Materials Recovery
Efficient and effective collection and recovery of resources is a high priority of ACOR members.
ACOR has facilitated significant developments for improved recycling including the development of split collection sorting contract for the collection of recyclables in 1999 with major waste collection companies in NSW and Victoria. ACOR also funded the development of the first split bin Council contract in Victoria. This system has now expanded around Australia as a best practice model.
Recycling
ACOR’s commitment to recycling extends from improved internal operations to improve the recovery of materials with minimum contamination. These measures will be achieved by:
Improving the Quality of Materials Recovered
ACOR has sought to improve the quality of materials collected by and delivered to members through the development of an Industry Recycling Specifications Manual.
Research and Development
ACOR members undertake extensive research and development programs to develop secondary markets for materials recovered for recycling. For example, O-i (formerly ACI Glass) and Alex Fraser worked with CSIRO on the development of cullet specification to enable the use of glass fines in construction and road base. More recently, ACOR members collaborated with the Queensland Department of Main Roads to develop an improved specification to enable recycled construction materials to be used in road construction.
ACOR’s major project is the development of Materials Specifcations Manuals for manufacturers seeking to use specialised materials capable of being recycled. The latest version of these Specifications is on this website (2006 edition) but is subject to imminent revision in the next year.
Government Policy
ACOR’s Chief Executive and member representatives regularly meet with Federal and State Ministers and senior officials at Federal, State and Local government levels to discuss issues of concern and opportunities for improved government policy and regulation affecting the recycling industry.
ACOR members are represented on the National Packaging Covenant Council, the Stakeholder Advisory Group of the Queensland Government’s State Waste Policy strategy formulation, the Legislative Framework Stakeholder Group of the National Waste Policy and numerous other industry and government consultative committees.
Education and Promotion
ACOR’s educational focus is on the efficient transport, recovery and processing of materials collected, with information supporting these efficiencies circulated on a regular basis. Public Education on recycling is regularly undertaken by ACOR member companies who provide a range of promotional resources for use by local Councils nationally.
Australian Packaging Covenant
ACOR supports and promotes the effective and efficient lifecycle management of packaging – including reduction, recovery, reuse and recycling. ACOR was involved in the development of the National Packaging Covenant in 1999 and also the new Australian Packaging Covenant 2010. As a signatory to the Covenant, ACOR is committed to:
- Encouraging all members in the packaging chain to be signatories of the Covenant
- Promoting the effective and efficient lifecycle management of packaging products
- Fostering effective waste avoidance and resource efficient production and practices
National Product Stewardship Schemes
ACOR has long advocated for the implementation of extended producer responsibility principles for key products such as TV’s, computers, recreational gas cylinders, batteries and other potentially hazardous products. ACOR is actively involved in the development of the current national scheme for TV’s and computers and in particular the Interim Standard for the Collection, recovery and recycling of these electronic products. |
