November 2024 Recycling & Waste Update

Facilities and Operations

The waste team remained busy in November, ensuring smooth operations across Flinders Island’s waste facilities. Recyclables and waste from Killiecrankie and Lady Barron Waste Transfer Stations were transported to Whitemark, where the active tipping area was covered and compacted to enhance site management.

Notable improvements included the positioning of a Landfill Bin at the Whitemark Waste Facility to reduce litter and daily waste cover requirements. Green waste chipping also occurred, marking a key step towards improved green waste management. A reminder to users that green waste should not be contaminated with plastic, wood with nails/bolts, large quantities of soil, or other non-green waste items that will blunt the chipper blades.

Recycling Milestones

Our recycling initiatives continued to deliver great outcomes:

• The drumMUSTER program inspected 44 agricultural chemical containers for proper disposal.
• Three cubic metres of e-waste were sent off-island under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
• The Recycling Hub network collected 25.66 kg of materials in November. Since the first hub launched, a total of 305.38 kg of waste has been diverted from landfill. The top-performing categories include:
• Household Batteries: 88.05 kg
• Coffee Pods: 77.94 kg
• Printer Cartridges: 46.78 kg
• Light Bulbs & Tubes: 21.16 kg
• Skincare Products: 17.33 kg

November also saw the addition of medical blister packs to all Recycling Hubs, offering an eco-friendly solution for disposing of these everyday items.

Community Worm Farm Trial

The community worm farm trial continues to develop. While the farm has paused receiving scraps from the hospital due to unsuitable waste, further inspections were carried out and plans to increase worm numbers are underway.

Administration and Engagement

The team engaged in various administrative and development activities, including:

• Preparing the Lady Barron Store Recycling Hub for its launch on 2 December.
• Meeting with the State Minister for Infrastructure & Local Government to discuss ongoing projects.
• Participating in the Circular North Technical Committee meeting, which highlighted opportunities for new recycling initiatives.
• Visiting advanced waste and recycling facilities on the mainland to explore improvements for Flinders Island.

Christmas Period Opening Hours

Below are the Whitemark Waste Facility opening hours for the Christmas period:

Monday, 23 December              13:00–16:00

Tuesday, 24 December             08:00–11:00

Wednesday, 25 December Closed

Thursday, 26 December        Closed

Friday, 27 December                   13:00–16:00

Saturday, 28 December        Closed

Sunday, 29 December             Closed

Monday, 30 December              13:00–16:00

Tuesday, 31 December             08:00–11:00

Wednesday, 1 January            Closed

Thursday, 2 January                     08:00–11:00

Please plan your waste drop-offs accordingly. Thank you for your cooperation during the festive season.

 

October 2024 Recycling & Waste Update

Change of Hours:

Following a review of the recent community survey and facility usage patterns, we have adjusted the operating hours at the Whitemark Waste Facility to optimise access times to best suit the needs of our community.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. We remain committed to improving our services for the community.

Effective from Sunday, 1st December 2024:

• Monday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Tuesday: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
• Wednesday: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
• Thursday: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
• Friday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Saturday: CLOSED
• Sunday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Public Holidays: CLOSED

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Recycling & Disposal Guide:

Waste on Flinders Island can be taken to three main sites: Whitemark Waste Facility, Lady Barron Waste Transfer Station, and Killiecrankie Waste Transfer Station. Each site has specific guidelines:

• Whitemark Waste Facility (419 Memana Road): Accepts large waste loads, general waste, green waste, recyclables, and certain hazardous waste by appointment. It operates only on set days and times.
• Lady Barron & Killiecrankie Transfer Stations: Open 24/7 for domestic waste loads up to two cubic metres, including general waste, glass, aluminium cans, and green waste.

For details on accepted items at each site, download the Recycling & Disposal Guide.

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Hazardous Waste:

Controlled disposal of hazardous waste is essential to protect the health of our community and the environment. At Flinders Island waste facilities, specific procedures are in place to handle controlled and hazardous materials safely.
Some hazardous items are accepted at the Whitemark Waste Facility but require careful handling and specific conditions for disposal:

• Asbestos: Requires booking in advance. Limits and conditions apply (see WorkSafe for details).
• Clinical & Biosecurity Waste: Requires sealed packaging and advance booking.
• End-of-Life Vehicles/Machines: Accepted by appointment. Items must be drained of fluids and free of batteries and tyres.
• Fluorescent Light Globes/Tubes: Accepted at the Community Recycling Hub (IGA & Tip Office).
• Household Batteries & Hair Aerosols: Accepted at the Community Recycling Hub (IGA & Tip Office).
• Lead-Acid Batteries: Accepted in designated battery containers.
• Motor Oil & Cooking Oil: Accepted in sealed containers.

