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In this Issue The Vision Towards a zero waste environment. The Principles Prevention - to avoid the creation of waste. Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities 
Znippets Share your good news stories! The Waste Authority is keen to hear good news stories from individuals and Government, business and industry or community organisations undertaking innovative recycling or waste minimisation projects either funded independently or by the Waste Authority. Tell us about your project using the online form. Recent Publications |
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Development of the Waste Strategy 
The Waste Authority, in conjunction with Hyder Consulting, is in the final stages of developing the Draft Waste Strategy for Western Australia. Once complete and approved by the Minister for Environment, the Draft Waste Strategy will be released to the public and stakeholders for comment and feedback. The main submission period will be open for a minimum of twelve weeks, in accordance with the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act (2007). During this time, a range of public and targeted workshops are planned, for both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. The workshops will gather views from a broad cross-section of the community. Written submissions will be sought throughout the submission period. Information about the release of the strategy and the workshop dates will be available on the Zerowaste web site, shortly. Agreement between WALGA and Waste Authority for Used Oil Collection Service Western Australia has a high level of used oil recovery, when compared with world standards. Historically, it has been collected by a small number of operators and transported to central reprocessing facilities to produce a number of products. The Waste Authority has initiated a program in response to this situation that will provide up to $170,000 per twelve month period for two years, for the collection of used lubricant oil from local government collection facilities. Participating councils will be able to claim up to a maximum of fifty percent of total used oil collection fees, if they use the preferred supplier. Wren Oil was awarded preferred supplier status under a tender process called by the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA). The program will be administered by WALGA. Regional Funding Program update
To access funds during the pilot phase of the program, regional groups must submit a Regional Investment Plan, based on priorities identified within Strategic Waste Management Plans, detailing the suite of activities they wish to undertake. The Pilbara Regional Council is the first group to have their Regional Investment Plan assessed and approved. All funds for the pilot phase of the Regional Funding Program must be expended by December 31 2009. Population projections place pressure on Perth’s waste infrastructure requirements 
Predictions of an increase in waste generation by Perth’s growing population are contained in a new report: ‘Assessment of Waste Disposal and Material Recovery Infrastructure for Perth’ which was released earlier this month by the Waste Authority. The report, the first of its kind, provides a snapshot of existing and planned infrastructure and predictions about waste generation and recycling across various sectors including Municipal Solid Waste, Commercial and Industrial and Construction and Demolition. Authority Chairman Mr Barry Carbon said the report will help the Authority better understand the material recovery infrastructure requirements for Perth and guide it in future decision making. “The report is very comprehensive and includes an analysis of future opportunities. Having this sort of information will assist us, together with our stakeholders, to properly plan for the future so that waste is managed sustainably in Western Australia,” he said 2007/08 Annual On-Line Survey of Local Government Waste and Recycling Services 
The Waste Authority's 2007/08 on-line survey of government waste and recycling services has closed and the data received is currently being collated. The survey requested information on a wide range of issues relating to local government waste services, including waste tonnages and collection services. Data recorded from this survey will ensure compliance by Local Governments with the Environmental Protection (NEPM-UPM) Regulations 2007 and the Keep Australia Beautiful Council’s Litter survey. Based on data received during the survey 1,301,916 tonnes of municipal waste was generated in the 2007/08 financial year. This equates to approximately 592kg of waste produced annually for each Western Australian. Of this waste produced, over 841,131 tonnes (64%) was disposed to landfill while 460,783 tonnes (36%) was diverted. As shown in the graph below, approximately 56% of material diverted from landfill is as a result of kerbside recycling collections.  Click image to see the graph in full-size Beneficial workshop held on the issue Electronic Waste 
Electronic waste ("e waste") is one of the fastest growing waste streams in Western Australia and the challenge is growing for local governments and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry to divert it from landfill and instead reuse or recycle it. The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) with support from the Waste Authority recently held a workshop to canvass views on establishing improved e waste collection and recycling across WA. The workshop was attended by 50 representatives from the ICT industry, Local Councils and State government agencies. Presentations were given by the CEO of AIIA Australia, Product Stewardship which Australia represents the TV industry and Sustainability Victoria and the ‘ByteBack’ program. Beneficial discussions were held on the issues and opportunities for improved e waste recycling; how Product Stewardship ‘take back’ schemes may be implemented and administered; and how any scheme could contribute to developments at a national level with respect to the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility for the computer and TV sectors. The AIIA and a collaboration of Local Councils will now form a working group to review in detail the outcomes of the workshop and other studies undertaken to develop a program framework for improved e waste recycling to submit to the Waste Strategy. Further information:  Click image to see the graph in full-size Assistance now available - Community Grants Scheme (CGS) The first round of funding of CGS for 2009 is now open. Community based groups including local interest groups, environmental groups, and individuals are encouraged to apply for support. Applications must be received by 5pm Friday 29th May 2009 Click on the button from the Towards Zero Waste Website for more information. Assistance now available - Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) The first round of SWIS funding for 2009 is now open. Business and industry, local government, community groups and individuals are encouraged to apply for funding. The SWIS was established to help our State achieve the vision of “Towards Zero Waste in Western Australia”. Funding will be provided for initiatives which are consistent with the Statement of Strategic Direction for Waste Management in Western Australia and the Waste Authority’s ‘Priority Areas for Funding’ Applications must be received by 5pm Friday 22nd May 2009 Click on the button from the Towards Zero Waste Website for more information.  Official newsletter of the Waste Authority
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Previously, this collection service has been free; however a recent need to export the reprocessed oil, due to the limitations in local used oil markets, has seen the introduction of collection fees. In a recent survey of Local Governments on their capacity to pay the collection fee, of the 62 respondents, 25 either had no capacity to pay, were going to suspend used oil collections or had to cancel another project in order to pay the fee. All of these local governments were in the non-metropolitan area.
In October 2008 the Waste Authority invited all WA local governments to register their intent to be involved in the pilot phase of the Regional Funding Program. To participate in the program local governments need to work in a regional collaboration of two or more local governments and have completed their Strategic Waste Management Plans. 25 regional grouping, encompassing 124 of the 139 local governments in WA, registered their intent to be involved.
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