SWSA Programs
The Southern Waste Strategy Authority is involved in implementing a comprehensive strategy, developed over a period of time, with extensive consultation. The full range of programs and activities is described in our Business Plan, which is available on this website.
The sections below detail a number of tailored programs, developed to fulfil specific purposes.
Schools
2004 VISY RECYCLING CLEAN SCHOOLS CHALLENGE
FOCUS
The Southern Waste Strategy Authority's (SWSA) 2004 Visy Recycling Clean Schools Challenge draws on the success of previous years, but has been simplified to encourage greater participation.
The main focus for the Challenge in 2004 is to use auditing procedures within schools, to improve the understanding of the types and quantities of waste being generated. Audit forms and procedures are provided on this site. Schools will then develop their own ways to improve the recovery of resources, by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- Whole school Approach (must incorporate all of the following areas)
- Office Waste
- Canteen Waste
- Classroom Waste
- Playground waste
At specified times (between May and August), participating schools will submit audits of their designated waste stream(s) to SWSA. The results will be published so that each school can assess their progress against others in the competition. The Audits together with a simple accompanying questionnaire will form the basis for ascertaining the prize winners.
PRIZE CATEGORIES
- $3,000 for best improvement as a whole school, which must include office, canteen, classroom, and playground wastes
- $600 for best improvement in the office
- $600 for best improvement in the canteen
- $600 for best improvement in the classroom
- $600 for best improvement in the playground
- $600 for most innovative project (i.e. a novel way to reduce waste, which could be used as a model for other schools to adopt.)
TOTAL PRIZE POOL $6,000
SEED FUNDING
The SWSA offers seed funding to all participating schools, for the purposes of purchasing equipment, undertaking audits and improving on results over time. The seed funding will be available from May, up until the end of July, allowing schools ample preparation time, and will only be available as a one-off payment to each applying school
The following are examples of materials eligible for seed funding:
- Bins
- Collection equipment (i.e. gloves, tongs, garbage bags, etc)
- Shredders
- Compost Bins
Seed funding will not be provided for school/class excursions, or for any other purpose not directly related to the above.
The Authority reserves the right to fulfill funding requests as it sees fit. Funding requests must include specific details of the cost of each item (product name, unit price, unit quantity, etc) GST Inclusive.
The funding provided to schools in previous years of the Challenge, shall be taken into account.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Improvements in resource recovery will be measured in the following ways:
- Submission of (4) four waste audits to the SWSA in the format detailed on Authority's website. However, schools may modify this format to suit individual conditions. How to conduct a school waste audit
- Completion of questionnaires following 2nd, 3rd and final Audits (downloadable from Authority's website) Schools Challenge Questionnaire
- A case study, submitted electronically, in the same format as outlined on SWSA website, following the final audit. Case Study Form
- Inclusion of any relevant photos and other supporting material.
NB: RANDOM AUDITS MAY BE CONDUCTED BY THE SWSA TO VERIFY PROGRESS.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS MAY CONDUCT THEIR AUDITS AND SUBMIT RESULTS AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE, HOWEVER, FAILURE TO SUBMIT AN AUDIT BY THE NOMINATED DEADLINE, WILL RESULT IN A ZERO SCORE FOR THAT STAGE - NO EXCEPTIONS CHALLENGE REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to participate in the Challenge, schools must:
- Reside in the (62) telephone area (includes all of Glamorgan Spring Bay municipality).
- By Wednesday 5 May 2004 Complete the simple 2004 Clean Schools Challenge Registration Form (only one form to be returned from each school) and fax it back to SWSA.
- Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Friday 30 of July 2004 If applying for seed funding, develop your Visy Recycling Clean Schools Challenge seed funding proposal and return it to SWSA.
- By Friday 21 May 2004 Complete base line audit, indicating the prize division your school is entering, and send back to SWSA.