Important: Batteries can start fires. Always tape both terminals with clear tape and dispose of them in the battery units at the Recycling Hubs.

Some hazardous materials cannot be accepted at any of our waste facilities, including:

• Unwrapped asbestos
• Liquid chemicals (household or commercial)
• Contaminated soil
• Gas bottles with gas
• Explosives (except marine flares)
• Animal residues (carcasses)

If you have prohibited items, contact the Waste & Resource Recovery Team at wastemanagement@flinders.tas.gov.aufor guidance on appropriate disposal methods.

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drumMUSTER:

Agricultural and veterinary chemical drums are accepted at the Whitemark Waste Facility on the first Wednesday of each month. These must be from eligible brands and triple-rinsed.

The drumMUSTER program provides a safe and responsible way to dispose of used, clean agricultural and veterinary chemical containers. Recycling these containers helps reduce waste and environmental impact.

To participate, ensure your containers:

• Are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or steel.
• Are thoroughly rinsed (preferably triple-rinsed), clean, dry, and free of residues.
• Display the drumMUSTER logo, indicating they are part of the program.

Bring eligible containers to the Whitemark Waste Facility during the designated collection day. Upon arrival, our team will inspect your containers to ensure they meet drumMUSTER standards, and you will be required to sign a declaration form.

For a list of eligible brands, visit the drumMUSTER website. By participating, you’re helping to reduce waste and support sustainable agricultural practices. Thank you for your cooperation!

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Community Recycling Hubs:

Our Community Recycling Hubs help residents recycle difficult-to-dispose items that don’t belong in regular recycling bins. These hubs collect various household items through specialised programs.

Locations:

• Walkers IGA — 3 Patrick St, Whitemark
• Whitemark Waste Facility — 419 Memana Rd, Whitemark

Eighteen different programs are available across the Hubs. For more details on accepted items, visit the Community Recycling Hubs in person or check our website.

Prepare Items:
Ensure items such as coffee capsules, cling wrap, and food bags are clean and dry before dropping them off. Batteries must have both terminals taped with clear tape to reduce the risk of fire.

By using the Community Recycling Hubs, you help keep waste out of landfill, support recycling programs that give materials a second life, and contribute to a more sustainable Flinders Island.

September 2024 Recycling & Waste Update

Facilities and Operations

Throughout September, the waste team continued its essential work at the Waste Transfer Stations, transporting recyclables and waste from both Killiecrankie and Lady Barron to Whitemark. Key operational tasks included covering and compacting waste in the active tipping area at the landfill to improve site management. Additionally, the hard waste skip bin and overflow area at Whitemark were cleared.

There were a few issues with contamination in the cardboard bin at Lady Barron, where nappies and general waste were mixed in. This reminds us all of the importance of following proper waste disposal practices to ensure the success of our recycling efforts.

Drainage works were also completed at the facility, which will help to manage stormwater runoff. In preparation for the upcoming fire season, two fire hazard reduction burns were carried out on the green waste stockpile.

Recycling Milestones

Our recycling programmes continue to make impressive progress. The drumMUSTER programme, which encourages responsible disposal of agricultural chemical containers, saw 22 drums inspected in September. Meanwhile, lead acid batteries, gas bottles, and fire extinguishers were separated from white goods to facilitate their recycling.

A special highlight for the month was the Recycling Hub’s first anniversary on 20th September. The community’s efforts resulted in 23.9 kilograms of eligible products being collected in September alone, bringing the total to 231.9 kilograms diverted from landfill since the hub’s launch. The top-performing categories continue to be household batteries (75 kg), coffee pods (55.6 kg), printer cartridges (31.9 kg), skincare products (14.7 kg), and hair care items (11.8 kg).

In other recycling initiatives, we received kitchen caddies for the community worm farm project, which were provided by Circular North, and a stillage for e-waste, part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.

Administration and Funding Successes

September also brought good news on the funding front, with all three proposals submitted to the High Priority Infrastructure Grant 2024 being successful. The projects include a bulk bag baler ($19,700), waste oil infrastructure enhancement ($39,996), and scrap metal recovery ($166,666). These projects will allow us to enhance our waste management infrastructure and further reduce waste on the island.

On the administrative side, we finalised and submitted August and September waste data to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE). This data, along with the monthly levies, contributes to ongoing waste management and environmental monitoring efforts.

As always, we encourage you to stay engaged with our waste and recycling initiatives. Together, we can make a significant impact on reducing waste and building a more sustainable future for Flinders Island!

For more information, feel free to reach out at wastemanagement@flinders.tas.gov.au or 0456 730 174.

