing mobilemuster@amta.org.au.
| May 2015 | SEE Sustainable Experience |
To be held in Brisbane 18 - 20 June 2015, SEE Sustainable Experience is focused on protecting and promoting Queensland’s built environment by providing a unique showcase of sustainable products and solutions underpinned by education. SEE Sustainable Experience will tie together case studies with sustainable solutions while offering integrated educational options within a value-led and relaxed networking environment. For more information and to register your interest in attending, visit www.seesustainableexperience.com.au
| May 2015 | Revised NTRCS targets released |
The Commonwealth has released a discussion paper offering revised targets for the national TV and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS). The discussion paper follows a national review of the scheme initiated in November 2014 - with the original scheme sending many processors broke and leaving huge stockpiles. With the review under way, experts have released a list of 10 key outcomes needed to restore industry confidence.
| May 2015 | NSW releases largest ever C+I survey |
NSW has released the findings of its largest ever commercial and industrial (C+I) waste material stream audit. The data set, now available from the NSW EPA, is Australia's most comprehensive and current analysis of the C+I waste material stream. The survey covers both metro and regional areas, although 80% of the C+I waste materials in NSW were generated in the Sydney metro area. As well as providing a comprehensive data set, the survey results also point to recovery opportunities based on both sector and material type. Key recoverable materials in the C+I stream are fibre, organics, plastics and metals.
| May 2015 | PREPare Yourself for Better Packaging |
Planet Ark has a new tool that allows you to assess whether packaging is recyclable in Australian kerbside systems. This tool, titled the Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Portal (PREP), has been designed to give packaging designers nationally relevant, up-to-date and independent information on the recyclability (in kerbside systems) of the items they produce. PREP is an online tool where designers enter the details of a new packaging item including the different materials, components and information about its use and disposal. The tool then generates a report, which deems the item as 'recyclable', 'recyclable with lost value' or 'not recyclable', along with information about why it received that rating. visit the PREP website
| April 2015 | New e-waste facility |
A new e-waste processing and training facility at Bendigo’s Radius Environmental Services will provide meaningful employment opportunities for people living with a disability. The Bendigo facility will aim to keep up to 160 tonnes of e-waste out of the local landfill each year.
| April 2015 | New Minister in NSW |
Mark Speakman has been appointed as the new NSW Environment Minister, replacing Rob Stokes. He is the NSW Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage and Assistant Minister for Planning.
| April 2015 | GBCA-GBIG partnership to showcase Australian green buildings globally |
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the US-based Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) have partnered with an aim to showcase Australia’s certified green buildings and future possibilities to global investors and decision-makers. GBIG, is an online platform featuring data and case studies on green building projects, portfolios, people and places around the world, currently includes 1.3 million activities representing more than 200 types of certifications, awards, case studies and disclosures in over 5000 geographic locations. While the database is freely available to everyone, GBCA members will have special access to additional features, such as regular updates on new certifications, awards, case studies, disclosures, and other green building activities.
| April 2015 | New GECA approvals for cleaning products |
In the last 6 months several companies have added products to the range of GECA approved cleaning chemicals under GECA's Cleaning Products standard
- Hunter Industrials range of GECA certified products includes toilet cleaners, disinfectants, multi-purpose cleaners, floor cleaners, window cleaners and deodorants. Hunter Industrials is a wholly Australian owned family business specialising in the distribution of cleaning chemicals and associated cleaning products.
- DLH Solutions has gained GECA certification for its Eco-Red product. Eco-Red , designed to have a unique method of action to continually lift and clean away oil. It's 99% biodegradable within 21 days and is described as being a "completely safe, all-purpose cleaner". DLH Solutions is a privately owned business based in Sydney, Australia, with over 15 years experience in the oil spillage industry. Products are made in house from local and imported materials.
