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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR- Dir John Burgess
I am please to have been appointed Vice President of the Association of Victorian Regional Waste Management Group. The AVRWMG is a coordinating body for the 13 Victorian Regional Waste Management Groups and is participating in the Department of Sustainability and Environment review of the Victoria’s Regional Waste Management Groups with a report due for release in September 2008. It is planned that the implementation of new arrangements from the review will commence in July 2009.

The Barwon Regional Waste Management Group has acted as agent for its four member Councils and the Shire of Golden Plains to develop regional contracts for receiving and processing kerbside collected solid waste materials following the closure of the Corio landfill site in 2010.  In planning for the future the Barwon Region wants to maintain its leadership in resource recovery and meet the State Towards Zero Waste Targets. The Barwon Region implemented an expression of interest and selective tender process and the Board recently adopted recommendations of the evaluation panel.  The Board has now requested that each participating Council consider this recommendation and a formal announcement of the Regional tender outcome will be made by the Group in October 2008.

NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER- Enzo Bruscella
The Group has received a $50,000 Sustainability Victoria grant and commissioned Hyder Consulting to research opportunities and make recommendations that will maximize resource recovery of back of house and post consumer materials in the Geelong CBD in a cost effective and socially acceptable manner.

In particular the study will recommend a preferred framework and cost model that meets the needs of the commercial sector, collection contractors and the community.

The framework will produce resource recovery improvements through adoption of cost effective and innovative infrastructure and systems solutions that will be welcomed by the Geelong CBD commercial district. A case study will be included as part of the framework to enable translation of the project learning to other trader districts and provincial townships in Victoria.

It is anticipated that the project will be completed in January 2009.

Geelong Gains Silver
The City of Greater Geelong has achieved their Silver Waste Wise certification. In implementing their Waste Wise action plan the City has achieved significant waste reductions and improved recycling and reuse systems.

The City has reduced in the quantity of copy paper used by 25%. This was achieved through the reuse of single sided paper, double sided printing, and encouraging staff to think before they print. They also recycle all their printer cartridges, have a comprehensive commingled recycling system, and bokashi organics recycling bins in select locations.

Waste reduction activities include removing individual waste bins form all desks, the elimination of wooden stirrers from most tea rooms, and replacement of polystyrene cups with a travel mug for each depot staff member.

The City has an active Waste Wise champions team that meets bimonthly. The City has also been very active in spreading Waste Wise to other business units within council, including their three major event venues, Skilled Stadium, The Arena and The Potato Shed.

Peter Reeve and Anne Miller from City of Greater Geelong receiving their Silver Waste Wise certification from Simone  Budd (BRWMG)

Congratulations Sweeney Todd!
Waste Wise certified Sweeney Todd Medical Waste was awarded the Sustainable Business Award at this year's Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Awards. Sweeney Todd has been Waste Wise since November 2006 and are a great example of continuous improvement in all aspects of business. Director, Dr Hugh Parsons was concerned that the waste generated by his dental practice was being disposed at the local landfill site, as this was the only option at the time. These environmental concerns were the basis of the Sweeney Todd Medical Waste's inception in the industry, and are the backbone of the commitment to lead the way in environmentally friendly waste disposal.

Sweeney Todd have a mission and goal to strive towards zero waste to landfill. They are already well on the way by using innovative technology, but are continually searching for alternate methods to landfill. Dr Parsons states "Our reduction in waste volume already minimises our impact and by shredding, steam injection and compacting, we are leading the way. With this process no harmful dioxins are released which results in lower pollution to the earths air.This is only the start of a new era for medical waste management. The future is in everyone’s hands."

Waste Wise Geelong Clinic
The Geelong Clinic has been certified Waste Wise with assistance from Barwon Regional Waste Management Group.  Waste data was collected and current waste management practices evaluated. An action plan was developed to improve existing systems by providing information on what needs to be improved and how this can be achieved.

A variety of education initiatives have also been planned by the clinic to ensure that all staff are aware of how to effectively use the systems and initiatives put in place.

City of Greater Geelong Councilor Tom O'Connor presents Jan, Pat and Jenny from the Geelong Clinic with their Waste Wise certification.

ByteBack Expands Across Barwon
Byteback, the free computer take-back program which has been developed in order to help people dispose of unwanted computer equipment in a responsible manner, has opened two new collection sites in Drysdale and Anglesea.

Individuals and small businesses are welcome to contribute to Byteback by depositing their unwanted computer equipment at any of the Byteback site locations around metropolitan and regional Victoria.

The opening of the Drysdale and Anglesea sites makes disposing of your unwanted computer equipment easier than ever. In addition to the two new Byteback sites, Surfcoast residents can also drop unwanted computer equipment off at the Lorne, Deans Marsh and Winchelsea Transfer Stations.
Cr Tom O’Connor, Ray Stratton (COGG) and Cr Jim Tutt at the new Byteback drop off point in Drysdale

For more information visit www.bytebackaustralia.com.au or click here