- By Wednesday 30 June 2004 Submit 2nd audit to SWSA (refer to Judging Criteria for the full list of requirements before submitting this and subsequent audits.).
- By Friday 30 July 2004 Submit 3rd audit to SWSA.
- By Monday 31 August 2004 Submit Final audit to SWSA
- Tuesday 28 September 2004
Winning schools will be announced at the Prize Giving, to be held at a venue to be advised. It is anticipated that each participating school will have a staff member/parent and 2-3 students present at this prize giving.
Community
In this sectionBusiness
This sectionThe SWSA's newly developed Non-municipal program is aimed at waste reduction in the commercial and industrial sectors (including building and demolition activities).
The Clean Business Challenge recognizes that there are important advantages to be gained by industry being seen to 'Do the Right Thing' in relation to the environment. The Challenge is a public recognition program aimed at providing a reward to businesses that practice responsible waste management. Qualifying businesses must be able to demonstrate their commitment to a recognised program of continuous improvement with respect to their waste management practices. A simple and flexible certification process has been developed, to include small and large businesses. Free promotion is provided to qualifying businesses by way of a certificate, and local advertising by the SWSA. If your business is already a responsible waste manager, check How do I Take up the Challenge? right away.
The Challenge is supported by comprehensive guidance on this website, to help you to develop a business waste management program. If your business is not yet ready for the Challenge, start the process today by visiting Why Develop a Program?. As part of its continuing non-municipal waste program, the SWSA also produces a range of waste management brochures and supports relevant seminars and conferences within Tasmania.
The Challenge is backed by six local businesses - large and small - who became its inaugural members:
- Australian Laser Charge, a small re-manufacturer of laser cartridges, has secured its own markets for shredded plastic components that can no longer be re-used.
- Cadbury Schweppes reduced its waste to landfill by one-third between 2001 and 2002, by introducing a comprehensive cardboard recycling program at its Claremont plant.
- Cascade Brewery has forced down its general rubbish disposal by Cleaner Production techniques by 65% over five years, whilst its production has increased by a third.
- Juicy Isle has a comprehensive reuse and recycling program, with colour-coded bins to assist in segregating waste throughout its manufacturing, packaging and office operations.
- Noske-Skog Boyer has a range of programs including a demolition reuse and recycling program that recovers 27% of its costs.
- The Body Shop, part of a world-wide cosmetics retail chain that is strongly committed to the environment, encourages customers to return empty containers to the store for refilling or recycling.
"We are challenging businesses to ask whether they are doing the right thing; we are challenging employees to make that bit of extra effort; and we are challenging the waste management industry to provide the services required."
Ald Jock Campbell Chairman, SWSA
A number of demonstration projects are planned, for example a Shopping Centre project. This will involve the SWSA, the Beverage Industry Environment Council (BIEC), centre management and waste/ recycling contractors. The aim will be to integrate techniques such as Public Place Recycling, source separation and the training of retailers, to provide a closed loop waste management solution.
A high public profile will be sought, to reward the participants and encourage others to follow the example. The projects will also provide detailed case studies that are directly relevant to Southern Tasmania's high priority industry sectors.
The SWSA sponsors the annual Clean Business Award (formerly known as the Waste Management in the Workplace Award), as part of the Tasmanian Awards for Environmental Excellence. These awards are in turn, aligned with the national Banksia Awards.
The Award aims to encourage and promote improved solid waste management practices in the workplace. Eligible businesses include Tasmanian private and public sector, profit and non-profit enterprises involved in primary production, manufacturing, utilities, wholesale/ retail, hospitality, finance, property, public administration, and community services.
Participants will have implemented a waste management improvement program that has resulted in demonstrated improvement(s) with respect to the reduction of solid waste produced by their workplace activities.
Past winners of the SWSA Clean Business Award have been:
- 2002 The Cascade Brewery Ltd
- 2003 Australian Laser Charge
Further details should be sought from Tony Port at DPIWE on 6233 2066.