- Bio Natural Solutions provides a range of different specialised cleaning products, several of which are certified. The Australian owned and operated cleaning solutions company was established in 2008.
| April 2015 | First ERF auction closes at $14 per tonne |
The first ERF auction results involved CER selling 47 million tonnes of abatement at an average price of $13.95 per tonne. CER awarded 107 Carbon Abatement Contracts totaling a value of $660 million. The complete list of successful contractors, the contract length and abatement volume is available here.
| March 2015 | New Green star rating tools |
The Green Building Council of Australia has streamlined its systems for rating a range of different building projects. This means new projects seeking a Green Star rating won’t be using the legacy tools, but existing projects that have already applied for certification or register before December 2015 can continue under the older tools. The changes mean that there is now a wider scope of projects that can apply for a Green Star rating. It also means that manufacturers and suppliers of products with sustainability credentials behind them may find it easier to be specified into projects thanks to the increased importance that the Sustainable Products credit provides: the stronger their credentials, the more they are worth in Green Star projects.
| March 2015 | GECA releases new refrigerants standard |
Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) has released a new standard for refrigerants. The standard covers refrigerants used in domestic and industrial air conditioning systems, domestic and industrial refrigerators, and vehicle air conditioning systems. There are revised criteria to set new environmental benchmarks and reflect industry changes. Manufacturers who meet GECA’s standard will also meet the requirements for the “refrigerant impacts” credit in the “emissions” category of the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star “Design & As Built” and “Interiors” ratings tools.
GECA’s new standard requires that refrigerants must have an ozone depletion potential equal to zero, as well as a global warming potential of less than 10. The standard also sets out requirements for packaging, which must be easily recyclable or subject to a product stewardship take-back arrangement with the manufacturer or agent. A copy of the standard is available here.
| March 2015 | NSW Bin Trim |
The NSW Environment Protection Authority has produced Bin Trim : an Excel tool that helps measure business waste and gives tailored information to reduce, reuse and recycle materials. Bin Trim is a quick and easy tool that will provide a profile of current waste and recycling and a tailored Bin Trim plan to reduce, reuse and recycle. Download Bin Trim and see how you can save.
The Bin Trim Business Grants program funds waste assessments for small and medium-sized businesses. The assessors undertake free assessments, produce tailored action plans and provide support to businesses to reduce waste and increase recycling. Businesses assessed by an EPA-funded Bin Trim assessor may be eligible for a rebate to help with the cost of recycling equipment. Contact: 1300 361 967 or Bin.Trim@epa.nsw.gov.au.
Round 2 opened on Monday 4 May 2015. Closing time for applications: 4pm Monday 15 June 2015. march
| March 2015 | Commonwealth calls for radioactive dump site |
The Australian Government has opened the process for voluntary site nominations for a national radioactive materials management facility. Landholders in all states and territories can nominate land for a facility to safely store Australia’s intermediate level waste materials and dispose of low level waste materials, under the National Radioactive Waste Management Act 2012. Australia has 4,248 cubic metres of low level and 656 cubic metres of intermediate level radioactive materials in temporary storage.
An Independent Advisory Panel has been established by the Department of Industry and Science to assist with assessing nominations and advising the Government on which sites may be suitable for a facility. Sites will be assessed against important criteria and objectives including community well-being; stable environment; environmental protection; health, safety and security; and economic viability. Extensive public consultation will be undertaken during every stage of the project.
| March 2015 | Review of hazardous materials export |
The Australian Government has released the Interim Report of the National Review of Environmental Regulation. The review covers all aspects of environmental regulation, regarding waste material management and proposes to, "undertake a staged approach to the reform of Hazardous Waste (Regulations of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 and .will initially focus on streamlining and deregulatory opportunities within the current scope of the legislation.
| March 2015 | SA installs first automated CDS machine |
Automated barcode scanning machines are being rolled out in South Australia to support the State's container deposit system. The automated recycling stations are able to scan up to 400 beverage container per minutes, and give a docket to the depositor. This docket shows the exact value of the cans, and can be redeemed for cash. The new machines is part of the Pooraka Bottle and Can recycling depot. While such machines have been used in Europe and Asia for some time, this is the first time such a machine has been installed in Australia.
| March 2015 | Waste Aid to create NSW Aboriginal community strategy |
Australian charity Waste Aid will create a NSW wide strategy for waste material management in Aboriginal and remote communities. Waste Aid seeks to improve the sanitation and recycling outcomes in remote and disadvantaged communities, many of which are home to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Now, Waste Aid's program to develop a strategy for remote communities has been funded by a $280,000 grant awarded under the NSW Government’s Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.
