Post on 22-Apr-2018
RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
2013-14
Western Australian Waste Authority
Advice
Service
Knowledge
Tel: + 61 (0)8 9759 1418 giles@askwm.com www.askwm.com
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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2013-14 Page i
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Acknowledgements
This report has been prepared for the Waste Authority in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Annual Reviews of Recycling
Activity in Western Australia contract DEC6250022013, dated 1 July
2013. The report was funded by the Waste Authority through the Waste
Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account.
ASK Waste Management gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of
the Western Australian recycling industry, the Waste Management
Association of Australia and the Department of Environment Regulation
staff who provided information and assistance in the development of
this report.
Disclaimer
Information in this document is current as of March 2015. While all
professional care has been undertaken in preparing the document, ASK
Waste Management accepts no liability for loss or damages incurred as
a result of reliance placed on its content.
The mention of any company, product or process in this report does not
constitute or imply endorsement by ASK Waste Management.
Document Control
Version Date Description Initials
0 <draft> 20 Mar 2015 Internal QA version
1 <draft> 24 Mar 2015 Draft version for DER review
2 <final> 28 Apr 2015 Final Version
ASK Waste Management prints all reports on 100% recycled paper and is a carbon neutral company.
Report produced by:
GILES PERRYMAN BSc, DMS
SAMUEL GREEN BSc
33 Windlemere Drive
Dunsborough, 6281
Western Australia
AUSTRALIA
+ 61 (0)8 9759 1418
giles@askwm.com
www.askwm.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................. V
1 TOTAL RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA .................................................................................... 1
1.1 Survey Method ............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Statewide Recycling ................................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Recycling by Material Type ....................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Recycling by Sector .................................................................................................................................... 6
1.5 Recycling by Geographic Source ........................................................................................................... 8
1.6 Waste Generation and Diversion ............................................................................................................. 9
2 SORTING FACILITIES DATA .............................................................................................................................. 11
3 CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIALS ............................................................................................ 12
3.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...................................................................................... 12
3.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 15
3.3 Market Size and Strength ......................................................................................................................... 15
4 ORGANIC MATERIALS ..................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...................................................................................... 16
4.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 20
4.3 Market Size and Strength ......................................................................................................................... 21
5 METALS ............................................................................................................................................................. 22
5.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...................................................................................... 22
5.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 24
5.3 Market Size and Strength ......................................................................................................................... 24
6 PAPER AND CARDBOARD ............................................................................................................................... 26
6.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...................................................................................... 26
6.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 28
6.3 Market Size and Strength ......................................................................................................................... 28
7 TEXTILES ............................................................................................................................................................ 30
7.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...................................................................................... 30
7.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 30
7.3 Market Size and Strength ......................................................................................................................... 30
8 GLASS ............................................................................................................................................................... 32
8.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...................................................................................... 32
8.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 32
8.3 Market Size and Strength ......................................................................................................................... 33
9 PLASTICS .......................................................................................................................................................... 34
9.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...................................................................................... 34
9.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 37
9.3 Market Size and Strength ......................................................................................................................... 37
10 RUBBER ............................................................................................................................................................. 38
10.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...................................................................................... 38
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10.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 38
10.3 Market Size and Strength ......................................................................................................................... 38
GLOSSARY................................................................................................................................................................... 40
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 42
APPENDIX A – REPROCESSOR SURVEY ...................................................................................................................... 43
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1 Reported total recycling activity for WA in 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 ............................ 3
Figure 1-2 Total recycling by material category, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................... 4
Figure 1-3 Recycling by material (by weight), WA 2013-14 ......................................................................................... 5
Figure 1-4 Municipal recycling composition, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................... 6
Figure 1-5 C&I recycling composition, WA 2013-14 ...................................................................................................... 7
Figure 1-6 C&D recycling composition, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................................... 7
Figure 2-1 Percentage breakdown of recyclable materials recovered ................................................................. 11
Figure 3-1 Composition of recycled C&D waste (by weight), WA 2013-14 ............................................................ 13
Figure 3-2 Material flow of C&D materials recycling, WA 2013–14 .......................................................................... 14
Figure 4-1 Composition of recycled organics (by weight), WA 2013-14 ................................................................. 17
Figure 4-2 Material flow of organic recycling, WA 2013–14 ...................................................................................... 20
Figure 5-1 Composition of recycled metals (by weight), WA 2013-14 .................................................................... 22
Figure 5-2 Material flow of metal recycling, WA 2013–14 .......................................................................................... 24
Figure 6-1 Composition of recycled paper and cardboard (by weight), WA 2013-14 ....................................... 26
Figure 6-2 Material flow of paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2013–14 ............................................................ 28
Figure 9-1 Composition of recycled plastics (by weight), WA 2013-14 ................................................................... 35
Figure 9-2 Material flow of plastic recycling, WA 2013–14......................................................................................... 37
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1-1 Annual recycling by material category, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................. 3
Table 1-2 Sector origins of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14 ......................................................... 6
Table 1-3 Geographic source of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14 .............................................. 8
Table 1-4 Destination of WA reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14 ............................................................................. 8
Table 1-5 Annual recycling and overall waste diversion, WA 2013–14 ..................................................................... 9
Table 1-6 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11 to 2013-14 ............................................................................................. 10
Table 2-1 Material recovered and recycling losses from MRFs, WA 2013–14 ......................................................... 11
Table 3-1 C&D materials recycling, WA 2013-14 ......................................................................................................... 12
Table 3-2 C&D recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................... 13
Table 3-3 C&D recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................... 14
Table 4-1 Additional organic materials collected for recycling, WA 2013-14 ....................................................... 16
Table 4-2 Organics recycling, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................................................... 17
Table 4-3 Organics recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................... 18
Table 4-4 Organics recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ............................................................................. 18
Table 5-1 Metals recycling, WA 2013-14 ....................................................................................................................... 22
Table 5-2 Metals recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................ 23
Table 5-3 Metals recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................. 23
Table 6-1 Paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................... 26
Table 6-2 Paper and cardboard recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ............................................................ 27
Table 6-3 Paper and cardboard recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ..................................................... 27
Table 7-1 Textiles recycling, WA 2013-14 ....................................................................................................................... 30
Table 7-2 Textiles recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................ 30
Table 7-3 Textiles recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................. 30
Table 8-1 Glass recycling, WA 2013-14 .......................................................................................................................... 32
Table 8-2 Glass recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................... 32
Table 8-3 Glass recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................... 32
Table 9-1 Plastics recycling, WA 2013-14 ...................................................................................................................... 34
Table 9-2 Plastics recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ....................................................................................... 35
Table 9-3 Plastics recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................ 36
Table 10-1 Rubber recycling, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................................................... 38
Table 10-2 Rubber recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ..................................................................................... 38
Table 10-3 Rubber recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 .............................................................................. 38
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The recycling of materials is a critically important activity for attaining sustainable waste management and
the efficient utilisation of increasingly scarce virgin resources. The Waste Authority’s (2012) Western
Australian Waste Strategy ‘Creating the Right Environment’ acknowledges the importance of recycling and
resource recovery for best practice waste management by setting targets expressed as the proportion of
waste recovered compared to that generated; specifically:
Municipal Solid Waste (Perth Metropolitan Region); 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 deeper
insight into the WA recycling industry, the Department of Environment Regulation engaged ASK Waste
Management (ASK) to conduct this annual recycling activity survey for the 2013-14 financial year.
