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RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

2013-14

Western Australian Waste Authority

Advice

Service

Knowledge

Tel: + 61 (0)8 9759 1418 [email protected] www.askwm.com

mailto:[email protected]

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2013-14 Page i

ASK Waste Management

Acknowledgements

This report has been prepared for the Waste Authority in accordance

with the terms and conditions of the Annual Reviews of Recycling

Activity in Western Australia contract DEC6250022013, dated 1 July

2013. The report was funded by the Waste Authority through the Waste

Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account.

ASK Waste Management gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of

the Western Australian recycling industry, the Waste Management

Association of Australia and the Department of Environment Regulation

staff who provided information and assistance in the development of

this report.

Disclaimer

Information in this document is current as of March 2015. While all

professional care has been undertaken in preparing the document, ASK

Waste Management accepts no liability for loss or damages incurred as

a result of reliance placed on its content.

The mention of any company, product or process in this report does not

constitute or imply endorsement by ASK Waste Management.

Document Control

Version Date Description Initials

0 <draft> 20 Mar 2015 Internal QA version

1 <draft> 24 Mar 2015 Draft version for DER review

2 <final> 28 Apr 2015 Final Version

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

Report produced by:

GILES PERRYMAN BSc, DMS

SAMUEL GREEN BSc

33 Windlemere Drive

Dunsborough, 6281

Western Australia

AUSTRALIA

+ 61 (0)8 9759 1418

[email protected]

www.askwm.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.askwm.com/

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2013-14 Page ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

1 TOTAL RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA .................................................................................... 1

1.1 Survey Method ............................................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Statewide Recycling ................................................................................................................................... 3

1.3 Recycling by Material Type ....................................................................................................................... 3

1.4 Recycling by Sector .................................................................................................................................... 6

1.5 Recycling by Geographic Source ........................................................................................................... 8

1.6 Waste Generation and Diversion ............................................................................................................. 9

2 SORTING FACILITIES DATA .............................................................................................................................. 11

3 CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIALS ............................................................................................ 12

3.1 Quantity Recycled and Material Destination ...................................................................................... 12

3.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 15

3.3 Market Size and Strength ......................................................................................................................... 15

4 ORGANIC MATERIALS ..................................................................................................................................... 16


4.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 20


5 METALS ............................................................................................................................................................. 22


5.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 24


6 PAPER AND CARDBOARD ............................................................................................................................... 26


6.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 28


7 TEXTILES ............................................................................................................................................................ 30


7.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 30


8 GLASS ............................................................................................................................................................... 32


8.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 32


9 PLASTICS .......................................................................................................................................................... 34


9.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 37


10 RUBBER ............................................................................................................................................................. 38


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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2013-14 Page iii


10.2 Barriers ......................................................................................................................................................... 38


GLOSSARY................................................................................................................................................................... 40

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 42

APPENDIX A – REPROCESSOR SURVEY ...................................................................................................................... 43

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Reported total recycling activity for WA in 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 ............................ 3

Figure 1-2 Total recycling by material category, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................... 4

Figure 1-3 Recycling by material (by weight), WA 2013-14 ......................................................................................... 5

Figure 1-4 Municipal recycling composition, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................... 6

Figure 1-5 C&I recycling composition, WA 2013-14 ...................................................................................................... 7

Figure 1-6 C&D recycling composition, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................................... 7

Figure 2-1 Percentage breakdown of recyclable materials recovered ................................................................. 11

Figure 3-1 Composition of recycled C&D waste (by weight), WA 2013-14 ............................................................ 13

Figure 3-2 Material flow of C&D materials recycling, WA 2013–14 .......................................................................... 14

Figure 4-1 Composition of recycled organics (by weight), WA 2013-14 ................................................................. 17

Figure 4-2 Material flow of organic recycling, WA 2013–14 ...................................................................................... 20

Figure 5-1 Composition of recycled metals (by weight), WA 2013-14 .................................................................... 22

Figure 5-2 Material flow of metal recycling, WA 2013–14 .......................................................................................... 24

Figure 6-1 Composition of recycled paper and cardboard (by weight), WA 2013-14 ....................................... 26

Figure 6-2 Material flow of paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2013–14 ............................................................ 28

Figure 9-1 Composition of recycled plastics (by weight), WA 2013-14 ................................................................... 35

Figure 9-2 Material flow of plastic recycling, WA 2013–14......................................................................................... 37

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2013-14 Page iv


LIST OF TABLES

Table 1-1 Annual recycling by material category, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................. 3

Table 1-2 Sector origins of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14 ......................................................... 6

Table 1-3 Geographic source of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14 .............................................. 8

Table 1-4 Destination of WA reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14 ............................................................................. 8

Table 1-5 Annual recycling and overall waste diversion, WA 2013–14 ..................................................................... 9

Table 1-6 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11 to 2013-14 ............................................................................................. 10

Table 2-1 Material recovered and recycling losses from MRFs, WA 2013–14 ......................................................... 11

Table 3-1 C&D materials recycling, WA 2013-14 ......................................................................................................... 12

Table 3-2 C&D recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................... 13

Table 3-3 C&D recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................... 14

Table 4-1 Additional organic materials collected for recycling, WA 2013-14 ....................................................... 16

Table 4-2 Organics recycling, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................................................... 17

Table 4-3 Organics recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................... 18

Table 4-4 Organics recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ............................................................................. 18

Table 5-1 Metals recycling, WA 2013-14 ....................................................................................................................... 22

Table 5-2 Metals recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................ 23

Table 5-3 Metals recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................. 23

Table 6-1 Paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................... 26

Table 6-2 Paper and cardboard recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ............................................................ 27

Table 6-3 Paper and cardboard recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ..................................................... 27

Table 7-1 Textiles recycling, WA 2013-14 ....................................................................................................................... 30

Table 7-2 Textiles recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................ 30

Table 7-3 Textiles recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................. 30

Table 8-1 Glass recycling, WA 2013-14 .......................................................................................................................... 32

Table 8-2 Glass recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ........................................................................................... 32

Table 8-3 Glass recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................... 32

Table 9-1 Plastics recycling, WA 2013-14 ...................................................................................................................... 34

Table 9-2 Plastics recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ....................................................................................... 35

Table 9-3 Plastics recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 ................................................................................ 36

Table 10-1 Rubber recycling, WA 2013-14 .................................................................................................................... 38

Table 10-2 Rubber recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14 ..................................................................................... 38

Table 10-3 Rubber recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14 .............................................................................. 38

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2013-14 Page v


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The recycling of materials is a critically important activity for attaining sustainable waste management and

the efficient utilisation of increasingly scarce virgin resources. The Waste Authority’s (2012) Western

Australian Waste Strategy ‘Creating the Right Environment’ acknowledges the importance of recycling and

resource recovery for best practice waste management by setting targets expressed as the proportion of

waste recovered compared to that generated; specifically:

Municipal Solid Waste (Perth Metropolitan Region); 50% by 2015 and 65% by 2020

Municipal Solid Waste (Major regional centres); 30% by 2015 and 50% by 2020

Commercial and Industrial waste (WA); 55% by 2015 and 70% by 2020

Construction and Demolition waste (WA); 60% by 2015 (up from 29%) and 75% by 2020

To monitor progress against these targets, quantify recycling on a financial year basis and gain a deeper

insight into the WA recycling industry, the Department of Environment Regulation engaged ASK Waste

Management (ASK) to conduct this annual recycling activity survey for the 2013-14 financial year.