| March 2015 | Indoor Air Quality |
A world-first technology developed by the University of Sydney will soon be available to more accurately measure Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) in buildings. The device known as SAMBA is highly sophisticated and was created by researchers from the IEQ Lab within the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning. It can monitor aspects from thermal comfort, indoor air quality, humidity, air speed, light levels, acoustics and carbon dioxide concentrations via a suite of small sensors placed throughout buildings. SAMBA is designed to act as “a building’s eyes, ears, nose and skin”. Multiple units would ideally be placed in an office to capture the indoor environmental factors in different locations, which then gets fed back in real time to a central server for analysis. SAMBA was given the ‘Weapons of Mass Creation’ innovation award at the Green Cities 2015 conference in Melbourne yesterday.
| February 2015 | OECD: environmental standards don't stymie productivity |
A new study from the OECD has found that stronger environmental protections have little effect on productivity in advanced economies. The study - titled Do Environmental Policies Matter for Productivity Growth? Insights from New Cross-Country Measures of Environmental Policies - looks at the effect of all environmental policies across 24 OECD countries including Australia, over two decades. It finds that - "there is no empirical evidence of permanent effects of environmental policy tightening on multifactor productivity growth (MFP), positive or negative."
The study also looks at the relative strength of environmental policies across OECD nations, including: taxes, trading schemes, feed in tariffs, direct refund schemes, emissions standards and research and development grants. It finds that environmental protection standards in Australia are below the OECD average. While Australian standards are higher than countries including Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Hungary - they are lower than the United States, Germany, Canada, Japan and South Korea. Denmark was found to be the country with the highest environmental standards overall - with Australian standards roughly equal to those in France.
| February 2015 | Steven Miles named Qld Environment Minister |
Steven Miles has been named Queensland's new Environment Minister. Miles replaces
Andrew Powell as the new Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection following Labor’s win in the Queensland election. Dr Steven Miles is the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef. The avid Bronco and Roar supporter also runs a local business in Mt Coot-Tha and is accredited with a PhD from University of Queensland. Steven has a PhD in Political Science and a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Queensland. Prior to entering Parliament, Steven was Managing Director of Reveille Strategy, a Market Research and Communications company.
| February 2015 | Tier 3 standard now mandatory for government equipment |
The NSW EPA is now implementing mandatory Tier 3 standards for all government purchased equipment. The news follows the release of the Diesel and Marine Emissions Management Strategy - designed to reduce fine particulates from non-road diesel equipment. From January 1 2015, mobile non-road diesel plant and equipment purchased by NSW Government agencies must meet minimum performance standards that are:
- • US EPA Tier 3 or EU Stage IIIA compliant for engines 19 to 560 kW
- • US EPA Tier 2 or EU Stage II compliant for engines greater than 560 kW.
From January 1 2018, the standards will tighten, and the minimum performance standard for newly purchased mobile non-road diesel plant and equipment must be US EPA Tier 4 or EU Stage IV compliant.
| February 2015 | Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Green Star rating |
The Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Green Star rating saw a 43 percent increase in certifications in the last year, with 150 projects during 2014 compared to 105 in 2013. The increase is evident of the property and construction industry’s continuous shift towards sustainability. Additionally, there are 115 new Green Star projects that have been registered during 2014. Currently there are 796 Green Star certified projects around Australia, with an additional 392 registered to achieve ratings.
| February 2015 | Brisbane Airport achieves Green Star rating |
The Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has been awarded the inaugural 4 Star Green Star – Communities rating for the Brisbane Airport site, comprising 2700 hectares of land which is aimed to house more than 50 commercial office, mixed use, retail and industrial buildings. Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Green Star – Communities is one of the world’s first independent national schemes designed to assess and certify the sustainability of large-scale master planned development projects. The rating system involves ongoing certification, with a ‘check back’ required within three years to verify that the project is delivering the desired outcomes. The rating was based on the site’s assessment against benchmarks for liveability, economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, design excellence, governance and innovation.
| January 2015 | NSW to introduce container deposits |
A 10 cent container deposit scheme will be introduced in NSW. It is understood that reverse vending machines will be used for some collection points.
| January 2015 | Queensland releases waste strategy |
Queensland released a waste strategy, aspiring to an additional 15% landfill diversion over ten years. The strategy comes in the context of Queensland being the only Australian jurisdiction to suffer from a declining resource recovery rate.
