Professional Services

Responding to members' concerns around staggering increases to insurance premiums and navigating an increasingly complex and changing regulatory environment, VWMA has begun work on a package of support. The association said in a statement that experts across a range of disciplines including regulation, social research, insurance, and communications and marketing have endorsed an approach led by associations and speak to the benefits in tackling these challenges as a collective, which is one of the ways industry associations can provide greatest benefit to its members. VWMA said through its resources, a bold and clear path forward can be forged for how the waste and resource recovery industry, and increasingly the circular economy sector, can tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. The association noted that currently, the sector is reacting to the changing regulatory environment around fire risk and management, however it proposes to build capacity and capability across the sector so that collectively, these risks can be managed together. It will be an approach that is about translating the complicated regulatory environment to "what does this mean for my business or my site". "We do have a path forward on how we can tackle these problems. The role of the association over the coming months will be to socialise and build support for the package and we are keen to hear from anyone who wants to add value to this discussion," VWMA executive officer Mark Smith, said. "The VWMA has been engaged with other state associations and the NWRIC around this package and has received support for what we've proposed. If successful, the package is something that could be rolled out nationally, benefiting waste and recycling operators in other states." The package will include four core components: 1. Training, tools and resources: focused on building the capability and capacity of VWMA members to identify and manage risks at their sites. It will include fit-for-purpose approaches based on the size, material types or other considerations specific to a site. 2. Information, webinars and access to experts: provide information, workshops and webinars on topics and issues of relevance or emerging threats/challenges to the sector. 3. Legal packages: ongoing support around legal compliance to help navigate an increasingly complicated regulatory environment. 4. Communication and engagement package: engagement with stakeholders outside the sector about what is being done to tackle issues around stockpiling and fire management including engagement with insurance companies, landlords, industrial parks. "Perceptions are that we don't manage stockpiles effectively, which we don't believe is true. These are complicated problems and many stakeholders (outside our sector) have a role to play, including landlords, councils and insurance companies. We need talk and work with others to change perceptions of our sector," Smith said. "This package is going to meaningfully start those conversations. We are optimistic the government sees value in industry-led approaches to tackling these challenges. It's about a shared responsibility and we'll take this formally through relevant government agencies.

VWMA launches insurance package

At its state conference last week, the Victorian Waste Management Association (VWMA) announced plans to develop a comprehensive insurance package.

Staff WriterAugust 7, 2018, 4:10 amOctober 15, 2018

Features, Online Subscription, Professional Services

The state of waste reform in NSW – a review from the past

Waste and recycling reform is on the move.

Staff WriterAugust 7, 2018, 3:46 amNovember 20, 2018

Features, Online Subscription, Professional Services

Protecting Sydney Harbour with recycled organics

For 20 years, CORE members have provided organic bio-filters that now “ring” Sydney Harbour and its tributaries from Manly to Annandale (installed in 1998) through Redfern and Sydney and around to Rose Bay. Read more

Staff WriterAugust 6, 2018, 4:13 amNovember 20, 2018

Features, New South Wales, Online Subscription, Professional Services

Buyer beware? Video report

It clarified what responsibilities and liabilities consumers have for resource recovered materials, and what it means when the material is found not to meet specifications or contain asbestos. It also overturns a lot of conventional wisdom as to what the EPA must prove in prosecuting waste offences, and even re-writes our understanding of what is “waste” under NSW’s environmental legislation.

The case has implications for recyclers, transporters, and consumers of resource recovered products, which we discuss below.

Gavin Shapiro is Partner at Hones Lawyers. Contact: gshapiro@honeslawyers.com.au

Staff WriterJuly 17, 2018, 3:38 amNovember 20, 2018

Australia, Features, Online Subscription, Professional Services

Steward of change: a review that needs to deliver

While the public consultation phase of the Product Stewardship Act review is coming to a close, the review continues and at present the outcomes are difficult to forecast.

The Department of the Environment and Energy (the Department) has been seeking input from industry, governments and the general public to ensure the Product Stewardship Act 2011 (the Act) is effective and delivering the best outcomes for business and the environment. Read more

Staff WriterJuly 2, 2018, 4:03 amNovember 20, 2018

Australia, Features, Online Subscription, Professional Services

PFAS National Environmental Management Plan: key take-home messages

PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. They have been used in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware and stain resistant fabrics and carpets. They are highly resistant to heat, chemical and biological attack and as a result, they persist in the environment. They are also bio accumulative and ecologically toxic. Read more

Staff WriterJune 22, 2018, 4:51 amNovember 20, 2018

Australia, Features, New South Wales, Online Subscription, Professional Services

Avoiding the pitfalls in tenders

Often the first time lawyers are called in is when a contractual dispute has broken out and relationships have soured, preventing speedy and inexpensive resolutions. Occasionally, the dispute can be traced back to something which could have been easily addressed in the tender process.

Typically, the problems we encounter involve inadequate or unclear specifications for the required services, use of inappropriate contract documents, and negotiations straying beyond the core purpose of the tender itself.

Staff WriterJune 20, 2018, 1:50 amNovember 20, 2018

Features, New South Wales, Online Subscription, Professional Services

Legal Eagle: environmental liability between principal contractors and subcontractors

Bettergrow, a waste management facility in Vineyard, NSW, specialising in processing drilling slurries, biosolids, garden organics, food waste, and grease trap waste, received two loads of asbestos contaminated drillers mud in March 2016, which had originated from the refurbishment of an electricity substation owned by Transgrid in Beaconsfield, Sydney.

Bettergrow was not licensed under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) to accept asbestos contaminated waste. Read more

Staff WriterJune 14, 2018, 5:12 amNovember 20, 2018

Australia, Features, Online Subscription, Professional Services

Shifting the spotlight

Whether we verbalise this or not, studies have shown that energy is on the minds of all business directors. According to the AICD Director Sentiment Index, 58% of Australian directors rate energy policy and pricing as the biggest issues of 2018, ahead of taxation reform and infrastructure development. These findings are mirrored by the World Economic Forum survey, where the largest risk identified by Australian respondents was energy price shock, with two-thirds of executives identifying this as being one of their top five concerns. Read more

Staff WriterJune 6, 2018, 6:01 amNovember 20, 2018

Asia/Pacific, Features, Online Subscription, Professional Services

Incineration in Asia – a viable solution?

According to the World Bank, municipal solid waste (MSW) generation is going to double by 2025, keeping in mind that OECD countries are still producing the majority of that waste. In Asia, the current average waste generation is approximately 0.9kg/capita/day and is set to increase to 1.5kg/capita/day as the economy develops. The current waste production in Asia stands approximately at 738,000 tons/day and will increase to 1,865,000 tons/day in 2025. The waste disposal in this region will be one of the major challenges in the years to come. Read more

Staff WriterMay 25, 2018, 2:49 amNovember 20, 2018