ASK undertook a survey of total recycling activity in WA between the months of September and December

2014, distributing the survey to all known organisations reprocessing recyclable material generated in WA.

The survey included materials recovered in WA for recycling or for export to interstate and international

markets.

The information presented in the report is based on the data provided by the recycling industry during the

survey and by industry reports; the data has not undergone any verification. Survey respondents reported

that 2,605,460 tonnes of recyclable material was recovered in 2013-14. The C&D sector provided 46%

(1,210,800t) of all recyclable material processed, followed by the C&I and municipal sectors with 32%

(835,840t) and 21% (559,820t) respectively. It was reported that 86% of the state’s recycling activity occurred

in the metropolitan area, with only 14% from regional areas. Total recycling by material category is

presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Total recycling by material category, WA 2013-14

1,239,650

370,920

237,640

681,140

34,1003,790 25,010 13,200

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

C&D Organics Paper &

cardboard

Metals Glass Textiles Rubber Plastic

Ton

ne

s re

cy

cle

d

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2013-14 Page vi


Total waste generation (materials recycled plus waste landfilled) in WA was approximately 6,680,000 tonnes

in 2013-14. On a state-wide basis, this reflects an increase in waste generation of more than 550,000 tonnes

since 2012-13. The diversion rate (waste recycled / waste generated) for the metropolitan area was 45%,

while the WA diversion rate was 39%. These values represent a small decrease compared to the diversion

rates for 2012-13, for which the metropolitan diversion rate was 47% and the WA diversion rate 40%.

Table 1 Annual recycling and overall waste diversion, WA 2013–14

Metropolitan Area WA Total

Diversion from landfill (tonnes) 2,228,140 2,605,460

Waste to landfill (tonnes)1 2,719,770 4,074,300

Total waste generation (tonnes) 4,947,910 6,679,760

Diversion rate (%) 45% 39%

Population2 1,861,000 2,512,382

Per capita diversion (kg/person) 1,197 1,037

Per capita landfill (kg/person) 1,461 1,622

Per capita total waste (kg/person 2,659 2,659

Notes:

1. Metropolitan landfill data provided by Department of Environment Regulation, which includes tonnes of waste

directly reported and estimated from surveys. WA landfill data has been extrapolated from metropolitan landfill data

based on the assumption that waste generation rates for metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions will be similar, and

back-calculated based on the ratio of metropolitan to non-metropolitan WA population.

2. 2013-14 population data is derived from the Western Australian Planning Commission publication Western Australia

Tomorrow, Population Report No. 8, 2006 to 2026 (Planning Western Australia, 2012).

The diversion rates calculated to track progress against the WA Waste Strategy targets are presented in

Table 2. Although insufficient data was available to calculate municipal recovery rates for the major

regional centres, there were small decreases to the diversion rates for the state-wide and metropolitan

targets in 2013-14. The decrease in the Municipal diversion rate for the metro area was largely due to a

decrease in organics reprocessing capacity, and an increase in municipal waste to landfill. Despite a

reported increase of 125,000 tonnes to state-wide C&D reprocessing the diversion rate fell due to an

increase of approximately 340,000 tonnes of the estimated C&D waste disposed to landfill.

Table 2 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Sector Waste Strategy Targets

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

2015 2020

Municipal 50% metro; 30%

regional centres

65% metro; 50%

regional centres 39% (metro) 39% (metro) 45% (metro) 41% (metro)

C&I 55% (WA) 70% (WA) 28% (WA) 40 % (WA) 45% (WA) 45% (WA)

C&D 60% (WA) 75% (WA) 31% (WA) 38% (WA) 40% (WA) 38% (WA)

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Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2013-14 Page 1


1 TOTAL RECYCLING ACTIVITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Recycling of materials is a critically important activity for attaining sustainable waste management and the

efficient utilisation of increasingly scarce resources. Recycling and resource recovery helps minimise the

quantity of waste disposed to landfill and the associated need to develop costly new landfill facilities. It also

lessens the demand for the natural resources required to manufacture new products and can reduce water

use, energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

The Waste Authority’s (2012) Western Australian Waste Strategy ‘Creating the Right Environment’ aims to,

“engage the Western Australian community over the next decade in moving to a low-waste society”. It

seeks to do this by providing the necessary knowledge, infrastructure and incentives to change behaviour,

with a focus on best practice waste management, continuous improvement and target setting.

The Strategy acknowledges the importance of recycling and resource recovery for best practice waste

management by setting targets expressed as the proportion of waste recovered compared to that

generated; specifically:





To monitor progress against these targets, quantify recycling on a financial year basis and gain a deeper

insight into the Western Australian (WA) recycling industry, the Department of Environment Regulation has

engaged ASK Waste Management (ASK) to conduct this annual recycling activity survey for 2013-14.

1.1 SURVEY METHOD

Between the months of September and December 2014, ASK undertook a survey of total recycling activity in

Western Australia for the 2013-14 financial year. The survey included materials recovered in WA for recycling

and for export to interstate and international markets; it omitted material imported into WA for recycling.

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

Material reprocessors / recyclers

o Visits to reprocessing sites across WA; and

o Telephone and email surveys of known recycling companies.

Data collated from other surveys undertaken by the following organisations:

o 2013-14 National Plastics Recycling Survey (Produced by the Sustainable Resource Unit);

o The Newspaper Works; and

o Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

Quantity of materials exported for recycling from WA for 2013-14 (Department of Foreign Affairs and

Trade).

To ensure that the survey captured data from as many recyclers and reprocessors as possible, the list of

contacts provided from the previous year’s survey was reviewed in extensive consultation with government

and industry stakeholders. Despite efforts to ensure that the compiled recycling data is as comprehensive as

possible, the figures should be considered conservative as it is likely that some smaller WA reprocessors or

interstate destinations may have not been identified.

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In addition, the voluntary nature of the survey resulted in some reprocessors choosing not to return the survey

questionnaire. To minimise the impact of this, ASK sought to at least gather total tonnes of material

processed from these companies so that the impact on total tonnes recycled would be minimised.

Considering the issues above it is very likely that there is an underestimation of actual recycling quantities for

2013-14.

Survey questionnaires were provided to reprocessors in electronic format with hard copies available upon

request. Data was sought for the 2013-14 financial year regarding material types, quantities processed, and

the origin, destination and market conditions of the reprocessed materials. The full questionnaire sent to

reprocessors is provided in Appendix A.

Consistent with the previous years, survey respondents had the option of reporting quantities by weight or

volume. A standard set of conversion factors was used to convert volumetrically reported data into tonnes.

Due to the accuracy of the data reported, and for ease of reading, all values have been rounded to the

nearest 10 tonnes. The rounding of the values has led to occasional rounding errors for table totals. The

totals shown are based on a rounding of the original total value rather than the cumulative total of the

rounded values shown in the tables.

Some changes were made to the format of the survey for 2013-14 to reduce the time taken for respondents

to complete them, and to encourage an improved response rate, these changes included:

Providing customised survey templates for each sector of the recycling industry with irrelevant

questions removed;

Removing the request for information on gate fees charged (or paid) for source materials; and

Requesting financial turnover information in a range format instead of a specific figure.

The population data used was sourced from the Western Australia Tomorrow, Population Reports published

by the Western Australia Planning Commission (WAPC). This dataset is preferred by the DER as it includes

population projections for WA to 2026, and it closely reflects the official estimate of Australia’s population as

provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Estimated Resident Population (ERP) dataset.

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1.2 STATEWIDE RECYCLING

Total reported recycling in WA (based on the completed surveys returned) totalled 2,605,460 tonnes in 2013-

14, equivalent to an increase of 128,830 tonnes from the value reported in 2012-13. These figures do not

include recycling activity by recycling collectors and sorters.

