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Wishing you a Merry Christmas
and a Peaceful New Year
Thank you for your support during 2007

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
DSE have announced a review of Regional Waste Management Groups within Victoria and a workshop was held in the Barwon Region in November. This review will address the roles and functions of the Group and I am excited at the opportunity this presents for the region in aligning the legislative framework that the Group operates within with the future challenges of providing a sustainable community towards 2030.  

The draft framework proposal from the DSE review is expected in February 2008.

NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Group is acting as the agent on behalf of the City of Greater Geelong, SurfCoast Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Borough of Queenscliffe and Golden Plains Shire Councils for the development of regional resource recovery contracts commencing 2010 following the closure of the regional landfill site.

The project is critical to meeting the State resource recovery targets of 80% recycling of Commercial and Industrial materials and 80% recycling of Construction and demolition materials. Tenders are scheduled to close in April 2008 allowing a two year period for the development of the facility(s).

MobileMuster Phone Recycling Competition
For National Recycling Week in November the Barwon RWMG facilitated a schools Mobile Phone recycling competition in partnership with MobileMuster.

During National Recycling Week, schools in the Barwon Region collected over 270 kg of mobile phone components which is equivalent to more than 3000 handsets.

The winning schools (collecting the most phones per students) were:
Primary – Beeac Primary School
Secondary – Colac Specialist School (secondary school department) Find out more-

Geelong Manufacturing Council Productivity Through Resource Efficiency Project
This is a collaborative project between the Geelong Manufacturing Council and the Barwon RWMG, and is supported by Sustainability Victoria.

The project is working with the manufacturing industry to improve competitiveness and increase the sustainability of industry through improved learning and adoption of leading edge solutions to materials together with improved processing and waste disposal practices across manufacturing industry in Geelong.

Hyder Consulting is facilitating that project and is working with 10 companies in the region to improve their profitability and environmental performance.
Find out more-

Public Recycling Project at Skilled Stadium
Skilled Stadium has begun implementing a best practice public recycling program incorporating education and infrastructure. New permanent public recycling bin stations have been installed around the stadium to capture the large quantities of recyclable material produced at the venue. Education materials have also been produced including a super screen advertisement staring Half Cat, encouraging people to 'do the right thing put it in the right bin'.

The super screen advert and new bin system was trialled at the last two home games for the 2007 AFL season, and will continue to be expanded and improved for the 2008 season.

Half Cat challenges a litterer in the new 'do the right thing' super screen advertisement for Skilled Stadium.

Recycling of Expanded Polystyrene
The Barwon RWMG in partnership with GDP industries have been granted funding by the National Packaging Covenant for an Environmental Recycling of "Expanded Polystyrene and Associated Packaging Materials" through a Trader Stewardship Program.

This project aims to establish an expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling facility in the Barwon Region, divert EPS from landfill and develop a trader stewardship program for EPS and associated packaging materials in the region.

GDP Industries has purchased an EPS compacting machine. This machine compacts the air out of the EPS and converts it into a solid block that can be recycled. Businesses in the Barwon Region can drop off EPS to GDP Industries for $5 per cubic metre, GDP Industries also offer a pick-up service to the Geelong area for $8 per cubic metre.

The project will be officially launched in February 2008.

Colac and Apollo Bay Public Place Recycling
Residents and Visitors to Apollo Bay and Colac will notice new bins on the foreshore and in the main street. There are 25 new bin stations being installed by the Colac Otway Shire and the Apollo Bay Kennett River Public Reserves Committee of Management, with funding received through Sustainability Victoria

The Colac Otway Shire is about to launch a public education campaign promoting the new infrastructure .

Waste Wise Geelong Network
Waste Wise Geelong Network has had another successful year in 2007. Our membership has increased to 140 businesses and we achieved 9 new certifications during the year.  We currently have more than 24 businesses that are working toward certification or renewing their certification, and we look forward to hearing about their achievements in the New Year.  Our events were well received with overwhelming attendance this year. We held 5 successful breakfast events and our first waste workshop providing information to our members on various topics related to business resource efficiency and waste management.  

In 2008 we look forward to another busy year, with the potential to offer our members even more support in developing successful businesses whilst considering the impact on their environment – Stay tuned!!  I would like to personally thank our project partners Sustainability Victoria, BRWMG, City of  Greater Geelong and the Geelong Chamber of Commerce. Thank you and Congratulations to our members who have actively worked to reduce their ecological footprint! For more information contact the WWGN Project Officer- Liz Raimondo