ASK undertook a survey of total recycling activity in WA between the months of September and December
2014, distributing the survey to all known organisations reprocessing recyclable material generated in WA.
The survey included 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 the
survey and by industry reports; the data has not undergone any verification. Survey respondents reported
that 2,605,460 tonnes of recyclable material was recovered in 2013-14. The C&D sector provided 46%
(1,210,800t) of all recyclable material processed, followed by the C&I and municipal sectors with 32%
(835,840t) and 21% (559,820t) respectively. It was reported that 86% of the state’s recycling activity occurred
in the metropolitan area, with only 14% from regional areas. Total recycling by material category is
presented in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Total recycling by material category, WA 2013-14
1,239,650
370,920
237,640
681,140
34,1003,790 25,010 13,200
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
Ton
ne
s re
cy
cle
d
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Total waste generation (materials recycled plus waste landfilled) in WA was approximately 6,680,000 tonnes
in 2013-14. On a state-wide basis, this reflects an increase in waste generation of more than 550,000 tonnes
since 2012-13. The diversion rate (waste recycled / waste generated) for the metropolitan area was 45%,
while the WA diversion rate was 39%. These values represent a small decrease compared to the diversion
rates for 2012-13, for which the metropolitan diversion rate was 47% and the WA diversion rate 40%.
Table 1 Annual recycling and overall waste diversion, WA 2013–14
Metropolitan Area WA Total
Diversion from landfill (tonnes) 2,228,140 2,605,460
Waste to landfill (tonnes)1 2,719,770 4,074,300
Total waste generation (tonnes) 4,947,910 6,679,760
Diversion rate (%) 45% 39%
Population2 1,861,000 2,512,382
Per capita diversion (kg/person) 1,197 1,037
Per capita landfill (kg/person) 1,461 1,622
Per capita total waste (kg/person 2,659 2,659
Notes:
1. Metropolitan landfill data provided by Department of Environment Regulation, which includes tonnes of waste
directly reported and estimated from surveys. WA landfill data has been extrapolated from metropolitan landfill data
based 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. 2013-14 population data is derived from the Western Australian Planning Commission publication Western Australia
Tomorrow, Population Report No. 8, 2006 to 2026 (Planning Western Australia, 2012).
The diversion rates calculated to track progress against the WA Waste Strategy targets are presented in
Table 2. Although insufficient data was available to calculate municipal recovery rates for the major
regional centres, there were small decreases to the diversion rates for the state-wide and metropolitan
targets in 2013-14. The decrease in the Municipal diversion rate for the metro area was largely due to a
decrease in organics reprocessing capacity, and an increase in municipal waste to landfill. Despite a
reported increase of 125,000 tonnes to state-wide C&D reprocessing the diversion rate fell due to an
increase of approximately 340,000 tonnes of the estimated C&D waste disposed to landfill.
Table 2 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14
Sector Waste Strategy Targets
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
2015 2020
Municipal 50% metro; 30%
regional centres
65% metro; 50%
regional centres 39% (metro) 39% (metro) 45% (metro) 41% (metro)
C&I 55% (WA) 70% (WA) 28% (WA) 40 % (WA) 45% (WA) 45% (WA)
C&D 60% (WA) 75% (WA) 31% (WA) 38% (WA) 40% (WA) 38% (WA)
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1 TOTAL RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Recycling of materials is a critically important activity for attaining sustainable waste management and the
efficient utilisation of increasingly scarce resources. Recycling and resource recovery helps minimise the
quantity of waste disposed to landfill and the associated need to develop costly new landfill facilities. It also
lessens the demand for the natural resources required to manufacture new products and can reduce water
use, 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
seeks to do this by providing the necessary knowledge, infrastructure and incentives to change behaviour,
with a focus on best practice waste management, continuous improvement and target setting.
The Strategy acknowledges the importance of recycling and resource recovery for best practice waste
management by setting targets expressed as the proportion of waste recovered compared to that
generated; specifically:
Municipal Solid Waste (Perth Metropolitan Region); 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 deeper
insight into the Western Australian (WA) recycling industry, the Department of Environment Regulation has
engaged ASK Waste Management (ASK) to conduct this annual recycling activity survey for 2013-14.
1.1 SURVEY METHOD
Between the months of September and December 2014, ASK undertook a survey of total recycling activity in
Western Australia for the 2013-14 financial year. The survey included materials recovered in WA for recycling
and 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 2013-14 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 for recycling from WA for 2013-14 (Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade).
To ensure that the survey captured data from as many recyclers and reprocessors as possible, the list of
contacts provided from the previous year’s survey was reviewed in extensive consultation with government
and industry stakeholders. Despite efforts to ensure that the compiled recycling data is as comprehensive as
possible, the figures should be considered conservative as it is likely that some smaller WA reprocessors or
interstate 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 survey
questionnaire. To minimise the impact of this, ASK sought to at least gather total tonnes of material
processed from these companies so that the impact on total tonnes recycled would be minimised.
Considering the issues above it is very likely that there is an underestimation of actual recycling quantities for
2013-14.
Survey questionnaires were provided to reprocessors in electronic format with hard copies available upon
request. Data was sought for the 2013-14 financial year regarding material types, quantities processed, and
the origin, destination and market conditions of the reprocessed materials. The full questionnaire sent to
reprocessors is provided in Appendix A.
Consistent with the previous years, survey respondents had the option of reporting quantities by weight or
volume. 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 the
nearest 10 tonnes. The rounding of the values has led to occasional rounding errors for table totals. The
totals shown are based on a rounding of the original total value rather than the cumulative total of the
rounded values shown in the tables.
Some changes were made to the format of the survey for 2013-14 to reduce the time taken for respondents
to complete them, and to encourage an improved response rate, these changes included:
Providing customised survey templates for each sector of the recycling industry with irrelevant
questions removed;
Removing the request for information on gate fees charged (or paid) for source materials; and
Requesting financial turnover information in a range format instead of a specific figure.
The population data used was sourced from the Western Australia Tomorrow, Population Reports published
by the Western Australia Planning Commission (WAPC). This dataset is preferred by the DER as it includes
population projections for WA to 2026, and it closely reflects the official estimate of Australia’s population as
provided 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 2,605,460 tonnes in 2013-
14, equivalent to an increase of 128,830 tonnes from the value reported in 2012-13. These figures do not
include recycling activity by recycling collectors and sorters.
Figure 1-1 graphically presents the reported total recovery figures for 2010-11, 2011-121, 2012-13 and 2013-14.
Figure 1-1 Reported total recycling activity for WA in 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14
1.3 RECYCLING BY MATERIAL TYPE
Total reported recycling in WA during 2013-14 was 2,605,460 tonnes. The contributions of each recycled
material category are shown in Table 1-1 and displayed graphically in Figure 1-2.
Table 1-1 Annual recycling by material category, WA 2013-14
Material Category Tonnes Proportion of
Recycling (%)
C&D materials* 1,239,650 47.6%
Organics 370,930 14.2%
Paper & cardboard 237,640 9.1%
Metals 681,140 26.1%
Glass 34,100 1.3%
Textiles 3,790 0.1%
Rubber 25,010 1.0%
Plastic 13,200 0.5%
Total 2,605,460 100%
*C&D Materials refers to asphalt, bricks, concrete, plasterboard, sand, soil, clean fill and rubble. See
Section 3.
