Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17€¦ · Recycling Activity in Western Australia...

Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17

Waste Authority

Project No. 1707

July 2018Advice

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Waste Authority iRecycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17

Acknowledgements

This report has been prepared for the Waste Authority inaccordance with the terms and conditions of the Annual Reviewsof Recycling Activity in Western Australia contract DEC6250022013,dated 1 July 2013. The report was funded from the WasteAvoidance and Resource Recovery Account.

ASK Waste Management gratefully acknowledges thecooperation of the Western Australian recycling industry, theWaste Management Association of Australia and the Departmentof Water and Environmental Regulation staff who providedinformation and assistance in the development of this report.

Disclaimer

Information in this document is current as of July 2018. While allprofessional care has been undertaken in preparing thedocument, ASK Waste Management accepts no liability for loss ordamages incurred as a result of reliance placed on its content.

The mention of any company, product or process in this reportdoes not constitute or imply endorsement by ASK WasteManagement.

Document Control

Version Date Description Initials

0 <draft> 16 May 2018 Draft version for internal QA

1 <draft> 17 May 2018 Draft version for DWER review

2C <final> 16 July 2018 Final version

3A <Final> 7 July 2019 Final version (after DWER edits)

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

Report produced by:GILES PERRYMAN BSc, DMSSAMUEL GREEN BSc

PO Box 401Brunswick HeadsNSW, 2483AUSTRALIA

0447 393 363 [email protected] www.askwm.com

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Waste Authority iiRecycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17

CONTENTS

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

1 TOTAL RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA ......................................................................................................11.1 Survey Method....................................................................................................................................................................1

1.1.1 Changes to 2015-16 Recycling Activity Review data ...................................................................................31.2 Statewide Recycling, Landfill, and Waste generation .................................................................................................3

1.2.1 Total recycling......................................................................................................................................................31.2.2 Total landfill...........................................................................................................................................................31.2.3 Total waste generation ......................................................................................................................................31.2.4 Per capita recycling and landfill.......................................................................................................................41.2.5 Landfill diversion rates.........................................................................................................................................41.2.6 Waste stockpiling.................................................................................................................................................7

1.3 Recycling by Material Category & Type ........................................................................................................................81.4 Recycling by Sector ........................................................................................................................................................ 101.5 Recycling by Geographic Source ................................................................................................................................ 11

2 CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIALS ............................................................................................................. 132.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ............................................................................................................. 132.2 Barriers ............................................................................................................................................................................... 142.3 Market Size and Strength ............................................................................................................................................... 15

3 ORGANIC MATERIALS ........................................................................................................................................................ 163.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ............................................................................................................. 163.2 Other Organic Recycling ............................................................................................................................................... 173.3 Barriers ............................................................................................................................................................................... 183.4 Market Size and Strength ............................................................................................................................................... 18

4 METALS................................................................................................................................................................................. 194.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ............................................................................................................. 194.2 Barriers ............................................................................................................................................................................... 204.3 Market Size and Strength ............................................................................................................................................... 20

5 PAPER AND CARDBOARD................................................................................................................................................. 215.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ............................................................................................................. 215.2 Barriers ............................................................................................................................................................................... 225.3 Market Size and Strength ............................................................................................................................................... 22

6 TEXTILES ................................................................................................................................................................................ 236.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ............................................................................................................. 236.2 Barriers ............................................................................................................................................................................... 236.3 Market Size and Strength ............................................................................................................................................... 23

7 GLASS................................................................................................................................................................................... 247.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ............................................................................................................. 247.2 Barriers ............................................................................................................................................................................... 247.3 Market Size and Strength ............................................................................................................................................... 24

8 PLASTICS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 258.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ............................................................................................................. 258.2 Barriers ............................................................................................................................................................................... 268.3 Market Size and Strength ............................................................................................................................................... 27

9 RUBBER................................................................................................................................................................................. 289.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ............................................................................................................. 289.2 Barriers ............................................................................................................................................................................... 289.3 Market Size and Strength ............................................................................................................................................... 28

10 MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITIES DATA ........................................................................................................................... 29

GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 30

REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 33

APPENDIX A – REPROCESSOR SURVEY ......................................................................................................................................... 34

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Waste Authority iiiRecycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1 Reported total recycling activity and waste disposal for WA in between 2010-11 and 2016-17 .......................3

Figure 1.2 Perth metropolitan region MSW diversion rates and targets (2010-11 to 2016-17)...............................................5

Figure 1.3 Statewide C&I sector diversion rates and targets (2010-11 to 2016-17) ................................................................6

Figure 1.4 Statewide C&D sector diversion rates and targets (2010-11 to 2016-17)...............................................................6

Figure 1.5 Percentage of total recycling by material category, WA 2016-17 .........................................................................8

Figure 1.6 Recycling by material type (by weight), WA 2016-17 (largest 16 types only)........................................................9

Figure 1.7 MSW sector recycling composition, WA 2016-17..................................................................................................... 10

Figure 1.8 C&I sector recycling composition, WA 2016-17....................................................................................................... 11

Figure 1.9 C&D sector recycling composition, WA 2016-17 ..................................................................................................... 11

Figure 2.1 Composition of recycled C&D waste (by weight), WA 2016-17 ........................................................................... 13

Figure 3.1 Composition of recycled organics (by weight), WA 2016-17................................................................................ 16

Figure 4.1 Composition of recycled metals (by weight), WA 2016-17.................................................................................... 19

Figure 5.1 Composition of recycled paper and cardboard (by weight), WA 2016-17 ....................................................... 21

Figure 8.1 Composition of recycled plastics by (weight), WA 2016-17 .................................................................................. 26

Figure 10.1 Percentage breakdown of recyclable materials recycled................................................................................. 29

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Waste Authority ivRecycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1 Waste Strategy Targets ....................................................................................................................................................1

Table 1.2 Annual recycling and landfill, WA 2016–17..................................................................................................................4

Table 1.3 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11 to 2016-17 ...............................................................................................................5

Table 1.4 C&D material stockpiles, WA 2016-17............................................................................................................................7

Table 1.5 Annual recycling by material category, WA 2016-17.................................................................................................8

Table 1.6 Sector origins of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2016–17....................................................................... 10

Table 1.7 Geographic source of WA sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2016–17 ........................................................... 12

Table 1.8 Destination of WA reprocessed materials, WA 2016–17 .......................................................................................... 12

Table 2.1 C&D waste materials recycling, WA 2016-17 ............................................................................................................ 13

Table 2.2 C&D materials recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17 ......................................................................................... 14

Table 2.3 C&D materials recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17 .................................................................................. 14

Table 3.1 Organics1 recycling, WA 2016-17 ................................................................................................................................ 16

Table 3.2 Organics recycling by waste steam, WA 2016-17 .................................................................................................... 17

Table 3.3 Organics recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17 ............................................................................................ 17

Table 3.4 Additional organic materials collected for recycling, WA 2016-17....................................................................... 17

Table 4.1 Metals recycling, WA 2016-17...................................................................................................................................... 19

Table 4.2 Metals recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17 ....................................................................................................... 20

Table 4.3 Metals recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17 ................................................................................................ 20

Table 5.1 Paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2016-17.......................................................................................................... 21

Table 5.2 Paper and cardboard recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17 ........................................................................... 22

Table 5.3 Paper and cardboard recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17 .................................................................... 22

Table 6.1 Textiles recycling, WA 2016-17 ..................................................................................................................................... 23

Table 6.2 Textiles recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17....................................................................................................... 23

Table 6.3 Textiles recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17................................................................................................ 23

Table 7.1 Glass recycling, WA 2016-17 ........................................................................................................................................ 24

Table 7.2 Glass recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17.......................................................................................................... 24

Table 7.3 Glass recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17................................................................................................... 24

Table 8.1 Plastics recycling, WA 2016-17 ..................................................................................................................................... 25

Table 8.2 Plastics recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17 ...................................................................................................... 26

Table 9.1 Rubber recycling, WA 2016-17..................................................................................................................................... 28

Table 9.2 Rubber recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17 ...................................................................................................... 28

Table 9.3 Rubber recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17 ............................................................................................... 28

Table 10.1 Material recycled and recycling losses from material recovery facilities, WA 2016-17.................................... 29

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Waste Authority vRecycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe Western Australian Waste Strategy Creating theRight Environment (2012) aims to, ’engage the WesternAustralian community over the next decade in movingto a low-waste society’.

