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We are proud to have been part of the NAIDOC Week celebrations held at our Eastern Creek site recently.
Cleanaway Operation Manager Westley Trist’s aunt, Aunty Cino Morrison of the Murrawarri people began the occasion with an Acknowledgement to Country. Her eight nieces, great nieces and granddaughters then joined her for the national anthem sang in traditional Darug language.
The kids had an opportunity to teach some of the Cleanaway staff how to sing “Head, shoulders, knees and toes” in traditional Darug language. They then pulled people from the crowd to participate and teach a traditional emu dance where dancers mimicked a hunter stealing an emu egg from a nest, (but never any more than one egg) in order to preserve a future for the next generation.
Finally, a group hand painting was done in honour of this year’s NAIDOC Week theme.
“Given this years NAIDOC theme “Voice, Treaty, Truth” the group hand painting was not only fun and colourful but also represented a togetherness in which meaningful and constructive conversations can be fostered. It was awesome to see everyone take part in the celebrations in a true inclusive fashion. A great time was had by all.” said Westley Trist.
Contact us to learn more about how we make a sustainable future possible for communities across Australia.
We’re proud to announce that following the completion of our ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Reconciliation Australia have endorsed the next stage in our journey, our ‘Innovate’ RAP. Our ‘Reflect’ RAP was our introduction to reconciliation and through that process we have built stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to increase respect, understanding and meaningful collaboration. We will continue this into our second RAP.
One of the key outcomes from our ‘Reflect’ RAP was learning what does and doesn’t work for Cleanaway to ensure we’re effective in the engagement process. As part of the ‘Innovate’ RAP we’re identifying activities that are the best fit for our business, making them more achievable and enduring.
Cleanaway Executive GM HR, Johanna Birgersson gave an insight into our approach, “For Cleanaway, reconciliation is about creating a level playing field for all employees while working with communities in a way that enables economic independence, whilst caring for country.
“We have built the foundations by educating our staff about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared national identity. We know that diversity makes us stronger as a business and we’ll continue to nurture a more culturally diverse community of employees, partners, customers and suppliers.”
It is an exciting time to move to this next stage in reconciliation as we continue to integrate the progressive work of Toxfree. Toxfree was committed to closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the communities where we work and similarly had worked through a RAP. They have made great progress in local communities working with customers who care and expect the same.
Cleanaway CEO and Managing Director, Vik Bansal, explained, “we remain committed to reinforcing and extending our partnerships with Traditional Owner groups, through joint ventures focused on a common goal of providing sustainable opportunities for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
Reconciliation Australia have provided support and guided us through the framework to develop measurable targets and activities that ensure we have a clear pathway to be successful. In her endorsement of our ‘Innovate’ RAP, Karen Mundine said, “We wish Cleanaway well as it embeds and expands its own unique approach to reconciliation. We encourage Cleanaway to embrace this journey with open hearts and minds, to grow from the challenges, and to build on its successes.”
Our commitment to closing the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is one of the ways we’re delivering on our mission to make a sustainable future possible. We’re excited to be launching our ‘Innovate’ RAP to our customers, stakeholders and the wider community, and we look forward to communicating about key milestones along the journey.
Click here to read Cleanaway’s ‘Innovate’ RAP (2018-2020).
Cleanaway has marked a turning point in the company’s history, as it welcomes the first of two fully electric collections vehicles which form part of a three-month trial.
CEO and Managing Director, Vik Bansal said “this is an exciting step forward for our business as we continue to work toward our mission of making a sustainable future possible. With almost 5,000 vehicles on the road each day servicing homes and businesses all over Australia, we are looking for ways to do that more sustainably.”
Despite excitement about the first of a new generation of waste collection vehicles, the ability to deliver a consistent and reliable service remains a core focus.
“It’s important that we continue to deliver a consistent service each day to the households and businesses who rely on us. Sustainability is about more than removing emissions at all costs. If service levels drop or waste collection costs increase significantly for ratepayers – that isn’t sustainable.” Bansal said.
The two fully operational vehicles are among the first in Australia to be servicing kerbside collections, which means they’ll be under pressure to carry full loads and complete scheduled runs every day. “Cleanaway is optimistic about proving the reliability of the technology” said Paul Young, Cleanaway’s Head of Fleet. “The trial is designed to encourage fast learning so that the electric vehicles can continue operating once the trial has ended, allowing Cleanaway to introduce more electric and combination fuel vehicles to the permanent fleet.”