The strategy aims to lift 2012-2013 recovery rates from:
- Household (MSW) from 33% to 50% in 2024
- Commercial from 42% to 55% in 2024
- Construction and demolition waste from 61% to 80%
- The strategy also sets out a landfill diversion target of 15% (by mass) over the next 10 years.
| January 2015 | NSW EPA: interstate waste tracking now mandatory |
The NSW EPA will make the tracking of interstate waste mandatory from March 1, 2015. Under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014, the NSW EPA introduced new requirements for waste consignors and waste transporters to track the transport of waste from the Metropolitan Levy Area (MLA) to another State or Territory. From 1 March 2015 these waste consignors and waste transporters will be required to use the EPA’s Online Waste Tracking System to lodge details about the consignment, including details of the interstate facility receiving the waste. This requirement is outlined in Part 5 of the Waste Regulation and it will apply to all waste transported interstate from the MLA, with some exceptions found here.
| January 2015 | The NT Waste strategy |
The Northern Territory EPA has released its inaugural Waste Strategy. The draft Strategy sets a basic framework for establishing waste management systems and improving resource recovery in the region. It proposes to do this via four mechanisms:
- Engaging with stake holders;
- Improving rates of resource recovery, managing high-risk landfills and planning for future and emergency waste;
- Improving the regulatory framework; and
- Improving waste data collection.
| January 2015 | GECA releases new paper and recycled product standards |
Three new standards for paper and recycled products from Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA)have been released. GECA’s Paper and Stationery Products, Sanitary Paper Products and Recycled Products standards have been updated from previous standards, with an expanded scope and revised criteria to set new environmental benchmarks for the products they cover. The Paper and Stationery Products standard covers paper and stationery products sold in Australia. The Sanitary Paper Products standard covers toilet paper, facial tissues, paper towels, table napkins, general purpose wipes and other paper products used for cleaning or personal hygiene. GECA’s Recycled Products standard is applicable to products made from at least 50% recycled glass, plastics, rubber, timber, and fill and foundation materials such as sand and gravel.
GECA’s new paper standards aim to promote:
- Sustainable management of forests to minimise ecosystem disturbance
- A reduction in toxic and polluting emissions to air and water
- A reduction in energy usage and encouraging energy from renewable sources
- The reduction of environmental damage or risks related to the use of hazardous chemicals.
- Improvements in waste management, as considerable quantities of waste may be generated between the raw material stage and the completed paper product.
| December 2014 | Replas opens Qld plastics recovery plant |
Replas has officially opened its new recycling plant in Queensland. The 3,000 square metre purpose-built facility is the only operation in Queensland able to process a full range of plastic packaging materials. The Gold Coast centre will initially make the Brolga Bollard - a post designed specifically for the Queensland market and winner of the Civenex 2014 Best Environmental Product Award. Once the Brolga is in full production, it is expected to consume 30,000 kg of soft plastics each month, largely sourced through the Coles REDcycle program. Replas anticipates that as support grows from local councils the range of products produced in the Queensland facility can be expanded helping to grow jobs and recover additional resources.
The Commonwealth Government has released a database of all of Australia's 208 hazardous waste facilities. The dataset, available from the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, is focused on identifying key sites and facilities across Australia which receive, store, process, treat and dispose of hazardous wastes.
| December 2014 | Australian hazardous waste facility dataset now available |
ether these are in liquid, solid or sludge forms. The data reveals Australia has a total of 208 hazardous waste facilities, including landfills licenced to accept hazardous waste. The report also contains a list of all publicly available information sources on hazardous waste infrastructure in Australia. According to best estimates, Australia will generate around 9 million tonnes of hazardous waste by 2034, up from 5 million tonnes today (approximately 10% of all waste material).
| December 2014 | The future of the APC and packaging product stewardship |
The State and Territory Environment Ministers agreed to an extension of the existing Australian Packaging Covenant to 30 June 2016 at their most recent meeting in February 2015.
| December 2014 | Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) projects for 2015/15 |
The Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) projects for 2015/15 include:
- Queensland's South West Region Litter Prevention Campaign
- Mackay Regional MRF Upgrade & Glass
- Littering and illegal dumping community and industry partnership in Lockyer valley
- Pilot study for public place recycling and litter management
- Public Place Recycling Roll out City of Gold Coast
| November 2014 | Global GreenTag Cleaning Product Standard |
The Global GreenTag Cleaning Product Standard has been recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) for their Green Star Performance rating tool ‘Green Cleaning’ credit. The Green Star Green Cleaning credit requires certified green cleaning products and the GBA now recognises GreenTag as a third party certification program that is authorised to certify products under this credit.