1 The total value for 2011-12 has been amended to account for 84,000 tonnes of timber material that was incorrectly
reported in that year.
2,042,270
2,439,790 2,476,6302,605,460
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
Tota
l to
nn
es
reco
vere
d
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As can be seen in Figure 1-2, C&D materials accounted for almost 48% (1,239,650t) of WA’s total recycling in
2013-14. Metals and organics made up 26% (681,140t) and 14% (370,920t) respectively of the recycled
material reported; with the paper and cardboard, glass, textiles, rubber, and plastic material categories
cumulatively accounting for the other 12% (313,750t).
Figure 1-2 Total recycling by material category, WA 2013-14
The top 16 material types recycled in WA during 2013-14 (based on the reported tonnage) are shown in
Figure 1-3. The ‘sand, soil, clean fill and rubble’ category represented the greatest quantity of material
recycled (811,920t); this was followed by the non-packaging steel category at 627,390 tonnes.
1,239,650
370,920
237,640
681,140
34,1003,790 25,010 13,200
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
Ton
ne
s re
cy
cle
d
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Figure 1-3 Recycling by material (by weight), WA 2013-14
778,290
627,390
263,600
181,470
118,420 115,260 105,63089,520
51,500 51,170 47,87034,630 34,100 31,630 25,010 17,990
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
900,000
Ton
ne
s re
cy
cle
d
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1.4 RECYCLING BY SECTOR
Survey respondents were asked to indicate what proportion of each material type was sourced from the
municipal, C&I and C&D sectors. Table 1-2 presents the total quantity of recyclable material sourced from
each sector, and the relevant percentage contribution.
The C&D sector provided 46% (1,210,800t) of all recyclable material processed, followed by the C&I and
municipal sectors with 32% (834,840t) and 21% (559,820t) respectively.
Table 1-2 Sector origins of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14
Material Type Quantity
Tonnes %
Municipal 559,820 21%
C&I 834,840 32%
C&D 1,210,800 46%
Total 2,605,460 100%
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 30.3% (169,520t),
followed by paper and cardboard at 24.9% (139,670t) and C&D materials at 22.8% (127,600t).
Figure 1-4 Municipal recycling composition, WA 2013-14
C&D materials
22.8%Organics
30.3%
Paper &
cardboard
24.9%
Metals
13.8%
Glass
5.8%
Textiles
0.7%
Rubber
0.5%
Plastic
1.3%
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Figure 1-5 shows that metals largest portion of the C&I sector’s composition at 52.8% (441,230t) of total C&I
recycling. Organic materials were the second largest contributor at 22.2% (184,920t) of the total sector.
Paper and cardboard, and C&D materials also made up a significant portion, with each more than 10%
(approximately 90,000t each) of total C&I recycling.
Figure 1-5 C&I recycling composition, WA 2013-14
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&D
sector’s composition at 84.5% (1,023,720t). Metals were the second largest contributor, equivalent to 13.5%
(162,930t) of total C&D recycling.
Figure 1-6 C&D recycling composition, WA 2013-14
C&D materials
10.6%
Organics
22.2%
Paper &
cardboard
10.9%
Metals
52.8%
Glass
0.2%
Textiles
0.0%
Rubber
2.6%Plastic
0.7%
C&D materials
84.5%
Organics
1.4%
Paper &
cardboard
0.6%
Metals
13.5%
Rubber
0.1%
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1.5 RECYCLING BY GEOGRAPHIC SOURCE
Reprocessors were asked to report the percentage of material recovered from metropolitan and non-
metropolitan areas 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’.
86% (2,228,130t) of the recycling recovered in 2013-14 was sourced from the metropolitan area, with only 14%
(377,330t) from the rest of WA (Table 1-3). The concentration of C&D recycling activity in the metropolitan
area had a significant impact on the total figures for the State.
Table 1-3 Geographic source of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14
Material Type Metro Non-metro
Tonnes % Tonnes %
C&D materials 1,217,580 98% 22,070 2%
Organics 281,990 76% 88,930 24%
Paper & cardboard 203,230 86% 34,410 14%
Metals 461,880 68% 219,260 32%
Glass 32,930 97% 1,180 3%
Textiles 3,470 92% 320 8%
Rubber 17,820 71% 7,190 29%
Plastic 9,240 70% 3,960 30%
TOTAL 2,228,130 86% 377,330 14%
Table 1-4 shows where the recyclable material from WA was reprocessed during 2013-14. Approximately 65%
(1,679,570t) of the material was reprocessed within the State, with almost 35% (904,000) being exported. The
quantity of exported materials in 2013-14 grew by 22% compared to the 739,800 tonnes exported in 2012-13.
Only small quantities of recovered material are sent interstate for reprocessing. This is because when it is not
economically viable to process the materials in WA; the market demand from overseas markets is generally
greater than that from the eastern States and transport costs are cheaper on a per unit basis when exporting
in bulk to overseas markets.
Table 1-4 Destination of WA reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14
Destination Tonnes %
Western Australia 1,679,570 64.5%
Interstate 21,900 0.8%
Export 904,000 34.7%
TOTAL 2,605,460 100.0%
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1.6 WASTE GENERATION AND DIVERSION
Landfill data for the metropolitan area during 2013-14 was provided by the WA Department of Environment
Regulation. As an accurate source of landfill data was not available for the rest of the State, the
metropolitan data was extrapolated using population data and assuming the same level of waste
generation per capita between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.
Table 1-5 presents data on the total and per capita waste generation, diversion, and landfill disposal for WA
and the metropolitan area.
Total waste generation in WA was estimated at approximately 6,679,760 tonnes in 2013-14, with waste
generation from metropolitan area contributing more than 4,947,910 tonnes. On a state-wide basis, this
reflects an increase in waste generation of more than 553,000 tonnes compared to 2012-13. This increase
reverses the trend of falling waste generation that occurred in 2011-12 and 2012-13. The increase in waste
generation was reflected in state-wide landfill estimates, with a 12% (424,420t) increase of waste to landfill
from 2012-13.
The diversion rate (waste recycled / waste generated) for the metropolitan area was 45%, while the WA
diversion rate was 39%. These values represent a marginal decrease on the diversion rates for 2012-13, for
which the metropolitan diversion rate was 47% and the WA diversion rate 40%.
State-wide per capita data indicates an increase in waste diversion from 1,005 kg per person in 2012-13 to
1,037 kg in 2013-14. Per capita landfill disposal increased significantly on a state-wide basis, from 1,481 kg per
person in 2012-13 to 1,622 kg per person in 2013-14.
Table 1-5 Annual recycling and overall waste diversion, WA 2013–14
Metropolitan
Area WA Total
Diversion from landfill (tonnes) 2,228,140 2,605,460
Waste to landfill (tonnes)1 2,719,770 4,074,300
Total waste generation (tonnes) 4,947,910 6,679,760
Diversion rate (%) 45% 39%
Population2 1,861,000 2,512,382
Per capita diversion (kg/person) 1,197 1,037
Per capita landfill (kg/person) 1,461 1,622
Per capita total waste (kg/person 2,659 2,659
Notes:
1. Metropolitan landfill data provided by Department of Environment Regulation, which
includes tonnes of waste directly reported and estimated. WA landfill data has been
extrapolated from metropolitan landfill data based 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. 2013-14 population data is derived from the Western Australian Planning Commission
publication Western Australia Tomorrow, Population Report No. 8, 2006 to 2026 (Planning
Western Australia, 2012).