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

Municipal solid waste (Perth metropolitan region); 50per cent by 2015 and 65 per cent by 2020

Municipal solid waste (major regional centres); 30per cent by 2015 and 50 per cent by 2020

Commercial and industrial waste (C&I) (WA); 55 percent by 2015 and 70 per cent by 2020

Construction and demolition waste (C&D) (WA); 60per cent by 2015 and 75 per cent by 2020

To assess the progress towards three of these targets,ASK undertook a survey of total recycling activity inWestern Australia (WA) for the 2016-17 financial year,the results of which are presented here. This report alsoincludes corrections made to data for the 2015-16financial year.

Due to the voluntary nature of the survey, somereprocessors choose not to return the surveyquestionnaire, therefore the actual quantities recycledare likely to be greater. The survey does not captureany waste avoidance or re-use by organisations, onlythe quantities of materials recycled or recovered.

State-wide trends in recycling and waste disposal

Total reported recycling in WA (based on the returnedsurveys) totalled 2,427,300 tonnes in 2016-17, equivalentto a decrease of approximately 69,400 tonnes from thequantity reported in 2015-16. The tonnage of wastereported as landfilled declined by a further 420,200tonnes relative to 2015-16, equivalent to a 44 per centreduction in reported waste disposal since 2013-14. Thisdecline in waste disposal has been associated withscheduled increases in the waste levy and ananecdotally reported increase in stockpiling ofunprocessed C&D waste.

Figure E.1: Reported total recycling activity and wastedisposal for WA, 2010-11 to 2016-17

Perth metropolitan region and non-metropolitan waste

The Perth metropolitan region has typically producedaround 60 per cent of the waste generated in WA and75 per cent of recycled waste originates from the Perthmetropolitan region. Waste generation per capita wasestimated at 2.3 tonnes per capita for regional WA andonly 1.6 tonnes per capita for the Perth metropolitanregion.

Waste Strategy target tracking

The MSW diversion rate for the Perth metropolitan regionhas reduced to 33 per cent, continuing the trend since2011. State-wide C&I diversion rates are static at 46 percent but there has been a sustained positive trend tothe C&D diversion rates, although for 2016-17 this ismainly a result of reduced C&D disposal reported,rather than increases in the tonnage of C&D materialreprocessed.

Figure E.2: Perth metropolitan region MSW diversion ratesand targets

Figure E.3: WA C&I diversion rates and targets

Figure E.4: WA C&D diversion rates and targets

4.5 4.0 3.6 4.1 3.62.7 2.3

2.0 2.4 2.52.6

2.62.5

2.4

0

2

4

6

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

Milli

on to

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Waste landfilled Recycling

39% 39% 45% 41% 40% 35% 33%

2015 target

2020 target

0%

10%

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30%

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50%

60%

70%

80%

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

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28%41% 45% 45% 52% 46% 46%

2015 target

2020 target

0%

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30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

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31% 38% 39% 38% 42%

64%77%

2015 target

2020 target

0%

10%

20%

30%

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2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

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Waste Authority 1Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17

1 TOTAL RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The recycling of materials is a critically important activity for attaining sustainable waste managementand the efficient use of resources. Recycling and resource recovery helps minimise the quantity of wastedisposed of to landfill and the associated need to develop costly new landfill facilities. It also lessens thedemand for the natural resources required to manufacture new products and can reduce water use,energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

The Western Australian Waste Strategy: Creating the Right Environment (2012) aims to, ‘engage theWestern Australian community over the next decade in moving to a low-waste society’. It seeks to do thisby providing the necessary knowledge, infrastructure, and incentives to change behaviour, with a focuson 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 (Table 1.1).

Table 1.1 Waste Strategy Targets

Sector 2015 target 2020 target

Municipal solid waste (Perth metropolitan region) 50% 65%

Municipal solid waste (major regional centres) 30% 50%

Commercial and industrial waste (WA) 55% 70%

Construction and demolition waste (WA) 60% 75%

This report presents survey data relevant to recycling activity in Western Australia during 2016-17 whichallows performance against the Strategy targets to be measured, with the exception of the municipalsolid waste target for major regional centres. This target is reported on in the Waste Authority’s LocalGovernment Waste and Recycling Census.

1.1 SURVEY METHOD

Between the months of July 2017 and January 2018, ASK undertook a survey of total recycling activity inWestern Australia (WA) for the 2016-17 financial year. The survey included materials recovered in WA forrecycling and for export to interstate and international markets. It did not include material imported intoWA for recycling.

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

material reprocessors and recyclers;

visits to reprocessing sites across WA;

telephone and email surveys of known recycling companies; and

data collated from other surveys undertaken by the following organisations:

o 2016-17 Western Australia Plastics Recycling Survey (produced by Envisage Works for theDepartment of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER));

o Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS); and

o quantity of materials exported overseas for recycling from WA for 2016-17 (Department ofForeign Affairs 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

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government and industry stakeholders. Despite efforts to ensure that the compiled recycling data iscomprehensive, the figures should be considered conservative as it is possible that some smaller WAreprocessors and interstate destinations have not been identified.

In addition, the voluntary nature of the survey resulted in some reprocessors choosing not to return thesurvey questionnaire. Of approximately 70 facilities believed to be reprocessing waste in WA, 53 surveyswere returned. To minimise the impact of this, ASK sought to at least gather total tonnes of materialprocessed from larger companies that did not complete the survey, or use data from the previousfinancial year, so that the impact from the lack of data would be minimised. Considering these issues, it islikely that there is an underestimation of actual recycling quantities and therefore, the total wastegenerated for 2016-17.

The collection of 2016-17 data incorporated an additional step involving the review and audit of dataentry and calculations by an independent party to better ensure the accuracy of reported data.

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

In this report, waste generation is equal to the sum of resource recovery (recycling and energy recovery)and disposal to landfill. All other waste endpoints (including stockpiling of unprocessed waste and wastereuse) are outside the scope of this report and are excluded from estimates of recycling, waste disposalto landfill and waste generation.

Landfill for the Perth metropolitan region during 2016-17 was estimated using data provided by theDepartment of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and was based on aggregated waste levydata.

Landfill activity outside the Perth metropolitan region during 2016-17 was estimated by extrapolating datacollected through a voluntary survey of large landfills with weighbridges outside the Perth metropolitanregion. Prior to 2015-16, Perth metropolitan region per capita waste generation rates were used to derivenon-metropolitan waste generation and landfill data. A change of methodology was required followingthe commencement of scheduled increases to the waste levy on waste generated in the Perthmetropolitan region and disposed to landfill, which dramatically affected waste flows.

