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The WMAA national divisions, state branches and working groups undertake projects throughout the year to enhance the professional development of the industry. The projects approved for 2009 offer a diverse variety of opportunities from professional development through to responding to government policy and waste strategies. Below is a summary of these projects for members’ information. Further details can be obtained by contacting National Office.

Western Australia
101 Things  Young Professional Should Know
The YP working group will produce a comprehensive guide to the waste industry in WA for those new to the industry and those looking to expand their knowledge. This guide will include an explanation of waste industry jargon, basic concepts and terms and a list of key contacts.

Promoting the Waste Industry
The YP working group will promote the waste industry as a long-term career path for young professionals in WA. The group will run a competition amongst TAFE/university students to create a short promotional video highlighting the waste industry with a cash prize on offer.

Best Practice Guidelines for Workplace Health & Safety within the Waste Management and Recycling Industries.
The WA branch will engage an expert to review and update the 1999 version of this document primarily for members in WA but with a view to developing a national document for members use in all states.

New South Wales
Increased Presence at WMAA Conferences
The YP working group will collate a range of presentations aimed at young professionals in the waste industry to be presented at a WMAA conference in 2009. An appropriate conference will be chosen, providing the YP group with targeted and effective opportunities to communicate with young waste professionals.

Scholarship Program for Young Professionals
The YP working group has been granted funding to create a national conference scholarship program for young professionals in the waste industry. The scholarship will provide two young professionals with the opportunity to attend an industry event and take advantage of key networking and knowledge expansion opportunities.

Carbon Free YP!
The YP group have decided to go carbon neutral, creating a proposal to measure, reduce and offset the greenhouse gas emissions the working group creates through its daily activities. Potential sources of emissions may include transportation, food and beverage purchase and consumption, energy consumption at meetings and the disposal of waste generated at meetings.

South Australia
Waste Levy Outcomes in 2009
The SA branch will design a project to assist members who engage in government consultation on waste industry issues. It is anticipated the project will improve communication and outcomes for the South Australian waste industry.

Queensland
Response to the EPA Strategy
The QLD EPA is in the process of releasing its new waste management strategy. The WMAA QLD branch will take an active and leading role in providing feedback on the implementation of this strategy.

National
Training Courses
The National Office is considering the implementation of a range of training courses similar to those offered by the Chartered Institute for Waste Management UK,  the Solid Waste Association of North America and other relevant overseas organisations,  tailored to meet the needs of the Australian waste industry. To ensure all training programs are effective and targeted, a study of current and potential industry courses will be undertaken as well as a feasibility study on providing training and seminars on-line, especially for members in rural and regional areas.

Landfill Emissions Testing, Methods 2 and 3
The National Landfill Division plan to prepare a summary report detailing results from landfill emissions tests to assist in the verification of emissions testing during 2009.

Compost Business Membership and Compost Certification
Compost Australia now has a business membership framework and Recycled Organics Product Certification Scheme. A key first step is assist the industry develop high quality products for target markets and the capacity to manufacture those products.

Incorrect Disposal of Bio-Hazardous Waste
The Bio-Hazardous Waste Division (BWI) survey in 2008 indicated an increasing rate of incorrect disposal of bio-hazardous waste material.  To raise awareness of the issues, BWI will engage a public relations consultant to develop strategic messages which will consider the social, economic, environmental and OH& S outcomes. The project will include a governmental relations campaign to raise awareness of the issues

Published in Inside Waste Jan/Feb 2009

Related Documents:

WMAA Project 2006 - 2007  (129 KB)