Figure 1-1 graphically presents the reported total recovery figures for 2010-11, 2011-121, 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Figure 1-1 Reported total recycling activity for WA in 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

1.3 RECYCLING BY MATERIAL TYPE

Total reported recycling in WA during 2013-14 was 2,605,460 tonnes. The contributions of each recycled

material category are shown in Table 1-1 and displayed graphically in Figure 1-2.

Table 1-1 Annual recycling by material category, WA 2013-14

Material Category Tonnes Proportion of

Recycling (%)

C&D materials* 1,239,650 47.6%

Organics 370,930 14.2%

Paper & cardboard 237,640 9.1%

Metals 681,140 26.1%

Glass 34,100 1.3%

Textiles 3,790 0.1%

Rubber 25,010 1.0%

Plastic 13,200 0.5%

Total 2,605,460 100%

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

Section 3.

1 The total value for 2011-12 has been amended to account for 84,000 tonnes of timber material that was incorrectly

reported in that year.

2,042,270

2,439,790 2,476,6302,605,460

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

Tota

l to

nn

es

reco

vere

d

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As can be seen in Figure 1-2, C&D materials accounted for almost 48% (1,239,650t) of WA’s total recycling in

2013-14. Metals and organics made up 26% (681,140t) and 14% (370,920t) respectively of the recycled

material reported; with the paper and cardboard, glass, textiles, rubber, and plastic material categories

cumulatively accounting for the other 12% (313,750t).

Figure 1-2 Total recycling by material category, WA 2013-14

The top 16 material types recycled in WA during 2013-14 (based on the reported tonnage) are shown in

Figure 1-3. The ‘sand, soil, clean fill and rubble’ category represented the greatest quantity of material

recycled (811,920t); this was followed by the non-packaging steel category at 627,390 tonnes.

1,239,650

370,920

237,640

681,140

34,1003,790 25,010 13,200

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

C&D Organics Paper &

cardboard

Metals Glass Textiles Rubber Plastic

Ton

ne

s re

cy

cle

d

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Figure 1-3 Recycling by material (by weight), WA 2013-14

778,290

627,390

263,600

181,470

118,420 115,260 105,63089,520

51,500 51,170 47,87034,630 34,100 31,630 25,010 17,990

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

Ton

ne

s re

cy

cle

d

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1.4 RECYCLING BY SECTOR

Survey respondents were asked to indicate what proportion of each material type was sourced from the

municipal, C&I and C&D sectors. Table 1-2 presents the total quantity of recyclable material sourced from

each sector, and the relevant percentage contribution.

The C&D sector provided 46% (1,210,800t) of all recyclable material processed, followed by the C&I and

municipal sectors with 32% (834,840t) and 21% (559,820t) respectively.

Table 1-2 Sector origins of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14

Material Type Quantity

Tonnes %

Municipal 559,820 21%

C&I 834,840 32%

C&D 1,210,800 46%

Total 2,605,460 100%

The material composition of each source sector is presented below (Figure 1-4 to Figure 1-6).

Figure 1-4 shows that organics comprised the largest portion of the municipal sector at 30.3% (169,520t),

followed by paper and cardboard at 24.9% (139,670t) and C&D materials at 22.8% (127,600t).

Figure 1-4 Municipal recycling composition, WA 2013-14

C&D materials

22.8%Organics

30.3%

Paper &

cardboard

24.9%

Metals

13.8%

Glass

5.8%

Textiles

0.7%

Rubber

0.5%

Plastic

1.3%

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Figure 1-5 shows that metals largest portion of the C&I sector’s composition at 52.8% (441,230t) of total C&I

recycling. Organic materials were the second largest contributor at 22.2% (184,920t) of the total sector.

Paper and cardboard, and C&D materials also made up a significant portion, with each more than 10%

(approximately 90,000t each) of total C&I recycling.

Figure 1-5 C&I recycling composition, WA 2013-14

The material composition of the C&D sector is presented in Figure 1-6. C&D materials (including concrete,

bricks, asphalt, plasterboard, and sand, clean fill and rubble) comprised the greatest portion of the C&D

sector’s composition at 84.5% (1,023,720t). Metals were the second largest contributor, equivalent to 13.5%

(162,930t) of total C&D recycling.

Figure 1-6 C&D recycling composition, WA 2013-14

C&D materials

10.6%

Organics

22.2%

Paper &

cardboard

10.9%

Metals

52.8%

Glass

0.2%

Textiles

0.0%

Rubber

2.6%Plastic

0.7%

C&D materials

84.5%

Organics

1.4%

Paper &

cardboard

0.6%

Metals

13.5%

Rubber

0.1%

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1.5 RECYCLING BY GEOGRAPHIC SOURCE

Reprocessors were asked to report the percentage of material recovered from metropolitan and non-

metropolitan areas for each material type. Most reprocessors do not keep accurate records on this

percentage split; therefore the data reported was frequently based on the reprocessors ‘best estimates’.

86% (2,228,130t) of the recycling recovered in 2013-14 was sourced from the metropolitan area, with only 14%

(377,330t) from the rest of WA (Table 1-3). The concentration of C&D recycling activity in the metropolitan

area had a significant impact on the total figures for the State.

Table 1-3 Geographic source of WA-sourced reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14

Material Type Metro Non-metro

Tonnes % Tonnes %

C&D materials 1,217,580 98% 22,070 2%

Organics 281,990 76% 88,930 24%

Paper & cardboard 203,230 86% 34,410 14%

Metals 461,880 68% 219,260 32%

Glass 32,930 97% 1,180 3%

Textiles 3,470 92% 320 8%

Rubber 17,820 71% 7,190 29%

Plastic 9,240 70% 3,960 30%

TOTAL 2,228,130 86% 377,330 14%

Table 1-4 shows where the recyclable material from WA was reprocessed during 2013-14. Approximately 65%

(1,679,570t) of the material was reprocessed within the State, with almost 35% (904,000) being exported. The

quantity of exported materials in 2013-14 grew by 22% compared to the 739,800 tonnes exported in 2012-13.

Only small quantities of recovered material are sent interstate for reprocessing. This is because when it is not

economically viable to process the materials in WA; the market demand from overseas markets is generally

greater than that from the eastern States and transport costs are cheaper on a per unit basis when exporting

in bulk to overseas markets.

Table 1-4 Destination of WA reprocessed materials, WA 2013–14

Destination Tonnes %

Western Australia 1,679,570 64.5%

Interstate 21,900 0.8%

Export 904,000 34.7%

TOTAL 2,605,460 100.0%

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1.6 WASTE GENERATION AND DIVERSION

Landfill data for the metropolitan area during 2013-14 was provided by the WA Department of Environment

Regulation. As an accurate source of landfill data was not available for the rest of the State, the

metropolitan data was extrapolated using population data and assuming the same level of waste

generation per capita between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.

Table 1-5 presents data on the total and per capita waste generation, diversion, and landfill disposal for WA

and the metropolitan area.

Total waste generation in WA was estimated at approximately 6,679,760 tonnes in 2013-14, with waste

generation from metropolitan area contributing more than 4,947,910 tonnes. On a state-wide basis, this

reflects an increase in waste generation of more than 553,000 tonnes compared to 2012-13. This increase

reverses the trend of falling waste generation that occurred in 2011-12 and 2012-13. The increase in waste

generation was reflected in state-wide landfill estimates, with a 12% (424,420t) increase of waste to landfill

from 2012-13.

