RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2014-15 · Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15...

RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA2014-15

Western Australian Waste Authority

AdviceServiceKnowledge

Tel: + 61 (0)8 9759 1418 [email protected] www.askwm.com

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 iASK Waste Management

Acknowledgements

This report has been prepared for the Waste Authority in accordance withthe terms and conditions of the Annual Reviews of Recycling Activity inWestern Australia contract DEC6250022013, dated 1 July 2013. The reportwas funded by the Waste Authority through the Waste Avoidance andResource Recovery Account.

ASK Waste Management gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of theWestern Australian recycling industry, the Waste ManagementAssociation of Australia and the Department of Environment Regulationstaff who provided information and assistance in the development of thisreport.

Disclaimer

Information in this document is current as of January 2016. While allprofessional care has been undertaken in preparing the document, ASKWaste Management accepts no liability for loss or damages incurred as aresult of reliance placed on its content.

The mention of any company, product or process in this report does notconstitute or imply endorsement by ASK Waste Management.

Document Control

Version Date Description Initials

0 <draft> 7 Jan 2016 Internal QA version

1 <draft> 10 Jan 2016 Draft version for DER review

2 <draftl> 11 Feb 2016 Draft version incorporating DER feedback

3 <final> 12 Feb 2016 Final version

ASK Waste Management prints all reports on 100% recycled paper and is a carbon neutral company.

Report produced by:GILES PERRYMAN BSc, DMSSAMUEL GREEN BScJILL LETHLEAN, PhD

33 Windlemere DriveDunsborough, 6281Western AustraliaAUSTRALIA

+ 61 (0)8 9759 1418 [email protected] www.askwm.com

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 iiASK Waste Management

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................................... V

1 TOTAL RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA ..............................................................................................1

1.1 Survey Method...............................................................................................................................................11.2 Statewide Recycling......................................................................................................................................31.3 Recycling by Material Category & Type .....................................................................................................31.4 Recycling by Sector.......................................................................................................................................61.5 Recycling by Geographic Source................................................................................................................81.6 Waste Generation and Diversion .................................................................................................................9

2 SORTING FACILITIES DATA........................................................................................................................................11

3 CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIALS......................................................................................................12

3.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...........................................................................................123.2 Barriers...........................................................................................................................................................143.3 Market Size and Strength ............................................................................................................................14

4 ORGANIC MATERIALS ..............................................................................................................................................15


5 METALS ......................................................................................................................................................................18


6 PAPER AND CARDBOARD ........................................................................................................................................21


7 TEXTILES .....................................................................................................................................................................23


8 GLASS........................................................................................................................................................................24


9 PLASTICS....................................................................................................................................................................25


10 RUBBER ......................................................................................................................................................................28


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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 iiiASK Waste Management

GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................................................................29

REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................................................................................31

APPENDIX A – REPROCESSOR SURVEY ...................................................................................................................................I

APPENDIX B – MATERIAL FLOW DIAGRAMS .........................................................................................................................III

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Reported total recycling activity and waste disposal for WA in between 2010-11 and 2014-15 .................3

Figure 1-2 Percentage of total recycling by material category, WA 2014-15 .................................................................4

Figure 1-3 Recycling by material type (by weight), WA 2014-15 (largest 16 categories only) .......................................5

Figure 1-4 Municipal recycling composition, WA 2014-15 .................................................................................................6

Figure 1-5 C&I recycling composition, WA 2014-15............................................................................................................7

Figure 1-6 C&D recycling composition, WA 2014-15 ..........................................................................................................7

Figure 1-7 Diversion rates by waste sector (2010-11 to 2014-15) and associated diversion targets.............................10

Figure 2-1 Percentage breakdown of recyclable materials recovered ........................................................................11

Figure 3-1 Composition of recycled C&D waste (by weight), WA 2014-15....................................................................13

Figure 4-1 Composition of recycled organics (by weight), WA 2014-15 ........................................................................16

Figure 5-1 Composition of recycled metals (by weight), WA 2014-15............................................................................18

Figure 6-1 Composition of recycled paper and cardboard (by weight), WA 2014-15.................................................21

Figure 9-1 Composition of recycled plastics by (weight), WA 2014-15...........................................................................26

LIST OF TABLESTable 1-1 Annual recycling by material category, WA 2014-15........................................................................................3

Table 1-2 Sector origins of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2014–15..................................................................6

Table 1-3 Geographic source of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2014–15.......................................................8

Table 1-4 Destination of WA reprocessed materials, WA 2014–15 ....................................................................................8

Table 1-5 Annual recycling and overall waste diversion, WA 2014–15.............................................................................9

Table 1-6 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11 to 2014-15 ...................................................................................................10

Table 2-1 Material recovered and recycling losses from MRFs, WA 2014–15.................................................................11

Table 3-1 C&D materials recycling, WA 2014-15...............................................................................................................12

Table 3-2 C&D recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15..................................................................................................13

Table 3-3 C&D recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15 ...........................................................................................14

Table 4-1 Additional organic materials collected for recycling, WA 2014-15................................................................15

Table 4-2 Organics recycling, WA 2014-15........................................................................................................................15

Table 4-3 Organics recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15...........................................................................................16

Table 4-4 Organics recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15....................................................................................17

Table 5-1 Metals recycling, WA 2014-15 ............................................................................................................................18

Table 5-2 Metals recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15...............................................................................................19

Table 5-3 Metals recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15 ........................................................................................19

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 ivASK Waste Management

Table 6-1 Paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2014-15 .................................................................................................21

Table 6-2 Paper and cardboard recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15....................................................................22

Table 6-3 Paper and cardboard recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15 .............................................................22

Table 7-1 Textiles recycling, WA 2014-15 ...........................................................................................................................23

Table 7-2 Textiles recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15 ..............................................................................................23

Table 7-3 Textiles recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15........................................................................................23

Table 8-1 Glass recycling, WA 2014-15 ..............................................................................................................................24

Table 8-2 Glass recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15 .................................................................................................24

Table 8-3 Glass recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15 ..........................................................................................24

Table 9-1 Plastics recycling, WA 2014-15 ...........................................................................................................................25

Table 9-2 Plastics recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15..............................................................................................26

Table 9-3 Estimated plastics recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15 .....................................................................27

Table 10-1 Rubber recycling, WA 2014-15.........................................................................................................................28

Table 10-2 Rubber recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15............................................................................................28

Table 10-3 Rubber recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15 .....................................................................................28

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 vASK Waste Management

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The recycling of materials is a critically important activity for attaining sustainable waste management andthe efficient utilisation of increasingly scarce virgin resources. The Waste Authority’s (2012) Western AustralianWaste Strategy ‘Creating the Right Environment’ acknowledges the importance of recycling and resourcerecovery for best practice waste management by setting targets expressed as the proportion of wasterecovered compared to that generated; specifically:

Municipal Solid Waste (Perth Metropolitan Region(PMR)); 50% by 2015 and 65% by 2020

Municipal Solid Waste (Major regional centres); 30% by 2015 and 50% by 2020

Commercial and Industrial waste (WA); 55% by 2015 and 70% by 2020

Construction and Demolition waste (WA); 60% by 2015 (up from 29%) and 75% by 2020

To monitor progress against these targets, quantify recycling on a financial year basis and gain a deeperinsight into the Western Australia (WA) recycling industry, the Department of Environment Regulation engagedASK Waste Management (ASK) to conduct this annual recycling activity survey for the 2014-15 financial year.

