ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | | NORTH EAST WASTE NE WASTE ANNUAL REPORT 2019/20 DECEMBER 2020 1 newaste.org.au ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | | NORTH EAST WASTE [ TABLE OF CONTENTS ] FOREWORD 3 Training 24 NE Waste Communication and Partnerships 5 The Better Waste Recycling Fund 24 Regional Coordination and Strategy 7 Ballina Shire Council 25 Education and Behaviour Change: Schools and Community Engagement Program 8 Byron Shire Council 26 Second Hand Saturday Program 10 Clarence Valley Council 27 Circulate Northern Rivers Project 12 Kyogle Council 28 Love Food Hate Waste Program 14 Lismore City Council 29 Illegal Dumping Project 16 Richmond Valley Council 30 Food Donation Project 18 Tweed Shire Council 31 Litter Prevention Project 19 WASTE DISPOSAL AND RESOURCE RECOVERY 32 Community Recycling Centres Project 20 NE WASTE GOVERNANCE & FINANCE 33 RENEW 21 FINANCES AND PROCUREMENT 34 Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) in Multi Unit Dwellings (MUDS) 22 Household Asbestos Testing Program 23 2 newaste.org.au ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | | NORTH EAST WASTE This report outlines the activities and outcomes of North East Waste NE Waste’s vision, to achieve more sustainable waste management (NE Waste) for the 2019-20 financial year. We are a group of seven and better resource recovery through a proactive and collaborative Councils working towards regional solutions to effective waste approach with our member Councils and community, is achieved management. Our member Councils are Ballina, Byron, Clarence because of our unique position and approach. Unlike other regional Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed. waste groups, our member Councils match our EPA operational funding, enabling a much more intensive engagement in the region. This year we delivered a suite of projects involving and engaging the Our high level of success in securing additional grant funding also community, schools, businesses and government. Our core projects supports this vision. Our project co-ordinators and officers are long focus on education, food waste reduction, business waste reduction FOREWORD term, dedicated professionals whose knowledge and passion to and engagement, problem wastes, Community Recycling Centres, improve resource recovery outcomes is well respected across the litter, asbestos disposal and illegal dumping. Other priorities included State, with our programs often duplicated by other Councils in both training, research, regional collaboration and fostering relationships the metropolitan and regional areas. with State Government and the broader waste community. 2019- 20 has been a challenging year for many, including the waste In developing and funding our programs and advising Councils on sector. I have been proud of the efforts of our team in continuing the changing waste regulatory landscape we have worked closely to support our Councils and assist the community to reduce their with the NSW EPA. The Waste Less Recycle More (WLRM) initiative waste footprint. has funded many of our projects and has allowed for program expansion and the provision of additional infrastructure to our Jeanie McKillop, NE Waste Coordinator Councils. Jeanie McKillop Linda Tohver Karen Rudkin Kim Potter Nicki Walker Joanne Hoy Coordinator Education Coordinator Project Coordinator Business Waste Organics Program Asbestos Program Coordinator OUR TEAM 3 newaste.org.au ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | | NORTH EAST WASTE REGIONAL PROJECTS AND ENGAGEMENT In 2020-21 NE Waste coordinated 14 projects and successfully secured 3 new grants. The following section outlines the key features, and highlights outcomes of each project. 4 newaste.org.au ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | | NORTH EAST WASTE NE WASTE COMMUNICATION “ Increase the awareness of waste reduction activities across the region AND PARTNERSHIPS and engage the community. ” OVERVIEW Each year NE Waste increases its Through the long term delivery of our projects communication collateral and expands the NE Waste has formed many partnerships across mechanisms and distribution of our key the region and State. In addition to long term messages. We have aimed to build a diverse relationships held with LGNSW, the NSW EPA and yet consistent brand that focuses on engaging DPIE, this year partners included: and raising the awareness of our community • Southern Cross University around waste and resource recovery. • Northern Rivers Food Media campaigns remain a core component • Business NSW of many of our projects. Print, radio, television • Mullum Cares and electronic media are well utilised to • Positive Change for Marine Life maximise our reach, and our social media • Circular Economy Innovation Network presence continues to expand through • Northern Rivers Joint Organisation of Councils Facebook and Instagram, with