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When is waste “waste”?
Policy
27 November 2020

When is waste “waste”?

Waste is ‘waste’ by definition of the fact it is discarded. The generator has to pay someone to get rid of it. Ιt will only become a ‘resource’ when it is separated, sorted, cleaned-up and is available as an input to another process.

Landfill levies drive Australian recycling and resource recovery
Policy
23 November 2020

Landfill levies drive Australian recycling and resource recovery

Landfill levies may be blunt instruments but they have also shown their effectiveness in Australia. Waste generators have a binary decision to make. Recycle or landfill. More often than not, it comes down to price. To meet our 80% diversion from landfill target, we need to make the answer to that question simple and ever present.

Container deposit schemes are creating new opportunities for kerbside recycling
Recycling
8 November 2020

Container deposit schemes are creating new opportunities for kerbside recycling

In the days before CDS, containers made up half of the volume of most Australian kerbside bins. Post-CDS, yellow top bins are not as full anymore. That creates opportunities for new products to go into the yellow bin system. Mike Ritchie discusses our options for increasing recycling.

The role of landfills in a circular economy
Circular Economy
2 November 2020

The role of landfills in a circular economy

Waste is like a river that flows downhill to the cheapest price. Landfills are like big vacuum cleaners - they suck up waste and resources indiscriminately. If we continue to supply cheaply priced landfills, then that is where our waste will go. There will always be a place for well-run landfills. But if we want to create a circular economy, then the first and most obvious thing we need to do, is stop the one-way flow into landfills.

FOGO is driving real reform in Australia
FOGO
29 October 2020

FOGO is driving real reform in Australia

The NSW DPIE conducted an excellent review of FOGO performance across 34 Councils in NSW. Average performance is a poor indicator of the trends in FOGO so Mike Ritchie, re-analysed the data to look at individual Council performance and summarised his findings in an informative article.

Budget 2020 – $250 million boost for Australia’s recycling infrastructure
Policy
13 October 2020

Budget 2020 – $250 million boost for Australia’s recycling infrastructure

The 2020-21 budget is out and for the first time, the Commonwealth identified the waste sector as one of the 6 (yes 6 only) sectors for focussed job creation. MRA's Mike Ritchie reviewed the budget noting some important points.

Mike Ritchie speaks to Kevin Warner about waste and EfW in Australia
EfW
6 October 2020

Mike Ritchie speaks to Kevin Warner about waste and EfW in Australia

MRA’s Mike Ritchie was interviewed by Kevin Warner on waste in Australia, the current landscape for energy from waste and what the road ahead looks like.

Key points on COAG export bans
Circular Economy
29 September 2020

Key points on COAG export bans

One of the most interesting Coffs Waste sessions this year was the COAG panel discussion addressing the forthcoming export bans on glass, plastics, paper and tyres where Minister Trevor Evans made a number of interesting key points.

Grant opportunities: recycling research and recycling of solar panels
Grants
28 August 2020

Grant opportunities: recycling research and recycling of solar panels

Two grants have recently opened. The first is available Australia-wide and is for industry-led research addressing gaps in Australia’s waste and recycling capability. The second is just for NSW and is focussed on trials for solar panel equipment recycling. Contact MRA to find out how these grants can work for you and benefit your local area and Australia.

Bin Trim Round 4 – Recyclers wanted
Grants
25 August 2020

Bin Trim Round 4 – Recyclers wanted

The NSW Government has released its fourth round of the Bin Trim program under the NSW Government Waste Less Recycle More initiative. MRA is looking for waste collectors, processors and recyclers that wish to explore new ways for reducing waste to landfill and increasing recycling.

Bin Trim Round 4 open to NSW businesses
Grants
18 August 2020

Bin Trim Round 4 open to NSW businesses

The NSW Government has released its fourth round of the Bin Trim program under the NSW Government Waste Less Recycle More initiative. MRA can assist organisations to deliver waste assessments and provides support and advice to NSW businesses to help reduce waste and increase recycling.

Grant opportunities in WA, NSW and Australia-wide
Grants
28 July 2020

Grant opportunities in WA, NSW and Australia-wide

A few grants and funding opportunities are open in NSW, WA and nationally. Councils, regional council groups, businesses and charities are eligible. Contact MRA to find out how these grants can work for you and benefit your local area and Australia.

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