Waste management has now joined planning in having been made incomprehensible even to the layman taking an interest in the area.
As a general rule when the language on an issue becomes this impenetrable it’s because those engaged in the area are no longer able to think clearly about it, or someone is pulling a fast one on the public.
(Often both of these things occur at the same time, but the causation can go either way)
Today the Greens’ Carline Le Couteur is celebrating getting Liberal support to block Labor plans for a Materials Recovery Facility system the Greens are down on.
Here’s the opening pars:
The ACT Greens have welcomed Assembly support for a motion that opposes locking the ACT in a ‘dirty MRF’ waste system, leaving the door open to an organic waste collection service in the future.
“The Government has its heart set on a ‘Dirty MRF’[1] system, and is simply not taking into account either its limitations or the benefits of other options,” Greens TAMS spokesperson, Caroline Le Couteur MLA, said today.
“We believe that we should begin with the education program recommended by the Hyder Report on the options for ACT waste policy. It is the cheapest and most cost-effective first step.
“The assumptions about the effectiveness of organics recycling that the Government are relying on are very pessimistic about the predicted behaviour of Canberrans. If we commit to a dirty MRF, we commit to sending increasing levels of waste to landfill.
“Organic waste makes up a large portion of the ACT’s landfill, but beyond that, it must be recognised that it is in itself a valuable resource. A Dirty MRF produces a very low quality product from organic waste, which cannot be used to revitalise soils.
“When we have improved our recycling and source separation rates, and reduced the overall level of waste going to landfill, I believe that separated organic waste recycling should be reconsidered.”
The Greens motion calls on the Government to:
• Commence an education program along the lines indicated in the Hyder report
• Not commit any funds to a Residual Waste MRF at this stage
• Ensure that any contract entered into for rubbish removal this year is compatible with an organic waste collection scheme
• Consider an organics collection bin if there has not been a significant reduction in organic waste to landfill as a result of the education program
Consultants’ reports at 10 paces here we come.
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