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ZERO WASTE ACADEMY
16 June 2005'Waste (aka resource) Exchange Forum'Brought to you by the Horizons -Regional Territorial Authority Waste Forum (RTAWF) facilitated by the Zero Waste Academy (ZWA) The basic details are as follows: The attached PDF contains complete details, but in brief, the following questions and answers should be a helpful guide to what the programme is all about. What is a Waste Exchange?Waste exchanges are web based systems, which allow businesses and organisations to list unwanted materials. This creates an opportunity for others to browse, identify and find new uses for materials, which would otherwise be destined for the landfill. Waste exchanges are a proven, cost effective waste minimisation tool, which essentially creates a 'virtual shop window' allowing the community to recycle unwanted stuff. Waste exchanges have proven to be a key element in a successful zero waste strategy mix. Why is waste such an important economic issue for our region?International research (1), backed up by NZ studies (2), suggest that the holistic cost burden of all forms of waste to any given business or organisation is approximately 4.5% of turnover. Estimates, (based upon the Statistics NZ net GST data series (3), as a reflection of the net regional turnover), suggest that this translates into a cost to the regional economy in excess of $200 million dollars per year. Whilst quantifying, the often intangible and disparate cost of all forms of waste is difficult, measuring the benefits of eco-efficiency programmes is more straight forward. Numerous international studies (1) confirm that zero waste programmes which assist businesses save on waste, can (with a payback period of 0 to 12 months), add the equivalent of 1% of turnover directly to their profit margin. This would suggest that a potential $50 million pa opportunity exists for the Horizons regional economy to improve our environmental performance whilst becoming more competitive and profitable. Clearly, protecting the environment is good for business and there has never been a better time to get serious about waste !! Who is speaking at the Waste Exchange forum?We have arranged for experts who have successfully pioneered the development of waste exchanges around NZ. Additionally, this is an opportunity to find out more about what is already happening in the region, from key local people working in this sphere. Who will benefit from attending?The zero waste awareness series (hazardous waste was the first topic covered last year) was conceived as a great way for elected councillors and relevant staff to get up to speed with innovative ways to implement the NZ Waste strategy, which is entitled "Towards Zero Waste and a Sustainable New Zealand". This programme has also proved to be of interest and relevance to businesses and organisations seeking to improve environmental performance, as well as students, studying environmental concerns and importantly the general community who want to be better informed and positively equipped to engage with their Council over future decision making. For any enquires and to rsvp for catering purposes please contact: Jonathon Hannon, Zero Waste Academy coordinator What is the Zero Waste Academy?by Jonathon Hannon, ZWA Coordinator The Zero Waste Academy (ZWA) has been created as a partnered initiative between PNCC, Massey University and the Zero Waste New Zealand trust. The strategic concept behind the ZWA is to create a proactive change agent for the development of industry training and tertiary education for tomorrows recycling and zero waste management industry. Historically waste, as an issue, has been dealt with from a hygiene and sanitary motive, at the point of disposal. Today with our greater awareness of the exploited state of the global environment and climate change issues, we are now viewing waste from a sustainable resource management and pollution control perspective. What does this mean for people who work in the waste industry?Over the coming decades we will see the traditional ‘waste managers’ job description do a complete U turn, from running landfills to the new goal of eliminating the need for them. In the future waste as an issue will be dealt with holistically at every phase in the design, production, logistics, marketing, consumption and resource use and recovery cycle. The global brand for maximum resource efficiency is zero waste. Hence waste training and education is morphing around this 100% alternative outcome. This requires a comprehensive new skill-set and much broader knowledge base over what has been required in the past. The big positive is that with the advent of ‘formal’ industry training for this rapidly changing industry, the costs of learning go down the quality goes up and the workforce will, for the first time have access to dedicated NZQA accredited qualifications. What is a key outcome of the ZWA activity?Earlier this year EXITO was confirmed (via notification from the associate Minister of Education Steve Maharey) as the ITO with coverage for "waste metal recovery, resource recovery, waste management (excluding water), recycling, and zero waste industry” with effect from 1 March 2004. Tom Reece (CEO of EXITO) acknowledged the Zero Waste Academy, the Scrap Metals Recycling Assn of NZ and the Recycling Operators of NZ (RONZ), as having supported this initiative. Each of these three organisations have been invited to submit two representatives to a ‘resource recovery sector advisory group’ (SAG) to oversee the development of formal industry training. Subsequently two Waste Management Institute of NZ representatives have been added to this group. A scoping report, which describes what unit standards are needed and what qualification structures are most appropriate, is near completion. What is happening locally?The ZWA has acted as an associate, in a support role to the Regional Territorial Authority Waste Forum (RTAWF) in the sphere of awareness raising and education which is where opportunties for mutual strategic benefit and synergy exist. The RTAWF is comprised of representatives from Horizons Regional Council, Ruapehu District Council, Manawatu District Council, Rangitikei District Council, Tararua District Council, Horowhenua District Council, Wanganui District Council and the Palmerston North City Council. Earlier this year the ZWA proposed the concept of facilitating an ongoing series of awareness raising forums, which would cover all the main subject areas relevant to the upcoming regional waste decision making. One of the opportunities of the proposed approach is that it allows sufficient time and a detailed focus to be given to complex subject areas so that comprehensive strategies and long lasting progress can be generated. Forecasting the range of subject areas to be covered over the 2-3 year timeframe, through promotion and media coverage, signals to the community that a methodical background process is underway, which will increase awareness of ‘best practice’ and hence underwrite future decision making and program development. This proposed subject areas for this series are:
The forums are to be structured in two parts with two distinct functions. The first, a seminar format for general awareness raising and the second, a round-table action planning workshop. This concept involved cost sharing at a regional level, which provides exceptional value for money. This minimises the cost to the rate paying public whilst maximising the benefit in terms of disseminating quality information and preserves financial resources to implement the actual programs which will generate ‘go forward’ on the ground locally. Piloting the concept:Hazardous waste was selected as the first priority for the region and hence was selected as the first of the series. This culminated in the Hazardous Waste Forum, held on Friday, August 20th, 2004, at Massey University’s Palmerston North campus. The objectives for the forum were:
The forum was composed of presentations made by experienced hazardous waste program developers, following by hands-on operator perspectives and included coverage of staff training and a brief overview of related legislation. Feedback was sought, which in summary revealed that: 93% of the respondents replied “yes”, when asked: Was the forum -informative -useful and interesting? And 91% of respondents said they were “interested in attending future forums of this type”. Where to from here?The ZWA has found a niche where we are able to contribute not only to the long term goal of industry training as New Zealand undergoes the paradigm shift to Zero Waste, but also be a facilitator of information and best practice to illuminate vision and decision making by local Councils. Clearly the ZWA is providing a solid return on investment with both a regional and national consequence. When the PNCC and Massey joined with the zero waste New Zealand trust they signed a MoU which respectively committed to: “To assist Palmerston North City develop an economically and socially viable Zero Waste strategy, a key component of which will be the development of a model resource recovery park. This will provide a working training model for the Zero Waste Academy and position the city as a world-recognised model Zero Waste community.” “To make Massey University, Palmerston North campus, the premier tertiary institution in the Asia- Pacific region for Zero Waste research, training and practice.” Realistically, we have a way to go before fulfilling these goals. It is important to realise that the materialistic, throw away society has evolved over 50 years in the post depression / post war generation. The late NZ historian Michael King observed that it was as is if the immense psychic trauma of these events caused our society to reflex into trying to create security through consumerism and domestic ambition. These ingrained mindsets, behaviour and infrastructure, however ecologically unsustainable and redundant, take time to change. The concept of this being a journey is captured in the title of the New Zealand Waste Strategy –‘Towards Zero Waste and a Sustainable New Zealand’. Clearly the ZWA is making a positive contribution and we are underway.
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