The diversion rate (waste recycled / waste generated) for the metropolitan area was 45%, while the WA

diversion rate was 39%. These values represent a marginal decrease on the diversion rates for 2012-13, for

which the metropolitan diversion rate was 47% and the WA diversion rate 40%.

State-wide per capita data indicates an increase in waste diversion from 1,005 kg per person in 2012-13 to

1,037 kg in 2013-14. Per capita landfill disposal increased significantly on a state-wide basis, from 1,481 kg per

person in 2012-13 to 1,622 kg per person in 2013-14.

Table 1-5 Annual recycling and overall waste diversion, WA 2013–14

Metropolitan

Area WA Total

Diversion from landfill (tonnes) 2,228,140 2,605,460

Waste to landfill (tonnes)1 2,719,770 4,074,300

Total waste generation (tonnes) 4,947,910 6,679,760

Diversion rate (%) 45% 39%

Population2 1,861,000 2,512,382

Per capita diversion (kg/person) 1,197 1,037

Per capita landfill (kg/person) 1,461 1,622

Per capita total waste (kg/person 2,659 2,659

Notes:

1. Metropolitan landfill data provided by Department of Environment Regulation, which

includes tonnes of waste directly reported and estimated. WA landfill data has been

extrapolated from metropolitan landfill data based on the assumption that waste

generation rates for metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions will be similar, and back-

calculated based on the ratio of metropolitan to non-metropolitan WA population.

2. 2013-14 population data is derived from the Western Australian Planning Commission

publication Western Australia Tomorrow, Population Report No. 8, 2006 to 2026 (Planning

Western Australia, 2012).

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The Waste Authority’s (2012) Western Australian Waste Strategy ‘Creating the Right Environment’ set sector

based targets expressed as the proportion of waste recovered compared to that generated; specifically:





Diversion rates that were calculated to track progress against these targets are presented in Table 1-6.

Insufficient data was available to be able to calculate municipal recovery rates for the major regional

centres. Calculations of the state-wide diversion rates were based on the assumption that non-metropolitan

waste generation rates were the same as the metropolitan area on a per capita basis.

Table 1-6 Diversion rates by sector, 2010-11 to 2013-14

Sector Waste Strategy Targets

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

2015 2020

Municipal

50% metro;

30% regional

centres

65% metro;

50% regional

centres

39% (metro) 39% (metro) 45% (metro) 41% (metro)

C&I 55% (WA) 70% (WA) 28% (WA) 40 % (WA) 45% (WA) 45% (WA)

C&D 60% (WA) 75% (WA) 31% (WA) 38% (WA) 40% (WA) 38% (WA)

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2 SORTING FACILITIES DATA

A large proportion of municipal and C&I sector waste that is collected for recycling is sorted at a Material

Recovery Facilities (MRFs) prior to the materials being reprocessed into new products at a reprocessing

facility. WA MRFs reported processing approximately 124,000 tonnes of comingled recycling during 2013-14

(Table 2-1). One large MRF operator did not provide information for 2013-14, based on their response from

2012-13 it is estimated that between 80,000 and 100,000 tonnes of co-mingled recycling was not reported

and that this should be taken into account when comparing MRF data to previous years.

During the sorting process at MRFs some losses of material are inevitable due to process inefficiencies and

the presence of un-recyclable material (contamination) in the waste stream. For 2013-14, MRFs reported

approximately 23,000 tonnes of recycling losses (Table 2-1). With these losses taken into account,

approximately 101,120 tonnes of recyclable material was recovered by WA MRFs.

Table 2-1 Material recovered and recycling losses from MRFs, WA 2013–14

Tonnes %

Material recovered 101,120 81%

Recycling losses 23,040 19%

TOTAL PROCESSED 124,160 100%

Figure 2-1 outlines the breakdown of materials recovered by WA MRFs in 2013-14. Glass made up 35.2%

(34,830t) of the recovered materials, followed by mixed paper and Old News Print (ONP) with 27.7% (27,380t)

and 18.7% (18,530t) respectively.

Figure 2-1 Percentage breakdown of recyclable materials recovered

Glass

35.2%

Aluminium

0.8%

Steel

2.8%Plastics

4.9%

Old Newsprint

18.7%

Cardboard

9.8%

Paper (mixed)

27.7%

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3 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 current or previous

Recycling Activity Reviews.

The industry reported that 1,239,650 tonnes of C&D materials were recovered in WA for 2013-14. This figure

represents an increase of approximately 59,500 tonnes from 2012-13.

3.1 QUANTITY RECYCLED AND MATERIAL DESTINATION

The quantity of each C&D material type recovered is presented in Table 3-1. All recycling was undertaken in

WA with no material exported or processed in other states.

Table 3-1 C&D materials recycling, WA 2013-14

Material

Net

Recycling1

(tonnes)

Material Destination

WA

(tonnes)

Interstate

(tonnes)

Export

(tonnes)

Asphalt 115,260 115,260 0 0

Bricks 47,870 47,870 0 0

Concrete 263,600 263,600 0 0

Plasterboard 34,630 34,630 0 0

Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble2 778,300 778,300 0 0

TOTAL 1,239,650 1,239,650 0 0

1. Net recycling excludes recycling losses.

2. The ‘sand, soil, clean fill & 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 (63% or 778,300t) of C&D materials

recovered (Figure 3-1). Concrete made a significant contribution at 21% (263,600t) of total C&D recycling

tonnage.

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Figure 3-1 Composition of recycled C&D waste (by weight), WA 2013-14

Table 3-2 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 material types are in fact generated by the municipal and C&I

sectors; 10.3% (127,600t) and 7.1% (88,340t) respectively.

Table 3-2 C&D recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14

Material Municipal

(tonnes)

C&I

(tonnes)

C&D

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Asphalt 25,420 7,110 82,730 115,260

Bricks 5,470 2,200 40,200 47,870

Concrete 35,690 27,950 199,950 263,600

Plasterboard 0 0 34,630 34,630

Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble 61,020 51,070 666,200 778,300

TOTAL 127,600 88,340 1,023,720 1,239,650

The majority (98.2% or 1,217,580t) of C&D waste is recovered in the metropolitan area (Table 3-3).

Asphalt

9.3%

Bricks

3.9%

Concrete

21.3%

Plasterboard

2.8%

Sand, soil,

clean fill and

rubble

62.8%

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Table 3-3 C&D recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14

Material Metro

(tonnes)

Non-Metro

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Asphalt 113,090 2,170 115,260

Bricks 47,870 0 47,870

Concrete 252,200 11,400 263,600

Plasterboard 34,630 0 34,630

Sand, soil, clean fill and rubble 769,800 8,500 778,300

TOTAL 1,217,580 22,070 1,239,650

Figure 3-2 depicts material flows of C&D recycling in WA for 2013-14.

Figure 3-2 Material flow of C&D materials recycling, WA 2013–14

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3.2 BARRIERS

In 2012-13 the most commonly reported barrier to increased recycling was the low cost of landfill disposal

and the lack of a high enough landfill levy to create a clearer economic incentive to recycle C&D waste.

This issue was only mentioned by one operator in 2013/14, suggesting that the increase to the landfill levy in

2014 has alleviated the issue to some extent and made inert waste recycling more economically competitive

with landfilling in the metropolitan area.

The perceived barriers that were raised by industry in 2013-14 included:

Government not supporting the use of recycled materials in new construction and development.

Government departments need to make it generally acceptable for civil contractors to use recycled

product, and introduce a consistent policy to support the use of recycled products.

Engineers from the civil sectors are reluctant to sanction the use of recycled products.