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The Waste Authority’s (2012) Western Australian Waste Strategy ‘Creating the Right Environment’ set sector
based targets expressed as the proportion of waste recovered compared to that generated; specifically:
Municipal Solid Waste (Perth Metropolitan Region); 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
Diversion rates that were calculated to track progress against these targets are presented in Table 1-6.
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
waste generation rates were the same as the metropolitan area on a per capita basis.
Table 1-6 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11 to 2013-14
Sector Waste Strategy Targets
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
2015 2020
Municipal
50% metro;
30% regional
centres
65% metro;
50% regional
centres
39% (metro) 39% (metro) 45% (metro) 41% (metro)
C&I 55% (WA) 70% (WA) 28% (WA) 40 % (WA) 45% (WA) 45% (WA)
C&D 60% (WA) 75% (WA) 31% (WA) 38% (WA) 40% (WA) 38% (WA)
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2 SORTING FACILITIES DATA
A large proportion of municipal and C&I sector waste that is collected for recycling is sorted at a Material
Recovery Facilities (MRFs) prior to the materials being reprocessed into new products at a reprocessing
facility. WA MRFs reported processing approximately 124,000 tonnes of comingled recycling during 2013-14
(Table 2-1). One large MRF operator did not provide information for 2013-14, based on their response from
2012-13 it is estimated that between 80,000 and 100,000 tonnes of co-mingled recycling was not reported
and that this should be taken into account when comparing MRF data to previous years.
During the sorting process at MRFs some losses of material are inevitable due to process inefficiencies and
the presence of un-recyclable material (contamination) in the waste stream. For 2013-14, MRFs reported
approximately 23,000 tonnes of recycling losses (Table 2-1). With these losses taken into account,
approximately 101,120 tonnes of recyclable material was recovered by WA MRFs.
Table 2-1 Material recovered and recycling losses from MRFs, WA 2013–14
Tonnes %
Material recovered 101,120 81%
Recycling losses 23,040 19%
TOTAL PROCESSED 124,160 100%
Figure 2-1 outlines the breakdown of materials recovered by WA MRFs in 2013-14. Glass made up 35.2%
(34,830t) of the recovered materials, followed by mixed paper and Old News Print (ONP) with 27.7% (27,380t)
and 18.7% (18,530t) respectively.
Figure 2-1 Percentage breakdown of recyclable materials recovered
Glass
35.2%
Aluminium
0.8%
Steel
2.8%Plastics
4.9%
Old Newsprint
18.7%
Cardboard
9.8%
Paper (mixed)
27.7%
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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 previous
Recycling Activity Reviews.
The industry reported that 1,239,650 tonnes of C&D materials were recovered in WA for 2013-14. This figure
represents an increase of approximately 59,500 tonnes from 2012-13.
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 in
WA with no material exported or processed in other states.
Table 3-1 C&D materials recycling, WA 2013-14
Material
Net
Recycling1
(tonnes)
Material Destination
WA
(tonnes)
Interstate
(tonnes)
Export
(tonnes)
Asphalt 115,260 115,260 0 0
Bricks 47,870 47,870 0 0
Concrete 263,600 263,600 0 0
Plasterboard 34,630 34,630 0 0
Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble2 778,300 778,300 0 0
TOTAL 1,239,650 1,239,650 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 (63% or 778,300t) of C&D materials
recovered (Figure 3-1). Concrete made a significant contribution at 21% (263,600t) of total C&D recycling
tonnage.
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Figure 3-1 Composition of recycled C&D waste (by weight), WA 2013-14
Table 3-2 shows the sector source from which the C&D materials were generated; counter intuitively, not all is
attributable to the C&D sector. Some C&D material types are in fact generated by the municipal and C&I
sectors; 10.3% (127,600t) and 7.1% (88,340t) respectively.
Table 3-2 C&D recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14
Material Municipal
(tonnes)
C&I
(tonnes)
C&D
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Asphalt 25,420 7,110 82,730 115,260
Bricks 5,470 2,200 40,200 47,870
Concrete 35,690 27,950 199,950 263,600
Plasterboard 0 0 34,630 34,630
Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble 61,020 51,070 666,200 778,300
TOTAL 127,600 88,340 1,023,720 1,239,650
The majority (98.2% or 1,217,580t) of C&D waste is recovered in the metropolitan area (Table 3-3).
Asphalt
9.3%
Bricks
3.9%
Concrete
21.3%
Plasterboard
2.8%
Sand, soil,
clean fill and
rubble
62.8%
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Table 3-3 C&D recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14
Material Metro
(tonnes)
Non-Metro
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Asphalt 113,090 2,170 115,260
Bricks 47,870 0 47,870
Concrete 252,200 11,400 263,600
Plasterboard 34,630 0 34,630
Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble 769,800 8,500 778,300
TOTAL 1,217,580 22,070 1,239,650
Figure 3-2 depicts material flows of C&D recycling in WA for 2013-14.
Figure 3-2 Material flow of C&D materials recycling, WA 2013–14
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3.2 BARRIERS
In 2012-13 the most commonly reported barrier to increased recycling was the low cost of landfill disposal
and the lack of a high enough landfill levy to create a clearer economic incentive to recycle C&D waste.
This issue was only mentioned by one operator in 2013/14, suggesting that the increase to the landfill levy in
2014 has alleviated the issue to some extent and made inert waste recycling more economically competitive
with landfilling in the metropolitan area.
The perceived barriers that were raised by industry in 2013-14 included:
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 recycled
product, and introduce a consistent policy to support the use of recycled products.
Engineers from the civil sectors are reluctant to sanction the use of recycled products.
As was reported in 2012-13, some operators continue to have difficulty establishing new reprocessing
facilities due to community opposition, bureaucratic red tape and environmental regulations.
Government not strongly enforcing regulations that prohibit people to store or process waste streams
without relevant approvals or licences (uneven playing field).
Landfill levy is not applied in the non-metro area so there is less economic incentive to recycle in
regional areas.
3.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH
Reprocessors reported that there was an abundant supply of waste C&D materials throughout 2013-14 due
to increased construction and demolition activity in the State. This did not however coincide with strong
demand for recycled C&D products across the sector. The strength of receiving markets was reported as
variable and subject to volatility. As was reported in 2012-13, operators with effective marketing strategies
and/or well established customer bases reported average to strong demand, whilst others reported difficulty
in accessing markets.
Many operators reported that the market has significant potential for growth if the industry can effectively
market the advantages of the recycled products, and gain support from government authorities in utilising
recycled aggregates in construction projects.
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4 ORGANIC MATERIALS
The survey requested organics reprocessors to report a variety of organic material types that included
materials from primary industry. For the purpose of this report, the quantities of organic materials sourced from
primary industry (Table 4-1) were not included in calculations as they are not traditionally sent to landfill, and
therefore do not represent a diversion from landfill. This practice is consistent with previous reports and
methodologies used in other States.