Unless otherwise stated, all recycling has been reported net of recycling losses.

Survey questionnaires were provided to reprocessors in electronic format with hard copies available uponrequest. Data was sought for the 2016-17 financial year regarding material types, quantities processed,and the origin, destination, and market conditions of the reprocessed materials. The full questionnairesent to reprocessors is provided as Appendix A.

Consistent with 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 intotonnes.

Due to the measurement uncertainty associated with the data reported, and for ease of reading, allvalues have been rounded to the nearest 100 tonnes. The rounding of the values has led to occasionalrounding errors for table totals. The totals shown are based on a rounding of the original total value ratherthan the cumulative total of the rounded values shown in the tables.

The population data used was sourced from the Western Australia Tomorrow, Population Reportspublished by the Western Australia Planning Commission (WAPC). This dataset is preferred by DWER as itincludes population projections for WA to 2026, and it closely reflects the official estimate of Australia’spopulation as provided by the ABS Estimated Resident Population (ERP) dataset.

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1.1.1 Changes to 2015-16 Recycling Activity Review data

Data for the 2015-16 Recycling Activity Review has been revised due to newly available information andthe identification of data errors. This report uses figures contained in the revised report when referring to2015-16 data. The updated 2015-16 Recycling Activity in Western Australia report can be found on theWaste Authority website: www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au

1.2 STATEWIDE RECYCLING, LANDFILL, AND WASTE GENERATION

1.2.1 Total recycling

Total reported recycling in WA (based on the completed surveys returned) totalled 2,427,300 tonnes in2016-17, equivalent to a decrease of approximately 69,400 tonnes from the value reported in 2015-161

(Figure 1.1).

1.2.2 Total landfill

Total waste disposal in WA was estimated at approximately 2,286,300 tonnes in 2016-17, with an estimated1,338,800 tonnes (59 per cent) from the Perth metropolitan region, based on the reported waste levydata collected by DWER. This represents a substantial 16 per cent (420,200 tonnes) reduction in the state-wide landfill estimate since 2015-161.

Figure 1.1 Reported total recycling activity and waste disposal for WA in between 2010-11 and 2016-17

1.2.3 Total waste generation

Figure 1.1 summarises data on the total waste generation, diversion, and landfill disposal for WA. Totalwaste generation in WA was estimated at approximately 4,713,600 tonnes in 2016-17. On a state-widebasis, this reflects a decrease in waste generation of approximately 489,600 tonnes when compared to2015-161.

The decrease in waste generation corresponded with scheduled increases to the waste levy on 1 July2016 from $60 to $75 per cubic metre (Category 63 landfills) and from $55 to $60 per tonne at Category64 and 65 landfills.

1 Data for the Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2015-16 report has been amended based on newly availableinformation. The amended 2015-16 data and report is available at www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au.

4,491,2003,971,000 3,649,900 4,074,300 3,613,300

2,706,500 2,286,300

2,042,3002,439,800

2,476,6002,605,500

2,621,500

2,496,7002,427,300

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 2015-16 2016-17

Tota

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Waste landfilled Recycling

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The potential responses to these increases in the waste levy included:

increased recycling (including the stockpiling of processed waste);

stockpiling of unprocessed waste;

increased waste avoidance or minimisation (outside the scope of this report);

increased waste reuse (outside the scope of this report); and

illegal waste disposal and dumping (outside the scope of this report).

1.2.4 Estimated per capita recycling and landfill

State-wide per capita waste recycling data indicates a minor reduction in waste recycling per capitafrom 959 kg in 2015-161 to 917 kg in 2016-17. Per capita landfill disposal decreased substantially (17 percent) on a state-wide basis, from 1,040 kg per person in 2015-161 to 864 kg per person in 2016-17.

The quantity of waste disposal per capita in the Perth metropolitan region is 682kg per person, nearly halfthe rate of regional WA (1,385kg per person). However, the quantity of material recycled per capita issimilar throughout the state, with 924kg per person in the Perth metropolitan region and 900kg per personfor regional WA.

Table 1.2 Estimated annual recycling and landfill, WA 2016–17

Perth metropolitanregion

Regional WA(i.e. Non-metropolitan)

WA total

Recycling (tonnes) 1,812,000 615,300 2,427,300

Waste to landfill (tonnes)1 1,338,800 947,500 2,286,300

Total waste generation (tonnes) 3,150,800 1,562,800 4,713,600

Landfill diversion rate 58% 39% 51%

Population2 1,961,700 684,000 2,645,700

Per capita recycling (kg/person) 924 900 917

Per capita landfill (kg/person) 682 1,385 864

Per capita total waste (kg/person) 1,606 2,285 1,782

Notes:

1. All metropolitan landfill data provided by DWER, which includes tonnes of waste directly reported andestimated. Non-metropolitan landfill data was calculated by extrapolating data provided by ten non-metropolitan landfills on a per capita basis across the entire non-metropolitan area.

2. 2016-17 population data is derived from the Western Australian Planning Commission publication, WesternAustralia Tomorrow, Population Report No. 8, 2006 to 2026 (Planning Western Australia, 2012).

1.2.5 Landfill diversion rates

The landfill diversion rate (waste recycled / waste generated) for the Perth metropolitan region increasedfrom 53 per cent in 2015-161 to 58 per cent in 2016-17 (Table 1.2), while the WA diversion rate increasedfrom 48 per cent to 51 per cent over the same period. These diversion rates should be considered in thecontext of an underestimation of actual waste generation for 2016-17 resulting from factors such as thestockpiling of unprocessed C&D waste. The waste stream based landfill diversion targets established inthe Waste Strategy are shown in Table 1.3.

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Table 1.3 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11 to 2016-17

Sector

Waste StrategyTargets

2010

-11

2011

-12

2012

-13

2013

-14

2014

-15

2015

-16

2016

-17

2015 2020

MSW (Perth metropolitan region) 50% 65% 39% 39% 45% 41% 40% 35% 33%

C&I (WA) 55% 70% 28% 41 % 45% 45% 52% 46% 46%

C&D (WA) 60% 75% 31% 38% 39% 38% 42% 64% 77%

Statewide diversion 31% 38% 40% 39% 42% 48% 51%

Current and past diversion rates are presented with the Waste Strategy targets in Figure 1.2, Figure 1.3,and Figure 1.4.

There has been a declining trend in the MSW diversion rate for the Perth metropolitan region since 2012-13 (Figure 1.2), it is interesting to note that this sector has not responded to waste levy increases over theperiod to the same extent as the private sector. This is likely due to the following reasons:

Earlier reports have included significant quantities of recycled C&D materials arising from the MSWsector. Since 2015-16, only limited quantities of recycled C&D materials have been recorded asarising from the MSW sector.

This sector is less price sensitive as local governments that control MSW can pass cost increasesassociated with the landfill levy onto their ratepayers relatively easily.

Changes to local government waste policies and services often take significant time toimplement.

Many local governments are locked into long term contracts for the collection and processing oftheir waste, which limits their ability to implement resource recovery initiatives to reduce landfilldisposal.

Figure 1.2 Perth metropolitan region MSW diversion rates and targets (2010-11 to 2016-17)

Whilst C&I waste diversion has increased from 28 per cent in 2010-11 to 46 per cent in 2016-17, progresssince 2012-13 has been limited (Figure 1.3). This is in part attributable to the fact that C&D materials

39% 39%45% 41% 40%

35% 33%

2015 target

2020 target

0%

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2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

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reported as arising from the sector and recycled has fallen from 11 per cent of total C&I recovery in 2012-13, to less than 1 per cent in 2016-17.

