ASBG has prepared many educational event discussing waste and resource recovery issues.  Centre to these are NSW's Resource Recovery Orders and Exemptions (RRO/E).  Related and similar in nature are Queensland's End of Waste Codes (EoWC).  While these legal instruments work in practice they can be complex documents requiring detailed sampling, analysis and assessment against criteria. As a consequence, applications for specific RRO/Es and EoWC can be time and resource intensive, though once approved they do permit resource recovery.  A major challenge for Government is getting the balance right between environmental protection and resource recovery. Currently the balance is completely over on environmental protection first, resource recovery second.  Application of such instruments do not seem to be focused on the agronomic needs, but more on what are the lowest reasonable limits that can be achieved given the source of the material in question.  While this is reasonable for some application such as generic use of a material anywhere within the state, specific instruments should also consider their application for degraded farmland where increased mineral, pH and natural organic matter is needed.

ASBG has a number of reference document below which are of current interest in this area.

Attachments:

Letter on Recovered fines RRO/E revokation

48 kB

ASBG’s Framework Approach to a Revamped/Reengineered Recycling System,  is a summary of national and local actions required for a long term solution to the recycling crisis. A key element is to ensure that efficient cost-effective revamped recycling systems replace systems that are no longer viable.  A key  element is to standardise the categories of collected recyclate streams, where appropriate.  Reduction of contamination levels from point of collection to recycled product is essential to access existing markets and generation of new markets for such products.  Regulatory reform to reduce green tape, high costs, permit further down-cycling and improve the planning approval processes for waste infrastructure.  Support for Energy from Waste and improved streamlined approaches for B2B recycling is also called for.  Finally, a number of recommended financing methods of revamped recycling systems are provided.

Attachments:

Levy Discount by Payment on the Amount of Product	510 kB
ASBG's Framework Approach to a Revamped/Reengineered Recycling System	481 kB

Safework Australia (SWA) has been undertaking a review of Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) focusing on the 8 hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) exposures.

Attached is a summary document of most but not all substances with tightening of around 10 fold or more, with a few more commonly used chemicals.  Please check this list to see if any of these chemicals are used and what would be the consequences of trying to meet this new WES.

Attachments:

ASBG’s Summary of Safework Australia’s WES Tightening Program

457 kB

ASBG has written to the Minister following the release of the EPA's Approved Methods 2016 version.  At issue is the inclusion of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM criteria to be applied to individual sites at the closest receptor.  The prior Minister Mr Speakman promised at an ASBG Breakfast in July 2015 that this would not occur.  ASBG's letter is below.

A response from the Ministry has clarified the way in which Approved Methods 2016 and the prior Approved Methods 2005 will be applied , which can assist some sites and planning applications.  The response is below.

Attachments:

Ministry's Response - Approved Methods Application	562 kB
ASBG's Issues with the Approved Methods 2016	481 kB