ASK undertook a survey of total recycling activity in WA between the months of August and December 2015,distributing the survey to all known organisations reprocessing recyclable material generated in WA. The surveyincluded materials recovered in WA for recycling or for export to interstate and international markets.

The information presented in the report is based on the data provided by the recycling industry during thesurvey and by industry reports; the data has not undergone any verification. The survey is voluntary and someindustry organisations chose not to participate, therefore not all data is collected. Survey respondents reportedthat 2,621,540 tonnes of recyclable material were recovered in 2014-15. The C&D sector recovered 48%(1,266,390t) of all recyclable material processed, followed by the C&I and municipal sectors with 31% (824,930t)and 20% (530,220t) respectively. It was reported that 89% of the state’s recycling activity occurred in the PerthMetropolitan Region (PMR), with only 11% from regional areas. Total recycling by material category ispresented in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Total recycling by material category, WA 2014-15

1,314,440

387,220

225,010

608,930

47,3003,860 18,390 16,400

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

C&D Organics Paper &cardboard

Metals Glass Textiles Rubber Plastic

Tonn

es re

cycl

ed

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 viASK Waste Management

Total waste generation (reported materials recycled plus waste landfilled) in WA was approximately 6,235,000tonnes in 2014-15. On a state-wide basis, this reflects a decrease in waste generation of approximately 445,000tonnes from 2013-14. The estimated diversion rate (waste recycled / waste generated) for the PMR was 50%,while the WA diversion rate was 42%. These values represent a noteworthy increase compared to the diversionrates for 2013-14, for which the PMR diversion rate was 45% and the WA diversion rate 39%.

Table 1 Annual recycling and overall waste diversion, WA 2014–15

Perth Metropolitan Region(PMR) WA Total

Diversion from landfill (tonnes) 2,327,430 2,621,540

Waste to landfill (tonnes)1 2,292,660 3,613,300

Total waste generation (tonnes) 4,620,090 6,234,840

Diversion rate (%) 50% 42%

Population2 1,895,800 2,558,390

Per capita diversion (kg/person) 1,228 1,025

Per capita landfill (kg/person) 1,209 1,412

Per capita total waste (kg/person 2,437 2,437

Notes:

1. Metropolitan landfill data provided by Department of Environment Regulation, which includes tonnes of wastedirectly reported and estimated from surveys. WA landfill data has been extrapolated from metropolitan landfill databased on the assumption that waste generation rates for metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions will be similar,and back-calculated based on the ratio of metropolitan to non-metropolitan WA population.2. 2014-15 population data is derived from the Western Australian Planning Commission publication Western AustraliaTomorrow, Population Report No. 8, 2006 to 2026 (Planning Western Australia, 2012).

Current and past diversion rates are presented with the WA Waste Strategy targets in Figure 2. There has abeen sustained positive trend to the C&I and C&D diversion rates for WA, however there has been little changein the MSW diversion rate for the Perth Metropolitan Region (PMR) since 2011.

Figure 2 Diversion rates by waste sector (2010-11 to 2014-15) and associated diversion targets

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

2010 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021

Dive

rsio

n ra

te

MSW diversion rate (PMR)

C&I diversion rate (WA)

C&D diversion rate (WA)

MSW Target (PMR)

C&I Target (WA)

C&D Target (WA)

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 1ASK Waste Management

1 TOTAL RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Recycling of materials is a critically important activity for attaining sustainable waste management and theefficient utilisation of increasingly scarce resources. Recycling and resource recovery helps minimise thequantity of waste disposed to landfill and the associated need to develop costly new landfill facilities. It alsolessens the demand for the natural resources required to manufacture new products and can reduce wateruse, energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

The Waste Authority’s (2012) Western Australian Waste Strategy ‘Creating the Right Environment’ aims to,“engage the Western Australian community over the next decade in moving to a low-waste society”. It seeksto do this by providing the necessary knowledge, infrastructure and incentives to change behaviour, with afocus on best practice waste management, continuous improvement and target setting.

The Strategy acknowledges the importance of recycling and resource recovery for best practice wastemanagement by setting targets expressed as the proportion of waste recovered compared to thatgenerated; specifically:




Construction and Demolition waste (WA); 60% by 2015 (up from 29%) and 75% by 2020

To monitor progress against these targets, quantify recycling on a financial year basis and gain a deeperinsight into the Western Australian (WA) recycling industry, the Department of Environment Regulation hasengaged ASK Waste Management (ASK) to conduct this annual recycling activity survey for 2014-15.

1.1 SURVEY METHOD

Between the months of August and December 2015, ASK undertook a survey of total recycling activity inWestern Australia for the 2014-15 financial year. The survey included materials recovered in WA for recyclingand for export to interstate and international markets; it omitted material imported into WA for recycling.

The recycling data that underpinned the survey was obtained from the following sources:

Material reprocessors / recyclers

o Visits to reprocessing sites across WA; and

o Telephone and email surveys of known recycling companies.

Data collated from other surveys undertaken by the following organisations:

o 2014-15 National Plastics Recycling Survey (Produced by the Sustainable Resource Unit);

o The Newspaper Works; and

o Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

Quantity of materials exported overseas for recycling from WA for 2014-15 (Department of ForeignAffairs and Trade).

To ensure that the survey captured data from as many recyclers and reprocessors as possible, the list ofcontacts provided from the previous year’s survey was reviewed in extensive consultation with governmentand industry stakeholders. Despite efforts to ensure that the compiled recycling data is as comprehensive aspossible, the figures should be considered conservative as it is likely that some smaller WA reprocessors orinterstate destinations may have not been identified.

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In addition, the voluntary nature of the survey resulted in some reprocessors choosing not to return the surveyquestionnaire. To minimise the impact of this, ASK sought to at least gather total tonnes of material processedfrom larger companies that did not complete the survey so that the impact on total tonnes recycled wouldbe minimised. Considering the issues above it is likely that there is an underestimation of actual recyclingquantities and therefore the total waste generated for 2014-15.

The survey does not capture any waste minimisation or re-use of materials by organisations, only the quantitiesof materials recycled or recovered.

Survey questionnaires were provided to reprocessors in electronic format with hard copies available uponrequest. Data was sought for the 2014-15 financial year regarding material types, quantities processed, andthe origin, destination and market conditions of the reprocessed materials. The full questionnaire sent toreprocessors is provided in Appendix A.

Consistent with the previous years, survey respondents had the option of reporting quantities by weight orvolume. A standard set of conversion factors was used to convert volumetrically reported data into tonnes.

Due to the accuracy of the data reported, and for ease of reading, all values have been rounded to thenearest 10 tonnes. The rounding of the values has led to occasional rounding errors for table totals. The totalsshown are based on a rounding of the original total value rather than the cumulative total of the roundedvalues shown in the tables.

