Reports

Benefit Cost Analysis
Corporate
Landfill
Levies and Financial Instruments
Local Government
Market Research
Organics
Plastic Bag Phase Out
Reuse, Recovery and Recycling
Review of Grants and Incentives Programs
Waste Levy Report

Benefit Cost Analysis

South Australia’s Waste Strategy 2005–2010 notes the importance of undertaking a comprehensive benefit cost analysis to implement the goals and actions set out in the strategy.

This analysis is set out in two reports:

• Summary report which outlines the methodology, key findings of the study and implications for South Australia.
• Technical report which provides more detail on how the projections and findings were calculated.

An independent assessment of the study provides further comment on conclusions drawn from the review. Zero Waste SA has also prepared an explanatory paper to assist readers who may not be familiar with economics and to explain the assumptions and limitations associated with this type of study.

Explanatory Paper 42Kb PDF
Summary 430Kb PDF
Full Report 2.3Mb PDF
Peer Review 164Kb PDF

Corporate

Annual Report 2006-07 (1.2 Mb PDF)

Annual Report 2005-06 (1.2 Mb PDF)

Annual Report 2004-05 (661 kb PDF)

Annual Report 2003-04 (1.62 Mb PDF)

Business Plan 2006-07 (412 Kb PDF)

Business Plan 2005-06 (349 Kb PDF)

Business Plan 2004-05 (387 kb PDF)

Business Plan 2007-2008 (summary)  852k

Zero Waste SA Business Plan 2007-08 (full version)  480k

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Landfill

Disposal Based Survery
In October 2007 Waste Audit and Consultancy Services commenced the disposal
based survey of waste disposed of to landfills and transfer stations within the
Adelaide metropolitan area. The project was commissioned by Zero Waste South
Australia (ZWSA), with the primary aim of this project being to estimate the quantity, source and composition of Commercial & Industrial (C&I) and Construction & Demolition (C&D) wastes entering the seven nominated sites.

http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/landfill_audit_report_2007.pdf (15 MB PDF)

Landfill Survey Report
This report provides results from the 2004 disposal based audit of the waste disposed to landfills within the Adelaide metropolitan area. The results give an indication of the quantity, source and composition of Commercial and Industrial and Construction and Demolition wastes entering the landfills. It also gives a comparison with baseline data from the 1998 landfill audit report.

http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/landfill_survey_zwsa_2004.pdf (2.37 MB PDF)
Waste Audit Consultancy Services (2004)

Rural Waste Landfill Audit
This report provides results from the South Australian Rural Landfill Waste Audit 2001. The results give and indication of the composition and quantity of Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste entering regional landfills. It also comments on the current reporting of waste estimates submitted by Regional Landfill Managers.

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/pdfs/rural_landfill.pdf (3.12 MB PDF)
WasteAudit Waste Survey (2002)

Landfill Audit
This report was designed to assist Government to improve waste management for the benefit, minimisation and the recovery of resources from all South Australians. It gives details of the quantity, source and composition of commercial/industrial (C/I) and building/demolition (B/D) wastes entering six nominated landfills in South Australia.

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/pdfs/landfill_1.pdf (1.32 MB PDF)
WasteAudit & CR Hudson & Associates Report (2000)

Landfill Disposal Risks & Potential for Recovery and Recycling of
Preservative Treated Timber
This report provides results of the study which investigated the possible environmental impacts from treated timber disposal by examining current utilisation and disposal practices. The study provides recommendations and management options for the disposal, recovery, reuse and recycling of treated timber, with the aim to reduce any identified environmental impacts.