With zero emissions, the vehicles are expected to run for 180-200 kilometres before needing to recharge. The brakes also regenerate – reducing repair and maintenance costs, and the consumption of other parts like brake pads.
The vehicles will also significantly reduce noise which makes early morning or late-night collections possible for some waste streams, such as green waste, which could reduce the impact for other road users in highly congested areas.
The first vehicle began servicing household collections in Hobsons Bay early this morning. City of Greater Geelong and Moonee Valley will also host the vehicle during the trial to ensure it is tested across a variety of terrain and in different municipal settings.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay Councillor Jonathon Marsden said the trial of the electric waste vehicle is exciting for Hobsons Bay and will complement the great work already happening in the sustainable transport realm.
“Council is a proud leader in supporting low emissions vehicles,” said Mr Marsden.
“We were part of a hydrogen fuel cell electric car trial with Toyota and now join this trial of an electric waste collection vehicle with Cleanaway.
“These initiatives support our key priorities in the Hobsons Bay 2030 Community Vision of exploring sustainable practices and growth through innovation, technology, job creation and education. It’s also a step in the right direction of Council’s draft Waste and Litter Management Strategy 2025 to trial alternative fuels in the waste, recycling and litter collection fleet.”
These vehicles are not yet in mass production but were commissioned by Cleanaway in conjunction with SEA Electric and Superior Pak. These vehicles have been assembled in Bundaberg, with the first arriving in Melbourne earlier this month for commissioning, training and testing before today’s first run.
Contact us to learn more about how we’re making a sustainable future possible for communities across Australia.
Cleanaway’s recent DIY beeswax wrap stall at University of Technology Sydney attracted almost 100 participants, demonstrating a simple and fun alternative to single-use plastic packaging.
Our NSW Education team members Rebecca Evered, Evelyn Hwang and Jess Arundell came armed with beeswax beads, pieces of cotton fabric, rolls of baking paper and irons to demonstrate just how easy it is to create reusable beeswax wraps.
“Beeswax wraps are a great alternative to plastic shrink wraps,” explained Education Manager Rebecca Evered. “Besides covering leftover food, they can also be used as a sandwich wrap for eating on-the-go, as a snack pocket and even for wrapping bouquets of flowers.”
UTS were delighted with the successful engagement event, commending the team on how well-organised the stand was and the high level of positive response from participants. In particular they were pleased with how easy it was to engage with for both staff and students, international students and participants with English as a second language. Seb Crawford from UTS said, “The stall provided lots of opportunities for conversation about broader sustainability around waste and consumer choice.”
Sustainable beeswax wraps in all its reusable glory
Jess showing how beeswax wraps can be made using only fabric and beeswax beads
Evelyn demonstrating how quick swipes of a hot iron can help set melted beeswax unto the fabric
UTS students having a go at making their own beeswax wrap
Reusable bottles and lunch boxes also make good alternatives to single-use plastic
The team also had other single-use plastic alternatives on hand and tips on how to manage waste in our daily lives.
Our Tullamarine depot recently organised a donation drive to help our Mechanic Leading Hand Michael Fereday’s daughter, Mackenzie, raise raise funds for charity.
“When she was younger, Mackenzie had a friend who had leukaemia and he passed away at the age of three,” said Mel, her mother. “Mackenzie was four at the time. Her friend lost all his hair and that’s how she remembers him, so that really affected her.”
Mackenzie decided to donate her hair to make wigs for those who have lost their hair due to a medical condition, through Variety’s Hair with Heart initiative. The money raised goes directly back into its programs, helping kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs.
“I may only be eight but I want to make a difference. So just before my ninth birthday on 5 April, I am going to cut my hair and donate it to kids in need. I’ve been growing my hair since I was six and only had a little trim since.”
Wigs cost families up to $6,000, lasting 1-2 years, meaning families can spend tens of thousands of dollars on the purchase of wigs throughout a child’s youth.
By making a donation to Variety, you can help provide a wig or other vital equipment to a child in need. Thank you for helping kids in need.” said Mackenzie in her appeal for donations.
On her big day last week, the Tullamarine team hosted a morning tea where Mackenzie’s braids were cropped off while Cleanaway staff raised funds through a donation drive and raffle.