Figure 1.3 Statewide C&I sector diversion rates and targets (2010-11 to 2016-17)

C&D waste diversion has increased dramatically since 2014-15 and has now achieved the WasteStrategy’s 2020 target of 75 per cent (Figure 1.4). The substantial improvement to the diversion rate hasbeen driven by consecutive increases to the landfill levy. Despite the positive trend, the C&D recyclingsector is currently facing enormous pressure as it lacks the market demand for recycled product neededto absorb the material it is processing (Refer to Section 2 for more information).

The actual tonnage of waste recycled from the C&D sector only increased by 16,300 tonnes (1.4 percent) from the previous reporting period. However, the quantity of material landfilled decreased by 46per cent to 374,000 tonnes. Therefore, the increased rate of C&D recycling is a reflection of a reductionin reported waste disposal rather than an increase in recycling activity for the sector.

Figure 1.4 Statewide C&D sector diversion rates and targets (2010-11 to 2016-17)

28%41% 45% 45%

52%46% 46%

2015 target

2020 target

0%

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60%

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2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

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31%38% 39% 38% 42%

64%

77%

2015 target

2020 target

0%

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2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

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1.2.6 Waste stockpiling

The survey has previously asked respondents to report the size of processed C&D material stockpiles attheir facilities. In 2015-16 the C&D sector reported a high availability of material for reprocessing due toan increase in the landfill levy, accompanied by weak market demand for recycled products. This marketimbalance created a growth in stockpiles of reprocessed material. Anecdotal evidence also suggestedthat the waste levy increase was resulting in a significant increase in the stockpiling of unprocessed C&Dmaterials in the Perth metropolitan region.

In an attempt to quantify the growth of unprocessed stockpiles for 2016-17, survey respondents were alsoasked to report on the size of unprocessed C&D material stockpiles at the start and end of 2016-17.Where C&D organisations did not report on stockpile quantities for 2016-17, ASK utilised geographicinformation system software to estimate stockpile volumes using aerial photography where possible.

Table 1.4 presents the total reported and estimated C&D material stockpile volumes for processed andunprocessed waste for 2016-17. Total stockpiles grew from an estimated 751,000 tonnes at the start of thefinancial year, to over 1,019,600 tonnes at the end of 2016-17, providing an increase of 268,500 tonnes or36 per cent.

Table 1.4 C&D material stockpiles, WA 2016-17

1 July 2016(tonnes)

30 June 2017(tonnes) Change (tonnes)

Reprocessed C&D material stockpile 463,900 646,800 182,900

Unprocessed C&D material stockpile 287,100 372,800 85,600

Total 751,000 1,019,600 268,500

Waste that was reprocessed and stockpiled has been captured in this report as ‘recycled’. Stockpiles ofreprocessed C&D waste material increased by 182,900 tonnes in 2016-17 (Table 1.4), which represents 15per cent of all reprocessed waste in the C&D sector during 2016-17.

Stockpiles of unprocessed C&D waste material increased by 85,600 tonnes, which has not been capturedas either recycled, landfilled, or generated waste in this report. Current and previous stockpiling ofunprocessed waste will have impacts on estimates of waste generation captured in past, current, andfuture reports.

The reported quantity of stockpiled processed waste from other material categories (most significantlyglass and metals) declined by 51,400 tonnes from 2015-16 to 2016-17.

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1.3 RECYCLING BY MATERIAL CATEGORY & TYPE

Total reported recycling in WA during 2016-17 was 2,427,300 tonnes. The contribution of each recycledmaterial category is shown in Table 1.5 and displayed graphically in Figure 1.5.

Table 1.5 Annual recycling by material category, WA 2016-17

Material Category Tonnes

C&D materials* 1,092,500

Organics 468,000

Paper & cardboard 211,100

Metals 567,000

Glass 55,700

Textiles 2,200

Rubber 17,800

Plastic 13,100

Total 2,427,300

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

C&D materials accounted for 45 per cent (1,092,500 tonnes) of WA’s total recycling in 2016-17. Metalsand organics made up 23 per cent (567,000 tonnes) and 19 per cent (468,000 tonnes) respectively of therecycled material reported; with the paper and cardboard, glass, textiles, rubber, and plastic materialcategories cumulatively accounting for the other 13 per cent (299,900 tonnes).

Figure 1.5 Percentage of total recycling by material category, WA 2016-17

The top 16 material types recycled in WA during 2016-17 (based on the reported tonnage) are shown inFigure 1.6. The material type ‘sand, soil, clean fill and rubble’ represented the greatest quantity ofmaterial recycled (813,300 tonnes) followed by non-packaging steel (509,100 tonnes).

C&D45%

Textiles<1%

Organics19%

Plastic1%

Paper & cardboard9%

Rubber1%

Metals23%

Glass2%

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Figure 1.6 Recycling by material type (by weight), WA 2016-17 (largest 16 types only)

813,300

509,100

239,500

189,700158,700

97,60076,400 59,200 55,700 45,100 44,800 34,700 20,900 17,800 17,300 15,800 31,800

0

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 the proportion of each material type that was sourced fromthe MSW, C&I and C&D sectors. Table 1.6 presents the total quantity of recyclable material sourcedfrom each sector, and the relevant percentage contribution.

The C&D sector provided 50 per cent (1,223,500 tonnes) of all recyclable material processed, followedby the C&I and MSW sectors with 30 per cent (718,100 tonnes) and 20 per cent (485,700 tonnes)respectively.

Table 1.6 Sector origins of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2016–17

Waste streamQuantity

Tonnes Proportion

Municipal 485,700 20%

C&I 718,100 30%

C&D 1,223,500 50%

Total 2,427,300 100%

The material composition of each source sector is presented below (Figure 1.7 to Figure 1.9).

Figure 1.7 shows that organics comprised the largest portion of the MSW stream composition at 46 percent (223,700 tonnes), followed by paper and cardboard at 27 per cent (128,700 tonnes) and metals at14 per cent (69,000 tonnes).

Figure 1.7 MSW sector recycling composition, WA 2016-17

Figure 1.8 shows that metals are the largest portion of the C&I sector’s composition at 54 per cent(386,100 tonnes) of total C&I recycling. Organics were the second largest contributor at 30 per cent(215,200 tonnes) of the total sector. Paper & cardboard also made up a significant portion with 11 percent (81,000 tonnes) of total C&I recycling.

C&D materials1%

Organics46%

Paper & cardboard27%

Metals14%

Glass10%

Textiles<1%

Rubber<1%

Plastic2%

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Figure 1.8 C&I sector recycling composition, WA 2016-17

The material composition of the C&D sector is presented in Figure 1.9. C&D materials (includingconcrete, bricks, asphalt, plasterboard, and sand, clean fill, and rubble) comprised the greatest portionof the C&D sector’s composition at 88 per cent (1,081,300 tonnes). Metals were the second largestcontributor, equivalent to 9 per cent (111,800 tonnes) of total C&D recycling.

Figure 1.9 C&D sector recycling composition, WA 2016-17

1.5 RECYCLING BY GEOGRAPHIC SOURCE

Survey respondents were asked to report the percentage of material recovered from the Perthmetropolitan region and non-metropolitan region for each material type. Most respondents did notkeep accurate records on this percentage split; therefore, the data reported was frequently based onthe respondent’s ‘best estimates’.