The material flow diagrams used in previous Recycling Activity Reports are now shown in Appendix B, ratherthan in the main body of the report.

The population data used was sourced from the Western Australia Tomorrow, Population Reports published bythe Western Australia Planning Commission (WAPC). This dataset is preferred by the DER as it includespopulation projections for WA to 2026, and it closely reflects the official estimate of Australia’s population asprovided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Estimated Resident Population (ERP) dataset.

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1.2 STATEWIDE RECYCLING

Total reported recycling in WA (based on the completed surveys returned) totalled 2,621,540 tonnes in 2014-15, equivalent to an increase of approximately 16,000 tonnes from the value reported in 2013-14. These figuresdo not include recycling activity by recycling collectors and sorters. Figure 1-1 graphically presents thereported total recovery and disposal figures1 for the years from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Figure 1-1 Reported total recycling activity and waste disposal for WA in between 2010-11 and 2014-15

1.3 RECYCLING BY MATERIAL CATEGORY & TYPE

Total reported recycling in WA during 2014-15 was 2,621,540 tonnes. The contributions of each recycledmaterial category are shown in Table 1-1 and displayed graphically in Figure 1-2.

Table 1-1 Annual recycling by material category, WA 2014-15

Material Category Tonnes

C&D materials* 1,314,440

Organics 387,220

Paper & cardboard 225,010

Metals 608,930

Glass 47,300

Textiles 3,860

Rubber 18,390

Plastic 16,400

Total 2,621,540

*C&D Materials refers to asphalt, bricks, concrete, plasterboard, sand, soil, clean fill & rubble.

1 The total value for 2011-12 has been amended to account for 84,000 tonnes of timber material that was incorrectlyreported in that year.

2,042,270 2,439,790 2,476,630 2,605,460 2,621,540

4,491,170 3,971,040 3,649,8704,074,300 3,613,310

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15

Tota

l ton

nes

reco

vere

d

Waste Diversion Waste Landfilled

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C&D materials accounted for 50% (1,314,440t) of WA’s total recycling in 2014-15. Metals and organics madeup 23% (608,930t) and 15% (387,220t) respectively of the recycled material reported; with the paper andcardboard, glass, textiles, rubber, and plastic material categories cumulatively accounting for the other 12%(310,950t).

Figure 1-2 Percentage of total recycling by material category, WA 2014-15

The top 16 material types recycled in WA during 2014-15 (based on the reported tonnage) are shown in Figure1-3. The ‘sand, soil, clean fill and rubble’ category represented the greatest quantity of material recycled(804,810t); this was followed by the non-packaging steel category at 554,850 tonnes.

C&D50.1%

Textiles0.1%

Organics14.8%

Plastic0.6%

Paper &cardboard

8.6%

Rubber0.7%

Metals23.2%

Glass1.8%

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 Page 5ASK Waste Management

Figure 1-3 Recycling by material type (by weight), WA 2014-15 (largest 16 categories only)

804,810

554,850

345,070

171,390131,100 124,770 114,720

71,440 57,830 47,300 44,990 34,180 28,840 19,740 18,390 12,1400

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

Tonn

es re

cycl

ed

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1.4 RECYCLING BY SECTOR

Survey respondents were asked to indicate what proportion of each material type was sourced from themunicipal, C&I and C&D sectors. Table 1-2 presents the total quantity of recyclable material sourced fromeach sector, and the relevant percentage contribution.

The C&D sector provided 48% (1,266,390t) of all recyclable material processed, followed by the C&I andmunicipal sectors with 31% (824,930t) and 20% (530,220t) respectively.

Table 1-2 Sector origins of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2014–15

Material TypeQuantity

Tonnes %

Municipal 530,220 20%

C&I 824,930 31%

C&D 1,266,390 48%

Total 2,621,540 100%

The material composition of each source sector is presented below (Figure 1-4 to Figure 1-6).

Figure 1-4 shows that organics comprised the largest portion of the municipal sector at 40% (213,020t), followedby paper and cardboard at 20% (106,180t) and C&D materials at 15.4% (71,070t).

Figure 1-4 Municipal recycling composition, WA 2014-15

C&D materials15.4%

Organics40.2%

Paper &cardboard

20.0%

Metals13.4%

Glass8.9%

Textiles0.7%

Rubber0.0%

Plastic1.4%

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Figure 1-5 shows that metals are the largest portion of the C&I sector’s composition at 48.6% (400,580t) of totalC&I recycling. Organic materials were the second largest contributor at 18.9% (155,960t) of the total sector.Paper and cardboard, and C&D materials also made up a significant portion, with 13.9% and 15.2%respectively of total C&I recycling.

Figure 1-5 C&I recycling composition, WA 2014-15

The material composition of the C&D sector is presented in Figure 1-6. C&D materials (including concrete,bricks, asphalt, plasterboard, and sand, clean fill and rubble) comprised the greatest portion of the C&Dsector’s composition at 87.4% (1,106,990t). Metals were the second largest contributor, equivalent to 10.8%(137,280t) of total C&D recycling.

Figure 1-6 C&D recycling composition, WA 2014-15

C&D materials15.2%

Organics18.9%

Paper &cardboard

13.9%

Metals48.6%

Glass0.0%

Textiles0.0%

Rubber2.2%Plastic

1.1%

C&D materials87.4%

Organics1.4%

Paper &cardboard

0.3%

Metals10.8%

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1.5 RECYCLING BY GEOGRAPHIC SOURCE

Reprocessors were asked to report the percentage of material recovered from the PMR and non-metropolitanareas for each material type. Most reprocessors do not keep accurate records on this percentage split;therefore, the data reported was frequently based on the reprocessors ‘best estimates’.

89% (2,327,430t) of the recycling recovered in 2014-15 was sourced from the PMR, with only 11% (294,100t) fromthe rest of WA (Table 1-3). The concentration of C&D recycling activity in the PMR had a significant impact onthe total figures for the State.

Table 1-3 Geographic source of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2014–15

Material TypeMetro Non-metro

Tonnes % Tonnes %

C&D materials 1,314,440 100% 0 0%

Organics 331,520 86% 55,700 14%

Paper & cardboard 204,480 91% 20,530 9%

Metals 402,080 66% 206,840 34%

Glass 46,520 98% 780 2%

Textiles 3,610 94% 250 6%

Rubber 13,310 72% 5,080 28%

Plastic 11,480 70% 4,920 30%

Total 2,327,430 89% 294,100 11%

Table 1-4 shows where the recyclable material from WA was reprocessed during 2014-15. Approximately 68%(1,775,400t) of the material was reprocessed within the State, with almost 31% (826,910) being exported. Onlysmall quantities of recovered material are sent interstate for reprocessing. This is because when it is noteconomically viable to process the materials in WA; the market demand from overseas markets is generallygreater than that from the eastern states and transport costs are cheaper on a per unit basis when exportingin bulk to overseas markets.