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/pdfs/timber.pdf (120 kb PDF)
Sinclair Knight Merz Review (1999)

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Levies and Financial Instruments

Analysis of Levies and Financial Instruments in relation to Waste Management Report
This report reviews the range of market instruments employed for waste management internationally, along with the performance of financial charges and levies for this purpose in Australia. The potential for changes in the SA Waste Depot Levy to promote the State’s waste management objectives is also specifically investigated.

http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/analysis_levies_report.pdf (1.46 Mb PDF)
Zero Waste SA (2004)

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Local Government

Kerbside Hard Waste Collections

This investigation commissioned by Zero Waste SA is the first audit to determine the nature and composition of materials presented for hard waste collection in South Australia. The results in this report come from visual audits of 300 hard waste piles presented across 6 councils throughout metropolitan Adelaide, and a desk top-investigation of hard waste systems operating locally, nationally and internationally.

Kerbside Hard Waste Collections: Issues and Opportunities
Click here to download (2.5Mb PDF)

Transfer Station Design Guides
The following two handbooks have been developed in NSW and Victoria to assist councils that wish to develop resource recovery and/or waste transfer facilities in rural and regional areas.

The handbooks include design principles, example layout plans and schematic diagrams, recommended operating principles and estimates of contruction and operational costs.

Best Practice Guide to Waste Transfer and Resource Recovery Stations – Victoria (1.7mb PDF)
NSW Transfer Station handbook part 1 (370kb PDF)
NSW Transfer Station handbook part 2 (968kb PDF)
NSW Transfer Station handbook part 3 (1.33mb PDF)

Zero Waste SA gratefully acknowledges the permission of Sustainability Victoria and the NSW Department for Environment and Conservation to provide these documents for reference in South Australia.

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Organics

Coffs Harbour City Council (May 2004), Domestic Waste Trial

Food Waste Business Case
This report has been developed to give councils a better understanding of the cost implications for introducing co-collection of food and garden organic waste. A trial collection of food organics carried out by Burnside Council in 2005-6 demonstrated that it is technically viable to undertake such a collection and the survey of residents indicated a high level of support for such a service.

Click here for the survey on food waste (238Kb PDF)
Click here for the Business case (1.2Mb PDF)

Management of biodegradable event waste in Australia
Numerous events are held annually around Australia that also aim to maximise waste diversion from landfill. This study assesses a number of alternative methods for processing the biodegradable waste from Zero Waste Events in South Australia.
http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/pdf/flindersbio.pdf (736Kb PDF)

Assessment of biodegradable catering products
A wide range of biodegradable catering products are currently available in Australia.  Trials to determine the ability of these materials to compost under commercial composting conditions and timeframes was investigated. The rate and extent of degradation of the various catering products tested under simulated composting conditions varied considerably.
http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/asst_biodeg_fs_items.pdf (784Kb PDF)

Event waste audits
Characterisation of the biodegradable waste stream is essential in determining the processing requirements. The biodegradable waste stream from Zero Waste Events held in South Australia between January 2005 and April 2005 were audited to determine volume, composition and contamination levels.
http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/event_waste_audits.pdf (2.02Mb PDF)

Event waste composting trials
Biodegradable event waste composting trials were conducted using static pile method of composting and Static Pile combined and turned windrow composting These two methods were assessed to establish process parameters for commercial scale composting of event waste in regard to their technical viability; and environmental impact.
http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/event_waste_composting_trials.pdf (2.02Mb PDF)

Vertical Compost Unit Report (2004)
Zero Waste South Australia engaged Flinders Bioremediation to develop a business plan which evaluates the feasibility, costs and benefits for a demonstration project to compost organic waste from the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Botanic Gardens Restaurant initially using a Vertical Composting Unit on a site within the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide.

http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/vertical_cu_report.pdf (2.02Mb PDF)

Grape Marc: Opportunities for the Reuse of Winery Industry Solid Wastes
This report provides a review of the opportunities of the re-use of winery industry solid wastes in South Australia and explores waste re-use technologies, trial and research opportunities.

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/pdfs/grape_mark.pdf (181 kb PDF)
PPK Environment & Infrastructure Pty Ltd Review (2001)

Recycled Organic Wastes in South Australia
This report documents the outcomes of a review of current and proposed organic waste recycling practices from the major urban regions of South Australia.