Seventy-five per cent (1,811,900 tonnes) of recycled waste in 2016-17 was reported as sourced from thePerth metropolitan region, with 25 per cent (615,400 tonnes) from the rest of WA (Table 1.7).

C&D materials1%

Organics30%

Paper & cardboard11%

Metals54%

Glass1%

Textiles<1%

Rubber2% Plastic

1%

C&D materials88%

Organics2%

Paper & cardboard<1%

Metals9%

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Table 1.7 Geographic source of WA sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2016–17

Material typePerth metropolitan region Non-metropolitan

Tonnes Proportion Tonnes Proportion

C&D materials 839,900 77% 252,600 23%

Organics 359,700 77% 108,200 23%

Paper and cardboard 187,600 89% 23,500 11%

Metals 344,300 61% 222,700 39%

Glass 54,700 98% 1,000 2%

Textiles 2,000 93% 200 7%

Rubber 14,500 81% 3,300 19%

Plastic2 9,200 70% 3,900 30%

Total 1,811,900 75% 615,400 25%

Table 1.8 shows where the recyclable material from WA was reprocessed during 2016-17.Approximately 67 per cent (1,614,200 tonnes) of the material was reprocessed within the State, with 33per cent (790,400 tonnes) being exported. Only small quantities (less than one per cent or 22,700tonnes) of recovered material was sent interstate for reprocessing. The low levels of interstatereprocessing are largely because the material value and demand from overseas markets is generallygreater than that from the eastern states and transport costs are cheaper on a per unit basis whenexporting in bulk to overseas markets.

Table 1.8 Destination of WA reprocessed materials, WA 2016–17

Destination Tonnes Proportion

Western Australia 1,614,200 67%

Interstate 22,700 <1%

Export 790,400 33%

Total 2,427,300 100%

2 Geographic source of recycled plastic was not available and data presented is based on proportionsused in past reports.

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2 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 currentor previous recycling activity reviews.

2.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION

The industry reported that 1,092,500 tonnes of C&D materials were recovered in WA for 2016-17. Thequantity of each C&D material type recycled is presented in Table 2.1. All recycling was undertaken inWA with no material exported or processed in other states.

Table 2.1 C&D waste materials recycling, WA 2016-17

Material Recycling(tonnes)

Material destination

WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Asphalt 34,700 34,700 0 0

Bricks 2,400 2,400 0 0

Concrete 239,500 239,500 0 0

Plasterboard 2,600 2,600 0 0

Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble1 813,300 813,300 0 0

Total 1,092,500 1,092,500 0 0

1. The sand, soil, clean fill and 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 (74 per cent or 813,300 tonnes)of C&D materials recovered (Figure 2.1). Concrete also made a significant contribution at 22 per cent(239,500 tonnes) of total C&D recycling.

Figure 2.1 Composition of recycled C&D waste (by weight), WA 2016-17

Asphalt3%

Bricks<1%

Concrete22%

Plasterboard<1%

Sand, soil, clean filland rubble

74%

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Table 2.2 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 materials were reported as generated by the MSWand C&I sectors with 5,500 tonnes and 5,800 tonnes respectively (less than one per cent).

Table 2.2 C&D materials recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17

Material MSW(tonnes)

C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Asphalt 0 0 34,700 34,700

Bricks 0 700 1,700 2,400

Concrete 2,300 1,900 235,300 239,500

Plasterboard 0 1,400 1,200 2,600

Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble 3,200 1,700 808,400 813,300

Total 5,500 5,800 1,081,300 1,092,500

Approximately 77 per cent (839,900 tonnes) of recycled C&D waste was sourced from the Perthmetropolitan region, with 23 per cent (252,600 tonnes) originating from outside the metropolitan region(Table 2.3).

Table 2.3 C&D materials recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17

MaterialPerth metropolitan

region(tonnes)

Non-metropolitan(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Asphalt 18,400 16,300 34,700

Bricks 2,400 0 2,400

Concrete 129,800 109,700 239,500

Plasterboard 2,600 0 2,600

Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble 686,700 126,600 813,300

Total 839,900 252,600 1,092,500

2.2 BARRIERS

As reported in the previous three reporting periods (2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16), the major barrier toincreased recycling of C&D materials in 2016-17 was again identified by the industry as a lack ofdemand for recycled C&D products. Weak markets for recycled C&D materials were accompaniedby further growth in the availability of raw materials due to another increase in the inert waste levy(from $60 to $75 per cubic metre on 1 July 2016).

The imbalance between the ‘push’ of raw materials to C&D reprocessing facilities and the weak ‘pull’of the market for recycled product has resulted in stockpiles of recycled C&D materials continuing togrow across WA (see Section 1.2.6 for more information) and C&D reprocessors reporting that theyhave begun turning away incoming loads of waste material as they no longer have the capacity toaccept it at their facilities.

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In addition to the market imbalance discussed above, the industry also reported the following barriersto increased recycling of C&D materials:

insufficient state government consultation with industry;

an increase in ‘rogue’ C&D waste collection contractors that are skirting regulations andundercutting legitimate operators;

customer perception that recycled content is contaminated with asbestos and unsafe orunsuitable for use;

increased processing costs associated with onerous asbestos sampling requirements for crushedmaterial;

competition with abundantly available virgin quarry material; and

inconsistent regulatory control of C&D waste processing facilities.

2.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH

The C&D sector reported an oversupply of raw materials for recycling as the market seeks to divertwaste from landfill to avoid payment of the Landfill Levy. Demand for recycled C&D materials wasreported as weak and resulting in growing stockpiles of processed and un-processed product (refer toSection 1.2.6).

C&D reprocessors reported the following reasons for weak market demand:

customers lacking knowledge and awareness of recycled materials;

negative consumer sentiment due to perception of asbestos contamination risk;

state government not approving the use of recycled concrete material for use as road base;

difficulty in meeting mandated product specifications for government contracts; and

suppressed construction activity during 2016-17.

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3 ORGANIC MATERIALS


It was reported that 468,000 tonnes of organic materials were recycled in 2016-17, Table 3.1 shows thequantities recovered for each material type.

Table 3.1 Organics1 recycling, WA 2016-17

Material Recycling(tonnes)

Material Destination

WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Food organics 45,100 45,100 0 0

Organics from mixed MSW 97,600 97,600 0 0

Garden organics 189,700 189,700 0 0

Wood / timber 59,200 59,200 0 0

Other organic 76,400 76,400 0 0

Total 468,000 468,000 0 0

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

The proportion each material type contributes to total organics recovery is shown in Figure 3.1. Gardenorganics make up the largest proportion of the total at 41 per cent (189,700 tonnes), followed byorganics from mixed municipal at 21 per cent (97,600 tonnes). Organics from other sources (asignificant proportion of which was biosolids) was the third largest material type, equivalent to 16 percent (76,400 tonnes). Wood and timber waste was also significant at 13 per cent (59,200 tonnes) oftotal recovered organics.

Figure 3.1 Composition of recycled organics (by weight), WA 2016-17

The split between the MSW, C&I, and C&D sectors is presented in Table 3.2. MSW was the largestsource sector and was equivalent to 48 per cent (223,700 tonnes) of total organics recovered. The C&Isector contributed another 46 per cent (215,200 tonnes) with the remainder coming from the C&Dsector.