Table 1-4 Destination of WA reprocessed materials, WA 2014–15

Destination Tonnes %

Western Australia 1,775,400 67.7%

Interstate 19,230 0.7%

Export 826,910 31.5%

TOTAL 2,621,540 100.0%

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1.6 WASTE GENERATION AND DIVERSION

Landfill data for the PMR during 2014-15 was provided by the WA Department of Environment Regulation. Asan accurate source of landfill data was not available for the rest of the State, the metropolitan data wasextrapolated using population data and assuming the same level of waste generation per capita betweenmetropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.

Table 1-5 presents data on the total and per capita waste generation, diversion, and landfill disposal for WAand the PMR.

Total waste generation in WA was estimated at approximately 6,234,940 tonnes in 2014-15, with wastegeneration from the PMR contributing more than 4,620,160 tonnes. On a state-wide basis, this reflects adecrease in waste generation of approximately 445,000 tonnes compared to 2013-14. The decrease in wastegeneration was reflected in state-wide landfill estimates, with an 11% (461,000t) decrease of waste to landfillfrom 2013-14.

The diversion rate (waste recycled / waste generated) for the PMR increased from 45% in 2013-14 to 50% in2014-15, while the WA diversion rate increased from 39% to 42% over the same period.

State-wide per capita waste diversion data indicates a minor reduction in waste diversion per capita from1,037kg in 2013-14 to 1,025kg in 2014-15. Per capita landfill disposal decreased significantly on a state-widebasis, from 1,622 kg per person in 2013-14 to 1,412 kg per person in 2014-15.

Table 1-5 Annual recycling and overall waste diversion, WA 2014–15

Perth Metropolitan Region (PMR) WA Total

Diversion from landfill (tonnes) 2,327,500 2,621,640

Waste to landfill (tonnes)1 2,292,660 3,613,300

Total waste generation (tonnes) 4,620,160 6,234,940

Diversion rate (%) 50% 42%

Population2 1,895,800 2,558,390

Per capita diversion (kg/person) 1,228 1,025

Per capita landfill (kg/person) 1,209 1,412

Per capita total waste (kg/person) 2,437 2,437

1. Metropolitan landfill data provided by Department of Environment Regulation, which includes tonnes of wastedirectly reported and estimated. WA landfill data has been extrapolated from metropolitan landfill data based on theassumption that waste generation rates for metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions will be similar, and back-calculated based on the ratio of metropolitan to non-metropolitan WA population.2. 2014-15 population data is derived from the Western Australian Planning Commission publication Western AustraliaTomorrow, Population Report No. 8, 2006 to 2026 (Planning Western Australia, 2012).

The Waste Authority’s (2012) Western Australian Waste Strategy ‘Creating the Right Environment’ set sectorbased targets expressed as the proportion of waste recovered compared to that generated; specifically:




Construction and Demolition waste (WA); 60% by 2015 and 75% by 2020

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Diversion rates calculated to track progress against these targets are presented in Table 1-6 and Figure 1-7.Insufficient data was available to be able to calculate municipal recovery rates for the major regional centres.Calculations of the state-wide diversion rates were based on the assumption that non-metropolitan wastegeneration rates were the same as the PMR on a per capita basis. The municipal diversion rate in 2014-15remained largely unchanged from 2013-14 but significant progress was made towards the C&I and C&D sectortargets with increases of 7 and 6 percentage points respectively.

Table 1-6 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11 to 2014-15

SectorWaste Strategy Targets

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-152015 2020

Municipal50% metro;

30% regionalcentres

65% metro;50% regional

centres

39%(metro)

39%(metro)

45%(metro)

41%(metro)

40%(metro)

C&I 55% (WA) 70% (WA) 28% (WA) 40 % (WA) 45% (WA) 45% (WA) 52% (WA)

C&D 60% (WA) 75% (WA) 31% (WA) 38% (WA) 40% (WA) 38% (WA) 42% (WA)

Current and past diversion rates are presented with the WA Waste Strategy targets in Figure 2. There has abeen sustained positive trend to the C&I and C&D diversion rates for WA, however there has been little changein the MSW diversion rate for the Perth Metropolitan Region (PMR) since 2011.

Figure 1-7 Diversion rates by waste sector (2010-11 to 2014-15) and associated diversion targets

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

2010 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021

Dive

rsio

n ra

te

MSW diversion rate (PMR)

C&I diversion rate (WA)

C&D diversion rate (WA)

MSW Target (PMR)

C&I Target (WA)

C&D Target (WA)

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2 SORTING FACILITIES DATA

A large proportion of municipal sector waste that is collected for recycling is sorted at a Material RecoveryFacilities (MRFs) prior to the materials being reprocessed into new products at a reprocessing facility. WA MRFsreported processing approximately 195,450 tonnes of comingled recycling during 2014-15 (Table 2-1).

During the sorting process at MRFs some losses of material are inevitable due to process inefficiencies and thepresence of un-recyclable material (contamination) in the waste stream. For 2014-15, MRFs reportedapproximately 53,690 tonnes of recycling losses (Table 2-1). With these losses taken into account,approximately 141,760 tonnes of recyclable material were recovered by WA MRFs.

Table 2-1 Material recovered and recycling losses from MRFs, WA 2014–15

Tonnes %

Material recovered 141,760 73%

Recycling losses 53,690 27%

TOTAL PROCESSED 195,450 100%

Figure 2-1 outlines the breakdown of materials recovered by WA MRFs in 2014-15. Glass made up 40.5%(57,780t) of the recovered materials, followed by mixed paper and Old News Print (ONP) with 30.1% (42,920t)and 12.1% (17,320t) respectively.

Figure 2-1 Percentage breakdown of recyclable materials recovered

Glass40.5%

Aluminium0.7%

Steel2.9%

Plastics5.9%Old Newsprint

12.1%

Cardboard7.7%

Paper (mixed)30.1%

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3 CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIALS

Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste data was split into five material type categories; asphalt, bricks,concrete, plasterboard, and ‘sand, clean fill and rubble’. Fly ash was not included in the current or previousRecycling Activity Reviews.

The industry reported that 1,314,440 tonnes of C&D materials were recovered in WA for 2014-15. This figurerepresents an increase of approximately 75,000 tonnes from 2013-14.

3.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION

The quantity of each C&D material type recovered is presented in Table 3-1. All recycling was undertaken inWA with no material exported or processed in other states.

Table 3-1 C&D materials recycling, WA 2014-15

MaterialNet

Recycling1

(tonnes)

Material Destination

WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Asphalt 124,770 124,770 0 0

Bricks 34,180 34,180 0 0

Concrete 345,070 345,070 0 0

Plasterboard 5,610 5,610 0 0

Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble2 804,820 804,820 0 0

TOTAL 1,314,440 1,314,440 0 0

1. Net recycling excludes recycling losses.

2. The ‘sand, soil, clean fill & rubble’ material type only relates to material that has been diverted from landfill.

The ‘sand, soil, clean fill and rubble’ material category was the majority (61.2% or 804,820t) of C&D materialsrecovered (Figure 3-1). Concrete made a significant contribution at 26.3% (345,070t) of total C&D recyclingtonnage.