GreenTag is not just a pass/fail label, it’s a rating system that uses
life cycle analysis (LCA) and also considers all the health and biodiversity impacts of all constituents to 0.01 percent. It assesses the corporate social responsibility of the manufacturer, its supply chain, labour practices and reports results transparently using a product scorecard and EcoPOINT score. The Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum GreenTag Mark also makes it easy for professionals to choose between certified products. Global GreenTag’s global, on-site audit and robust, whole-of-life cycle assessment-based certification program eliminates any form of risk or doubt that the products’ sustainability claims might be ‘greenwash’, increasing purchaser and specifier trust in manufacturers’ brands. GreenTag has been in the market and recognised by GBCA in the building and interiors sector for nearly five years and already has nearly 900 products under its certification.
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission has accredited Global GreenTag as a National Certification Mark. The Global GreenTag logo now further signifies the confidence, faith and trust consumers and professionals can have in any product carrying the Global GreenTag Mark. Product sectors engaged by Global GreenTag include building products, textiles and fabrics, papers and packaging, paints, furniture and bedding and soon, personal and cleaning products, sanitary and baby goods.
| November 2014 | GECA gets GENICES accreditation by the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN). |
Good Environmental Choice Australia has been awarded the internationally recognised GENICES accreditation by the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN). GENICES recognition is awarded as a result of a peer review process to ecolabelling schemes that meet international best practice. GECA is the only Australian ecolabelling scheme to be accredited with GENICES. GECA licensees will now have direct access to mutual recognition by other GENICES accredited ecolabelling schemes in Europe, North America, Asia and much of the rest of the world.” GEN is the global peak body for Type-1 ecolabelling organizations based on the ISO 14024 standard. GEN promotes and represents world best practice in ecolabelling. Type-1 ecolabel standards address multiple environmental criteria across the life cycle of the product or service, they are transparent in their development process and employ independent, third-party verification.
| November 2014 | LGAQ votes to support a CDS |
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has narrowly voted to support a container deposit scheme. The vote means the LGAQ will now push the Queensland Government to introduce a container deposit scheme. Generally, container deposit schemes mean more income for Local Governments and recyclers, as the additional 10 cents per container creates a subsidy for the processing of kerbside recyclate.
| October 2014 | BSCAA ecoClean awards |
The 2014 ecoClean award this year was given to Ellems Cleaning Services for overall good environmental sustainability performance throughout the year. http://bscaa.com/qld/news-events/excellence-awards-2013/
Three individual awards were give: Peter Curtis of Stefan Lawrence Cleaning, Sue Homer from Abelia Cleaning and Kim Puxty from Ellems Cleaning Service.
| October2014 | Commonwealth removes product stewardship bodies |
As part of its Omnibus Repeal Day Bill, the Coalition Government has closed product stewardship groups and streamlined the Hazardous Waste Export Act . The Repeal also abolishes the Product Stewardship Advisory Group (the PSAG) and the Oil Stewardship Advisory Council (the OSAC). The PSAG functions were to provide advice to the Minister on preparing an annual list of classes of products that are to be considered for some form of accreditation or regulation under the Product Stewardship Act 2011.
| October2014 | NSW POEO regulations for interstate trucking |
Changes to the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 introduced a raft of critical changes to the way recycling is administered in NSW. A set of fact sheets is available from the NSW EPA. Changes Include:
- The introduction of a proximity principal - whereby material destined for landfill must be disposed of within 150km of the point of generation. Fines of between $7,500 and $44,000 can apply. The amount of waste shipped into Queensland has increased significantly since the Queensland Government eliminated the state’s waste levy in 2012. Victoria also regularly truck contaminated soil across NSW into Queensland to avoid levies in the southern state.
- A new offense for sending prescribed waste materials to land - From 1 November 2014, the Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation 2009 will contain a list of wastes that automatically constitute land pollution, including asbestos and tyres.