As was reported in 2012-13, some operators continue to have difficulty establishing new reprocessing

facilities due to community opposition, bureaucratic red tape and environmental regulations.

Government not strongly enforcing regulations that prohibit people to store or process waste streams

without relevant approvals or licences (uneven playing field).

Landfill levy is not applied in the non-metro area so there is less economic incentive to recycle in

regional areas.

3.3 MARKET SIZE AND STRENGTH

Reprocessors reported that there was an abundant supply of waste C&D materials throughout 2013-14 due

to increased construction and demolition activity in the State. This did not however coincide with strong

demand for recycled C&D products across the sector. The strength of receiving markets was reported as

variable and subject to volatility. As was reported in 2012-13, operators with effective marketing strategies

and/or well established customer bases reported average to strong demand, whilst others reported difficulty

in accessing markets.

Many operators reported that the market has significant potential for growth if the industry can effectively

market the advantages of the recycled products, and gain support from government authorities in utilising

recycled aggregates in construction projects.

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4 ORGANIC MATERIALS

The survey requested organics reprocessors to report a variety of organic material types that included

materials from primary industry. For the purpose of this report, the quantities of organic materials sourced from

primary industry (Table 4-1) were not included in calculations as they are not traditionally sent to landfill, and

therefore do not represent a diversion from landfill. This practice is consistent with previous reports and

methodologies used in other States.

Table 4-1 Additional organic materials collected for recycling, WA 2013-14

Material Tonnes

Forestry waste 42,720

Agricultural waste (excluding manures)1 14,650

Manures 23,430

TOTAL 80,800

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 reported

recycling organic materials although this was not their core business, particularly in regards to wood/timber

processing.


Almost 371,000 tonnes of organic materials were reported to have been recovered in 2013-14. This represents

a reduction of approximately 90,000 tonnes from 2012-13.

Approximately 100,000 tonnes of processing capacity was lost through the closure of three facilities in the

metropolitan area. It is estimated that at least a further 50,000 tonnes was not reported as some reprocessors

stated they did not want to participate in the survey.

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Table 4-2 shows the quantities recovered for each material type.

Table 4-2 Organics recycling, WA 2013-14

Material

Net

Recycling1

tonnes)


WA

(tonnes)

Interstate

(tonnes)

Export

(tonnes)

Food organics 5,850 5,850 0 0

Organics from mixed municipal 105,630 105,630 0 0

Garden organics 118,420 118,420 0 0

Wood / timber 89,520 89,520 0 0

Other organic 51,500 51,500 0 0

TOTAL 370,930 370,930 0 0


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

The proportion each material type contributes to total organics recovery is shown in Figure 4-1. Garden

organics make up the major proportion of the total at 31.9% (118,420t), with organics from mixed municipal

waste second largest at 28.6% (105,630t). Wood/timber waste is also significant, equivalent to 24.1% (89,520t)

of total recovered organics.

Figure 4-1 Composition of recycled organics (by weight), WA 2013-14

Food organics

1.6%

Organics from

mixed municipal

28.5%

Garden

organics

31.9%

Wood / timber

24.1%Other organic

13.9%

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The split between the municipal, C&I, and C&D sectors is presented in Table 4-3. C&I is the largest source

sector and is equivalent to 50% (184,920t) of total organics recovered. The municipal sector contributed

another 46% (169,520t) with the remainder from the C&D sector. Approximately 16,700 tonnes of ‘Organics

from Mixed Municipal’ was reported as being sourced from the C&I sector due to some businesses having

their waste collected as part of a kerbside municipal bin collection program.

Table 4-3 Organics recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14

Material Municipal

(tonnes)

C&I

(tonnes)

C&D

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Food organics 0 5,850 0 5,850

Organics from mixed municipal 88,950 16,680 0 105,630

Garden organics 78,610 35,580 4,230 118,420

Wood / timber 1,460 75,810 12,250 89,520

Other organic 500 51,000 0 51,500

TOTAL 169,520 184,920 16,480 370,930

The majority (76% or 281,990t) of the total organics recovered came from the metropolitan area, conversely

the majority (64% or 57,550t) of the wood/timber category was recovered from the non-metropolitan area

(Table 4-4).

Table 4-4 Organics recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14

Material Metro

(tonnes)

Non-Metro

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Food organics 3,870 1,990 5,850

Organics from mixed municipal 98,650 6,980 105,630

Garden organics 96,500 21,920 118,420

Wood / timber 31,970 57,550 89,520

Other organic 51,000 500 51,500

TOTAL 281,990 88,940 370,930

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Figure 4-2 depicts material flows of reprocessed organics in WA for 2013-14.

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Figure 4-2 Material flow of organic recycling, WA 2013–14

4.2 BARRIERS

The organics recycling industry was asked to comment on major issues affecting the industry and barriers to

increased organics recycling in WA. Of all the recycling sectors covered by the survey, the organics sector

reported the greatest range of issues and barriers. It must be noted that the opinions below were provided

by the organics recycling industry.

As was the case in 2012-13, a high ranking issue for the sector was in regards to state and local government

regulation of composting facilities. The relevant issues raised by the sector included:

A perception that a standardised regulatory approach was not being applied across the sector and

that this was resulting in some operators cutting corners and out competing ‘compliant’ operators on

a price basis.

An overly complicated planning and environmental approvals process for organics recyclers seeking

to establish new facilities, especially in regards to the interpretation of local government town

planning schemes.

Prescriptive environmental (and health) regulations and conditions that require significant capital

investment and operational expenditure to ensure compliance.

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Other issues raised by the industry included:

A need for the organics sector to support strategic industry development that influences policy

makers, politicians, regulators and the community.

Contamination of source materials (especially from the municipal sector) is expensive and difficult to

remove and has a negative impact on the market demand for the final product. Improved source

separation is required to address this issue but this requires close cooperation between the industry

and state and local government.

There is a need for market development and educating potential customers of the benefits of utilising

recycled organics to support primary production and landscape management.

A concern that the trend towards producing energy and biogas from organic materials will negatively

impact the availability of recycled organic materials for the composting sector.

A concern that new technologies and collection methods for municipal waste will threaten the

availability of uncontaminated greenwaste needed for mulch production.

Local governments perceived to be not doing enough to support and facilitate the recovery of

municipal organic waste.


The strength of the recycled organics market was reported as variable with some processors effectively

targeting growing niche markets while others reported weak to average demand. It was reported that the

low density and relatively low value of recycled organics limited the geographic range that reprocessors

could access primary production markets outside the metropolitan area. Across the industry there was wide

recognition that further effort was required to develop the market to realise its full potential.

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5 METALS


Metal recycling represents a significant portion of WA’s recycling activity due to the relatively high value of

scrap metals compared to other waste types. More than 680,000 tonnes of WA waste metal was recycled in

2013-14 (Table 5-1). Total metal recovery in WA increased by approximately 120,000 tonnes between 2012-13

and 2013-14 due to a significant boost in scrap steel exports. The vast majority (97% or 663,840t) of scrap

metal collected in WA was exported for processing into new products, with only 1% (7,670t) reprocessed in

WA (Table 5-1).

Table 5-1 Metals recycling, WA 2013-14

Material

Net

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA

(tonnes)

Interstate

(tonnes)

Export

(tonnes)

Aluminium (Non-Packaging) 17,990 0 300 17,690

Aluminium Packaging 1,400 0 0 1,400

Non-Ferrous Metals (ex. Al) 31,630 7,670 9,330 14,630

Steel (Non-Packaging) 627,390 0 0 627,390

Steel Packaging 2,740 0 0 2,740

TOTAL 681,140 7,670 9,630 663,840


Metals are exported to countries throughout Asia, and some aluminium is shipped as far as the UK and

Belgium. The high level of scrap metal exporting is driven by lower production costs for re-founding the metal

into new products in the receiving countries.

