Construction and Demolition (C & D) waste is a significant component of the waste stream. Achievement of government waste reduction targets will substantially depend on our ability to divert a significant amount of this waste stream from disposal.
A census carried out for the NSW EPA identified over 1.5 million tonnes of C&D waste landfilled in the greater Sydney region per year. Consequently is not difficult to understand why reducing this waste stream is considered a priority area for government.
Consistent with the waste hierarchy philosophy of government, attention is being duly given to the avoidance of waste in this area. However, as with all other waste streams where recoverable resources are being targeted, utilisation of recovered materials is our greatest challenge. We cannot move ahead unless sufficient markets are available to use the recycled products made.
This challenge is currently being addressed by the C & D Division of the WMAA.
The C & D division has been in existence for nearly five years as a working group and has provided an excellent forum for the recyclers and others in the industry to discuss how to create a better industry and environment for recycling C & D waste materials. Recently we have been formalising our activities in order to play a more active part in the diversion of recoverable resources in this waste stream.
