Data Collection and Analysis

Publisher National Environment Bureau (PNEB) – PNEB has a commitment to government to collect national data annually on recycling of newsprint in Australia and reports the recovery rate to governments and other interested parties. Whilst the consumption of newsprint is accurately quantifiable, the tonnage recovered from sources other than the publishers themselves depends on reporting from a variety of sources. APC undertook an independent audit to verify the published national recycling rates for newsprint recycling by determining the percentage of newsprint, magazines and catalogues recovered from mixed paper bales delivered to paper mills for processing or export. In addition we provided data to the Australian Catalogue Association on the quantity of post consumer catalogues recovered. This data and process provided robustness and integrity in the PNEB reporting to external parties.

Tetra Pak Oceania – Tetra Pak was endeavouring to estimate the number of LPB cartons recovered nationwide. APC analysed existing data by metropolitan, regional/rural and state in relation to the community’s past and present behaviour patterns in respect to the disposal of liquidpaperboard (LPB) cartons generated in household waste streams. In addition, APC undertook a future trend analysis. Physical bale audits were used to confirm the desktop anlaysis.

Visy Recycling Pty Ltd, NSW – APC undertook research and trend analysis on the composition, gross calorific value and moisture content of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Waste for the Sydney and ACT areas.  The scope of this research was to inform business planning and feasibility assessments for a possible future energy-from-waste facility in the NSW region. The results of this research demonstrated that the MSW and C&I waste feed-stocks from these regions could provide significant energy potential for an energy-from-waste facility, however moisture content would be a primary hurdle in extracting this energy from the waste feedstock.

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