Food organics10%

Organics frommixed municipal

21%

Garden organics41%

Wood / timber13%

Other organic16%

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Table 3.2 Organics recycling by waste steam, WA 2016-17


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Food organics 0 45,100 0 45,100

Organics from mixed MSW 95,800 1,700 0 97,600

Garden organics 127,300 44,100 18,400 189,700

Wood and timber 700 47,900 10,700 59,200

Other organic 0 76,400 0 76,400

Total 223,700 215,200 29,100 468,000

The majority (77 per cent or 359,700 tonnes) of recycled organics was sourced from the Perthmetropolitan region (Table 3.3).

Table 3.3 Organics recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17


region(tonnes)


Total(tonnes)

Food organics 30,200 14,900 45,100

Organics from mixed MSW 90,100 7,400 97,600

Garden organics 152,300 37,400 189,700

Wood and timber 14,400 44,900 59,200

Other organic 72,800 3,600 76,400

Total 359,700 108,200 468,000

3.2 OTHER ORGANIC RECYCLING

The survey requested organics reprocessors to report a variety of organic material types that includedmaterials from primary industry. For the purpose of this report, the quantities of organic materialssourced from primary industry (Table 3.4) were not included in calculations as they are not traditionallysent to landfill, and therefore do not represent a diversion from landfill. Agricultural wastes arespecifically excluded as a focus of the Waste Strategy. This practice is consistent with previous reportsand the methodologies used in other states.

Table 3.4 Additional organic materials collected for recycling, WA 2016-17

Material Tonnes

Forestry waste 189,000

Agricultural waste (excluding manures)1 31,600

Manures 25,600

Total 246,100

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 regarding wood andtimber processing.

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3.3 BARRIERS

The organics recycling industry was asked to comment on major issues affecting the industry andbarriers to increased organics recycling in WA. As was the case in previous years, the most widelyreported issue for the sector was regarding state and local government regulation of compostingfacilities. The issues identified by the sector included concerns with:

planning and environmental approval processes for organics recyclers seeking to establish newfacilities;

the uniformity of regulatory approaches applied across the sector; and

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

Other issues raised by the industry included:

underdeveloped markets for recycled organics and a lack of customer awareness of thebenefits of utilising recycled organics;

contamination of source materials from the MSW sector increases processing costs and has anegative impact on the market demand for the final product;

inconsistent approach to implementation of kerbside organics collection across WA maycontribute to increased contamination;

waste to energy plants threaten the medium to long term recovery of organics for compostingas they will compete for organic waste inputs;

high costs to transport recycled organics from the metropolitan area to agricultural customers;and

high processing costs and low prices for recycled organics.


The industry reported that receiving markets were not strong due to excessive supply and weakdemand, and that more effort is required to develop markets and educate consumers to realise thesector’s full potential.

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4 METALS


Metal recycling represents a significant portion of WA’s recycling activity due to the relatively highvalue of scrap metals compared to other waste types. Approximately 567,000 tonnes of waste metalswere recycled in WA in 2016-17 (Table 4.1).

Table 4.1 Metals recycling, WA 2016-17

Material Net recycling(tonnes)


WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Aluminium (non-packaging) 17,300 0 0 17,300

Aluminium packaging 15,800 0 0 15,800

Non-ferrous metals (excluding aluminium) 20,900 0 9,700 11,100

Steel (non-packaging) 509,100 0 0 509,100

Steel packaging 3,900 0 1,200 2,700

Total 567,000 0 10,900 556,100

Nearly all (98 per cent or 556,100 tonnes) of the scrap metal collected in WA was exported forprocessing into new products, with only 2 per cent (10,900 tonnes) reprocessed interstate (Table 4.1).The dominance of scrap metal exporting is driven by lower production costs for re-founding the scrapmetal into new products in the receiving countries throughout Asia, Europe, and North America.

Figure 4.1 Composition of recycled metals (by weight), WA 2016-17

Figure 4.1 shows the composition of recycled metals as percentage (by weight). Non-packaging steelwas the largest contributor, accounting for 90 per cent (509,100 tonnes) of the total tonnage.

Table 4.2 shows that most metals were sourced from the C&I sector (68 per cent or 386,100 tonnes),followed by the C&D sector at 20 per cent (111,800 tonnes), and the MSW sector at 12 per cent (69,100tonnes).

Aluminium (Non-Packaging)

3%

AluminiumPackaging

3%Non-Ferrous Metals

(ex. Al)4%

Steel (Non-Packaging)

90%

Steel Packaging<1%

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Table 4.2 Metals recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Aluminium (non-packaging) 1,700 13,100 2,500 17,300

Aluminium packaging 12,100 3,600 0 15,800

Non-ferrous metals (excluding aluminium) 300 20,500 100 20,900

Steel (non-packaging) 51,000 348,900 109,200 509,100

Steel packaging 3,900 0 0 3,900

Total 69,100 386,100 111,800 567,000

As is outlined in Table 4.3, approximately 61 per cent (344,300 tonnes) of the total recycled metals weresourced from the Perth metropolitan region with the remaining 39 per cent (222,700 tonnes) sourcedfrom the rest of WA.

Table 4.3 Metals recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17


region(tonnes)


Total(tonnes)

Aluminium (non-packaging) 12,200 5,100 17,300

Aluminium packaging 9,700 6,100 15,800

Non-ferrous metals (excluding aluminium) 15,500 5,300 20,900

Steel (non-packaging) 303,300 205,800 509,100

Steel packaging 3,500 400 3,900

Total 344,300 222,700 567,000

4.2 BARRIERS

The metal recycling industry reported the following barriers to increasing recycling rates:

high cost of collecting and transporting scrap metal within WA;

high labour and operating costs;

market demand being negatively affected by China’s restrictions on the importation ofrecycled materials; and

WA Landfill Levy having disproportionate impact on scrap metal recyclers that removecontamination prior to export.


The industry reported stable market conditions for all scrap metal types except non-ferrous metalswhich was reported as volatile. Export data reveals that the greatest demand for scrap metalcontinues to be from South East Asia where almost all of WA’s scrap metal was exported.

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5 PAPER AND CARDBOARD


Approximately 211,100 tonnes of paper and cardboard was recycled in WA during 2016-17. Themajority of this comprised of cardboard and paper packaging (75 per cent or 158,700 tonnes),followed by old newsprint (21 per cent or 44,800 tonnes) and then white office paper (4 per cent or7,600 tonnes). Although no liquid paperboard recycling was reported in 2016-17, undefined quantitiesare included within the cardboard and paper packaging material type (Figure 5.1).

Figure 5.1 Composition of recycled paper and cardboard (by weight), WA 2016-17

The majority of paper and cardboard (99 per cent or 209,000 tonnes) was exported for reprocessing,with one per cent (1,700 tonnes) processed inter-state, and 300 tonnes reprocessed in WA (Table 5.1).

Table 5.1 Paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2016-17



WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Cardboard and paper packaging 158,700 0 <100 158,600

Old newsprint 44,800 300 0 44,500

White office paper 7,600 0 1,700 5,900

Total 211,100 300 1,700 209,000

Table 5.2 shows that most of the paper and cardboard was sourced from the MSW and C&I sectors; 61per cent (128,700 tonnes) and 38 per cent (81,000 tonnes) respectively. A small quantity (less than oneper cent or 1,400 tonnes) was associated with cardboard and paper packaging generated by theC&D sector.

Cardboard / paperpackaging

75%

Old newsprint (ONP)21%

White office paper4%

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Table 5.2 Paper and cardboard recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Cardboard and paper packaging 90,100 67,200 1,400 158,700

Old newsprint 38,700 6,200 0 44,900

White office paper 0 7,600 0 7,600

Total 128,700 81,000 1,400 211,200

Approximately 89 per cent (187,600 tonnes) of the recycled paper and cardboard was sourced fromthe Perth metropolitan region (Table 5.3).

