Eighty Percent? Take a Look at Western Australia’s Recycling Landscape

Ethan Robinson 09/09/2024 Recycling
Eighty Percent? Take a Look at WA’s Recycling Landscape

Western Australia (WA) is stepping up its game to meet national recycling targets, yet it faces unique challenges that demand a more tailored approach. According to Michael Bobrowicz, the Executive Officer of the Waste and Recycling Industry Association of Western Australia, the current recycling model pushed by the federal government doesn’t truly reflect the geographical and logistical realities of living in the West.

A Tale of Two Coasts: Different Perspectives

During the Senate Environment Committee hearings in May 2024, most discussions centred around the east coast of Australia, largely ignoring the specific challenges and achievements of WA. While there are common issues across the nation, the differences in how waste is managed between the two regions are significant and deserve attention.

For instance, the new East Rockingham and Kwinana waste-to-energy (WtE) power plants near Perth are set to make a big impact. These plants have a combined capacity to process 700,000 tonnes of waste and are designed to meet strict state emissions standards.

This represents a major step forward for WA’s waste management efforts. Notably, the recent Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 emphasises the importance of using WtE technology responsibly, ensuring that recyclable materials are not used as feedstock for energy recovery.

Innovations Leading the Charge

WA is seeing significant investments in advanced recycling technologies. For example, Tyrecycle has just launched its tyre recycling plant in East Rockingham, which can process 40,000 tonnes of waste, thanks in part to a 5.2 million investment from both federal and state governments.

Additionally, Go Organics is expanding its Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) facility at Gingin, with a 3.5 million funding boost that will allow it to process an extra 75,000 tonnes of organic waste annually. Moreover, Cleanaway has established Australia’s first materials recovery facility (MRF) designed after the China National Sword policy.

Located in Guildford, this MRF can process up to 200,000 tonnes of recyclable materials each year, recovering as much as 90% of reusable products while maintaining a 99.5% purity in its outputs. Such advancements are crucial as Australia adjusts to stricter recycling standards.

The Reality of Logistics

Despite these promising developments, WA’s geography poses some real challenges. The state is vast and remote, making it hard for local recycling businesses to collect and process recyclables efficiently.

Because of the long transport distances, it’s tough for recyclers to set up a sustainable secondary recycling industry in WA. This situation has worsened since the introduction of export bans, which caused the value of recyclables to drop.

Many businesses are now sending their materials to processing facilities in New South Wales and South Australia just to achieve export licenses. This not only increases costs but also raises the carbon footprint, effectively negating some of the environmental benefits of recycling.

The Need for a Custom Approach

A “one size fits all” approach won’t work for every state. WA needs a recycling model that takes into account its unique geographic and economic context.

With its proximity to Asia—one of the largest markets for recycled materials—WA could be leading the charge in recycling innovation if the current restrictive policies, like the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act and export bans, were reassessed.

Looking Ahead: Embracing Innovation

As Australia sets ambitious recycling targets, we must recognise that stifling innovation in WA will ultimately hold back progress across the country. Policymakers need to embrace the idea that what works for one state may not necessarily fit another.

By creating a recycling framework that is flexible and responsive to local needs, WA can truly shine, especially with services like skip bins Rockingham with Ezyskips Online making waste management easier. The journey to achieving an 80% recycling target is undoubtedly complex, but with a focused approach and a commitment to understanding each state’s unique circumstances, it is within reach.

For more insights and detailed information, check out the article “Eighty per cent? Try Looking West” at Waste Management Review. With the right strategies in place, Western Australia can not only meet national goals but also lead the way in recycling innovation.

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  • Ethan Robinson

    Ethan is a content editor with a background in environmental journalism. He’s an enthusiastic home cook and collector of vintage records.

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