Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (Veolia) and Transpacific Industries Group Ltd (TPI)  have entered into a conditional contract to purchase Earthpower Technologies Sydney Pty Limited (Earthpower) from Babcock & Brown Environmental Investments.

Eathpower uses anaerobic digestion technology to process organic waste to produce green energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer. The key advantages afforded to users of the Earthpower facility include :

• Cost competitive – the recovery of resources from the organic waste stream means that the NSW State Governments section 88 waste levy is not payable
• Access – the facility currently operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year
• Versatility – the process can accept both specified liquid and solid organic waste
• Environmentally sustainable – the process produces minimal residual by-products and no harmful emissions

Veolia and TPI will each own 50% of Earthpower and intend to offer employment to all existing employees.

Veolia’s Managing Director, Mr. Doug Dean stated:

 “ We have always been interested in the Earthpower facility. Apart from the obvious environmental benefits, the facility never promised to be anything other than what it really is – that is, a proven technology that effectively process’s organic waste streams. The acquisition of the Earthpower facility is a natural fit with the continued development of Veolia’s Resource Recovery Infrastructure network throughout Australia and reflects Veolia’s corporate commitment of Improving the Living Environment

We look forward to working with our partners, TPI, in delivering environmentally sustainable and technologically proven resource recovery solutions to our existing customers and new clients.”

ABC Reports:

The ACT Government has been accused of encouraging its waste contractor to fill-up Canberra's landfill through the rates it offers.

A waste and recycling expert Robin Tennant-Wood has obtained documents she says shows the contract costs have tripled and that more money is paid when the waste levels go over 200,000 tonnes.

She says this contradicts the Government's waste minimisation policy.

"There are actually financial incentives so the contractor will be paid $127,000 per month if waste to landfill is under a 100,000 tonnes per year," she said.

"If waste to landfill is over 200,000 tonnes a year they will be paid $150,000 a month."

"Now these figures are outrageous, but they are there in black and white in the waste management contract."

To read the full story, click here.

The NSW Branch has recently formed a new working group.

The working group will be called the NSW Carbon Committee, the Committee's purpose is to advance the science, the strategies, and the public policy development of waste management, as it relates to carbon change.

The working group will also act as a facilitator and coordinator of carbon related presentations, policy projects, consultation focus, etc.

A number of working groups already work on aspects of climate change - Landfill (gas and energy), AWT (energy and emissions), Educators (information), Compost (emissions and sequestration), EfW (emissions, sequestration), etc. This new group will provide a focus for consolidation of these efforts, and assist in the development of strategies to abate emissions and interact with the upcoming trading regime.

A notice will soon be sent out soon advising of an initial meeting date and presentations.

11. Lismore Leading the Country in Recycling Rates

The Northern Star reports:

Residents of Lismore are producing 864 kilograms of waste per person per year, which is approximately half the national average.

The result is a source of pride for waste education officer Kevin Trustum. He is the man who has been behind the push to get nearly 17,000 tonnes of material recycled through Lismore City Council's recycling programs.

"Our aim is to save as much waste going to landfill as possible," Mr Trustum said. 'Overall waste is still increasing but the amount we are diverting from landfill is increasing too. Currently around 60 per cent of overall waste material is being recycled and 40 per cent is going to landfill."

To read the full story, click here.

Community Grants Scheme (CGS)

The second round of the Community Grants Scheme for 2007 is now open. Community based groups including local interest groups, environmental groups, and individuals are encouraged to apply for support. Applications must be received by 5pm Friday 28th September 2007. No late submissions will be accepted.

More information: www.zerowastewa.com.au/ourwork/supportschemes/cgs/

The second round of the Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme for 2007 is now open. Business and industry, local government, community groups and individuals are encouraged to apply for support.

Applicants must read the ‘Guidelines for Applicants’ document and speak to a Waste Management Branch Project Coordinator about their project before they submit their application on the prescribed form. To arrange to speak to the relevant Project Coordinator, please contact Paul Ward on 6467 5320 or paul.ward@dec.wa.gov.au. Applications must be received by 5pm Friday 5th October 2007. No late submissions will be accepted.

More information, including the guidelines and application form: www.zerowastewa.com.au/ourwork/supportschemes/swis/.

Waste 2007 - Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Conference
'Skills, Knowledge, Networks!'

Coffs Harbour's 8th national waste management conference and expo is all about building skills, knowledge and networks! The program will feature international and national industry leaders as well as case studies of best practice and latest developments in solid waste management.

A draft program and all the latest information is available on the conference website at: www.impactenviro.com.au/waste2007.

You can also provide your ideas on what should be showcased at the conference, nominate for a speaker, facilitator or sponsor position, and ensure you receive all the latest information as it is released by completing the online Expression of Interest form.

Current.com.au reports:

MELBOURNE: Peak information and telecommunications sector body Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), has initiated a pilot computer-parts recycling campaign in Victoria that aims to reduce the quantity of hazardous waste that ends up as landfill.

The program will offer no-cost computer recycling across the state for 18 months to individual and commercial users of computer technology. The pilot will be managed in conjunction with Sustainability Victoria and will encourage participation from manufacturers, distributors and retailers of computer appliances.

To read the full story, click here.

Parker and Partners have kindly allowed us to distribute their briefing document regarding the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Bill. The Bill was introduced into Federal Parliament on 15 August 2007.