Table 4-1 Additional organic materials collected for recycling, WA 2013-14
Material Tonnes
Forestry waste 42,720
Agricultural waste (excluding manures)1 14,650
Manures 23,430
TOTAL 80,800
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 reported
recycling organic materials although this was not their core business, particularly in regards to wood/timber
processing.
4.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION
Almost 371,000 tonnes of organic materials were reported to have been recovered in 2013-14. This represents
a reduction of approximately 90,000 tonnes from 2012-13.
Approximately 100,000 tonnes of processing capacity was lost through the closure of three facilities in the
metropolitan area. It is estimated that at least a further 50,000 tonnes was not reported as some reprocessors
stated they did not want to participate in the survey.
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Table 4-2 shows the quantities recovered for each material type.
Table 4-2 Organics recycling, WA 2013-14
Material
Net
Recycling1
tonnes)
Material Destination
WA
(tonnes)
Interstate
(tonnes)
Export
(tonnes)
Food organics 5,850 5,850 0 0
Organics from mixed municipal 105,630 105,630 0 0
Garden organics 118,420 118,420 0 0
Wood / timber 89,520 89,520 0 0
Other organic 51,500 51,500 0 0
TOTAL 370,930 370,930 0 0
1. Net recycling excludes recycling losses.
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
organics make up the major proportion of the total at 31.9% (118,420t), with organics from mixed municipal
waste second largest at 28.6% (105,630t). Wood/timber waste is also significant, equivalent to 24.1% (89,520t)
of total recovered organics.
Figure 4-1 Composition of recycled organics (by weight), WA 2013-14
Food organics
1.6%
Organics from
mixed municipal
28.5%
Garden
organics
31.9%
Wood / timber
24.1%Other organic
13.9%
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The split between the municipal, C&I, and C&D sectors is presented in Table 4-3. C&I is the largest source
sector and is equivalent to 50% (184,920t) of total organics recovered. The municipal sector contributed
another 46% (169,520t) with the remainder from the C&D sector. Approximately 16,700 tonnes of ‘Organics
from Mixed Municipal’ was reported as being sourced from the C&I sector due to some businesses having
their waste collected as part of a kerbside municipal bin collection program.
Table 4-3 Organics recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14
Material Municipal
(tonnes)
C&I
(tonnes)
C&D
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Food organics 0 5,850 0 5,850
Organics from mixed municipal 88,950 16,680 0 105,630
Garden organics 78,610 35,580 4,230 118,420
Wood / timber 1,460 75,810 12,250 89,520
Other organic 500 51,000 0 51,500
TOTAL 169,520 184,920 16,480 370,930
The majority (76% or 281,990t) of the total organics recovered came from the metropolitan area, conversely
the majority (64% or 57,550t) of the wood/timber category was recovered from the non-metropolitan area
(Table 4-4).
Table 4-4 Organics recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14
Material Metro
(tonnes)
Non-Metro
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Food organics 3,870 1,990 5,850
Organics from mixed municipal 98,650 6,980 105,630
Garden organics 96,500 21,920 118,420
Wood / timber 31,970 57,550 89,520
Other organic 51,000 500 51,500
TOTAL 281,990 88,940 370,930
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Figure 4-2 depicts material flows of reprocessed organics in WA for 2013-14.
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Figure 4-2 Material flow of organic recycling, WA 2013–14
4.2 BARRIERS
The organics recycling industry was asked to comment on major issues affecting the industry and barriers to
increased organics recycling in WA. Of all the recycling sectors covered by the survey, the organics sector
reported the greatest range of issues and barriers. It must be noted that the opinions below were provided
by the organics recycling industry.
As was the case in 2012-13, a high ranking issue for the sector was in regards to state and local government
regulation of composting facilities. The relevant issues raised by the sector included:
A perception that a standardised regulatory approach was not being applied across the sector and
that this was resulting in some operators cutting corners and out competing ‘compliant’ operators on
a price basis.
An overly complicated planning and environmental approvals process for organics recyclers seeking
to establish new facilities, especially in regards to the interpretation of local government town
planning schemes.
Prescriptive environmental (and health) regulations and conditions that require significant capital
investment and operational expenditure to ensure compliance.
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Other issues raised by the industry included:
A need for the organics sector to support strategic industry development that influences policy
makers, politicians, regulators and the community.
Contamination of source materials (especially from the municipal sector) is expensive and difficult to
remove and has a negative impact on the market demand for the final product. Improved source
separation is required to address this issue but this requires close cooperation between the industry
and state and local government.
There is a need for market development and educating potential customers of the benefits of utilising
recycled organics to support primary production and landscape management.
A concern that the trend towards producing energy and biogas from organic materials will negatively
impact the availability of recycled organic materials for the composting sector.
A concern that new technologies and collection methods for municipal waste will threaten the
availability of uncontaminated greenwaste needed for mulch production.
Local governments perceived to be not doing enough to support and facilitate the recovery of
municipal organic waste.
4.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH
The strength of the recycled organics market was reported as variable with some processors effectively
targeting growing niche markets while others reported weak to average demand. It was reported that the
low density and relatively low value of recycled organics limited the geographic range that reprocessors
could access primary production markets outside the metropolitan area. Across the industry there was wide
recognition that further effort was required to develop the market to realise its full potential.
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5 METALS
5.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION
Metal recycling represents a significant portion of WA’s recycling activity due to the relatively high value of
scrap metals compared to other waste types. More than 680,000 tonnes of WA waste metal was recycled in
2013-14 (Table 5-1). Total metal recovery in WA increased by approximately 120,000 tonnes between 2012-13
and 2013-14 due to a significant boost in scrap steel exports. The vast majority (97% or 663,840t) of scrap
metal collected in WA was exported for processing into new products, with only 1% (7,670t) reprocessed in
WA (Table 5-1).
Table 5-1 Metals recycling, WA 2013-14
Material
Net
Recycling1
(tonnes)
Material Destination
WA
(tonnes)
Interstate
(tonnes)
Export
(tonnes)
Aluminium (Non-Packaging) 17,990 0 300 17,690
Aluminium Packaging 1,400 0 0 1,400
Non-Ferrous Metals (ex. Al) 31,630 7,670 9,330 14,630
Steel (Non-Packaging) 627,390 0 0 627,390
Steel Packaging 2,740 0 0 2,740
TOTAL 681,140 7,670 9,630 663,840
1. Net recycling excludes recycling losses.
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 new products in the receiving countries.
Figure 5-1 Composition of recycled metals (by weight), WA 2013-14
Aluminium
(Non-
Packaging)
2.6%Aluminium
Packaging
0.2%Non-Ferrous
Metals (ex. Al)
4.6%
Steel (Non-
Packaging)
92.1%
Steel Packaging
0.4%
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Non-packaging steel was the largest contributor, accounting for 92.1% (627,390t) of the total tonnage. Both
aluminium and steel packaging were minor contributors with only 0.2% (1,400t) and 0.4% (2,740t) of total
metals recovery respectively (Figure 5-1).
Table 5-2 shows that the majority of the materials were sourced from the C&I sector (65% or 441,230t),
followed by C&D at 24% (162,930t), and the municipal sector at 11% (76,990t).
