SMRC RESPONSE TO FOUR CORNERS INVESTIGATION INTO WASTE MANAGEMENT
In light of the allegations presented in a recent ABC Four Corners programme into waste management practices in NSW and QLD, the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC) would like to reemphasize that recyclables collected in the yellow-topped bins processed by the SMRC are recovered to the fullest extent possible with 85% of recyclables recovered and made into new products.
This includes glass which is recovered, ground and used in road base, as well as plastics, paper, cardboard, steel and aluminum which command a high value when sold to domestic and international markets.
The organic fraction of the green-topped general waste bins processed by the SMRC is recovered and processed into compost which is used in agriculture.
The SMRC is a transparent, local government organisation, committed to working with its member councils and the community to ensure environmentally sustainable outcomes.
The SMRC plays an important role in working towards increased recycling rates and encourages the community to assist our efforts by ensuring they continue to put the right thing in the right bin.
Residents of member Councils and members of the public can attend free tours of the Regional Resource Recovery Centre (RRRC) in Canning Vale to see firsthand what happens to their waste and virtual tours are also available on the Recycle Right website www.recycleright.wa.gov.au.
FACTS AND FAQ’s
About the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council
The Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC) is one of five regional councils in the Perth metropolitan area and is a local government entity. The SMRC region currently spans 340km2, servicing 110,000 households with a combined population of over 290,000 people. The SMRC was established in 1991.
Member councils include the City of Cockburn, City of Fremantle, City of Melville, City of Kwinana and Town of East Fremantle. These member councils are committed to diverting waste from landfill.
About the Regional Resource Recovery Centre (RRRC)
The SMRC operates the Regional Resource Recovery Centre (RRRC) in Canning Vale, processing recyclables, general waste and green waste collected from household bins and verge collections. Overall the RRRC has achieved more than a 65% waste diversion from landfill for each of the past five years, achieving State Waste Strategy targets of 65% diversion from landfill by 2020.
Materials Recovery Facility
The SMRC operates a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at the RRRC in Canning Vale. This facility processes the contents of the Recycling bins from the following local councils and shires:
City of Fremantle Shire of Dowerin Shire of Trayning City of Melville Shire of Kellerberrin Shire of Victoria Plains City of Kwinana Shire of Kondinin Shire of Wandering Town of Cottesloe Shire of Koorda Shire of Westonia Town of East Fremantle Shire of Kulin Shire of Williams Shire of Beverley Shire of Merredin Shire of Wongan-Ballidu Shire of Boddington Shire of Mt Marshall Shire of Wyalkatchem Shire of Bruce Rock Shire of Mukinbudin Shire of Yilgarn Shire of Chittering Shire of Narembeen Shire of York Shire of Coorow Shire of Northam Shire of Corrigin Shire of Nungarin Shire of Cunderdin Shire of Quairading Shire of Dalwallinu Shire of Tammin Shire of Dandaragan Shire of Toodyay
The MRF utilizes state of the art technology to separate and sort the following materials:
• Glass – sorted, crushed and transported to a local contractor where it is processed for use in road base • Paper and cardboard – sorted into different categories, baled and sent to international markets to be processed into new products • Plastics - sorted into different categories, baled and sent to domestic and international markets to be processed into new products • Steel and aluminum cans – sorted into different categories, baled and sent to domestic and international markets to be processed into new products.
The Materials Recovery Facility processes 140 tonnes per day or 24,000 tonnes per annum of recyclable materials from the yellow-topped bin. It currently recovers 85% of materials.
Waste Composting Facility
The SMRC operates a Waste Composting Facility (WCF) at the RRRC in Canning Vale. The WCF processes the contents of household general waste bins from the following local councils:
City of Cockburn City of Fremantle City of Melville Town of East Fremantle
Located at the RRRC, the Waste Composting Facility (WCF) turns residents’ green-topped general waste bins into compost. The WCF currently processes 80,000 tonnes per year. The WCF produces more than 20,000 tonnes of compost and diverts 40,000 tonnes of waste from landfill each year, which represents a 50% diversion rate. The WCF prevents 32,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. This is the equivalent of taking 7,000 cars off the road.
The WCF composts organic materials that may otherwise be sent to landfill, helping to prevent the creation of harmful greenhouse gases and producing a valuable product which can help to enrich otherwise poor soils.
The SMRC is currently working with the City of Melville, City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle to investigate the implementation of a Food Organic Garden Organic collection system. The system will be trialed to around 7000 households in the City of Melville, from October 2017, with the aim to of producing a cleaner, higher quality compost than is currently created through the WCF process.
Green Waste Facility
The Green Waste Facility processes green waste delivered to the RRRC from verge collections and private businesses and contractors. The materials are processed on site and turned into mulch, before being distributed to a local contractor for further processing and distribution to local markets.
The Green Waste Facility creates mulch from green waste and processes 13,000 tonnes per annum. It recovers 100% of these materials.
Media contact Patrick Hay [email protected] 9329 2700 | 0407080691