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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Minister Jennings has announced 34 projects that will share in $6.5m in support from Round Three of the Sustainability Fund. The Association of Victorian Regional Waste Management Groups was successful in getting funding for two statewide projects.

The successful projects were a transfer station promotional campaign ($162,100), and a regional data collection and performance reporting project ($368,250).

NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) have commenced a review of Regional Waste Management Groups in Victoria. Regional Waste Management Groups were formed by the State Government in 1998. The review is seeking to provide an improved legislative framework to provide more suitable operational and governance arrangements for strategic solid waste planning into the future.

DSE have been undertaking a series of workshops with local government and Regional Waste Management Groups throughout the State and a draft report is expected in June 2008. The new arrangements are scheduled to commence in July 2009.

Chinese Delegation Visit Barwon Waste Wise Education Centre
An Environmental Management Delegation from China visited Geelong this week. The twenty five delegates (pictured below with BRWMG Director Kingsley Love and Executive Officer Enzo Bruscella) are senior government and industry officials representing the National Development and Reform Commission- China’s main planning authority. Whilst in Geelong the group visited the Barwon Waste Wise Education Centre and the Douro St Transfer Station.

Mattress Recycling Project Case Study
A Case Study outlining the activities, key learnings and key outcomes of the Barwon mattress recycling project is now available. To download a copy of the case study click here

Regional Litter Prevention Activities
A regional roadside litter campaign has been implemented across the region this summer. Activities have included- litter prevention education materials being distributed to a network of traders, signage and trailers positioned at key roadside areas across the region, and anti littering promotions on local radio. Roadside litter audits indicate that during the campaign period a litter reduction of 35% in the Surf Coast Shire and 20% in the Colac Otway Shire was achieved.

To further strengthen litter prevention activities within the Barwon Region a Regional Litter Prevention and Public Place Recycling Task Force has been formed. The first meeting of this Task Force was held in April and representatives from most land management authorities in the region collectively identified Roadside litter/illegal dumping, cigarette butt litter and building site litter as priorities for the region.

Rip Curl Pro
This Easters Rip Curl Pro diverted 44% of its waste from landfill. Through a partnership between Surfing Victoria, Surf Coast Shire and Barwon Regional Waste Management Group- this year’s event saw the implementation of a best practice bin system, improved stall holder and community education and the core principles of the Waste Wise program infiltrating the entire event crew.

Over the 11 days of the event, including set up and pack up, approximately 9 tonnes of waste was produced. Of this, 4.1 tonnes was separated for recycling. Every bottle, can and carton that is recycled represents a reduction in CO2 as producing new products from recycled materials uses significantly less energy and water then making them from raw materials.

The materials collected for recycling at this year Rip Curl Pro, represents an 8 tonne saving of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of planting 13 trees.


Best practice events bin system and water fountain at this years Rip Curl Pro

Expanded Polystyrene Recycling Update
Results from Stage One have just been released and show that in less than three months of the service being available to businesses in Geelong a massive 1200 cubic metres of polystyrene has been collected, processed and reused. This is the equivalent of approximately 10,000 house hold waste bins full. Previously all this material would have been deposited to landfill- now it is reused. The polystyrene is crumbled and blended with cement to make light-weighted concrete products including pavers and moldings.

GDP's Garry Haberfield & Brad Strong crumbling EPS

Waste Wise Geelong Network
WWGN continues to work with businesses to achieve their WW certification. There are currently 145 members of which 29 are certified and 11 are due to recertify.  The last Network Breakfast Event launched the Expanded Polystyrene Recycling program- a first for the region, and many businesses have shown commitment to participate.  The next Network breakfast will be Wednesday June 4th 2008 sponsored by Gordon TAFE, invites will be out shortly for more information contact Liz Raimondo