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/pdfs/organicwaste.pdf (1.57 MB PDF)
Nolan ITU Review (1999)

Compost as Mulch for Vineyards
This report provides information on trials conducted by CSIRO which demonstrated some of the benefits of composted ‘green-organics’ as a mulch under vines.

http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/compost_report.pdf (59 kb PDF)
CSIRO Report (1999)

Benefit Cost Analysis of Composted Organic
Mulch in Horticultural Industries (1999)

Since 1997 the CSIRO has undertaken field trials with ‘green-organics’ compost, derived from municipal green wastes (leaves, lawn clippings and prunings) in nine horticultural crops, namely: vines; cherries; potatoes; capsicums; pears; carrots; almonds; flowers and citrus. The Centre for Economic Studies has analysed the results of these trials to estimate the economic benefits that potentially could be derived from applications of compost.

Click here for the report (363Kb PDF)

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Plastic Bag Phase Out

Environment and Protection Heritage Council
A National Approach to the Management of Plastic Bags (2007)
http://www.ephc.gov.au/ephc/plastic_bags.html
A link to the Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) which presented options to manage the impact of plastic bag litter on the community and the Australian environment.

KPPM Organisational Strategists
Plastic Bag Phase Out Market Research Project (2006)
Click here for the report (308kb)

This market research report identifies education and communication strategies to support the plastic bag phase out in South Australia. A total of 19 focus groups were held with 119 participants, representing city and rural, old, young, non English speaking, traders and consumers.

Department of Environment and Heritage
Plastic Retail Carry Bag Use 2002-2005 Consumption (2005)
http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/publications/waste/plastic-bags/report-2005.html
The Department of the Environment and Heritage commissioned Hyder Consulting to prepare an estimate of high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic shopping bag use in 2005.

Plastic Retail Carry Bag Use 2002 – 2005 Consumption Report (November 2005)
Report
The Department of Environment and Heritage engaged Nolan-ITU to undertake a study to report on bag usage over the period January to June 2005. The aim of the study is to identify the level of bag use across all retail sectors and to compare this to data presented in December 2002.

Department of Environment and Heritage
Plastic shopping bags - Analysis of Levies and Environmental Impacts (2002)
The Department of Environment and Heritage engaged Nolan-ITU to evaluate the likely impacts of taxes and levies on plastic bags and the potential impacts of alternatives to provide a solid base for informed debate and national policy development regarding plastic shopping bags in Australia.

Plastic Bags
53rd Report of the Environment, Resources and Development Committee
5 April 2005
This report follows on from the Committee's inquiry into Waste Management.
The report includes a review of local and overseas experiences with plastic
bag management and includes a useful table which compares plastic bag usage
across eight counties (Appendix 1).

Click here for the report (524Kb PDF)

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Reuse, Recovery and Recycling

Evaluation of Future Options for the ZWSA Household and Farm Chemical Collection Program and for the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Depot at Dry Creek (2007)
Zero Waste SA commissioned a review of its arrangements to collect household and farm chemicals to stimulate discussion about opportunities to finetune the management of the program.
Click here to download (806kb PDF)

Recycling Activity in SA 2006-07
Zero Waste has just completed a review of the recycling activity undertaken in South Australia for 2006/2007 to determine how the state is performing.
This is the fourth review of the recycling activity undertaken and the trend of recycling continues upwards.

Whilst the total waste generated has increased the amount sent to landfill continues to drop and is at its lowest level in the last 4 years despite an increasing population. In 2006/2007 South Australia recycled 68% of all waste generated which equates to 2.43 million tonnes of material from landfill. This is an increase in recycling of 1.6% from the previous year. Read the review of Recycling Activity in SA (1Mb PDF)

Charity Kerbside Clothing Collections
Charities play a significant role in the re-use of clothing and textiles. The contribution to South Australia from charitable recycling social ventures is significant however charitable recycling is experiencing severe strain around Australia from the burden of waste dumped around deposit bins. In 2004/05 charities in South Australia spent over $421,000 in fees for landfill (excluding the cost of transport or labour).