Table 5.3 Paper and cardboard recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17


region(tonnes)


Total(tonnes)

Cardboard and paper packaging 141,700 16,900 158,700

Old newsprint 38,700 6,100 44,800

White office paper 7,100 500 7,600

Total 187,600 23,500 211,100

5.2 BARRIERS

The paper and cardboard recycling industry reported the following barriers to increased recycling:

increasing processing costs;

low market demand for recycled products;

unwillingness of waste generators to pay for recycling services;

contamination and poor separation of waste paper (especially white office paper).


It was reported that the international market for paper and cardboard scrap was variable. Localdemand for scrap paper and cardboard was reported as shrinking due to an increase in digitalcontent and reduced demand for recycled pulp in the printing industry.

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6 TEXTILES


Western Australian textile recyclers recycled 2,200 tonnes of textiles by processing them into rags forcleaning purposes and baling them for export. This excludes textiles that are resold without anyprocessing (e.g. in charitable recycler shops). As shown in Table 6.1, most of the recycled textiles wereexported (92 per cent or 2,100 tonnes).

Table 6.1 Textiles recycling, WA 2016-17



WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Textiles 2,200 100 0 2,100

All the processed material was sourced from the MSW sector (Table 6.2).

Table 6.2 Textiles recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Textiles 2,200 0 0 2,200

The bulk of the recycled textiles (93 per cent or 2,000 tonnes) were sourced from the Perth metropolitanregion with 7 per cent (200 tonnes) from the rest of WA.

Table 6.3 Textiles recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17


region(tonnes)


Total(tonnes)

Textiles 2,000 200 2,200

6.2 BARRIERS

Textile recyclers reported the same major barriers to increased recycling as previous years, including:

loss of input material due to a lack of appropriate sites for donation bins due to reluctance ofproperty owners, both local government and private, to host charity collection bins on theirsites; and

loss of input material due to vandalism and theft at donation bin sites.


It was reported that the demand for textiles was strong and was attracting greater activity from thecommercial sector. International demand for recovered textiles was greatest from African and Asiannations with export destinations including Bulgaria, Ghana, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mozambique,Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Togo, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom,Zambia, and Malaysia.

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7 GLASS


During 2016-17, approximately 55,700 tonnes of glass was recycled, representing an increase ofapproximately 9,200 tonnes (20 per cent) compared to 2015-16. Table 7.1 shows that the majority (92per cent or 51,300 tonnes) of the recycled glass was sold into WA markets, predominantly for use inconstruction projects.

Table 7.1 Glass recycling, WA 2016-17



WA (tonnes) Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Glass 55,700 51,300 4,400 0

Eighty-seven per cent (48,200 tonnes) of the recycled glass originated from the MSW sector withthirteen per cent (7,500 tonnes) from the C&I sector (Table 7.2).

Table 7.2 Glass recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Glass 48,200 7,500 0 55,700

As shown in Table 7.3, approximately 98 per cent (54,700 tonnes) of the glass originated from the Perthmetropolitan region.

Table 7.3 Glass recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17


region(tonnes)


Total(tonnes)

Glass 54,700 1,000 55,700

7.2 BARRIERS

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

high collection and transportation costs;

high processing costs;

the lack of a WA based container glass cullet recycler; and

limited end uses for recycled glass in WA.


Market size and demand for recycled glass products in WA was reported as weak. Although there isinterstate demand for quality glass cullet for use in the production of new glass packaging, the viabilityof doing so is marginal for WA reprocessors due to the low value of the recycled product and the highcost of transporting interstate. The largest market for recycled glass in WA is currently for crushed glassin construction activities.

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8 PLASTICS

The plastics recycling data used for this report was sourced from the 2016-17 Australian PlasticsRecycling Survey that was undertaken by Envisage Works (2018) on behalf of DWER.


Approximately 13,100 tonnes of plastics were recycled during 2016-17. Compared with 2015-16, thetotal quantity of plastic recycled in WA decreased by 3,000 tonnes.

As shown in Table 8.1, 63 per cent (8,400 tonnes) of the recovered plastic was exported for processing,12 per cent (1,500 tonnes) was processed locally, and 25 per cent (3,200 tonnes) was sent interstate.

Table 8.1 Plastics recycling, WA 2016-17

Material1 Net recycling(tonnes)


WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

ABS/SAN (7) 500 300 0 200

EPS (6) 300 0 0 300

HDPE (2) 4,500 700 1,200 2,600

L/LLDPE (4) 400 100 200 100

PET (1) 3,800 0 600 3,100

PP (5) 1,800 200 400 1,200

PS (6) 500 200 <100 300

PU (7) 800 0 800 0

PVC (3) 100 <100 0 100

Other 200 <100 0 200

Unknown 300 0 0 300

Total 13,100 1,500 3,200 8,300

1 Refer to glossary for material type descriptions.

The composition of the plastic types recovered is shown in Figure 8.1. HDPE made up approximately34 per cent (4,500 tonnes) of all the plastics recovered. PET represented 29 per cent (3,800 tonnes) ofthe total plastic recovered and PP was also significant at 14 per cent (1,800 tonnes) of the total.

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Figure 8.1 Composition of recycled plastics by (weight), WA 2016-17

Sixty-two per cent of the recycled plastics were sourced from the MSW sector and 38 per cent weresourced from the C&I sector, whilst none was reported as originating from the C&D sector.

Table 8.2 Plastics recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

ABS/SAN (7) 0 500 0 500

EPS (6) 0 300 0 300

HDPE (2) 3,300 1,200 0 4,500

L/LLDPE (4) 0 400 0 400

PET (1) 3,800 0 0 3,800

PP (5) 800 1,000 0 1,800

PS (6) 200 300 0 500

PU (7) 0 800 0 800

PVC (3) 100 0 0 100

Other 0 200 0 200

Unknown 0 300 0 300

Total 8,200 4,900 0 13,100

No specific data was collected about the geographic source of recycled plastic materials. However,previous reviews have estimated that that 70 per cent of the plastics originated from the Perthmetropolitan region with 30 per cent from non-metropolitan areas.

8.2 BARRIERS

The 2016-17 WA Plastics Recycling Survey (Envisage Works, 2018) identified weak market demand andlow margins for recycled plastics as the major reason for depressed WA plastics recycling activity in2016-17. It also once again identified export quality as a key challenge in 2016–17 for recovered

ABS/SAN/ASA (7)4%EPS (6)

2%

HDPE (2)34%

L/LLDPE (4)3%

PET (1)29%

PP (5)14%

PS (6)4%

PU (7)6%

PVC (3)1%

Other (7)1%

Unknown polymer2%

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packaging plastics, particularly for mixed plastics, and that the challenge is likely to be greatlyexacerbated in 2018 because of the Chinese scrap plastic import restrictions coming into effect.


Market commentary from the 2016-17 WA Plastics Recycling Survey (Envisage Works, 2018) included thefollowing comments:

The significant decrease in the export of scrap plastics (both pre-consumer and post-consumer)to China is already being reported by local reprocessors, with one WA based reprocessorreporting that “Prices have plummeted, state of market is weak, demand for more recyclers (isstrong)”.

A notable oversupply of recyclate is starting to be observed by some local reprocessors.Coming into the end of 2017, local reprocessors have started to receive more enquiries to takewaste plastics. In many cases reprocessors are not interested as their facilities are alreadyoperating at full capacity for the markets that they serve.

