In the face of COVID-19, never has there been a more important time for Australian manufacturers and high-energy users to implement lower cost alternative energy-from-waste solutions.
With the Victorian Government being the latest state to announce an increased waste levy as part of its long-awaited Circular Economy policy, ‘Recycling Victoria,’ businesses now have even more incentive to investigate the potential of energy-from-waste for heat and electricity.
CEO of ResourceCo Energy, Henry Anning, says increased waste levies help deliver an even lower energy cost solution for manufacturing businesses.
Victoria’s new landfill levy is set to almost double from $65.90 to $125.90 over three years, and follows an agreement reached between all states and territories, to work towards a national harmonisation of waste levies to further reduce and recycle waste.
The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia Chief Executive, Gayle Sloan, says the structural changes occurring to the waste and resource recovery industry provide a fantastic opportunity for manufacturing businesses to look for and introduce new energy solutions.
“Using residual waste material for energy is a proven and successful solution across Europe and the UK,” Ms Sloan says.
Mr Anning says Australian businesses have significant opportunity to reduce long-term energy costs, risk and emissions by turning to alternative fuels.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturers are revisiting their future long-term business planning looking for new solutions – so now is the right time to consider using alternative fuels,” he says.
“RescourceCo Energy can help manufacturers set-up the infrastructure and technology to utilise heat and electricity from recovered fuel from waste.
“It’s about having a unique solution to the requirement for heat in manufacturing, and providing businesses with an over 90 per cent renewable heat source as an alternative to gas, coal or electricity.
“We manufacture process engineered fuel (PEF) from commercial and industrial (C&I), and certain construction and demolition (C&D) materials. These are primarily waste timber materials and also include non-recyclable plastics, cardboard, paper and textiles.”
It’s a successful formula which has been in place across Europe for more than two decades, delivering improved environmental outcomes by reducing greenhouse gas production.
Major Australian manufacturing businesses Australian Paper and Orora have realised the opportunity energy-from-waste presents and are progressing with their own projects.
“ResourceCo Energy can partner with large energy users to install alternative energy infrastructure within their operations to provide lower cost, renewable heat or electricity. We fund, build, own and operate the energy plants, taking this risk and capital cost away from the user.
“Our approach is about cementing long-term agreements and providing options to manufacturers. Should the energy user wish to own the energy plant, they can also just source the fuel from us.
“The energy-from-waste sector can play a significant role in delivering lower cost alternative energy solutions across Australia as our economy seeks to rebuild post COVID-19.”
This partner content is brought to you by ResourceCo. For more information on the solutions ResourceCo offers, head to www.resourceco.com.au or contact Henry Anning at henry.anning@resourceco.com.au.