- Waste tracking for waste transported outside of NSW - From 1 March 2015, waste tracking requirements will apply to more than 10 tonnes of waste generated from the metropolitan levy area (MLA) that is transported outside of NSW.
- Waste tyre monitoring and licensing - From 1 July 2015, consignors and transporters of waste tyres will be required to monitor the movement of waste tyres within NSW. These requirements will apply to loads of waste tyres greater than 200 kilograms or more than 20 waste tyres, whichever weighs less.
- Asbestos tracking - From 1 July 2015, loads of asbestos waste will be assigned a unique consignment code to allow the EPA to monitor their movement from site of generation to disposal.
| October2014 | Product stewardship for paints |
PaintCare Australia has launched a Product Stewardship Scheme for architectural and decorative paint. An initiative of the Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation (APMF), PaintCare has emerged out of a of a trial collection of paint that was conducted in Victoria last year. The organisation will carry out the Product Stewardship Scheme’s objective of delivering a nationally consistent program using existing infrastructure where possible.
| October2014 | Single use plastic bags banned in California |
On September 30, California put its plastic bag ban into law, with the ban scheduled to take effect in July 2015. It outlaws thin single use plastic bags while thicker reusable plastic bags and biodegradable bags including paper bags will continue to be allowed, but a 10 cent levy will be placed on these bags at the checkout. In addition, the bill requires reusable bags to contain 20% recycled content from 2015 and 40% by 2020.
| September 2014 | Waste Choices |
The recently launched Waste Choices Australia’s first online marketplace for waste management and recycling businesses of any size have the flexibility of posting a one-off project or an ongoing contract for the management of over 30 waste streams. Small to medium businesses, hospitality, food services, property management and construction companies are expected to benefit most from working with Waste Choices. Businesses can post a waste project entering the pick-up location; type of waste to be collected – general waste, liquid waste, recycling to hazardous materials; and selecting a bin size to represent the volume of waste. They will be able to select from a range of competitive bids from national and state-based waste management providers with the flexibility to award a project based on price or reputation of the provider.
| September 2014 | New paper and recycled products standards out for public comment |
Three new standards for paper and recycled products from Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) are now available for public comment. GECA’s Paper and Stationery Products , Sanitary Paper Products and Recycled Products standards have been updated from previous standards, with revised criteria to set new environmental benchmarks for the products they cover. GECA's new paper standards aim to promote sustainable forest management, reduction in toxic air and water emissions, using less energy and fewer hazardous chemicals, and better waste management.
The Paper and Stationery Products standard covers paper and paper-based stationery products, such as exercise books, envelopes, and paper-based filing products, sold in Australia. The Sanitary Paper Products standard covers toilet paper, facial tissues, paper towels, table napkins, general purpose wipes and other paper products used for cleaning or personal hygiene. GECA’s Recycled Products standard is applicable to products made from at least 50% recycled glass, plastics, rubber, timber, and fill and foundation materials such as sand and gravel.
| September 2014 | Qld Update of waste regulations |
The Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) has released the Environment Legislation Amendment and Repeal Regulation (No. 1) 2014. The new regulations amend the two critical laws governing waste material management and recycling in Queensland - the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011. The amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1994 deal principally with: waste material tracking, transport within and outside Queensland, and the responsibilities of local government. The amendments to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 principally deal with: regulations for handling PCBs, and the management of clinical waste materials. The new regulations are available here.
| September 2014 | New penalties in Qld |
The Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage dramatically increased its penalties from September 1. The new package of increased penalty infringement notices (PINs) comes as part of its update to the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014 (with explanatory note here). Under the changes, some fines have doubled but many have gone up by more than five times. For example, the penalty for a "requirement of recipient to not contravene an environmental protection order" has increased from $2,277 for a corporation to $11,385 (a five times increase). Meanwhile, more than forty new penalties have been introduced for a range of offences, with fines ranging from $113 to $11,385.
| September 2014 | Victorian recycling markets |
Sustainability Victoria has released detailed overviews of key Victorian recycling markets The summaries follow the Discussion Paper of the Victorian Market Development Strategy for Recovered Resources, and provides details about the market conditions, barriers and opportunities for key emerging recycling markets. Materials covered in the analyses include: Brick, stone and concrete, Flexible plastic, Glass, Organics, Refuse derived fuels (RDF), Shredder floc, Timber, and End-of-life tyres.`The full summaries can be found here.