our Councils • NSW Roads & Maritime Services closely linked to our programs, utilising the • Northern Rivers Area Health Service resources we provide for them. • North Coast TAFE 5 newaste.org.au MAIN ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGNS SECOND HAND CIRCULATE NORTHERN ILLEGAL #RecycleRight SATURDAY RIVERS PROJECT DUMPING Businesses to Adopted by over divert 30+ infringement 3,000+ 100 726 notices issued Tonnes/year of food wheelie bins of pre-loved items 30 waste from landfill increase in saved from landfill 116% Councils in 3 States online reporting LFHW DON’T BE A COMMUNITY HOUSEHOLD FOOD SMART PROGRAM TOSSER RECYCLING CENTRES ASBESTOS TESTING 600+ LITTER PREVENTION PROJECT PROGRAM program sign-ups average 181,000 Kg 69.2% reduction in 182 POSITIVE 58% targeted litter of household problems TESTS 17+ waste collected RESULTS partnerships volume AIRED EDITORIALS WEBSITES PRINT ADS 100+ MEDIA 32,000+ 4500+ 32 VIEWS TV Commercials 860 RADIO ADS EVENTS ALL newaste.org.au 6 CAMPAIGN CAMPAIGN CAMPAIGN CAMPAIGN NAME NAME NAME NAME ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | | NORTH EAST WASTE REGIONAL COORDINATION AND STRATEGY OVERVIEW NE Waste develops and delivers multiple projects, seeks funding and engages contractors to fulfill the objectives KEY OUTCOMES of our Regional Waste Strategy (17-21). This year we have had to swiftly adapt projects in response to the • Delivered 14 major projects, acquitted 5 grants and • Consulted with the State Government and provided Covid-19 pandemic, as it impacted our ability to work in successfully secured 3 new grants. submissions to the NSW EPA Plastics Plan and the 20- year Waste Strategy, the Draft Asbestos Strategy and the public sphere. • Facilitated 4 NE Waste meetings, and held multiple the removal of the waste levy on bonded asbestos, The In addition to the operational and financial administration Council, team and online meetings due to Covid-19. Draft Circular Economy Policy and Discussion Paper of projects and contractors a primary function of the NE • Hosted other regional and metro waste groups, LGNSW “Too Good to Waste”. Waste Coordinator is to represent regional Councils in and the NSW EPA and DPIE at RENEW NSW in Byron • Consulted with LGNSW on the National Waste Policy, government and industry forums. We act as a conduit Bay. the proposed Waste Export Bans and the Product between the State Government and Councils and are • Continued to sit on the steering committee and work Stewardship amendments. regularly involved in consultations with government with the Councils of Midwaste and the DPIE on the North • Met with several industry representatives to investigate Coast Waste Investment Study. departments, sit on steering committees and contribute circular economy initiatives that could provide regional to working groups. • Formally supported the NR Joint Organisation of waste solutions. Councils in its work with the UNSW Smart Centre on • Attended the AWARE Waste expo and sat on the micro industry development around plastics, SCU Program Development Committee for Waste 2020 at Sustainable communities and waste hub project, Coffs Harbour, reviewing 60 abstracts. Mullum Cares Reverse Garage project, the Asbestosis “ To support regional initiatives, & Mesothelioma Ass of Aust. Education program, • Fulfilled all reporting requirements to the NSW EPA. Northern Rivers Food applications for funding, and guide strategic direction, and • Supported an intern from Southern Cross University Positive Change for Marine Lifes marine debris project. administer North East Waste in its through the completion of her Environmental science liaison with Sate Government and degree. industry .” • Reviewed Tweeds Zero Waste Policy. 7 newaste.org.au ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | | NORTH EAST WASTE EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE: SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW NE Waste’s Education and Community Engagement Wipe out Waste Education – our marquee and team Program drives behaviour change initiatives to achieve of experts provide a range of school and community the region’s waste diversion and recycling targets. activities from recycle relays, drama based education, “On behalf of our school I would like to The program is delivered through a combination of beeswax wrap making and audits. express our deepest appreciation for community research/surveys; face to face engagement #RecycleRight – community and schools education on having the opportunity to experience at events, schools, preschools partnerships with other our #RecycleRIght and Lift the Lid Campaign the Wipe Out Waste incursion with your organisations; workshops and schools; social media Early Childhood Program – includes staff training, team yesterday. It ticked all the boxes marketing and broader communication approaches. parent and child education sessions as well as access and more. The talk