This report examines alternative methods of collection of clothing by improving value of donations to the organisations and reducing the costs of operations due to excess waste.

Click here for the report (2.6mb PDF)

Alternative Waste Technologies
There are several ‘alternative waste technologies’ or waste processing infrastructure options being introduced in Australia, including, amongst others Organic Resource Technologies in Perth, UR-3R in Eastern Creek Sydney, Alternative Fuel Company in Adelaide, and, most recently WSN’s Anaerobic Digester also in Sydney.

Zero Waste SA needs to consider its role in relation to alternative waste technologies (AWTs) and has released a position paper relating to this subject.

The paper provides an overview of the why technologies are being introduced and some of the types of technologies available. The paper notes that Zero Waste SA will only support technologies and infrastructure options that tackle waste streams without a higher value (both economic and resource value) end use, and that are not being captured in currently available infrastructure networks, for example residual municipal waste, and commercial and industrial waste.

Click here for the paper (302Kb PDF)

Recycling Directory
Zero Waste SA has developed a recycling directory to support the South Australian community to divert unwanted materials away from landfills through recycling. By entering your location and the material you wish to recycle, the directory will find the nearest recycler to you. You can also find details about a range of organisations that are involved in supporting the recycling industry.

Click here for the Directory

Review of Recycling Activity in South Australia Stage 2 - Product Recovery and Analysis
This report provides analysis of certain products and their materials, addressing consumption levels, recovery activity and product specification disposal issues.

http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/product_recovery_analysis.pdf (1.63 Mb PDF)
Nolan ITU (2004)

Review of Recycling Activity in South Australia Stage 1 - Quantification of Future Expansion Priorities
This first ever study of recycling activity conducted in South Australia provides information regarding recovery rates of materials and which are the priority areas for improving waste diversion.

http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/recycling_expansion_priorities.pdf (393 kb PDF)
Nolan ITU (2004)

Barriers and Opportunities for Reuse and Recycling of Clean Fill and Building and Demolition Waste
This report identifies the major barriers and opportunities for reuse and recycling of clean fill and building and demolition (B&D) waste in the Adelaide metropolitan area, and prepares scenarios to facilitate the effective recovery of these materials over the next ten years.

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/pdfs/nolan_recycling_clean_fill.pdf (1.5 MB PDF)
Nolan ITU Report (2001)

Paper and Cardboard Recycling in South Australia
This report provides a comprehensive information base on current waste paper and cardboard consumption recycling activities. It identifies barriers to improved recovery, and to recommend specific actions to improve the overall recycling rates of newsprint, cardboard and paper in South Australia.

http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/paper_report.pdf (170 kb PDF)
Nolan ITU Survey (2000)

Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A South Australian Perspective
This project report focuses on the extent of annual electrical and electronic waste production in South Australia and the current recycling and disposal practices with a view to establish the potential that exists for increased recycling in the future.

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/pdfs/weee.pdf (393 kb PDF)
University of South Australia Report (2000)

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Review of Grants and Incentives Programs

This report provides an independent review of four key Zero Waste SA grant and incentive programs, Re-use and Recycling Infrastructure Grant Program, Kerbside Performance Incentives' Regional Infrastructure Grants (re-named the regional Implementation Program), and Research and Market Development Grant Program covering the financial years 2004/05 and 2005/06.

The project objectives were to review the effectiveness of each of the four grant and incentive programs, and benchmark the processes for grant application administration and assessment against Australian Government’s Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) ‘Administration of Grants: Better PracticeGuide’.
Click here to download the report (880 KB)

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Review of Solid Waste Levy

Review of Solid Waste Levy (2007)
Zero Waste SA undertook an investigation on ho an increase could be applied, possible impacts on the community and how the levy might be structured in future years. Click here for the report prepared by Hyder Consulting ( PDF , 1Mb)

The findings of the Hyder report, together with submissions received through the consultation process, has assisted in the determination of the nature of the increase in the levy to be introduced on 1 July 2007.

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