| July 2014 | Revised guidelines for managing clinical (now called biohazardous) waste |
The Waste Management Association of Australia (W MAA) has launched the 7th Edition of the Industry Code of Practice for the Management of Biohazardous Waste. Formerly titled Industry Code of Practice for the Management of Clinical and Related Wastes the revised code was released on 23 July, 2014. The goal of the Code of Practice is the voluntary commitment by all stakeholders to Environmental Best Practice in the safe and cost effective transportation, treatment and disposal of biohazardous waste. Following the guidelines in the Code should ensure not only environmental benefits, but also that wastes are managed in a safe and cost-effective manner.
| July 2014 | Repeal of Carbon tax |
With the repeal of the Carbon Price, businesses will be hoping for a fall in electricity and gas costs. The carbon price of $23 per tonne is roughly the same as 2.3 cents per KWH of electricity used (it varies depending on supplier), so households and small business should expect to see a direct cost cut of about 2.3 cents/KWH. This will be approximately 8-11% of the bill depending on the supplier and the cost per KWH.
However for businesses under supply contracts (typically using more than 100,000 KWH per year), it may not be such a simple calculation. In most cases the direct KWH charge on the bill is about 40-60% of the charge, with most of the balance made up of maximum demand charges. Businesses with low cost per KWH but higher maximum demand charges, saw their relative electricity costs go more than those on the standard rate. With the abolition of the price it might be expected that they will fall just as much but it will be worthwhile comparing the cost/KWH in before July 2012 and costs in the next invoice. Check the fine detail of the energy supply contract to understand the impact on YOUR bill. More.
| June 2014 | Premier's Sustainability Award |
The Queensland Premier's Awards for Sustainability were announced on 30 May 2014. The Minister's Award for Leadership in Sustainability was given to Ecoblanket a world-first, hose-on groundcover that controls erosion and provides a mix of compost and seed to large scale landscaping and building projects.One finalist with a Townsville showroom, Allsafe Energy Efficient Products has shown that energy efficient purchases don’t equate to higher costs, but rather long-term savings for the customer. Trading on a “reduce before you produce” philosophy, Sean Cochrane sources products locally to reduce energy consumption. Another, NuGrow Pty Ltd has developed and operates a number of waste recycling and composting facilities which offer an alternative to landfill. Organic wastes are received, modified and turned into beneficial resources including soil conditioners and fertile compost.
In the individual award categories there were impressive results. In the last 12 months, Brisbane Airport Corporation has implemented 32-energy saving projects resulting in a 7 gigawatt per hour drop in energy consumption. Two health and aged care providers, were recognised with the Mater hospital implementing energy efficient lighting, recycling and clinical waste reduction programs, and replacing bottled water with reusable cups and jugs, while Uniting Care dramatically reduced energy, water, and waste cutting operational costs by more than $50,000.
U&A Cleaning Services was the winner in the small business category. Sustainability has been incorporated into every aspect of business including eco-efficient work premises, “green” cleaning products and equipment, energy efficiencies, onsite water and waste management and ongoing staff training. U & A is a keen participant in the BSCAA Qld ecoClean program, especially designed to promote eco-efficiency in the commercial cleaning industry. U & SA was the first and only company to reach ecoClean highest level ' Leadership.
| January 2014 | First GECA licensee audited by DLCS International |
The first products assessed by DLCS International under Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA)’s ecolabelling program have successfully met the requirements and been re-certified. In 2013 DLCS International achieved JAS-ANZ accreditation enabling it to audit the GECA scheme. As part of GECA’s requirements, all conformance assessment bodies must be accredited by JAS-ANZ, the government-appointed body for Australia and New Zealand responsible for providing accreditation of CABs in the fields of certification and inspection. This week DLCS International audited Healtheclean's products against GECA’s cleaning and personal care standards, meaning they are environmentally and socially preferable options for consumers. GECA's first JAS-ANZ assessor, formerly known as NCS International, completed its name change on 1 January and is now known as BSI. Both BSI and DLCS International are now able to audit the GECA scheme meaning that more environmentally preferable products may soon be available to the market.