 

July 2024 Recycling & Waste Update

Facility Improvements and Operations

In July, our team continued essential waste management activities, including the routine carting of recyclables and waste from the Killiecrankie and Lady Barron Waste Transfer Stations to Whitemark. Significant improvements were made to the north face of the landfill, enhancing access, stability, and overall site safety. Unfortunately, contamination in several loads of hard waste from the Lady Barron Waste Transfer Station required sorting. Please remember to follow the signage provided. Wind-blown litter was collected around the Killiecrankie Waste Transfer Station, and improperly disposed car batteries were safely removed.

Recycling Successes

Our recycling programmes continue to thrive, thanks to the community's commitment. The Recycling Hub collected 16 kg of eligible products in July, bringing the total diverted from landfill to 196.45 kg since the hub’s launch. A total of 59.2 kg of household batteries have been diverted from landfill. While this may not seem like a large amount, it is significant, as batteries contain valuable yet hazardous materials that should never be landfilled. The drumMUSTER programme is also seeing increased participation, with 32 drums inspected in July.

Important Reminder: Safe Disposal of Hazardous Materials

We’re thrilled to see the community actively participating in recycling programmes such as drumMUSTER and battery disposal. However, we’d like to remind everyone of the importance of safe disposal practices for hazardous materials. Items such as chemicals, batteries, electronic items, and flares should never be placed in general waste. Doing so poses significant risks to our staff and the broader community. The following collection points are currently available:

• Household batteries — Walker’s IGA and the Whitemark Waste Facility office.
• Vehicle batteries — Whitemark Waste Facility.
• E-waste — Whitemark Waste Facility.
• Expired marine flares — Whitemark Waste Facility office.
• Fluorescent light tubes — Walker’s IGA and the Whitemark Waste Facility office.
• Motor oil (in a sealed container) — Whitemark Waste Facility.
• Triple-rinsed agricultural chemical containers — first Wednesday of each month at the Whitemark Waste Facility.

Unused or obsolete agricultural chemicals can be registered for collection through ChemClear (https://www.chemclear.org.au/).

To assist with the safe disposal of household chemicals, we’re organising a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event for next year. In the meantime, please follow these guidelines:

• Keep goods in their original containers if possible. If containers are leaking, use new containers, but never use food containers like soft drink bottles.
• Don’t mix chemicals when decanting a substance into a new storage container.
• Ensure all labels, including warning labels and manufacturer’s instructions, remain intact on the packaging.
• Store goods upright with lids secured tightly and keep them out of reach of young children.
• Keep all ignition sources, such as matches, well away from the storage area.
• Store in a cool, dry place.

If you’re ever in doubt about whether an item belongs in general waste, please don’t hesitate to get in touch (0456 730 174; wastemanagement@flinders.tas.gov.au).

Together, we can keep Flinders Island safe, clean, and sustainable. Thank you for your continued cooperation!

 

June 2024 Recycling & Waste Update

Facility Improvements and Operations:

We continued our routine waste management tasks, including carting recyclables and waste from Killiecrankie and Lady Barron Waste Transfer Stations to Whitemark. Substantial works were undertaken on the landfill cell to ensure waste is adequately covered. Drainage works were also carried out to enhance surface water management. The new woodchipper arrived and all works staff received training on safe and efficient operation from the supplier.

Hard Waste Area:

We acknowledge that the recent closure of the hard waste area is restricting access to valuable resources to many of our resourceful community members. We would like to assure the community that we are actively seeking ways to allow local resource recovery in a safe and efficient manner. Our goal is to develop a system that balances the need for safety with the benefits of salvaging reusable materials, ensuring that our waste management practices protect both the community and the environment.

Recycling Initiatives:

Our recycling efforts continue to thrive. In June we shipped off-island 970 litres of cooking oil, 500 litres of cooking fat, and 54 kg of household batteries. During the drumMUSTER collection day—held on the first Wednesday of each month—we inspected 28 drums. Farmers are encouraged to take part of this unique recycling initiative. The Community Recycling Hub collected 10.6 kg of eligible products in June, bringing the total diverted from landfill to 180 kg since its launch. We would like to highlight that cling wrap of any brand can now be recycled by dropping it off at office in the Whitemark Waste Facility.

Community Engagement:

Engaging with our community remains a top priority. During June the community was asked to give feedback on the opening hours of the Whitemark Waste Facility. The data will be collated and presented in the coming month. Our staff participated in a community meeting about the Community Worm Farm, where members are initiating a low-scale trial to find the best management practices. We also visited the Northern Glass Crushing Project to discuss operations and potential process improvements. A proposal for bulk used motor oil collection was presented to local mechanics, where our team would handle the logistics, and commercial operators would cover disposal costs.

