Australia generates 46.8 MT of waste. Despite steady increases in the rate of recovery (av. 52%), the waste generated between 2002/03 and 2008/09 grew by 40%, while population increased by only 10% (SoE Report NSW, 2013). There are more of us but we are consuming proportionally more each year per person.
Waste generation has been growing at a historic average of 4-7% per year and still is. That means the amount of waste the industry has to process is doubling every ten to eighteen years.
However, the good news is that we are recycling a lot more and recycling jobs are largely recession proof, green collar jobs. Recycling is probably the only growth area in the manufacturing sector in Australia. We create nine jobs in recycling for every job in landfill.
It is not rocket science and it can be done. It needs leadership from government and investment by business when the price signals allow it.
WEBINAR: State of Waste
Key take outs
- The presentation will explore the relationship between landfill pricing and recycling.
- It will document the key initiatives required over the next decade to drive improved recycling in the MSW, C+I and C+D sectors.
Presenter
Mike Ritchie has over 20 years’ experience in environmental policy and business development. Mike has over 20 years’ experience in environmental policy and business development. Prior to launching MRA, he was National General Manager, Marketing, and Business Development with SITA Environmental Solutions, and has worked in local government as advisor to the Lord Mayor of Brisbane and Director of Liverpool City Council.
He is past National Vice President and NSW President of WMAA, as well as current Chair of the Carbon Division and AWT Working Group. He is also past director of Environment Business Australia and is a Sessional Commissioner of the Land & Environment Court NSW.