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September 17, 2009
Gold Waste Wise Achievement
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Portland Aluminium has received gold level certification under the Waste Wise Program for their waste management planning and practises.
Portland Aluminium has been committed to the State’s Waste Wise Program for more than five years. During this time they have continuously made improvements in their waste management practises with the aim of reducing waste to landfill.
A recent waste assessment, which is required under the Waste Wise certification process, indicates that Portland Aluminium recycles over 90 per cent of it waste. This impressive diversion rate has been achieved by putting systems in place for recycling cardboard, paper, plastics, metals and food waste.
Waste REDUCTION Group Executive Officer Cydoni Younie said approximately 14 tonnes of food waste is fed to the worm farm on site.
“As a result of the worms’ eating efforts, there is a saving in landfill space and the production of great fertiliser,” Cydoni explained.
“Portland Aluminium should be congratulated as being one of the leaders in the south west who have shown that waste management efforts can improve operations and be beneficial for the environment,” she continued.
In an effort to continuously improve their waste minimisation and recycling targets, the waste is continuously monitored. The Environmental Lead Team meet regularly to discuss waste and other sustainability issues and to plan new initiatives and actions.
Portland Aluminium Operations Manager John Osborne said the Gold Status Wastewise certification is recognition of Portland Aluminium’s decades-long focus on sustainable practices, including waste minimisation and management,” Mr. Osborne said.
“There are so many benefits beyond simply the waste reduction itself; staff morale is lifted, the environmental impacts are reduced, costs are lower and the community involvement is really inspiring.
“The support from our workforce has been tremendous. It seems everyone wants to do their bit and that’s what has made the pretty tough targets achievable.”
“By putting their waste in the right bins around the plant we ensure that we continue to recycle as much as we can,” Mr Osborne said.
The Waste Wise Program is part of Sustainability Victoria’s state-wide Waste Wise Program aimed to assist groups and organisations to reduce waste for the benefit of our community and environment. Other organisations that are certified Waste Wise in the south western region include South West Healthcare, Corangamite Shire, Glenelg Shire, Moyne Shire and the Waste REDUCTION Group.
Organisations that are interested in identifying strategies to minimise waste within their organisation can contact Danae Reed, Regional Education Officer for the South Western Regional Waste Management Group on 0427 362 985.
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