Administrative Efforts:

In June, we held two Waste Committee Meetings where the draft Waste Acceptance Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the Community Waste Guide were discussed and refined. The Furneaux Recycling Modernisation Project was also discussed and progressed. Meetings with various stakeholders explored options for recycling bulk bags from Flinders Island, and a proposal for a large-scale scrap metal recycling project was submitted to Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE). Additionally, we participated in the technical committee meeting of Circular North, the regional waste group, focusing on Household Hazardous Waste Collections and increasing recycling options.

May 2024 Update

• Tuesday: 8:00 am to 10:00 am
• Wednesday: 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Waste Updates — March 2024

Facility Maintenance and Operations:

During March, our team has been busy maintaining and operating our waste facilities. We've been handling everything from moving waste and recyclables to managing the active tipping areas. Efforts were particularly directed towards the maintenance of our transfer station skip bins, which underwent thorough cleaning, sandblasting, and repainting. While most skip bins have been refurbished successfully, one awaits completion as it required additional structural repairs. We want to remind businesses that it's important to use the Whitemark Waste Facility whenever possible. This helps make sure there's enough space for residents to dispose of their household waste at the Lady Barron Waste Transfer Station.

Recycling Efforts:

March also marked a period of focus on recycling initiatives. We are proud to report progress in recycling aluminium, lead-acid batteries, cooking oil, and products collected through the Recycling Hub. In total, a remarkable 4,400 kilograms of recyclable materials were shipped off the island for recovery. These efforts showcase our commitment to promoting sustainable waste management practices and reducing our environmental footprint.

Administration:

In addition to our operational activities, March saw comprehensive explorations into management options for waste motor oil storage and transportation, refrigerant reclamation, and recycling solutions for our mixed hard waste stockpile. These investigations are ongoing as we strive to identify and implement effective solutions for managing our waste streams and stockpiles responsibly. Furthermore, our team diligently prepared two submissions for the High Priority Infrastructure Grant, focusing on upgrading motor oil collection points and procuring a vertical baler for bulk bag processing. Additionally, March's waste data was collated, interrogated, and reported to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE). These reporting efforts play a crucial role in informing decision-making processes and resource allocation, ensuring that our waste management practices remain transparent, efficient, and environmentally sound.

Waste Updates — January 2024

As we kick off the new year, our waste management team has been hard at work maintaining our facilities, sorting recyclables, and preparing aluminium bales and lead acid batteries for transport off-island. Behind the scenes, our team has been diligently fulfilling our waste data reporting obligations and reviewing community feedback from the proposed waste strategy. Additionally, we've been actively seeking out solutions for managing hazardous wastes to ensure compliance with regulations and promote environmental sustainability. Inspections of our facilities have provided valuable insights into areas where we can enhance our practices. We've identified gaps in our current processes and are working to address these challenges.

Appropriate disposal of hazardous waste materials is a priority for us. While we work on enhancing the current infrastructure and signage, please take note of the following information:

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Hazardous materials require special handling and disposal procedures to ensure the safety of our community and environment. The following materials may be disposed of at Whitemark Waste Facility, but please note that there are restrictions and specific disposal requirements. Please reach out to our waste management team for more details.
• Agricultural & veterinary chemical drums — empty & triple rinsed.
• Asbestos containing materials — by prior arrangement only.
• Clinical waste — by prior arrangement only.
• Cooking oil — within sealed containers.
• Expired marine flares.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Fluorescent tubes.
• Gas bottles — empty
• Household batteries (AA, AAA, button, 9v, etc) — both terminals taped.
• Lead acid batteries.
• Motor oil & oil filters — within sealed containers.
• Tyres — de-rimmed.

It is important to remember that these materials must never be disposed of in general or hard waste bins, stockpiles, or within the landfill. Failure to adhere to these disposal guidelines may pose risks to public health and the environment.

If you have hazardous materials that need to be disposed of, please reach out to our waste management team for advice and guidance on appropriate disposal methods.

Lady Barron Waste Transfer Station

This facility underwent a makeover, with resurfacing, gravel addition and the removal of stockpiled green waste, to improve traffic flow and operational activities. While we continue to enhance this facility, please note that currently only the following streams are accepted:
• General Waste
• Cardboard (flattened, please!)
• Glass
• Aluminium cans
• Scrap metal
• Green Waste

Disposal of motor oil and lead acid batteries is suspended until containment areas are implemented. Please note that mixed builders’ waste, white goods, tyres, and cooking oil are no longer accepted at this facility. However, these items can be disposed of at the Whitemark Waste Facility during its opening times:

Mon, Fri & Sun: 13:30–16:30
Tue & Thu: 07:00–10:00
Wed: 08:30–11:30