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Figure 3-1 Composition of recycled C&D waste (by weight), WA 2014-15

Table 3-2 shows the sector source from which the C&D materials were generated; counter intuitively, not all isattributable to the C&D sector. Some C&D material types are in fact generated by the municipal and C&Isectors; 6.2% (81,740t) and 9.6% (125,710t) respectively.

Table 3-2 C&D recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15

Material Municipal(tonnes)

C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Asphalt 17,000 25,730 82,030 124,760

Bricks 3,760 2,800 27,620 34,180

Concrete 22,480 26,330 296,260 345,070

Plasterboard 0 0 5,610 5,610

Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble 38,510 70,830 695,470 804,810

TOTAL 81,740 125,710 1,106,990 1,314,440

All reported C&D waste (100% or 1,314,440t) was recovered in the PMR (Table 3-3). It is known that some limitedrecovery of C&D materials occurred outside the metropolitan area during 2014-15 but the organisationinvolved did not participate in the survey.

Asphalt9.5%

Bricks2.6%

Concrete26.3%

Plasterboard0.4%

Sand, soil, cleanfill and rubble

61.2%

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Table 3-3 C&D recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15

Material Metro(tonnes)

Non-Metro(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Asphalt 124,770 0 124,770

Bricks 34,180 0 34,180

Concrete 345,070 0 345,070

Plasterboard 5,610 0 5,610

Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble 804,810 0 804,810

TOTAL 1,314,440 0 1,314,440

3.2 BARRIERS

As was the case in 2013-14, it was again reported that the major barrier to increased recycling of C&D materialsin 2014-15 was a lack of demand for recycled products. The reported weak demand was accompanied by asurge in the availability of raw materials due to an increase in the metropolitan landfill levy during 2014-15 (from$12 to $60 per cubic metre on 1 January 2015). The net affect being that C&D reprocessors reported oversupplyand that stockpiles of recycled material were increasing.

Other issues that were raised by industry in 2014-15 included:

The environmental regulator’s end-of-waste guidelines for recycled C&D products are seen asunnecessarily strict, and the amount of testing required unnecessarily high (and, hence, expensive). Itwas estimated that the cost of the testing regime adds approximately $3/t to the price of the endproduct, which can make it uncompetitive with virgin excavated material, which has no such testingrequirements.

A perception that a standardised regulatory approach was not being applied across the sector andthat this was resulting in some operators cutting corners and out competing ‘compliant’ operators on aprice basis.

Government not supporting the use of recycled materials in new construction and development.

Government departments need to make it generally acceptable for civil contractors to use recycledproduct, and introduce a consistent policy to support the use of recycled products.

A lack of consumer understanding and awareness on recycled products and their application.

3.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH

As is mentioned in Section 3.2, an increase to the metropolitan landfill levy during 2014-15 has reportedlyresulted in a large increase to the availability of raw materials, but that this did not coincide with strongdemand for recycled C&D products across the sector. The strength of receiving markets was reported asvariable and subject to volatility.

The industry acknowledged that it can only supply a fraction of the state-wide demand for sand andaggregates and that in this sense, the market as a whole is very strong, and any product they produce shouldbe easily and readily absorbed. While the industry feels that it is being burdened with unfair and unnecessarybarriers, it is widely viewed that there is significant potential for growth given a level playing field, and assistancefrom government in developing markets for recycled products.

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4 ORGANIC MATERIALS

The survey requested organics reprocessors to report a variety of organic material types that included materialsfrom primary industry. For the purpose of this report, the quantities of organic materials sourced from primaryindustry (Table 4-1) were not included in calculations as they are not traditionally sent to landfill, and thereforedo not represent a diversion from landfill. This practice is consistent with previous reports and methodologiesused in other States.

Table 4-1 Additional organic materials collected for recycling, WA 2014-15

Material Tonnes

Forestry waste 29,820

Agricultural waste (excluding manures)1 20,720

Manures 22,610

TOTAL 73,150

1. Includes straw, animal bedding, animal mortalities, paunch and other miscellaneous agricultural organics.

In addition to the organics reprocessors that were surveyed, other WA materials reprocessors reportedrecycling organic materials although this was not their core business, particularly in regards to wood/timberprocessing.


Almost 387,220 tonnes of organic materials were reported to have been recovered in 2014-15, representing anincrease of approximately 16,000 tonnes from 2013-14. Table 4-2 shows the quantities recovered for eachmaterial type.

Table 4-2 Organics recycling, WA 2014-15

Material Net Recycling1

tonnes)


WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Food organics 12,140 12,140 0 0

Organics from mixed municipal 114,720 114,720 0 0

Garden organics 131,100 131,100 0 0

Wood / timber 57,830 57,830 0 0

Other organic 71,440 71,440 0 0

TOTAL 387,220 387,220 0 0


2. Does not include organic materials from primary industry (agriculture).

The proportion each material type contributes to total organics recovery is shown in Figure 4-1 Garden organicsmake up the major proportion of the total at 33.9% (131,100t), with organics from mixed municipal waste issecond largest at 29.6% (114,720t). Organics from other sources (a significant proportion of which was biosolids)is the third largest material type equivalent to 18.4% (71,440t). Wood/timber waste is also significant, equivalentto 14.9% (57,830t) of total recovered organics.

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Figure 4-1 Composition of recycled organics (by weight), WA 2014-15

The split between the municipal, C&I, and C&D sectors is presented in Table 4-3. Municipal is the largest sourcesector and is equivalent to 55% (213,020t) of total organics recovered. The C&I sector contributed another 40%(155,950t) with the remainder from the C&D sector.

Table 4-3 Organics recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Food organics 0 12,140 0 12,140

Organics from mixed municipal 114,720 0 0 114,720

Garden organics 96,480 24,740 9,870 131,100

Wood / timber 1,560 47,890 8,370 57,820

Other organic 260 71,180 0 71,440

TOTAL 213,020 155,950 18,240 387,220

The majority (85.6% or 331,520t) of the total organics recovered came from the metropolitan area, howeverthe majority (70.5% or 40,740t) of the wood/timber category was recovered from the non-metropolitan area(Table 4-4).

Food organics3.1%

Organics frommixed municipal

29.6%

Gardenorganics

33.9%

Wood / timber14.9%

Other organic18.4%

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Table 4-4 Organics recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15


Non-Metro(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Food organics 12,140 0 12,140

Organics from mixed municipal 105,890 8,830 114,720

Garden organics 124,970 6,130 131,100

Wood / timber 17,080 40,740 57,830

Other organic 71,440 0 71,440

TOTAL 331,520 55,700 387,220

4.2 BARRIERS

The organics recycling industry was asked to comment on major issues affecting the industry and barriers toincreased organics recycling in WA. As was the case in previous years, the highest ranking issue for the sectorwas in regards to state and local government regulation of composting facilities. The relevant issues raised bythe sector included:

A perception that a standardised regulatory approach was not being applied across the sector andthat this was resulting in some operators cutting corners and out competing ‘compliant’ operators on aprice basis.

An overly complicated planning and environmental approvals process for organics recyclers seeking toestablish new facilities.

Prescriptive regulations and conditions that require significant capital investment and operationalexpenditure to ensure compliance.

Other common issues raised by the industry included:

Contamination of source materials increases processing costs and has a negative impact on the marketdemand for the final product.

