Alternative technology a waste?

Waverley Council is investigating a tender for Alternative Waste Technology, designed to help manage leftover recyclables.

The system involves a waste and resource recovery operation, representing an alternative method of disposing waste at dry landfills. But the move has divided Council, with Labor Councillor Ingrid Strewe opposed to the technology.

“A couple years ago I asked the GM to arrange for councillors to visit some Alternative Waste Technology sites and in my opinion it was horrible,” Ms Strewe said. “Two were not really working and one was on fire.”

There are two kinds of MRF (materials recovery facilities) that can be an important part of a recycling facility: sorting tin from aluminium from paper and from plastic, and can also be part of the process for dealing with garbage.

The issue was discussed at length at a local Council meeting on October 16. Ms Strewe has asked that two councillors be designated to visit  Alternative Waste Technology sites to ensure Council is abreast of the situation.

“I want to be informed, I want to know what we’re doing to see if it’s functioning,” Ms Strewe said. “I have looked into the processes and I am quite disturbed by what I see and read, not just about the expense and problematic processes, but also about a contaminated end product.”