Annual Report 2010-11 - Zero Waste SA - SA.Gov.au

Programs relevant to all waste streams
7
Data gathered during 2010–11 shows that more than 2.76 million tonnes of materials were
diverted from landfill and into recycling in 2009–10, an increase of 8% from the previous
year and 35% since 2003–04. During 2009–10, the South Australian per capita recycling rate,
at more than 1,578 kilograms per person per year, was still one of the best in the country,
exceeded only by the Australian Capital Territory (1,638 kilograms). These recycling efforts
prevented the equivalent of about 0.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide entering the
atmosphere. This equates to taking approximately 223,100 passenger cars off the road.
While it is important to recognise the achievements of 2009–10, landfill data shows that
waste to landfill increased by approximately 48,900 tonnes in 2010–11 bringing the State’s
total reduction of waste to landfill since 2003 to approximately 13.5% (compared with
17.32% in 2009–10 and 14.4% in 2008–09). The increase is attributed to approximately
84,600 tonnes of contaminated soil disposed to landfill from infrastructure developments
and sites across metropolitan Adelaide.
Contaminated soil is frequently a legacy issue arising from past land use, and industrial
or commercial business practices, and is often detected only when changes in land use
are proposed.
Increased disposal of contaminated soil to landfill has the potential to skew South
Australia’s waste diversion achievements and may need to be accounted for separately
from other solid waste streams disposed to landfill.
Zero Waste SA will work collaboratively with relevant organisations to reduce the
quantity of contaminated soil being disposed to landfill from major infrastructure projects
where this is technically and economically feasible.
Communications and education
Activities during 2010–11 encompassed corporate and business program projects which
supported the delivery of key initiatives in Zero Waste SA’s Business Plan.
The depth and breadth of the Communications Unit’s work program continued to expand
with an increasing number of requests for engagement and collaboration from an
ever-widening circle of individuals and organisations across the public, private and NGO
sectors. In addition, an increasing number of media representatives turned to Zero Waste
SA for expert comment on zero waste issues. The impact of social media also stimulated
the development of new approaches to content creation in order for Zero Waste SA to
establish a presence in the social media community.