A need for the organics sector to support strategic industry development that influences policy makers,politicians, regulators and the community

Underdeveloped markets for recycled organics and a lack of customer awareness of the benefits ofutilising recycled organics.


The reported strength of the recycled organics market varied across the sector but there was wide recognitionthat the industry needs to work collaboratively on market development and consumer education to realise itsfull potential.

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5 METALS


Metal recycling represents a significant portion of WA’s recycling activity due to the relatively high value ofscrap metals compared to other waste types. More than 608,000 tonnes of WA waste metal was recycled in2014-15 (Table 5-1). Total metal recovery in WA decreased by approximately 72,000 tonnes between 2013-14and 2014-15 due to a drop in the export of ferrous scrap metals associated with falling global market prices forferrous metals. The vast majority (98.5% or 599,510t) of scrap metal collected in WA was exported off shore forprocessing into new products, with the remainder 1.5% (9,410t) reprocessed interstate. (Figure 5-1).

Table 5-1 Metals recycling, WA 2014-15

Material Net Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Aluminium (Non-Packaging) 19,740 0 270 19,470

Aluminium Packaging 1,370 0 0 1,370

Non-Ferrous Metals (ex. Al) 28,840 0 9,140 19,700

Steel (Non-Packaging) 554,850 0 0 554,850

Steel Packaging 4,120 0 0 4,120

TOTAL 608,930 0 9,410 599,510


Metals are exported to countries throughout Asia, and some aluminium is shipped as far as the UK and Belgium.The high level of scrap metal exporting is driven by lower production costs for re-founding the metal into newproducts in the receiving countries.

Figure 5-1 Composition of recycled metals (by weight), WA 2014-15

Aluminium(Non-

Packaging)3.2%

AluminiumPackaging

0.2%

Non-FerrousMetals (ex. Al)

4.7%

Steel (Non-Packaging)

91.1%

Steel Packaging0.7%

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Non-packaging steel was the largest contributor, accounting for 91.1% (554,850) of the total tonnage. Bothaluminium and steel packaging were minor contributors with only 0.2% (1,370t) and 0.7% (4,120t) of total metalsrecovery respectively.

Table 5-2 shows that the majority of the materials were sourced from the C&I sector (65.8% or 400,580t),followed by C&D at 22.5% (137,280t), and the municipal sector at 11.7% (71,070t).

Table 5-2 Metals recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15

Material Municipaltonnes)

C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Aluminium (Non-Packaging) 2,660 13,130 3,940 19,740

Aluminium Packaging 1100 270 0 1,370

Non-Ferrous Metals (ex. Al) 580 27,550 710 28,840

Steel (Non-Packaging) 62,600 359,620 132,620 554,850

Steel Packaging 4,120 0 0 4,120

TOTAL 71,070 400,580 137,280 608,930

As is outlined in Table 5-3, approximately 66% (402,080t) of the total recycled metals were sourced from thePMR with the remaining 34% (206,850t) sourced from the rest of WA.

More than 90% of aluminium and steel packaging was sourced from the PMR. The higher level of metropolitansourced packaging materials is because of the population density of the PMR where, in addition, nearly allhouseholds are serviced by domestic kerbside recycling schemes for packaging material, whilst this is not thecase throughout regional and rural areas.

Table 5-3 Metals recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15


Non-Metro(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Aluminium (Non-Packaging) 13,730 6,000 19,740

Aluminium Packaging 1,270 110 1,370

Non-Ferrous Metals (ex. Al) 18,200 10,640 28,840

Steel (Non-Packaging) 365,170 189,680 554,850

Steel Packaging 3,710 410 4,120

TOTAL 402,080 206,850 608,930

5.2 BARRIERS

The metal recycling industry did not report any barriers to increasing recycling rates but ASK’s consultation withstakeholders in the waste industry has indicated that the decline in value for ferrous metals in global marketshas negatively impacted the recovery of ferrous scrap metals.


The industry did not provide any comment on market size and strength for 2014-15 but annual reports forpublicly listed metal recyclers indicated that profits were negatively impacted by falling prices for both ferrous

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and non-ferrous scrap metals. Export data also reveals that the greatest demand for scrap metal continues tobe from the Southeast Asian region where almost all of WA’s scrap metal was exported.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that many regional local governments have building stockpiles of scrap metalat their facilities, as the low value of the material has resulted in the transport costs being significantly higherthan the value of the material. Therefore, local governments in regional WA are being charged to removescrap metal rather than receiving a payment for the material.

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6 PAPER AND CARDBOARD


In excess of 225,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard was recovered in WA during 2014-15. As displayed inTable 6-1 and Figure 6-1, this was comprised of cardboard and paper packaging (76% or 171,390t), oldnewsprint (20% or 44,990t) and white office paper (4% or 8,640t). Although no liquid paperboard (LPB)reprocessing was reported in 2014-15 undefined quantities are included within the cardboard and paperpackaging material type.

Table 6-1 Paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2014-15

MaterialNet

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Cardboard / paper packaging 171,390 0 60 171,330

Liquid paperboard (LPB) 0 0 0 0

Old newsprint (ONP) 44,990 21,170 0 23,820

White office paper 8,640 0 1,840 6,800

TOTAL 225,010 21,170 1,890 201,950


Table 6-1 shows the majority of paper and cardboard (90% or 201,950t) was exported for reprocessing, with 1%(1,890t) processed inter-state, and 9% (21,170t) reprocessed in WA.

Figure 6-1 Composition of recycled paper and cardboard (by weight), WA 2014-15

Table 6-2 shows that the majority of paper and cardboard was recovered from the municipal and C&I sectors;47% (106,180t) and 51% (114,940t) respectively. A small quantity (1.7% or 3,890t) was associated with cardboardand paper packaging generated by the C&D sector.

Cardboard /paper

packaging76.2%

Old newsprint(ONP)20.0%

White officepaper3.8%

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Table 6-2 Paper and cardboard recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Cardboard / paper packaging 65,390 102,110 3,890 171,390

Liquid paperboard (LPB) 0 0 0 0

Old newsprint (ONP) 40,790 4,200 0 44,990

White office paper 0 8,640 0 8,640

TOTAL 106,180 114,940 3,890 225,010

Approximately 90.9% (204,480t) of the recycled paper and cardboard was recovered from the PMR (Table6-3).

Table 6-3 Paper and cardboard recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15


Non-Metro(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Cardboard / paper packaging 157,620 13,770 171,390

Liquid paperboard (LPB) 0 0 0

Old newsprint (ONP) 39,020 5,970 44,990

White office paper 7,850 790 8,640

TOTAL (inc. rounding errors) 204,480 20,530 225,010

6.2 BARRIERS

The paper and cardboard recycling industry again reported poor separation of materials and contaminationas the major barrier to increased recycling. It was also reported that relatively high transport costs present abarrier to increased recycling, especially in non-metropolitan areas. One reprocessor reported that theincrease to the landfill levy during 2014-15 resulted in a recycling increase from commercial customers.


It was reported that the market for cardboard scrap was relatively stable with good prices. Local demand forcellulose fibre insulation was reported as strong but markets for other materials were reported as shrinking andvolatile.