Mackenzie showing off her freshly cropped locks with her proud parents, Mel and Michael.
Altogether, $2,300 was collected – $1,300 on that day and $1,000 through online donations, many times more than the projected goal of $500. All funds were donated to Mackenzie’s Hair with Heart initiative.
Well done Mackenzie. What an inspiration for charity and sustainability!
Contact us to learn more about how we make a sustainable future possible for communities across Australia.
Cecil Hills Primary School recently collected bottles and cans to raise money for their support unit class to go on valuable life skills excursions. NSW’s Return and Earn container deposit scheme was the perfect fundraising initiative to engage students in a sustainability activity, while doing something for their peers.
The container drive raised several thousand dollars with students participating enthusiastically – including competing for a party for the class that brought in the most containers. Teachers filled a whole trailer with containers before bringing it to their local Cleanaway Automated Depot for processing and payment.
“We chose to fundraise using the container drive as there are so many associated learning benefits for the students. Understanding the environment benefits of reducing litter, recycling and making money to aid our school community is brilliant. The life skills students learn through the program are also invaluable,” said Paul Matten, Deputy Principal of Cecil Hills Primary School.
The school’s support unit students were then invited to visit Cleanaway’s Eastern Creek Container Sorting Facility. They received a special lesson delivered by Cleanaway’s Education Team and toured the New South Wales hub of the container deposit scheme. Following the program’s success, the school will now be fundraising using Return and Earn for the whole of Term 4.
Contact us to find out more about how we support communities across Australia to make a sustainable future possible.
In November 2017, Cleanaway launched our Carbon Fund – a national grants program to support communities in implementing carbon reduction solutions.
Overseen by Cleanaway Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager Olga Ghiri, $35,500 from the fund was given to four schools surrounding the Melbourne Regional Landfill.
One year later, here are the carbon reduction initiatives they completed:
Creekside K-9 College, Caroline Springs
The school used the grant for their Be a Planeteer project and installed new solar panels as well as a new composting system. The bins system was also upgraded to improve waste sorting and reduce recycling contamination.
Students at Creekside K-9 College improved recycling rates by purchasing new bins
Kororoit Creek Primary School, Burnside Heights
For their Be Part of the Solution, Not Pollution project, the school brought in new recycling bins and set up a new composting system to support the newly introduced Garden Club. Students also cultivated a new garden of vegetables and herbs in the school yard and proudly sell their produce at a weekly stall.
Students at Kororoit Creek Primary School with their Garden Club
Lakeview Senior College, Caroline Springs
The school used the funds for their with their Lakeview Waste Minimisation Project. The school successfully improved recycling rates of plastics, glass and aluminium streams through an improved bin system and other waste reduction initiatives such as new signage and educational materials to improve waste behaviours in the school community.
Parkwood Green Primary School, Hillside
Within a year, the school constructed their own Breathe Easy Recycle Centre, a recycling enclosure where paper and plastic materials are brought to be sorted. A new concrete slab was laid to support the new enclosure and new bins were purchased for each classroom. The school also established a green team of students as sustainability leaders.
Cleanaway works closely with schools and communities to provide educational programs for better waste management and sustainability habits. Contact us to get started on a sustainable future.
Every Tuesday, three year old Nate wakes up at 5.30am and rushes out to watch the Cleanaway waste trucks empty the bins along the street.
For Clean Up Australia Day. Nate joined his mother, Cleanaway’s Sheree Giffin, for a clean up with our Malaga team. Little did he know that he was to be rewarded with a truck ride along! Here he is pictured with our WA team wearing his Cleanaway shirt.
Nate and the team set out to clean up Lesmurdie Falls National Park which was relatively clean but still found plenty of cigarette butts, glass, beverage cans and balloons.
At the end of the clean up, one of the WA team members arranged for little Nate’s ride along in a front-lift truck.
Nate was thrilled to have an up close and personal view of the waste truck he loves so much. He even had a go at the driver’s seat ! “To say he was excited would be an understatement!” Sheree said. “He was so intrigued and loved every second of it – the smile on his face was so heartwarming! We really do have a great team here!”
Visit our Sustainable Future Hub here for more stories about how we make a sustainable future possible for communities across Australia.
