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NSW celebrates recycling triumph

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26 Nov, 2024

This post was originally published on Sustainability Matters

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has reported that considerable progress has been made in the New South Wales recycling sector, with the state now capable of processing nearly 140,000 tonnes of additional material annually.

Critical to this triumph has been $9.1 million in funding from the EPA over the last five years under the Product Improvement Program. The program was set up in response to China’s 2018 National Sword Policy, which restricted the importation of certain materials for recycling, including most plastics, paper and cardboard, glass and other solid wastes.

The program’s successful completion coincided with National Recycling Week.

The initiative has achieved:

  • Almost 85,000 tonnes of recyclable material re-directed from landfill.
  • Contamination rates for plastic, and paper and cardboard dropping up to 11%.
  • Over 46,000 tonnes of recycled material processed or reprocessed per year.
  • More than 24,000 tonnes of plastic reprocessed and remanufactured.
  • More than 46,000 tonnes of recycled material used to manufacture new products per year.
     

NSW EPA CEO Tony Chappel said increasing the state’s capacity to recycle material is critical, given landfill space in Greater Sydney set to be exhausted by 2030.

“At our recent Circular Economy Summit, we highlighted the need to take decisive action and come up with new waste and recycling solutions,” he said.

“This program showcases what we can do when we invest and innovate together. We’ve seen significant leaps forward by industry at all stages of the recycling journey from sorting to reprocessing and remanufacturing.

“Material recovery facilities have improved the quality of recycled products, contamination rates have dropped up to 11%, and we’ve increased our capacity to process waste by almost 140,000 tonnes each year.

“This is a huge achievement, equivalent to 1700 Olympic swimming pools.”

China used to be the largest importer of recyclable products — accounting for 30% of Australia’s exports. The National Sword Policy restrictions had a huge impact on Australia’s ability to export recyclable materials, requiring the recycling sector to shift towards local solutions.

In 2018–2019, 22 grants were awarded to help industry to expand and improve local recycling markets and infrastructure.

The funding propelled a diverse range of projects whose goals included enhancing recycling infrastructure; driving innovation for recycling plastics, paper, cardboard, glass and problem waste; and providing more Australian-sourced recycled material for use in product manufacturing.

These results helped NSW target 53% of materials impacted by the National Sword Policy in NSW.

Image caption: Veolia recycling facility. Image courtesy of the EPA.

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks has become essential as businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability. IT operations contribute significantly to carbon emissions, energy consumption and electronic waste (e-waste). Organisations that embed environmental responsibility into their IT governance can reduce their ecological footprint, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their brand reputation.

Erica Smith, chief alliance officer and environmental, social and governance lead, Blue Connections IT, said, “Environmental stewardship supports financial performance, risk mitigation and brand differentiation. With rising energy costs, increased consumer demand for sustainable products and services, and growing pressure from investors and regulators, companies can no longer afford to overlook their environmental responsibilities.

“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

“Integrating environmental responsibility into IT governance integrates sustainability initiatives into decision-making systematically. Organisations can reduce waste, lower energy consumption and extend the lifecycle of technology assets while positioning themselves as responsible leaders in an increasingly climate-aware market.”

There are four key areas that present opportunities to embed environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks.

1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

Smith said, “Effective asset recovery strategies further support sustainability efforts. Integrating secure data erasure and refurbishment into IT governance policies lets businesses repurpose functional devices within the organisation or resell them to external buyers. Responsible e-waste recycling also supports companies to process materials ethically in instances where resale is not viable, reducing landfill contributions and preventing environmental contamination. The adoption of industry-certified data sanitisation methods also safeguards compliance with security and privacy regulations.”

2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

Partnerships with sustainability-driven IT service providers can further enhance an organisation’s environmental impact. Working with partners that offer end-to-end IT asset management solutions, encompassing secure device deployment, certified data sanitisation and ethical recycling, simplifies the process of aligning IT operations with sustainability goals. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship in their IT governance framework gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to responsible business practices.

3. Energy consumption

Data centres, cloud services and enterprise networks require substantial energy resources, making green IT practices essential. IT governance frameworks should include policies to reduce consumption by optimising server efficiency, reducing redundant infrastructure and using renewable energy sources. Cloud providers with strong sustainability credentials can support carbon reduction initiatives, while virtualisation strategies can consolidate workloads and improve overall energy efficiency.

4. Employee engagement

Educating staff on sustainable IT practices, such as energy-efficient device usage and responsible e-waste disposal, creates a culture of accountability. Organisations that implement green workplace initiatives, such as responsible end-of-life disposal programs, reinforce their commitment to sustainability at all levels.

“IT governance must also align with corporate environmental, social and governance commitments. Companies can contribute to broader sustainability objectives by embedding environmental stewardship into IT policies, such as net-zero emissions targets and responsible supply chain management. Clear reporting mechanisms and regular sustainability audits aid transparency, letting businesses track their progress and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders,” Smith said.

Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal

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