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7 TEXTILES


WA textile recyclers recovered 3,860 tonnes of textiles by processing them into rags for cleaning purposes, anincrease of approximately 2% (70t) compared to 2013-14. As shown in Table 7-1 the majority of the recoveredtextiles were exported (89% or 3,420t).

Table 7-1 Textiles recycling, WA 2014-15

MaterialNet

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Textiles 3,860 440 0 3,420


The majority of the processed material was sourced from the Municipal sector (97% or 3,760t) with theremaining the 3% (100t) from the C&I sector.

Table 7-2 Textiles recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Textiles 3,760 100 0 3,860

The bulk of the textiles (97% or 3,760t) were sourced from the PMR with 3% (100t) from the rest of WA.

Table 7-3 Textiles recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15


Non-Metro(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Textiles 3,760 100 3,860

7.2 BARRIERS

As with previous years, textile recyclers dependent on public donation bins to collect textiles again reportedthat a small minority of the general public use the donation bin sites to dump rubbish, which they find difficultor costly to dispose of. They also reported difficulty in finding appropriate sites for donation bins with somepublic and private property managers prohibiting donation bins on their properties due to a lack ofunderstanding on the benefits of the charity collection bin process.


Textile reprocessors reported that the market was strong and offered attractive margins that were resulting ingreater activity from the for-profit sector. International demand for recovered textiles was greatest from Africanand Asian nations with export destinations including Bulgaria, Dem Rep of Congo, Zaire, Ghana, India, Kenya,Malaysia, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, United ArabEmirates, and China.

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8 GLASS


During 2014-15, approximately 47,300 tonnes of glass was recovered from WA for reprocessing, representingan increase of approximately 13,200 tonnes compared to 2013-14. Table 8-1 shows that the majority (92% or43,480t) of the recovered glass is sold into WA markets, predominantly for use in construction projects.

Table 8-1 Glass recycling, WA 2014-15

MaterialNet

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA (tonnes)Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Glass 47,300 43,480 3,820 0


The majority of the material originated from the Municipal sector (99% or 47,020t) with 1% (280t) from the C&Isector.

Table 8-2 Glass recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Glass 47,020 280 0 47,300

As shown in Table 8-3, approximately 98% (46,520t) of the glass originated from the PMR.

Table 8-3 Glass recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15


Non-Metro(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Glass 46,520 778 47,300

8.2 BARRIERS

The glass recycling industry perceived the following issues as barriers to increasing glass recycling rates:

Recycled glass is relatively low in value and there is little to no economic incentive to recycle glasscompared to disposing of it to landfill.

High collection and transportation costs.

Limited end uses for recycled glass in WA; a reprocessor stated that more government support for theuse of recycled glass in construction activities would be beneficial for developing local market demand.


Market size and demand for recycled glass products in WA was reported as weak. Although there is interstatedemand for quality glass cullet for use in the production of new glass packaging, the viability of doing so ismarginal for WA reprocessors due to the low value of the recycled product, and the high cost of transportingit to the eastern states. The largest market for recycled glass in WA is currently for crushed glass in constructionactivities.

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9 PLASTICS

The plastics recycling data utilised for this report was sourced from the 2014-15 National Plastics RecyclingSurvey that was undertaken by Sustainable Resource Use (SRU)2.


Approximately 16,400 tonnes of plastics were recovered from WA during 2014-15. Compared with 2013-14, thetotal quantity of plastic recycled in WA increased by 3,200 tonnes or approximately 25%. This is the thirdconsecutive increase in plastics recycling following a sustained decline between 2006-07 and 2010-11.

As shown in Table 9-1 almost 48% (7,900t) of the recovered plastic was exported for processing, 26.8% (4,400t)was processed locally, and 25% (4,100t) was sent interstate.

Table 9-1 Plastics recycling, WA 2014-15

MaterialNet

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

ABS/SAN (7) 200 200 0 0

EPS (6) 300 300 0 0

HDPE (2) 6,000 1,500 1,500 3,000

L/LLDPE (4) 2,500 1,400 200 800

PET (1) 3,400 100 700 2,600

PP (5) 2,500 600 500 1,400

PS (6) 300 300 0 0

PU (7) 1,200 0 1,200 0

PVC (3) 100 0 0 100

TOTAL 16,400 4,400 4,100 7,900


The composition of the plastic types recovered is shown in Figure 9-1. HDPE made up approximately 37%(6,000t) of all the plastics recovered. PET represented 20% (3,400t) of the total plastic recovered, L/LLDPE andPP were also significant with both equivalent to approximately 15% (2,500t) of the total.

2 All the data provided by the SRU was rounded to the nearest 100 units so some rows and columns in the following tablesmay not total exactly.

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Figure 9-1 Composition of recycled plastics by (weight), WA 2014-15

The recovered plastics were sourced approximately 43% and 57% from the municipal and C&I sectorsrespectively, whilst none was reported from the C&D sector.

Table 9-2 Plastics recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

ABS/SAN (7) 0 200 0 200

EPS (6) 0 300 0 300

HDPE (2) 2,900 3,100 0 6,000

L/LLDPE (4) 0 2,400 0 2,400

PET (1) 2,900 500 0 3,400

PP (5) 1,200 1,300 0 2,500

PS (6) 100 200 0 300

PU (7) 100 1,100 0 1,200

PVC (3) 100 0 0 100

TOTAL 7,300 9,100 0 16,400

No specific data was collected by SRU about the geographic source of recycled plastic materials. However,previous reviews have estimated that that 70% of the plastics originated from the PMR with 30% from non-metropolitan areas. This estimate has been used to derive the tonnes presented in Table 9-3.

ABS/SAN (7)1.2%

EPS (6)1.8%

HDPE (2)36.6%

L/LLDPE (4)14.6%

PET (1)20.7%

PP (5)15.2%

PS (6)1.8%

PU (7)7.3%

PVC (3)0.6%

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Table 9-3 Estimated plastics recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15


Non-Metro(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

ABS/SAN (7) 140 60 200

EPS (6) 210 90 300

HDPE (2) 4,200 1,800 6,000

L/LLDPE (4) 1,680 720 2,400

PET (1) 2,380 1,020 3,400

PP (5) 1,750 750 2,500

PS (6) 210 90 300

PU (7) 840 360 1,200

PVC (3) 70 30 100

TOTAL 11,480 4,920 16,400

9.2 BARRIERS

Plastic reprocessors were not asked to specifically comment on barriers to increased plastics recycling as partof the SRU’s 2014-15 National Plastics Recycling Survey.


Comments on market conditions during the 2014-15 financial year (as reported by SRU) include:

2014-15 represented a better year for the supply of recyclate, with increasing availability of materialoutlets arising.

Reprocessors still seek out quality, pre-consumer scrap from manufacturers of durable or packagingplastics.

Mixed plastics recycling is still highly reliant on baled export. Increasingly there is a shift of plastics exportsaway from China and towards Malaysia who have lower quality standards for received recyclate.

Reprocessors still seek market pull-through mechanisms that they see would not inflate the price ofrecyclate, but merely stimulate recyclate use in product.