Table 5-2 Metals recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14
Material Municipal
tonnes)
C&I
(tonnes)
C&D
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Aluminium (Non-Packaging) 2,390 12,030 3,560 17,990
Aluminium Packaging 1,120 280 0 1,400
Non-Ferrous Metals (ex. Al) 770 21,940 8,920 31,630
Steel (Non-Packaging) 69,960 406,980 150,450 627,390
Steel Packaging 2,740 0 0 2,740
TOTAL 76,990 441,230 162,930 681,140
As is outlined in Table 5-3, approximately 68% (461,880t) of the total recycled metals were sourced from the
metropolitan area with the remaining 32% (219,260t) sourced from the rest of WA.
About 90% of aluminium and steel packaging was sourced from metropolitan areas. The higher level of
metropolitan sourced packaging materials is because nearly all of the metropolitan area is serviced by
domestic kerbside recycling schemes for packaging material, whilst this is not the case throughout regional
and rural areas.
Table 5-3 Metals recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14
Material Metro
(tonnes)
Non-Metro
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Aluminium (Non-Packaging) 13,140 4,850 17,990
Aluminium Packaging 1,230 170 1,400
Non-Ferrous Metals (ex. Al) 27,310 4,320 31,630
Steel (Non-Packaging) 417,740 209,650 627,390
Steel Packaging 2,470 270 2,740
TOTAL 461,880 219,260 681,140
Figure 5-2 depicts material flows of metal recycling in WA for 2013-14.
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Figure 5-2 Material flow of metal recycling, WA 2013–14
5.2 BARRIERS
The metal recycling industry identified the following perceived barriers to increasing recycling rates:
The economic viability of metal recycling is highly dependent on global market pricing and the
influence of exchange rates due to the industry’s dependence on exporting.
Intrastate transport costs reduce the viability of collecting scrap metal from rural and regional areas.
The metropolitan waste levy is having a distorting effect on the market by penalising reprocessors that
shred scrap metal prior to export. These reprocessors remove plastic contamination (floc) from the
shredded scrap metal and dispose of it to landfill which subjects them to the landfill levy. Reprocessors
that process to a lower level (such as crushing), and do not remove floc prior to export, are not
exposed to this additional cost.
5.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH
Scrap metal prices are closely linked to global markets and particularly the London Metal Exchange. The
industry reported that market demand and prices throughout 2013-14 were generally strong but subject to
fluctuation. The greatest demand for scrap metal was from the Southeast Asian region where almost all of
WA’s scrap metal was exported.
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Whilst the international market for scrap metals was relatively strong throughout 2013-14, demand from the
local market (State and nationally) remained extremely weak with a lack of industrial capacity to reprocess
significant quantities of scrap metal into new products. This trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable
future as Australian foundries face much higher production costs than competitors in the Southeast Asian
region.
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6 PAPER AND CARDBOARD
6.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION
In excess of 237,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard was recovered in WA during 2013-14, an increase of
approximately 17,000 tonnes compared to 2012-13. As displayed in Figure 6-1 and Table 6-1, this was
comprised of cardboard and paper packaging (76.4% or 181,470t), old newsprint (21.5% or 51,160t) and
white office paper (2.1% or 5,010t). Although no liquid paperboard (LPB) reprocessing was reported in 2013-
14 undefined quantities are included within the cardboard and paper packaging material type.
Table 6-1 Paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2013-14
Material
Net
Recycling1
(tonnes)
Material Destination
WA
(tonnes)
Interstate
(tonnes)
Export
(tonnes)
Cardboard / paper packaging 181,470 0 110 181,360
Liquid paperboard (LPB) 0 0 0 0
Old newsprint (ONP) 51,160 24,690 0 26,470
White office paper 5,010 0 2,040 2,970
TOTAL 237,640 24,690 2,150 210,800
1. Net recycling excludes recycling losses.
Table 6-1 shows the majority of paper and cardboard (88.7% or 210,800t) was exported for reprocessing, with
1% (2,150t) processed inter-state, and 10.4% (24,690t) reprocessed in WA.
Figure 6-1 Composition of recycled paper and cardboard (by weight), WA 2013-14
In a continuing trend ONP recovery declined by approximately 6,000 tonnes, the News Paper Works (NPW)
(2014) reported that this was caused by a nationwide reduction in the circulation of newspapers. Therefore in
terms of ONP recovered to newsprint consumed (i.e. percentage recycled), WA’s ONP recovery rate
actually increased in 2013-14 to 76.1% of total newspaper consumed.
Cardboard /
paper
packaging
76.4%
Old newsprint
(ONP)
21.5%
White office
paper
2.1%
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Table 6-2 shows that the majority of paper and cardboard was recovered from the municipal and C&I
sectors; 59% (139,670t) and 38% (91,100t) respectively. A small quantity (3% or 6,880t) was associated with
cardboard and paper packaging generated by the C&D sector.
Table 6-2 Paper and cardboard recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14
Material Municipal
(tonnes)
C&I
(tonnes)
C&D
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Cardboard / paper packaging 92,740 81,850 6,880 181,470
Liquid paperboard (LPB) 0 0 0 0
Old newsprint (ONP) 46,930 4,240 0 51,160
White office paper 0 5,010 0 5,010
TOTAL 139,670 91,100 6,880 237,640
Approximately 85% (203,230t) of the recycled paper and cardboard was recovered from the metropolitan
area (Table 6-3).
Table 6-3 Paper and cardboard recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14
Material Metro
(tonnes)
Non-Metro
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Cardboard / paper packaging 154,260 27,200 181,470
Liquid paperboard (LPB) 0 0 0
Old newsprint (ONP) 44,400 6,760 511,70
White office paper 4,570 450 50,10
TOTAL (inc. rounding errors) 203,230 34,410 237,640
Figure 6-2 depicts material flows of paper and cardboard recycling in WA for 2013-14.
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Figure 6-2 Material flow of paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2013–14
6.2 BARRIERS
The paper and cardboard recycling industry reported poor separation of materials and contamination as
the major barrier to increased recycling, and that this particularly impacted the recovery of white office
paper. Low market prices for recycled paper and cardboard products and relatively high transport costs
were also considered to present a barrier to increased recycling. On respondent commented that they
consider the total quantity of recovered material is unlikely to experience significant growth and may decline
in the future as paper consumption is being offset by the advance of digital print (i.e. reduced consumption
of news print and publications).
6.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH
WA paper and cardboard recyclers reported that the local and foreign markets for all categories of
recycled paper and cardboard was weak.
In specific regards to newspaper (ONP) recycling, the NPW (2014) made the following statements regarding
the market:
Newspaper circulation continued its long term decline with a state-wide reduction in consumption of
11.36%. This decline impacted the availability of ONP for WA reprocessors and reduced demand for its
use in new newsprint.
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Despite the significant decline in newsprint consumption, WA recyclers managed to marginally
increase the recycling rate to 76.1% of newsprint consumed.
National demand for ONP in the manufacture of new newsprint weakened in line with declining
newspaper circulation.
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7 TEXTILES
7.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION
WA textile recyclers recovered 3,790 tonnes of textiles by processing them into rags for cleaning purposes, an
increase of approximately 26% (780t) compared to 2012-13. As shown in Table 7-1 the majority of the
recovered textiles were exported (85% or 3,210t).