Figure 5-1 Composition of recycled metals (by weight), WA 2013-14

Aluminium

(Non-

Packaging)

2.6%Aluminium

Packaging

0.2%Non-Ferrous

Metals (ex. Al)

4.6%

Steel (Non-

Packaging)

92.1%

Steel Packaging

0.4%

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Non-packaging steel was the largest contributor, accounting for 92.1% (627,390t) of the total tonnage. Both

aluminium and steel packaging were minor contributors with only 0.2% (1,400t) and 0.4% (2,740t) of total

metals recovery respectively (Figure 5-1).

Table 5-2 shows that the majority of the materials were sourced from the C&I sector (65% or 441,230t),

followed by C&D at 24% (162,930t), and the municipal sector at 11% (76,990t).

Table 5-2 Metals recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14

Material Municipal

tonnes)

C&I

(tonnes)

C&D

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Aluminium (Non-Packaging) 2,390 12,030 3,560 17,990

Aluminium Packaging 1,120 280 0 1,400

Non-Ferrous Metals (ex. Al) 770 21,940 8,920 31,630

Steel (Non-Packaging) 69,960 406,980 150,450 627,390

Steel Packaging 2,740 0 0 2,740

TOTAL 76,990 441,230 162,930 681,140

As is outlined in Table 5-3, approximately 68% (461,880t) of the total recycled metals were sourced from the

metropolitan area with the remaining 32% (219,260t) sourced from the rest of WA.

About 90% of aluminium and steel packaging was sourced from metropolitan areas. The higher level of

metropolitan sourced packaging materials is because nearly all of the metropolitan area is serviced by

domestic kerbside recycling schemes for packaging material, whilst this is not the case throughout regional

and rural areas.

Table 5-3 Metals recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14

Material Metro

(tonnes)

Non-Metro

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Aluminium (Non-Packaging) 13,140 4,850 17,990

Aluminium Packaging 1,230 170 1,400

Non-Ferrous Metals (ex. Al) 27,310 4,320 31,630

Steel (Non-Packaging) 417,740 209,650 627,390

Steel Packaging 2,470 270 2,740

TOTAL 461,880 219,260 681,140

Figure 5-2 depicts material flows of metal recycling in WA for 2013-14.

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Figure 5-2 Material flow of metal recycling, WA 2013–14

5.2 BARRIERS

The metal recycling industry identified the following perceived barriers to increasing recycling rates:

The economic viability of metal recycling is highly dependent on global market pricing and the

influence of exchange rates due to the industry’s dependence on exporting.

Intrastate transport costs reduce the viability of collecting scrap metal from rural and regional areas.

The metropolitan waste levy is having a distorting effect on the market by penalising reprocessors that

shred scrap metal prior to export. These reprocessors remove plastic contamination (floc) from the

shredded scrap metal and dispose of it to landfill which subjects them to the landfill levy. Reprocessors

that process to a lower level (such as crushing), and do not remove floc prior to export, are not

exposed to this additional cost.


Scrap metal prices are closely linked to global markets and particularly the London Metal Exchange. The

industry reported that market demand and prices throughout 2013-14 were generally strong but subject to

fluctuation. The greatest demand for scrap metal was from the Southeast Asian region where almost all of

WA’s scrap metal was exported.

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Whilst the international market for scrap metals was relatively strong throughout 2013-14, demand from the

local market (State and nationally) remained extremely weak with a lack of industrial capacity to reprocess

significant quantities of scrap metal into new products. This trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable

future as Australian foundries face much higher production costs than competitors in the Southeast Asian

region.

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6 PAPER AND CARDBOARD


In excess of 237,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard was recovered in WA during 2013-14, an increase of

approximately 17,000 tonnes compared to 2012-13. As displayed in Figure 6-1 and Table 6-1, this was

comprised of cardboard and paper packaging (76.4% or 181,470t), old newsprint (21.5% or 51,160t) and

white office paper (2.1% or 5,010t). Although no liquid paperboard (LPB) reprocessing was reported in 2013-

14 undefined quantities are included within the cardboard and paper packaging material type.

Table 6-1 Paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2013-14

Material

Net

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA

(tonnes)

Interstate

(tonnes)

Export

(tonnes)

Cardboard / paper packaging 181,470 0 110 181,360

Liquid paperboard (LPB) 0 0 0 0

Old newsprint (ONP) 51,160 24,690 0 26,470

White office paper 5,010 0 2,040 2,970

TOTAL 237,640 24,690 2,150 210,800


Table 6-1 shows the majority of paper and cardboard (88.7% or 210,800t) was exported for reprocessing, with

1% (2,150t) processed inter-state, and 10.4% (24,690t) reprocessed in WA.

Figure 6-1 Composition of recycled paper and cardboard (by weight), WA 2013-14

In a continuing trend ONP recovery declined by approximately 6,000 tonnes, the News Paper Works (NPW)

(2014) reported that this was caused by a nationwide reduction in the circulation of newspapers. Therefore in

terms of ONP recovered to newsprint consumed (i.e. percentage recycled), WA’s ONP recovery rate

actually increased in 2013-14 to 76.1% of total newspaper consumed.

Cardboard /

paper

packaging

76.4%

Old newsprint

(ONP)

21.5%

White office

paper

2.1%

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Table 6-2 shows that the majority of paper and cardboard was recovered from the municipal and C&I

sectors; 59% (139,670t) and 38% (91,100t) respectively. A small quantity (3% or 6,880t) was associated with

cardboard and paper packaging generated by the C&D sector.

Table 6-2 Paper and cardboard recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14

Material Municipal

(tonnes)

C&I

(tonnes)

C&D

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Cardboard / paper packaging 92,740 81,850 6,880 181,470

Liquid paperboard (LPB) 0 0 0 0

Old newsprint (ONP) 46,930 4,240 0 51,160

White office paper 0 5,010 0 5,010

TOTAL 139,670 91,100 6,880 237,640

Approximately 85% (203,230t) of the recycled paper and cardboard was recovered from the metropolitan

area (Table 6-3).

Table 6-3 Paper and cardboard recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14

Material Metro

(tonnes)

Non-Metro

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Cardboard / paper packaging 154,260 27,200 181,470

Liquid paperboard (LPB) 0 0 0

Old newsprint (ONP) 44,400 6,760 511,70

White office paper 4,570 450 50,10

TOTAL (inc. rounding errors) 203,230 34,410 237,640

Figure 6-2 depicts material flows of paper and cardboard recycling in WA for 2013-14.

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Figure 6-2 Material flow of paper and cardboard recycling, WA 2013–14

6.2 BARRIERS

The paper and cardboard recycling industry reported poor separation of materials and contamination as

the major barrier to increased recycling, and that this particularly impacted the recovery of white office

paper. Low market prices for recycled paper and cardboard products and relatively high transport costs

were also considered to present a barrier to increased recycling. On respondent commented that they

consider the total quantity of recovered material is unlikely to experience significant growth and may decline

in the future as paper consumption is being offset by the advance of digital print (i.e. reduced consumption

of news print and publications).


WA paper and cardboard recyclers reported that the local and foreign markets for all categories of

recycled paper and cardboard was weak.