The document consists of:

• General overview of the new legislation;
• Potential implications;
• Notice of the industry consultation commencing on Monday, August 27, and;
• Detailed outline of the new legislation – including legislative objectives, implementation timeframe, and reporting requirements for companies,

"Parker & Partners recommends that any Australian company likely to be required to report under this new scheme treat this consultation period as a vital part of its strategic business planning. It is a key opportunity to ensure company interests are adequately addressed under the new scheme."

The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet will host a series of half-day consultations focused on the NGER and the emissions trading scheme in capital cities across Australia, and commencing next Monday.

Click here for further details

With assistance from the WMAA National Office, Bob Paulin has been organising the 2007 R&D Forum, to be held in Perth at Murdoch University from 5-7 September. The Forum will build on the outcomes of the two previous R&D Forums and the market development workshop held during the Canberra Forum.

The highest priority for this year’s Forum will be to document a national R&D Action Plan that closely coordinates with a Market Development Action Plan. To register for this event and reserve accommodation click here (insert link). Please note that registrations are strictly limited so please register as early as possible.

The Forum includes: a site tour of the DICOM Research Facility from 3 pm on the afternoon of Wednesday the 5th; a full day of presentations summarising the latest R&D from around Australia on Thursday 6th; and a workshop to develop an R&D Action Plan on Friday 7th. There is also a complimentary dinner on the Thursday, with speaker Professor Lyn Abbott (University of WA) speaking on “The Soil Carbon See Saw”. Those making it to breakfast on Friday morning will be rewarded by a presentation by our Forum Coordinator, Bob Paulin (DAFWA).

Please click here to download the program

Please click here to register and book accommodation online

So far, the resource recovery and waste management sectors have an enviable track record. Despite marked increases in the amount of waste generated, GHG emissions from waste did not increase between 1990 and 2004. In fact, improved recycling and waste management measures contributed almost 80% of greenhouse gas emission abatements (CO2e) in the community and corporate sector of local authorities (data from Cities for Climate Protection).

Despite these commendable efforts, there is no room for complacency. The AGO predicted that GHG emissions from the solid waste sector could decrease by between 22% and 98%, depending on what measures would be taken in the future. This is supported by industry data, which suggest that, although the solid waste sector contributes only 2.7% to Australia’s GHG emissions, it may be able to deliver 6.7% of future National net GHG emission reductions, based on 2004 figures. In order to achieve these objectives, which will deliver multiple environmental and economic outcomes, not only a firm commitment from industry is required but also a supportive and consistent policy framework at all levels of Government.

Winning Ways with Carbon will provide ample opportunities for you to find out what the resource recovery and waste management sectors, as well as your own organisation can do to reduce GHG emissions, what National and international carbon trading opportunities are available, and how you can participate in the growing carbon trading market.

Winning Ways with Carbon, Brisbane, 16 November 2007 (Further details to follow in next enews)

18. Thai Waste & Recovery 2007

Waste problems have been high on the agenda of environmental concerns. Their threat to the physical health of people and the damage that industrial plant could pose to society have forced many industrial companies to set aside increase budgets to comabt these problems.

To address the problems the authorites have stepped up their efforts to reduce pollution. New environmental standards would also be imposed whereby new industrial plants must conform to a stricter approval process. Importantly, infrastructure-management systems have to be established to ensure that waste or residue treatment does not result in a negative enviromental impact.

To provide a pertinent forum to update and exchange information on the above various issues above that are impacting the industrial sector, Asia Business Forum is pleased to organize a conference on Thai Waste Management & Recovery 2007. The conference is specially designed to help you and your key team members keep abreast of the government's latest policies and regulations in relation to waste management and recovery.

Click here for more information, and to register.

Chemical Waste Treatment Facilities - Hong Kong
Contract No.: EP/SP/55/07

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) will be inviting applications from interested companies, partnerships or joint ventures on the prequalification of tenderers for the captioned project.

The Chemical Waste Treatment Facilities (CWTF) is located in Tsing Yi Island of the HKSAR. The existing CWTF contract (Contract No. EP/WM/C1/89) will end on 12 April 2008. In order to maintain the operation of CWTF, EPD has decided to invite prequalified tenderers for undertaking a service contract for operating the CWTF for 10 years.

The scope of the Contract comprises the continued operation and maintenance of the existing CWTF to collect, receive and treat chemical waste by incineration, physical-chemical treatment and oil/water separation, to treat new hazardous waste stream, such as clinical waste by incineration, and to carry out any required upgrades to the CWTF air pollution control system to meet changes in Government Air Emission Standards (new emission standards will be based on current European Union standards).

Local and international companies, partnerships and joint ventures who are able to demonstrate that they have sufficient technical strength and experience in waste management (including chemical waste, clinical waste and marine pollution waste), design and construction of upgrades of chemical waste treatment system and with sound financial resources are invited to apply for prequalification.

The deadline for prequalification submission by all applicants is 12:00 noon on 14 September 2007.

The prequalification document has been available to all applicants for collection since 12:00 noon on Friday, 10 August 2007 from the following address:

CH2M Hill Hong Kong Limited
Suite 1801, Harcourt House
39 Gloucester Road, Wanchai
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Contact Name: Dr Ken Luk
Tel: (852) 2507 2203   Fax: (852) 2507 2293

Prequalification applications are to be addressed to:

Environmental Protection Department
Environmental Infrastructure Division
Special Waste and Landfill Restoration Group
3/F, East Wing, 88 Victoria Road
Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
(Attn: Mr. Alex Y W Ng)