Slim margins available on recycled plastics due to low oil and gas prices making virgin plasticscheaper, along with a general oversupply of virgin polymer manufacturing capacityinternationally.

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9 RUBBER


Table 9.1 shows that approximately 17,800 tonnes of rubber was reported as recycled in 2016-17. Mostrecycled rubber product was exported (84 per cent or 14,900 tonnes), 14 per cent (2,400 tonnes) wassent interstate, and the remaining 2 per cent (500 tonnes) was sold into WA markets.

Table 9.1 Rubber recycling, WA 2016-17



WA(tonnes)

Interstate(tonnes)

Export(tonnes)

Rubber 17,800 500 2,400 14,900

The majority of recovered rubber was sourced from the C&I sector (99 per cent, 17,600 tonnes), withone per cent (200 tonnes) sourced from the MSW sector and nothing from the C&D sector.

Table 9.2 Rubber recycling by source sector, WA 2016-17


C&I(tonnes)

C&D(tonnes)

Total(tonnes)

Rubber 200 17,600 0 17,800

Table 9.3 shows that 81 per cent (14,500 tonnes) of the recycled rubber was sourced from the Perthmetropolitan region, with 19 per cent (3,300 tonnes) from the rest of WA.

Table 9.3 Rubber recycling by geographic area, WA 2016-17


region(tonnes)


Total(tonnes)

Rubber 14,500 3,300 17,800

9.2 BARRIERS

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

lack of consumer awareness regarding use of recycled rubber products;

weak local demand for recycled tyre products; and

the export of whole baled tyres, and landfilling and stockpiling of tyres outside of themetropolitan region reduces 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,rubber granules or powder, and concrete encased baled tyres for use in local construction activities.Although the market conditions vary for each product type, in general it was reported that demandwas growing but that margins remained low.

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10 MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITIES DATA

A large proportion of MSW sector waste that is collected for recycling is sorted at material recoveryfacilities (MRFs) prior to the materials being reprocessed into new products at a reprocessing facility.Eight material recovery facilities responded to the recycling survey in 2016-17. Not all MRFs provideddata for the entire reporting period. Partial data was extrapolated across the reporting period.

It was estimated that MRFs processed approximately 303,900 tonnes of comingled recycling during2016-17 (Table 10.1).

During the sorting process at material recovery facilities some losses of material are inevitable due toprocess inefficiencies and the presence of unrecyclable material (contamination) in the waste stream.For 2016-17, material recovery facilities reported approximately 35,500 tonnes of recycling losses (Table10.1). With these losses considered, the surveyed facilities recovered approximately 268,400 tonnes ofrecyclable material.

Table 10.1 Material recycled and recycling losses from material recovery facilities, WA 2016-17

Description Tonnes Proportion

Material recycled 268,400 88%

Recycling losses 35,500 12%

Total Processed 303,900 100%

Figure 10.1 outlines the breakdown of materials recovered by WA material recovery facilities in 2016-17.Cardboard made up 30 per cent (75,600 tonnes) of the recovered materials, followed by glass at 29percent (74,200 tonnes). Old newsprint and mixed paper accounted for 18 per cent (44,900 tonnes) and16 per cent (40,300 tonnes) respectively.

Figure 10.1 Percentage breakdown of recyclable materials recycledGlass29%

Aluminium1%

Steel1%

Plastics5%

Old Newsprint18%

Cardboard30%

Paper (mixed)16%

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GLOSSARY

Term Description

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)

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

Category 63 landfills An Inert Landfill permitted under the Landfill Waste Classification and WasteDefinitions (Department of Environment and Conservation, 1996) to acceptthe following waste types for disposal: Clean fill Type 1 inert waste Contaminated solid wastes meeting waste acceptance criteria specified

for Class I landfills (possibly with specific licence conditions) Type 2 inert waste (with specific licence conditions) Type 3 inert waste (subject to DEC approval) Type 1 Special Waste

Category 64 landfills A Putrescible Landfill permitted under the Landfill Waste Classification andWaste Definitions (Department of Environment and Conservation, 1996) toaccept the following waste types for disposal:• Clean Fill• Type 1 inert waste;• Putrescible wastes;• Contaminated solid waste meeting waste acceptance criteria specified

for Class II or Class III landfills (possibly with specific licence conditions)• Type 2 inert wastes (with specific licence conditions)• Type 1 and Type 2 special wastes

Category 65 landfills A Secure Landfill permitted under the Landfill Waste Classification and WasteDefinitions (Department of Environment and Conservation, 1996) to acceptthe following waste types for disposal:• Clean fill• Type 1 inert waste;• Contaminated solid waste meeting criteria specified for Class II, Class III or

Class IV landfills (possibly with specific licence conditions)• Type 2 inert wastes (with specific licence conditions)• Type 1 and Type 2 special wastes

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 fromthe construction 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 materialsconsists of bricks, concrete, asphalt and sand, soil clean fill and rubble for thepurposes of this report

Construction anddemolition waste (C&D)

Includes waste from residential, civil and commercial construction anddemolition activities, such as fill material (e.g. soil), asphalt, bricks and timber.Unless otherwise noted, C&D waste does not include waste from thecommercial and industrial waste stream.

Expanded polystyrene(EPS)

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

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Term Description

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

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 government collection services.

Low density polyethylene(LDPE)

A member of the polyolefin family of plastics. It is a flexible material andusually used 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 suchas pressure pipe.

Municipal solid waste(MSW)

Solid waste generated from domestic (household) premises and localgovernment activities such as street sweeping, litter and street tree lopping.Also includes waste dropped off at recycling centres, transfer stations andconstruction waste from owner/occupier renovations.

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

Perth metropolitan region The region as defined in section 4(1) of the Planning and Development Act2005. The waste levy applies to waste disposed to Category 63, 64 or 65landfills in this region, or to waste from the region landfilled at Category 63, 64or 65 landfills anywhere in the state. ,

Polyethyleneterephthalate (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 rigidand is used to make products such as fruit juice bottles, credit cards, pipesand hoses.

Post-consumer material Material generated by households or by commercial, industrial andinstitutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product which can nolonger be used for its intended purpose. This includes returns of material fromthe distribution chain.

Recovered material Material that would have otherwise been disposed of as waste but hasinstead been collected and reclaimed as a material input, in lieu of a newprimary material, for a recycling or manufacturing process.

Recyclate Material able to be processed for recycling in a facility. Sometimes used torefer to materials actually recovered from recycling, excluding residualwastes.

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Term Description

Recycling Material recovered that would otherwise have been disposed of to landfilland that has undergone some form of physical reprocessing to create asaleable product or raw material.Waste materials that are reclaimed and reutilised within the samemanufacturing processes that generated it as a matter of course to theefficient operation of the site (that is, process scrap) are not defined asrecycling for the purpose 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 (spadeable) ranging from municipal garbage to industrialwaste, but excluding gaseous, liquid, hazardous, clinical and intractablewastes.

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 acommon co-polymer of ABS.

Tyre derived fuel 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.Forecast Summary – Planning Regions of WA. Published by Western Australian PlanningCommission

Envisage Works (2018). 2016-17 Australian Plastics Recycling Survey (WA State Data Report). Preparedfor the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

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

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Waste Authority AppendixRecycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17

APPENDIX A – REPROCESSOR SURVEY

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Waste Authority AppendixRecycling Activity in Western Australia 2016-17

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