23 October 2024
Recently, Waste Management & Resource Recovery Association Australia held their inaugural Australian Resource Recovery Conference, in Adelaide.
The conference brought together industry professionals from across the country to discuss all aspects of material recovery and circular economy, including its role in addressing emissions and biodiversity loss.
Tonkin's National Lead – Environment & Sustainability, Saad Haque, attended the inagural event. He has shared his key insights and takeaways from the event below.
Climate Action
The economic landscape is shifting rapidly, forcing both services and products to evolve in tandem with these changes.
The waste and resource recovery (WARR) sector receives 76 million tonnes of material each year, of which, we are currently recovering 62% nationally. Australia is committed to a resource recovery target of 80% by 2030, as well as a goal to reduce total waste generated by 10% in the same timeframe.
South Australia’s renewable energy efforts serve as a beacon of progress, with the state already achieving 75% renewable energy capacity and the potential to reach 100% in the coming years.
Hearing from South Australia’s Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, the Honorable Susan Close MP, her message was that it is clear that services and products need to adapt, with moral leadership at the helm of change. Collaborative efforts will be vital in overcoming the climate crisis, given the intrinsic social nature of humanity.
Climate Change
While the cost of living continues to dominate political headwinds, climate change awareness fluctuates, driven by a small, passionate segment of our population.
The emotional climate of Australia is one of exhaustion and stress, however, South Australia displays a more positive outlook, aligned with the state’s leadership in renewable energy.
Although the outlook on renewable energy is positive, there is growing concern about the tangible impact of alternative energy projects, especially when environmental impact is of concern.
As people question the sincerity of environmental efforts, the importance of authenticity was highlighted. Overall, there is significant preference in investing in large-scale renewable energy as opposed to nuclear power.
According to a study by SEC Newgate, the Australian community’s expectation of corporate organisations is evolving. 57% of participants agree that corporations should play a more active role in society and 73% agreeing that companies can be profitable while also performing well on their environmental, social and governance responsibilities (ESG). Further, 70% agree that companies should communicate more clearly on their ESG performance and issues, and 72% agree companies should more clearly communicate what they are doing to address the needs of their stakeholders.
Waste Diversion and Recycled Product Markets
A panel on waste diversion highlighted challenges in reaching an 80% target by 2030, with the current rate at 63%.
Key obstacles include low market demand for recycled products and fragmented policies. Despite these issues, the panel noted significant investment opportunities in recycling infrastructure.
Achieving cost-effective solutions without increasing consumer prices requires rethinking the current economic model. Additionally, a lack of understanding about the link between emissions and waste among stakeholders hinders support for stronger waste management reforms. Senator Peter Whish-Wilson addressed the challenges of plastic waste regulation, highlighting producer resistance to changes driven by profit protection. This opposition complicates bans on single-use plastics and hinders recycling efforts.
Voluntary stewardship schemes have failed, while mandatory ones create a fair industry standard. With plastic recycling rates at just 13%, stronger regulations and public-private collaboration are crucial to tackling the plastic waste crisis.
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
The conference touched on the emerging issue of PFAS, and the need for a nationally coordinated plan that focuses on investigating sources of PFAS, toxicity studies, exposure pathways and holistic risk to humans and the environment.
Circularity
A key theme of the conference was circularity, with CSIRO presenting a compelling case for circular adoption. My key takeaways from this session were:
- Australia’s circularity rate is between 4% - 5%, which is lower than the global average at 7.5%
- Greater adoption of circularity offers significant growth in material productivity, slower increase in waste generation and a significant reduction of waste sent to landfill
- Japan is the frontrunner in circular economy policy, having established the Sound Material-Cycle Society policy framework in 2001
- The Netherlands is considered an international showcase, and exporter of circular economy
- Australia’s commitment to circularity is more recent, with the establishment of the ministerial advisory group in 2023 and upcoming national circular economy frameworks
- Australia’s circular economy can deliver a fifth of greenhouse gases (GHG) reductions
- Circular economy can add US $48 billion (2015 prices) to the Australian economy by 2050 (US $1,357 per person).
Significant opportunities exist within the built environment and mobility sectors, where systemic investments in circular models, such as prefabrication in construction, could lead to substantial progress in circularity. These sectors are poised to lead the charge in material efficiency, but they require targeted investments and policy support to unlock their full potential.
Sophie Degagny (KPMG) discussed the shift to a circular economy and the need for effective progress measurement frameworks. She highlighted tools like the Circular Transition Indicator (CTI), which evaluates circularity through inflow, recovery potential, and actual recovery. Four indicator sets—closing, optimising, valuing, and assessing the loop's impact—offer companies a structured way to measure and enhance their circular initiatives.
Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO)
Kristian Le Gallou highlighted the success of FOGO trials in several South Australian Councils, including Holdfast Bay and Charles Sturt. These trials showed significant landfill reductions, with Holdfast Bay decreasing its waste from 6.4kg to 2.9kg per household. While most residents supported FOGO, some expressed concerns, with up to 23% in one council. Overall, the trials indicate a promising future for FOGO as a vital part of waste diversion efforts.
Attending the WMRR Waste and Resource Recovery Conference was a thought-provoking experience. The focus on collaboration and innovation highlighted that moving beyond waste and embracing the circular economy is crucial for a net-zero future.