Table 7-1 Textiles recycling, WA 2013-14
Material
Net
Recycling1
(tonnes)
Material Destination
WA
(tonnes)
Interstate
(tonnes)
Export
(tonnes)
Textiles 3,790 580 0 3,210
1. Net recycling excludes recycling losses.
The majority of the processed material was sourced from the Municipal sector (98% or 3,720t) with the
remaining the 2% (70t) from the C&I sector (Table 7-2).
Table 7-2 Textiles recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14
Material Municipal
(tonnes)
C&I
(tonnes)
C&D
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Textiles 3,720 70 0 3,790
The bulk of the textiles (93% or 3,510t) were sourced from the metropolitan area with 7% (280t) from the rest of
WA (Table 7-3).
Table 7-3 Textiles recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14
Material Metro
(tonnes)
Non-Metro
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Textiles 3,510 280 3,790
7.2 BARRIERS
Textile recyclers identified the following issues as barriers to increasing textile recycling rates:
Textile recyclers that are dependent on public donation bins to collect textiles continue to report that
small minority of the general public use the donation bin sites to dump rubbish, that they find difficult
or costly to dispose of and the sites become a source of complaint due to their appearance.
They also report difficulty in finding appropriate sites for donation bins with some public and private
property managers prohibiting donation bins on their properties due to a lack of understanding on the
benefits of the charity collection bin process
7.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH
Textile reprocessors reported that the market was strong and offered attractive margins that were resulting in
greater activity from the for-profit sector. International demand for recovered textiles was greatest from
African and Asian nations with export destinations including Bulgaria, Dem Rep of Congo, Zaire, Kenya,
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Kiribati, Malaysia, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the
United Arab Emirates,
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8 GLASS
8.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION
During 2013-14, more than 34,000 tonnes of glass was recovered from WA for reprocessing, representing an
increase of approximately 10,000 tonnes compared to 2012-13. Table 8-1 shows that the majority (89% or
30,280t) of the recovered glass is sold into WA markets, predominantly for use in construction projects. This is
a significant shift from 2012-13 when only 34% of reprocessed glass was utilised within WA. The change is a
result of the closure of a major glass reprocessor that was producing recycled glass cullet to be used in the
production of new glass products, and the opening of a new reprocessor that produced crushed glass for
use in WA construction activities.
Table 8-1 Glass recycling, WA 2013-14
Material
Net
Recycling1
(tonnes)
Material Destination
WA (tonnes) Interstate
(tonnes)
Export
(tonnes)
Glass 34,100 30,280 3,820 0
1. Net recycling excludes recycling losses.
The majority of the material originated from the Municipal sector (95% or 32,370t) with 5% (1,730t) from the
C&I sector (Table 8-2).
Table 8-2 Glass recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14
Material Municipal
(tonnes)
C&I
(tonnes)
C&D
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Glass 32,370 1,730 0 34,100
As shown in Table 8-3, approximately 97% (32,930t) of the glass originated from the metropolitan area.
Table 8-3 Glass recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14
Material Metro
(tonnes)
Non-Metro
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Glass 32,930 1,170 34,100
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 glass
compared to disposing of it to landfill.
High collection and transportation costs.
There is a lack of industrial capacity to process glass into new glass products in WA which means it
must be sent to the eastern states (and incur high transport costs).
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8.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH
There was limited information provided by survey respondents on the strength of the receiving markets but
ASK made the following observations:
It was apparent that although there is interstate demand for quality glass cullet for use in the
production of new glass packaging, the viability of doing so is marginal for WA reprocessors due to the
low value of the recycled product, and the high cost of transporting it to the eastern states.
As was reported in 2012/13, there appears to be growing demand for crushed glass in WA
construction activities, and that this may be a more economically viable use for recycled glass as
processing requirements are less than that required for the production of glass packaging, and the
material does not incur prohibitive transportation costs to access the market.
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9 PLASTICS
The plastics recycling data utilised for this report was sourced from the 2013-14 National Plastics Recycling
Survey that was undertaken by Sustainable Resource Use (SRU).
9.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION
More than 13,000 tonnes of plastics were recovered from WA during 2013-14. Compared with 2012-13, the
total quantity of plastic recycled in WA increased by 2,200 tonnes or approximately 20%. This is the second
consecutive increase in plastics recycling following a sustained decline between 2006-07 and 2010-11.
As shown in Table 9-1, almost 57% (7,500t) of the recovered plastic was exported for processing, 29% (3,770t)
was processed locally, and the other 14% (1,930t) sent interstate.
Table 9-1 Plastics recycling, WA 2013-14
Material
Net
Recycling1
(tonnes)
Material Destination
WA
(tonnes)
Interstate
(tonnes)
Export
(tonnes)
ABS/SAN (7) 100 100 0 0
EPS (6) 200 200 0 0
HDPE (2) 5,500 1,470 1,380 2,650
L/LLDPE (4) 2,100 1,400 0 700
PET (1) 2,500 100 0 2,400
PP (5) 1,700 300 100 1,300
PS (6) 300 200 50 50
PU (7) 400 0 400 0
PVC (3) 400 0 0 400
TOTAL 13,200 3,770 1,930 7,500
1. Net recycling excludes recycling losses.
The composition of the plastic types recovered is shown in Figure 9-1. HDPE made up approximately 42%
(5,500t) of all the plastics recovered. PET represented 19% (2,500t) of the total plastic recovered, L/LLDPE was
also significant at 16% (2,100t) of the total.
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Figure 9-1 Composition of recycled plastics (by weight), WA 2013-14
The recovered plastics were sourced approximately 53% and 47% from the municipal and C&I sectors
respectively, whilst none was reported from the C&D sector (Table 9-2).
Table 9-2 Plastics recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14
Material Municipal
(tonnes)
C&I
(tonnes)
C&D
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
ABS/SAN (7) 0 100 0 100
EPS (6) 0 200 0 200
HDPE (2) 2,750 2,750 0 5,500
L/LLDPE (4) 0 2,100 0 2,100
PET (1) 2,000 500 0 2,500
PP (5) 1,200 500 0 1,700
PS (6) 300 0 0 300
PU (7) 400 0 0 400
PVC (3) 400 0 0 400
TOTAL 7,050 6,150 0 13,200
It was reported that 70% (9,240t) of the plastics originated from the metropolitan area with 30% (3,960t) from
non-metropolitan areas (Table 9-3).
ABS/SAN (7)
0.8%EPS (6)
1.5%
HDPE (2)
41.7%
L/LLDPE (4)
15.9%
PET (1)
18.9%
PP (5)
12.9%PS (6)
2.3%
PU (7)
3.0%
PVC (3)…
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Table 9-3 Plastics recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14
Material Metro
(tonnes)
Non-Metro
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
ABS/SAN (7) 70 30 100
EPS (6) 140 60 200
HDPE (2) 3,850 1,650 5,500
L/LLDPE (4) 1,470 630 2,100
PET (1) 1,750 750 2,500
PP (5) 1,190 510 1,700
PS (6) 210 90 300
PU (7) 280 120 400
PVC (3) 280 120 400
TOTAL 9,240 3,960 13,200
Figure 6-2 depicts material flows of plastic recycling in WA for 2013-14.
