Keeping Sydney Clean and Green Through Effective Waste Management and Industrial Cleaning

Like all big cities, Sydney has its fair share ofFinally there's the pressing matter of e waste
environmental problems. In particular dealing with(electronic waste). A major new challenge in recent
waste management, industrial cleaning and e wasteyears has been dealing with the safe and effective
are all presenting the city with enormous challenges.disposal of electronic devices such as computers,
Sydney's rapidly spreading conurbation is likely toprinters and televisions.
result in a megacity sometime this century with allThis kind of waste is growing at three times the rate
the attendant environmental problems that involves.of other waste and has two important
Here's how the city's environment firms and agenciescharacteristics. Firstly, it contains valuable resources
are handling these problems of waste and pollution inthat are wasted when they end up in landfill. For
Sydney.example, e waste can contain significant levels of
Waste management in Australia is at the heart ofprecious metals such as gold and platinum which can
environmental protection and is one particular areabe extracted and recycled.
where Sydney is highly proactive. The use of theSecondly e waste harbours materials that require
word management rather than disposal identifies thatspecial handling including toxic heavy metals such as
it's no longer just a matter of throwing away waste.mercury along other poisonous items like
Modern waste is too complex for such a simplecyanide-containing veneers and asbestos. Disposing of
solution. Waste management comprises a system ofthese in traditional landfills can result in serious
activities that includes waste collection, recycling anddangers to both the environment and local residents.
disposal, hazardous waste management, emergencyOther types of e waste which can be effectively
response, laboratory services, asbestos removal andrecycled are used printer cartridges. Instead of
re-insulation. In a nutshell, waste management can beclogging up landfills with plastic, cartridges can be
defined as a system to safely remove wasterefurbished, refilled and sold. Mobile phones too can
products to recycle as much as possible and cause asbe efficiently refurbished instead of just being
little impact on the environment as possible.dumped.
One major trend is the involvement of specializedAt the time of writing, Australia has yet to enact
firms in the provision of complete solutions forlaws on the disposal of e waste meaning it's up to
industrial waste. These firms are at the vanguard ofprivate firms and local governments to take
environmental protection by offering a completeresponsibility for this matter. Fortunately for waste
waste management solution for industrial clients.recycling Sydney, the response has been very
Industrial cleaning is another area in which specializedstrong. Both public and private agencies have been
firms are working for the benefit of the environment.very active in dealing with e waste recently. For
One thing these companies are doing is providingexample, the City of Sydney launched its E-waste
on-site personnel who are experts in such key areasrecycling collections for residents in November 2008.
as high pressure water jetting, vacuum loading, tankThis has resulted in 43.57 tonnes of electronic waste
cleaning, drain and sewer cleaning, sludgebeing recycled.
management, catalyst handling, and asbestosMeanwhile the leading environmental solutions firm
removal.Veolia Environmental Services in partnership with Sims
In short, environmental services Sydney handle everyE-Recycling launched Australia's first national e-waste
aspect of industrial plant and industrial equipmentrecycling program in 2005. During the period
cleaning. As each site has specific industrial cleaning2007-2008, Veolia was involved in the recovery of
challenges, these firms tailor-make every solutionclose to 7 million kilograms of e-waste in Australia.
including which solvents or specialised industrialEffective environmental management requires
cleaning equipment are used.concerted action on the parts of both national and
By taking advantage of one source facilitieslocal governments as well as the private sector.
management, clients can get all their industrial cleaningSydney is fortunate to benefit from both in its
done by one expert company leading to gains inefforts to surmount the challenges of becoming a
synergy and coordination. The result is industrial sitesclean and green metropolis for the benefit of its
running at optimum capacity with limited downtime asresidents.
well as environmental friendliness.