Employing Innovative Technology, Victoria Is Getting Closer to A Circular Econom...

Friday, 22 December 2023 15:18

Employing Innovative Technology, Victoria Is Getting Closer to A Circular Economy

By Guest Writer

GUEST OPINION:  Items people mistakenly believe can be recycled, rotten and otherwise wasted food that emits greenhouse gases, and abandoned TVs and computers with toxic substances. It's the stuff that Victoria's mountains of landfill are made of. The amount of waste Victorians generate is expected to grow, harming human health, the environment, and the climate, to say nothing of economic growth.

The state in southeast Australia has made progress towards a zero-waste circular economy, focusing on the collection and reuse of priority materials, yet further investment is necessary to support the infrastructure required to stimulate innovation and accelerate end markets for recovered materials - plastics, paper, cardboard, glass, organics, tyres, and e-waste. 

The good news is that technology has made it easier than ever to boost recycling efforts and create a greener future. By means of the implementation of new technological tools, Victoria can enhance its ability to recycle mixed paper and cardboard from households by roughly 40%. The Federal and Victorian Labor Governments have invested in drum pulping, an efficient solution to help produce high-quality end products from recycled fibre. The paper drum pulper will recycle an extra 95,000 tonnes of waste yearly, making new products, including boxes for the agricultural sector and packaging for takeaway food. 

In Victoria, Some Councils Don't Allow Pizza Boxes to Be Recycled 

Australian councils have different waste management companies, for which reason there are different rules and mandates. Pizza boxes aren't deemed recyclable because they're greasy or wet, so they can't be shoved into the "green bin". They're made from the same material as corrugated cardboard boxes; still, pizza boxes aren't accepted out of fear of food contamination. Numerous local councils in Victoria are saying no to pizza boxes, but that's all about to change. The Andrews government wants to establish uniform guidelines for curbside waste disposal across the state, pushing aside misconceptions that have been around the recyclability of pizza boxes. 

The drum pulper is a first for Australia and is driving paper recycling innovation. A paper drum pulper is a machine that utilises a rotating drum to separate fibres from waste paper materials at a high consistency. That's to say, it gently compresses the waste paper into a pumpable pulp, which is then fit for processing in stock preparation while eliminating the contaminants from the pulp. Minimum investment and operating costs are necessary. Let's not forget that the new technology is exceptionally energy efficient, so it's expected to gain a broad development prospect in the future. 

Other Recycling Technologies Will Divert Any Additional Waste from Landfill in Victoria 

The waste sector keeps on innovating and finding new ways to repurpose materials that used to be sent to the landfill. To be more precise, improvements are being made to household and commercial recycling systems to help conserve natural resources and reduce harmful pollution to our planet. As sustainability gains importance in Australia, innovations in technology have been critical to streamlining the waste management process. Among these revolutions, recycling balers and compactors contribute greatly to increasing efficiency in the recycling process, cutting the amount of waste and promoting sustainable practices that everyone can take advantage of. 

It's important to highlight there are differences between a baler and a compactor, even if using either one diverts tonnes of waste from the landfill. A waste baler is a recycling machine that compresses unusable or unwanted materials into a form that's easy to manage for disposal, allowing for easier storage and shipment. Vertical balers handle moderate volumes of recyclable material, while horizontal balers handle higher volumes of recyclables. On the other hand, a waste compactor works by crushing and compacting the by-products, so they take up much less space. Waste is compacted thoroughly at the landfill to reduce air pollution and extend the landfill's lifespan. It’s great for compacting cardboard, among other things. 

At present, Australia doesn't have a national soft plastics recycling program, so the federal government has no choice but to take severe measures against the nation's major supermarkets. The REDcycle scheme ceased operating last November after it was revealed that the industry-led program failed to process the mountains of lightweight plastics stored around the country. Therefore, a new recycling infrastructure is under development, pushing towards a circular design for reuse and recycling according to the most environmentally sound options. Currently unrecyclable plastics aren't treated via carbon-intensive treatments. 

Victorians Want to Do Their Part and Lighten Their Carbon Footprint 

Victorians overwhelmingly want to reduce their waste to prevent pollution and make their communities safer and healthier places to live. The earth and the sustainability of the planet are in danger on account of human activities. Climate change, pollution, deforestation, and resource depletion pose a threat to the balance of the ecosystem, the survival of which humanity depends on. Fortunately, we have the power to bring environmentally friendly options to fruition. Our lifestyle choices help reduce carbon emissions. Australia is slowly but surely changing its attitude to "waste", treating it as a resource rather than a problem. 

Put simply, Victorians are looking for more ways to protect the environment for a clean and sustainable future. Recycling is certainly improving, yet the amount of waste generated is also increasing with the growing population. Consequently, Victoria will require various solutions in the upcoming decade to lift recycling rates and stop waste from ending up in the landfill, meaning that government investments are of the essence. Equally, the private sector can increase the state's processing capacity, freeing up municipalities from the responsibility of having to maintain their own removal. It would deliver considerable environmental and financial benefits. 

Closing Remarks 

Technology is reshaping Victoria and promoting a future where we can use recycled materials anywhere and everywhere. The upgrade is part of the government's commitment to reduce landfill waste, curb greenhouse gasses, and create green collar manufacturing jobs. Australia has long acknowledged the role of sustainable development in ensuring the well-being of the nation, and people plan to make more sustainable choices about how they spend their time and money. Legislation, regulation, and policy are already driving environmental, social, and economic outcomes. 

Visit Waste Balers and Compactors great for compacting cardboard https://www.miltek.com.au/balers-and-compactors/

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