Commercial and Industrial (C&I) waste is a significant component of the waste stream. Increased recovery of potential recyclable materials is required to achieve the NSW OEH resource recovery targets of 63% by 2014. Achievement of this target depends on establishing the capacity to divert a significant amount of material from disposal.

More 2.3 million tonnes of C&I materials are landfilled in the greater Sydney region annually (WARR Strategy Progress Report).

In 2008, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (now known as the Office of Environment and Heritage) carried out a field audit and gatehouse survey to gain a clearer and more accurate understanding of what is in the commercial and industrial (C&I) waste stream. The results of the audit showed that many of the materials in the waste stream could be diverted before they reach landfill or have potential resource value if they could be recovered or recycled cost-effectively.

The C&I Working Group have therefore decided to focus on the most prevalent materials that presented in larger quantities in the field audit for the next 12 months. These materials are:

• Paper/Card 13.7%
• Food Waste 13.6%
• Plastic13.2%
• Timber 13%

Attention being given to recovery of these resources and the utilisation of recovered materials in an endeavour to work towards achieving the 2014 recovery target of 63% recovery.

The Terms of Reference articulates the Vision and Objectives of the CI Working group to achieve their preferred outcomes for 2010/11.

The WMAA (NSW) Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Waste Working Group formed in 2009 and meets on a regular basis.

Commercial & Industrial waste can be considered solid waste arising from the activities within commercial and industrial sites, including but not limited to offices, retail outlets, restaurants, factories and institutions.

• Provide a forum for the C&I waste management sector and within which C&I waste generators can collaborate on projects that raise standards of practice &/or lead to improved policy and for local government and C&I waste management organisations to work together to improve C&I waste management performance;
• Identify and promote sustainable collection (including source separation), transport, processing and disposal practices;
• Promote the reduction of the amount of C&I waste disposed of to landfill, on a per capita basis and foster the expansion of sustainable markets;
• Identify and promote opportunities for greater awareness and education;
• Investigate research into sustainable waste management practices; and
• Advocate for policy reform and policy development at all levels of government;
• Engage with OAH NSW to develop a practical regulatory framework which allows environmentally responsible recovery of resources.

• To advocate in support of increasing the NSW putrescible landfill levy to a level sufficient to directly influence commercial recycling decisions;
  
• The development of a “roadmap for C&I waste”, i.e. how to address the Code of Practice;
  
• Engagement with private and public sectors on C&I waste issues;
  
• Encourage participation from councils on C&I issues
  
• Actively promote EPR processes; and
  
• Promote the categorisation of C&I waste into waste types to facilitate more effective measurement of C&I waste types that are processed &/or disposed of.

• Opportunity to contribute to the future of the C&I waste sector;
  
• Keep abreast of developments affecting the C&I waste sector; and
  
• Opportunity to network with the industry stakeholders.