2014–15 was also a good year for the sale of reprocessed materials with new market outlets arising formost materials.

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10 RUBBER


Table 10-1 shows that approximately 18,390 tonnes of rubber was recovered from WA in 2014-15. This figurerepresents a decrease of approximately 7,000 tonnes from 2013-14. The decrease is due to one reprocessornot providing a response to the survey that had participated in the previous year. The majority of the recoveredproduct was exported (14,130t), with only 4,250 tonnes going to WA markets.

Table 10-1 Rubber recycling, WA 2014-15

MaterialNet

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Rubber 18,390 4,250 0 14,130


The majority of recovered rubber was sourced from the C&I sector (99%, 18,270t), with only 1% (120t) sourcedfrom the municipal sector.

Table 10-2 Rubber recycling by source sector, WA 2014-15


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Rubber 120 18,270 0 18,390

Table 10-3 shows that 72% (13,310t) of the material was recovered from the PMR, with 28% (5,080t) from the restof WA.

Table 10-3 Rubber recycling by geographic area, WA 2014-15


Non-Metro(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Rubber 13,310 5,080 18,390

10.2 BARRIERS

The industry reported the following perceived barriers to increased rubber recycling in WA:

Insufficient government support for the use of recycled tyre products.

Weak local demand for recycled tyre products.

The export of whole baled tyres, and landfilling and stockpiling of tyres outside of the metropolitan areareduces the available supply of waste tyres for recycling.


Recovered rubber is being sold into four main markets, export of whole baled tyres, tyre derived fuel (TDF),rubber granules or powder, and concrete encased baled tyres for use in local construction activities. Althoughthe market conditions vary for each product type, in general it was reported that demand was growing butthat margins remained low.

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GLOSSARY

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)

A thermoplastic commonly used in engineered plastics applications such asmechanical parts.

Commercial and industrialwaste (C&I)

Comprises solid waste generated by the business sector as well as solid wastescreated by State and Federal government entities, schools and tertiaryinstitutions. Unless otherwise noted, C&I waste does not include waste from theconstruction and demolition (C&D) sector.

Construction anddemolition (C&D) materials

Materials generally generated by construction and demolition activities andtherefore commonly arise from the C&D sector. This group of materials consistsof bricks, concrete, asphalt and sand, soil clean fill and rubble for the purposesof this report

Construction anddemolition waste (C&D)

Includes waste from residential, civil and commercial construction and demolitionactivities, such as fill material (e.g. soil), asphalt, bricks and timber. Unlessotherwise noted, C&D waste does not include waste from the commercial andindustrial waste stream.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) Made of pre-expanded polystyrene beads. Commonly used to form mouldedsheets for building insulation and as a packing material.

Garden organics Organics derived from parks and garden sources such as grass clippings and treeprunings.

High density polyethylene(HDPE)

A member of the polyethylene family of plastics and is used to make productssuch as milk bottles, pipes and shopping bags.

Kerbside collection Collection of household recyclable materials (separated or co-mingled) thatare left at the kerbside for collection by local council collection services.

Low density polyethylene(LDPE)

A member of the polyolefin family of plastics. It is a flexible material and usuallyused as film for packaging or as bags.

Linear low densitypolyethylene (LLDPE)

A member of the polyolefin family of plastics. It is a strong and flexible plasticand usually used in film for packaging, bags and for industrial products such aspressure pipe.

Municipal waste

Solid waste generated from domestic (household) premises and councilactivities such as street sweeping, litter and street tree lopping. Also includeswaste dropped off at recycling centres, transfer stations and construction wastefrom owner/occupier renovations.

Non-ferrous metals Metals that contain very little or no iron content, e.g. copper, brass, and bronze.

Polyethylene terephthalate(PET)

A clear, tough, light and shatterproof type of plastic, used to make productssuch as soft drink bottles, film packaging and fabrics.

Polypropylene (PP)A member of the polyolefin family of plastics. PP is light, rigid and glossy and isused to make products such as washing machine agitators, clear filmpackaging, carpet fibres and housewares.

Polystyrene (PS)A member of the styrene family of plastics. PS is easy to mould and is used tomake refrigerator and washing machine components. It can be foamed tomake single use packaging, such as cups, meat and produce trays.

Polyurethane (PU)A flexible, rigid plastic that can be used in a range of applications includingflexible and rigid foams as well as in coatings, adhesives, sealants andelastomers used on floors and automotive interiors.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) A member of the vinyl family of plastics. PVC can be clear, flexible or rigid and isused to make products such as fruit juice bottles, credit cards, pipes and hoses.

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Post-consumer material

Material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutionalfacilities in their role as end-users of the product which can no longer be usedfor its intended purpose. This includes returns of material from the distributionchain.

Recovered materialMaterial that would have otherwise been disposed of as waste, but has insteadbeen collected and reclaimed as a material input, in lieu of a new primarymaterial, for a recycling or manufacturing process.

Recyclate Material able to be processed for recycling in a facility. Sometimes only to referto materials actually recovered from recycling, excluding residual wastes.

Recycling

Material recovered that would otherwise have been disposed of to landfill andthat has undergone some form of physical reprocessing to create a saleableproduct or raw material.Waste materials that are reclaimed and reutilised within the samemanufacturing processes that generated it as a matter of course to the efficientoperation of the site (i.e. process scrap) are not defined as recycling for thepurpose of this study.

Reprocessor A business or organisation that physically reprocesses sorted wasted materialsinto a saleable product or raw material.

Reuse Reuse involves recovering value from a discarded resource in its original Statewithout recycling or remanufacture.

Solid waste Waste materials ranging from municipal garbage to industrial waste, butexcluding gaseous, liquid, hazardous, clinical and intractable wastes.

Styrene Acrylonitrile resin(SAN)

A copolymer plastic consisting of styrene and acrylonitrile. It is widely used inplace of polystyrene owing to its greater thermal resistance. SAN is a commonco-polymer of ABS.

Tyre derived fuel (TDF) Shredded or processed tyres to be used for the generation of heat and/orelectricity through combustion or gasification.

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REFERENCES

Department of Planning (2012). Western Australia Tomorrow. Population Report No. 7, 2006 to 2026. ForecastSummary – Planning Regions of WA. Published by Western Australian Planning Commission

Sustainable Resource Unit (2015). 2014-15 National Plastics Recycling Survey (WA State Data Report). Preparedfor the WA Department of Environmental Regulation.

Waste Authority (2012). Western Australian Waste Strategy: Creating the Right Environment. Department ofEnvironment and Conservation

Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 Appendix iASK Waste Management

APPENDIX A – REPROCESSOR SURVEY

Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 Appendix iiASK Waste Management

Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 Appendix iiiASK Waste Management

APPENDIX B – MATERIAL FLOW DIAGRAMS

Material flow of C&D materials recycling, WA 2014–15

Material flow of organic recycling, WA 2014–15

Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 Appendix ivASK Waste Management

Material flow of metal recycling, WA 2014–15

Material flow of paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2014–15

Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2014-15 Appendix vASK Waste Management

Material flow of plastic recycling, WA 2014–15

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