Cleanaway teams from across Australia recently took to our local streets, parks and waterways for Clean Up Australia 2019. For Cleanaway, it was the perfect opportunity to engage businesses and communities with the sustainability message and inspire action for a sustainable future.
BridgeClimb for Clean Up Sydney Harbour’s 30th Anniversary
This year marks Clean Up Sydney Harbour’s 30th anniversary, the event that sparked Clean Up Australia. To celebrate the milestone there were a number of significant events around the harbour including, a Clean Up Australia bridge climb! NSW Senior Education Officer, Blessing Uwagboe along with other Clean Up Australia sponsors and ambassadors climbed one half of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to its highest point. After the climb was a clean up of the harbour where 50 bags of rubbish were removed.
Rutherford, NSW
The Cleanaway team spent two hours cleaning up the area outside the Rutherford Waste Oil Collection facility. After two hours, an ute-load of litter was collected and separated according to glass, recyclable and non-recyclable waste. Larger items, like a mattress, were picked up by the Maitland council.
Malaga, WA
A 15-member Cleanaway team (and their kids!) set out to clean up a site at Lesmurdie Falls National Park. The team found the park to be relatively clean but still found plenty of cigarette butts, glass, energy drink cans and balloons.
West Footscray, Victoria
Our Liquids Sales team in Victoria visited an industrial area in West Footscray that benefitted from a clean up. Cigarette butts were the most common litter item picked up, making up about 70-80% of all items collected. Other strange litter items were also dicovered, including a plait of hair and an unopened bag of ham hocks.
St Kilda, Victoria
Cleanaway Head Office and the Vic Sales team joined forces to clean up along St Kilda beach. Cigarette butts and bottle tops were the main litter items found, making up an estimated 60% and 30% of all rubbish. The most unusual items collected were a Barbie shoe, a power adaptor, a big steak knife and one team member even found $20! In total the group collected 5 1/2 full bags of waste and two bags of recycling. The City Of Port Phillip collected the day’s litter haul for disposal and recycling.
New Farm Park, Queensland
Joined by teams from Brisbane’s CitySmart and Brisbane City Council (BCC), 60 Cleanaway team members spent the day cleaning up the park area. Also in attendance for the second year in a row was Dudley the dog, proudly wearing his Cleanaway blues and mini wheelie bins. Councillor Vicki Howard welcomed everyone to the event and at the end of the clean up the local soccer club treated the volunteers to a BBQ.
Eastern Creek, NSW
The Eastern Creek Cleanaway and TOMRA Cleanaway team members pooled their time and resources for a clean up session around the Eastern Creek and Blacktown areas. By the end 15 bags of rubbish were collected with 60% of waste collected being plastic, bottle lids and drink labels. Other notable items picked up included a flare, some gas bottles, cigarette butts, and plastic bags. Eligible drink containers were returned to nearby CDS Reverse Vending Machines, with proceeds donated to Clean Up Australia.
Homebush, NSW
Our Homebush Sales and Operations team members partnered with the Sydney Olympic Park Authority to clean up wetlands and swamp grounds in the area.
Visit our Clean Up Hub for more tips, tricks and resources on how you can make Clean Up a part of your everyday life. Contact us to learn more about how we make a sustainable future possible for communities across Australia.
The Cleanaway team led by Human Resources EGM, Joh Birgersson recently visited Townsville, which was inundated by flood waters in February. Cleanaway made a donation to support the affected areas through GIVIT’s Queensland Floods Appeal.
Together with Chris Ashton (Solid Waste Regional Manager), the team made several stops in the city, including Garbutt’s Community Gro. During the floods, Garbutt experienced knee-height water, with many families affected – particularly by the rising damp following the floods. Part of Cleanaway’s donation was used by Community Gro to provide fridges, a mattress, clothing and gift vouchers to families affected by the floods.
Cleanaway team members and their families who were affected by the floods were also supported with supplies and donations.
Cleanaway operates Solids and Liquids sites in Townsville, Burdekin and Bowen, and is a long-standing service provider to the region. Following the floods, Cleanaway teams deployed bins, vehicles, labour and other related services to assist with the clean-up efforts.
Earlier in the month, eight 12 and 30 cubic metre bulk bins were deployed and placed in strategic locations, one of which was used by the Army to deliver aid to a remote site at Hervey Range that was completely cut off by the flood waters.
Contact us to learn more about how we make a sustainable future possible for communities across Australia.