In specific regards to newspaper (ONP) recycling, the NPW (2014) made the following statements regarding

the market:

Newspaper circulation continued its long term decline with a state-wide reduction in consumption of

11.36%. This decline impacted the availability of ONP for WA reprocessors and reduced demand for its

use in new newsprint.

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Despite the significant decline in newsprint consumption, WA recyclers managed to marginally

increase the recycling rate to 76.1% of newsprint consumed.

National demand for ONP in the manufacture of new newsprint weakened in line with declining

newspaper circulation.

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7 TEXTILES


WA textile recyclers recovered 3,790 tonnes of textiles by processing them into rags for cleaning purposes, an

increase of approximately 26% (780t) compared to 2012-13. As shown in Table 7-1 the majority of the

recovered textiles were exported (85% or 3,210t).

Table 7-1 Textiles recycling, WA 2013-14

Material

Net

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA

(tonnes)

Interstate

(tonnes)

Export

(tonnes)

Textiles 3,790 580 0 3,210


The majority of the processed material was sourced from the Municipal sector (98% or 3,720t) with the

remaining the 2% (70t) from the C&I sector (Table 7-2).

Table 7-2 Textiles recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14

Material Municipal

(tonnes)

C&I

(tonnes)

C&D

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Textiles 3,720 70 0 3,790

The bulk of the textiles (93% or 3,510t) were sourced from the metropolitan area with 7% (280t) from the rest of

WA (Table 7-3).

Table 7-3 Textiles recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14

Material Metro

(tonnes)

Non-Metro

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Textiles 3,510 280 3,790

7.2 BARRIERS

Textile recyclers identified the following issues as barriers to increasing textile recycling rates:

Textile recyclers that are dependent on public donation bins to collect textiles continue to report that

small minority of the general public use the donation bin sites to dump rubbish, that they find difficult

or costly to dispose of and the sites become a source of complaint due to their appearance.

They also report difficulty in finding appropriate sites for donation bins with some public and private

property managers prohibiting donation bins on their properties due to a lack of understanding on the

benefits of the charity collection bin process


Textile reprocessors reported that the market was strong and offered attractive margins that were resulting in

greater activity from the for-profit sector. International demand for recovered textiles was greatest from

African and Asian nations with export destinations including Bulgaria, Dem Rep of Congo, Zaire, Kenya,

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Kiribati, Malaysia, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the

United Arab Emirates,

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8 GLASS


During 2013-14, more than 34,000 tonnes of glass was recovered from WA for reprocessing, representing an

increase of approximately 10,000 tonnes compared to 2012-13. Table 8-1 shows that the majority (89% or

30,280t) of the recovered glass is sold into WA markets, predominantly for use in construction projects. This is

a significant shift from 2012-13 when only 34% of reprocessed glass was utilised within WA. The change is a

result of the closure of a major glass reprocessor that was producing recycled glass cullet to be used in the

production of new glass products, and the opening of a new reprocessor that produced crushed glass for

use in WA construction activities.

Table 8-1 Glass recycling, WA 2013-14

Material

Net

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA (tonnes) Interstate

(tonnes)

Export

(tonnes)

Glass 34,100 30,280 3,820 0


The majority of the material originated from the Municipal sector (95% or 32,370t) with 5% (1,730t) from the

C&I sector (Table 8-2).

Table 8-2 Glass recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14

Material Municipal

(tonnes)

C&I

(tonnes)

C&D

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Glass 32,370 1,730 0 34,100

As shown in Table 8-3, approximately 97% (32,930t) of the glass originated from the metropolitan area.

Table 8-3 Glass recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14

Material Metro

(tonnes)

Non-Metro

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Glass 32,930 1,170 34,100

8.2 BARRIERS

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

Recycled glass is relatively low in value and there is little to no economic incentive to recycle glass

compared to disposing of it to landfill.

High collection and transportation costs.

There is a lack of industrial capacity to process glass into new glass products in WA which means it

must be sent to the eastern states (and incur high transport costs).

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There was limited information provided by survey respondents on the strength of the receiving markets but

ASK made the following observations:

It was apparent that although there is interstate demand for quality glass cullet for use in the

production of new glass packaging, the viability of doing so is marginal for WA reprocessors due to the

low value of the recycled product, and the high cost of transporting it to the eastern states.

As was reported in 2012/13, there appears to be growing demand for crushed glass in WA

construction activities, and that this may be a more economically viable use for recycled glass as

processing requirements are less than that required for the production of glass packaging, and the

material does not incur prohibitive transportation costs to access the market.

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9 PLASTICS

The plastics recycling data utilised for this report was sourced from the 2013-14 National Plastics Recycling

Survey that was undertaken by Sustainable Resource Use (SRU).


More than 13,000 tonnes of plastics were recovered from WA during 2013-14. Compared with 2012-13, the

total quantity of plastic recycled in WA increased by 2,200 tonnes or approximately 20%. This is the second

consecutive increase in plastics recycling following a sustained decline between 2006-07 and 2010-11.

As shown in Table 9-1, almost 57% (7,500t) of the recovered plastic was exported for processing, 29% (3,770t)

was processed locally, and the other 14% (1,930t) sent interstate.

Table 9-1 Plastics recycling, WA 2013-14

Material

Net

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA

(tonnes)

Interstate

(tonnes)

Export

(tonnes)

ABS/SAN (7) 100 100 0 0

EPS (6) 200 200 0 0

HDPE (2) 5,500 1,470 1,380 2,650

L/LLDPE (4) 2,100 1,400 0 700

PET (1) 2,500 100 0 2,400

PP (5) 1,700 300 100 1,300

PS (6) 300 200 50 50

PU (7) 400 0 400 0

PVC (3) 400 0 0 400

TOTAL 13,200 3,770 1,930 7,500


The composition of the plastic types recovered is shown in Figure 9-1. HDPE made up approximately 42%

(5,500t) of all the plastics recovered. PET represented 19% (2,500t) of the total plastic recovered, L/LLDPE was

also significant at 16% (2,100t) of the total.

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Figure 9-1 Composition of recycled plastics (by weight), WA 2013-14

The recovered plastics were sourced approximately 53% and 47% from the municipal and C&I sectors

respectively, whilst none was reported from the C&D sector (Table 9-2).

Table 9-2 Plastics recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14

Material Municipal

(tonnes)

C&I

(tonnes)

C&D

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

ABS/SAN (7) 0 100 0 100

EPS (6) 0 200 0 200

HDPE (2) 2,750 2,750 0 5,500

L/LLDPE (4) 0 2,100 0 2,100

PET (1) 2,000 500 0 2,500

PP (5) 1,200 500 0 1,700

PS (6) 300 0 0 300

PU (7) 400 0 0 400

PVC (3) 400 0 0 400

TOTAL 7,050 6,150 0 13,200

It was reported that 70% (9,240t) of the plastics originated from the metropolitan area with 30% (3,960t) from

non-metropolitan areas (Table 9-3).

ABS/SAN (7)

0.8%EPS (6)

1.5%

HDPE (2)

41.7%

L/LLDPE (4)

15.9%

PET (1)

18.9%

PP (5)

12.9%PS (6)

2.3%

PU (7)

3.0%

PVC (3)…

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Table 9-3 Plastics recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14

Material Metro

(tonnes)

Non-Metro

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

ABS/SAN (7) 70 30 100

EPS (6) 140 60 200

HDPE (2) 3,850 1,650 5,500

L/LLDPE (4) 1,470 630 2,100

PET (1) 1,750 750 2,500

PP (5) 1,190 510 1,700

PS (6) 210 90 300

PU (7) 280 120 400

PVC (3) 280 120 400

TOTAL 9,240 3,960 13,200

Figure 6-2 depicts material flows of plastic recycling in WA for 2013-14.