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Figure 9-2 Material flow of plastic recycling, WA 2013–14
9.2 BARRIERS
Although plastic reprocessors were not asked to specifically comment on barriers to increased plastics
recycling as part of the SRU’s 2013-14 National Plastics Recycling Survey it was noted that there is a trend
towards the use of laminates for plastic packaging and that is a limitation for reprocessors and sorters alike in
WA and offshore. It was also reported that despite an increased supply of recyclate in 2013-14, reprocessors
still had to seek out quality, pre-consumer scrap from manufacturers of durable or packaging plastics.
9.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH
The SRU (2014) report made the following observations of the market for recycled plastics in 2013-14:
“Mixed plastics recycling is still highly reliant on baled export. Increasingly there is a shift of plastics
exports away from China and towards Malaysia who have lower quality standards for received
recyclate.
Reprocessors still seek market pull-through mechanisms (purchasing policies to encourage substitution
with recycled plastics). Reprocessors view that such mechanisms would not inflate the price of
recyclate, but merely stimulate recyclate use in product.
2013–14 was also a good year for the sale of reprocessed materials with new market outlets arising for
most materials”.
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10 RUBBER
10.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION
Table 10-1 shows that approximately 25,000 tonnes of rubber was recovered from WA in 2013-14. This figure
represents an increase of approximately 13,000 tonnes from 2012-13. The increase is largely due to two
reprocessors providing responses to the survey that had not participated in the previous year. The majority of
the recovered product was exported, with 4,370 tonnes sent interstate, and 2,000 tonnes going to WA
markets.
Table 10-1 Rubber recycling, WA 2013-14
Material
Net
Recycling1
(tonnes)
Material Destination
WA
(tonnes)
Interstate
(tonnes)
Export
(tonnes)
Rubber 25,010 2,000 4,370 18,640
1. Net recycling excludes recycling losses.
The majority of recovered rubber was sourced from the C&I sector (85%, 21,310t), with only 12% (2,900t) and
3% (800t) sourced from the municipal and C&D sectors respectively (Table 10-2).
Table 10-2 Rubber recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14
Material Municipal
(tonnes)
C&I
(tonnes)
C&D
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Rubber 2,900 21,310 800 25,010
Table 10-3 shows that 71% (17,820t) of the material was recovered from the metropolitan areas, with 29%
(7,190t) from the rest of WA.
Table 10-3 Rubber recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14
Material Metro
(tonnes)
Non-Metro
(tonnes)
Total
(tonnes)
Rubber 17,820 7,190 25,010
10.2 BARRIERS
The industry reported the following perceived barriers to increased rubber recycling in WA:
Weak local demand for recycled tyre products.
Shipping costs reduce the viability of accessing international markets.
The export of whole baled tyres, and landfilling and stockpiling of tyres outside of the metropolitan
area reduces the available supply of waste tyres for recycling.
10.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH
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.
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Although the market conditions vary for each product type, in general it was reported that demand was
growing but that margins remained low. The lack of a local market for TDF was also reported as negatively
impacting the viability of tyre recycling as it means that significant shipping costs have to be incurred to
access international markets.
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GLOSSARY
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-
Styrene (ABS)
A thermoplastic commonly used in engineered plastics applications
such as mechanical parts.
Commercial and industrial
waste (C&I)
Comprises solid waste generated by the business sector as well as solid
wastes created by State and Federal government entities, schools and
tertiary institutions. Unless otherwise noted, C&I waste does not include
waste from the construction and demolition (C&D) sector.
Construction and
demolition (C&D) materials
Materials generally generated by construction and demolition activities
and therefore commonly arise from the C&D sector. This group of
materials consists of bricks, concrete, asphalt and sand, soil clean fill
and rubble for the purposes of this report
Construction and
demolition waste (C&D)
Includes waste from residential, civil and commercial construction and
demolition activities, such as fill material (e.g. soil), asphalt, bricks and
timber. Unless otherwise noted, C&D waste does not include waste
from the commercial and industrial waste stream.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) Made of pre-expanded polystyrene beads. Commonly used to form
moulded sheets for building insulation and as a packing material.
Garden organics Organics derived from parks and garden sources such as grass
clippings and tree prunings.
High density polyethylene
(HDPE)
A member of the polyethylene family of plastics and is used to make
products such as milk bottles, pipes and shopping bags.
Kerbside collection
Collection of household recyclable materials (separated or co-
mingled) that are 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 usually used as film for packaging or as bags.
Linear low density
polyethylene (LLDPE)
A member of the polyolefin family of plastics. It is a strong and flexible
plastic and usually used in film for packaging, bags and for industrial
products such as pressure pipe.
Municipal waste
Solid waste generated from domestic (household) premises and
council activities such as street sweeping, litter and street tree lopping.
Also includes waste dropped off at recycling centres, transfer stations
and construction waste from 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
products such 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 is used to make products such as washing machine agitators,
clear film packaging, carpet fibres and housewares.
Polystyrene (PS)
A member of the styrene family of plastics. PS is easy to mould and is
used to make refrigerator and washing machine components. It can
be foamed to make 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
including flexible and rigid foams as well as in coatings, adhesives,
sealants and elastomers 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 is used 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
institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product which can
no longer be used for its intended purpose. This includes returns of
material from the distribution chain.
Recovered material
Material that would have otherwise been disposed of as waste, but has
instead been collected and reclaimed as a material input, in lieu of a
new primary material, for a recycling or manufacturing process.
Recyclate
Material able to be processed for recycling in a facility. Sometimes only
to refer to materials actually recovered from recycling, excluding
residual wastes.
Recycling
Material recovered that would otherwise have been disposed of to
landfill and that has undergone some form of physical reprocessing to
create a saleable product or raw material.
Waste materials that are reclaimed and reutilised within the same
manufacturing processes that generated it as a matter of course to the
efficient operation of the site (i.e. process scrap) are not defined as
recycling for the purpose of this study.
Reprocessor A business or organisation that physically reprocesses sorted wasted
materials into a saleable product or raw material.
Reuse Reuse involves recovering value from a discarded resource in its
original State without recycling or remanufacture.
Solid waste
Waste materials ranging from municipal garbage to industrial waste,
but excluding gaseous, liquid, hazardous, clinical and intractable
wastes.
Styrene Acrylonitrile resin
(SAN)
A copolymer plastic consisting of styrene and acrylonitrile. It is widely
used in place of polystyrene owing to its greater thermal resistance.
SAN is a common co-polymer of ABS.
Tyre derived fuel (TDF) Shredded or processed tyres to be used for the generation of heat
and/or electricity through combustion or gasification.
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REFERENCES
Department of Planning (2012). Western Australia Tomorrow. Population Report No. 7, 2006 to 2026. Forecast
Summary – Planning Regions of WA. Published by Western Australian Planning Commission
IndustryEdge P/L (2014). Old Newsprint Recovery Figures for 2013. Prepared for The Newspaper Works.
Sustainable Resource Unit (2014). 2013-14 National Plastics Recycling Survey (WA State Data Report).
Prepared for the WA Department of Environmental Regulation.
Waste Authority (2012). Western Australian Waste Strategy: Creating the Right Environment. Department of
Environment and Conservation
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APPENDIX A – REPROCESSOR SURVEY
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