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Figure 9-2 Material flow of plastic recycling, WA 2013–14

9.2 BARRIERS

Although plastic reprocessors were not asked to specifically comment on barriers to increased plastics

recycling as part of the SRU’s 2013-14 National Plastics Recycling Survey it was noted that there is a trend

towards the use of laminates for plastic packaging and that is a limitation for reprocessors and sorters alike in

WA and offshore. It was also reported that despite an increased supply of recyclate in 2013-14, reprocessors

still had to seek out quality, pre-consumer scrap from manufacturers of durable or packaging plastics.


The SRU (2014) report made the following observations of the market for recycled plastics in 2013-14:

“Mixed plastics recycling is still highly reliant on baled export. Increasingly there is a shift of plastics

exports away from China and towards Malaysia who have lower quality standards for received

recyclate.

Reprocessors still seek market pull-through mechanisms (purchasing policies to encourage substitution

with recycled plastics). Reprocessors view that such mechanisms would not inflate the price of

recyclate, but merely stimulate recyclate use in product.

2013–14 was also a good year for the sale of reprocessed materials with new market outlets arising for

most materials”.

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10 RUBBER


Table 10-1 shows that approximately 25,000 tonnes of rubber was recovered from WA in 2013-14. This figure

represents an increase of approximately 13,000 tonnes from 2012-13. The increase is largely due to two

reprocessors providing responses to the survey that had not participated in the previous year. The majority of

the recovered product was exported, with 4,370 tonnes sent interstate, and 2,000 tonnes going to WA

markets.

Table 10-1 Rubber recycling, WA 2013-14

Material

Net

Recycling1

(tonnes)


WA

(tonnes)

Interstate

(tonnes)

Export

(tonnes)

Rubber 25,010 2,000 4,370 18,640


The majority of recovered rubber was sourced from the C&I sector (85%, 21,310t), with only 12% (2,900t) and

3% (800t) sourced from the municipal and C&D sectors respectively (Table 10-2).

Table 10-2 Rubber recycling by source sector, WA 2013-14

Material Municipal

(tonnes)

C&I

(tonnes)

C&D

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Rubber 2,900 21,310 800 25,010

Table 10-3 shows that 71% (17,820t) of the material was recovered from the metropolitan areas, with 29%

(7,190t) from the rest of WA.

Table 10-3 Rubber recycling by geographic area, WA 2013-14

Material Metro

(tonnes)

Non-Metro

(tonnes)

Total

(tonnes)

Rubber 17,820 7,190 25,010

10.2 BARRIERS

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

Weak local demand for recycled tyre products.

Shipping costs reduce the viability of accessing international markets.

The export of whole baled tyres, and landfilling and stockpiling of tyres outside of the metropolitan

area 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 (TDF),

rubber granules or powder, and concrete encased baled tyres for use in local construction activities.

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Although the market conditions vary for each product type, in general it was reported that demand was

growing but that margins remained low. The lack of a local market for TDF was also reported as negatively

impacting the viability of tyre recycling as it means that significant shipping costs have to be incurred to

access international markets.

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GLOSSARY

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-

Styrene (ABS)

A thermoplastic commonly used in engineered plastics applications

such as mechanical parts.

Commercial and industrial

waste (C&I)

Comprises solid waste generated by the business sector as well as solid

wastes created by State and Federal government entities, schools and

tertiary institutions. Unless otherwise noted, C&I waste does not include

waste from the construction and demolition (C&D) sector.

Construction and

demolition (C&D) materials

Materials generally generated by construction and demolition activities

and therefore commonly arise from the C&D sector. This group of

materials consists of bricks, concrete, asphalt and sand, soil clean fill

and rubble for the purposes of this report

Construction and

demolition waste (C&D)

Includes waste from residential, civil and commercial construction and

demolition activities, such as fill material (e.g. soil), asphalt, bricks and

timber. Unless otherwise noted, C&D waste does not include waste

from the commercial and industrial waste stream.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) Made of pre-expanded polystyrene beads. Commonly used to form

moulded sheets for building insulation and as a packing material.

Garden organics Organics derived from parks and garden sources such as grass

clippings and tree prunings.

High density polyethylene

(HDPE)

A member of the polyethylene family of plastics and is used to make

products such as milk bottles, pipes and shopping bags.

Kerbside collection

Collection of household recyclable materials (separated or co-

mingled) that are left at the kerbside for collection by local council

collection services.

Low density polyethylene

(LDPE)

A member of the polyolefin family of plastics. It is a flexible material

and usually used as film for packaging or as bags.

Linear low density

polyethylene (LLDPE)

A member of the polyolefin family of plastics. It is a strong and flexible

plastic and usually used in film for packaging, bags and for industrial

products such as pressure pipe.

Municipal waste

Solid waste generated from domestic (household) premises and

council activities such as street sweeping, litter and street tree lopping.

Also includes waste dropped off at recycling centres, transfer stations

and construction waste from owner/occupier renovations.

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

and bronze.

Polyethylene terephthalate

(PET)

A clear, tough, light and shatterproof type of plastic, used to make

products such 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 is used to make products such as washing machine agitators,

clear film packaging, carpet fibres and housewares.

Polystyrene (PS)

A member of the styrene family of plastics. PS is easy to mould and is

used to make refrigerator and washing machine components. It can

be foamed to make 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

including flexible and rigid foams as well as in coatings, adhesives,

sealants and elastomers used on floors and automotive interiors.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

A member of the vinyl family of plastics. PVC can be clear, flexible or

rigid and is used to make products such as fruit juice bottles, credit

cards, pipes and hoses.

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Post-consumer material

Material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and

institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product which can

no longer be used for its intended purpose. This includes returns of

material from the distribution chain.

Recovered material

Material that would have otherwise been disposed of as waste, but has

instead been collected and reclaimed as a material input, in lieu of a

new primary material, for a recycling or manufacturing process.

Recyclate

Material able to be processed for recycling in a facility. Sometimes only

to refer to materials actually recovered from recycling, excluding

residual wastes.

Recycling

Material recovered that would otherwise have been disposed of to

landfill and that has undergone some form of physical reprocessing to

create a saleable product or raw material.

Waste materials that are reclaimed and reutilised within the same

manufacturing processes that generated it as a matter of course to the

efficient operation of the site (i.e. process scrap) are not defined as

recycling for the purpose of this study.

Reprocessor A business or organisation that physically reprocesses sorted wasted

materials into a saleable product or raw material.

Reuse Reuse involves recovering value from a discarded resource in its

original State without recycling or remanufacture.

Solid waste

Waste materials ranging from municipal garbage to industrial waste,

but excluding gaseous, liquid, hazardous, clinical and intractable

wastes.

Styrene Acrylonitrile resin

(SAN)

A copolymer plastic consisting of styrene and acrylonitrile. It is widely

used in place of polystyrene owing to its greater thermal resistance.

SAN is a common co-polymer of ABS.

Tyre derived fuel (TDF) Shredded or processed tyres to be used for the generation of heat

and/or electricity 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 Planning Commission

IndustryEdge P/L (2014). Old Newsprint Recovery Figures for 2013. Prepared for The Newspaper Works.

Sustainable Resource Unit (2014). 2013-14 National Plastics Recycling Survey (WA State Data Report).

Prepared for the WA Department of Environmental Regulation.

Waste Authority (2012). Western Australian Waste Strategy: Creating the Right Environment. Department of

Environment and Conservation

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APPENDIX A – REPROCESSOR SURVEY

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