The NIRW programs have been developed for 2006/2009 that align with the State Waste Avoidance Strategy and are prioritised according to the needs and objectives of the Member Councils, they are:

Chemical Clean Out Campaign

The most successful waste diversion program for NIRW will continue in 2008 throughout the region.

Waste > Art & Design Competition

This unique art competition and exhibition is open to all residents in participating Council areas. It will celebrate the reuse and recycling of waste in our community through art, sculpture and graphic design.

Green Waste

NIRW undertakes tendering of its green waste processing requirements for Member Councils for a contract period of 2 years. Concurrently, NIRW also encourages member councils to increase the amount of green waste processing in their local government area.

Used Oil Program

Implementation of a regional program for the recovery and recycling of used oil and used oil filters.

Second Hand Saturday

The Large Garage Sale in the New England & North West. Second Hand Saturday acts as a huge garage sale for the sale of appropriate goods between residents. Not only does Second Hand Saturday help to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, it also enables residents to participate in the promotion of reuse, on the key strategic areas for NIRW.

Reuse Directory & Network

Based on a similar program developed by North East Waste Forum (NEWF), the Reuse Directory and Network will promote reuse as an alternative shopping option to buying goods in the region made available via the NIRW website.

Waste Education Trailer

Funding was received from the Environmental Trust for the construction of the Waste Education Trailer. This is a valuable resource for the region.  Please contact the NIRW Program Coordinator to book the trailer for your next school or community event.

School Education Kit

A kit was developed for approx. 180 schools in the region to incorporate NIRW programs into their curriculum. The kit included programs such as Waste > Art & Design, Litter Free Lunch, Waste Watchers, Mobile Waste Education Trailer, Easy Guides, A - Z Waste and "Reel" Waste. The 2006/2009 makes provision for the review and updating of this kit.

drumMUSTER

NIRW will continue to work closely with drumMUSTER to promote the campaign in an effort to increase the number of drums collected in the region. Visit the drumMuster website for more information.

Metal Waste Recycling

Increase the amount of metal diverted from landfills throughout the region.

Construction & Demolition Recycling

Regional promotion of the benefits of C & D Recycling.

Commercial & Industrial Recycling

Conduct waste audit of C & I to obtain composition, volumes & source in typical small & large NIRW Member Council centres.

Sustainable On Farm Waste Management

This program incorporates program components such as metal recycling, waste disposal, remediation of gully erosion, fencing, seeding & tree planting and guidelines for an on farm waste disposal. Partnerships with the State Government will hopefully be developed in the rollout of this program.

On Farm Plastics Recycling

NIRW's current waste database includes basic information on the waste streams & services controlled by the Member Councils. The detailed mapping of plastic waste streams throughout the region will take the waste database program to the next level where it is proposed to use the database information to plan & develop integrated solutions for the region’s plastic waste.

Organic Waste Stream Mapping

An Organic Waste Stream Mapping exercise has been undertaken for the NIRW region with reports being provided to NIRW. A synopsis of the reports containing information on the Organic Waste Stream data is available for industry wishing to establish organic processing facilities within the region. Download the Business Attraction Folio for Organic Waste Industry Development PDF file.

Public Place Recycling

As part of the 2006/2009 strategy, a regional events calendar will be collated to identify local events where public place recycling could be conducted. Up to 5 specific events each year will be selected from the events calendar & targeted for public place recycling programs.

Regional Litter Strategy

A further extension to the regional litter strategy will be an investigation into the potential to expand the scope of the existing strategy to include the principles of Adopt-A-Road program & involve regional communities in assisting in litter prevention across the region. This will involve a trial on rural & regional roads within the region.

Earthworks Workshops

Earthworks Workshops is a community program designed to give target groups, eg. residents in Aged Care Hostels & Aboriginal Communities, practical knowledge & skills on a variety of environmental initiatives to undertake at home & in the community. The workshops would include sessions on composting, worm farming & no dig garden.

E-Waste (Recycle IT!)

E-Waste represents the electronic waste stream and includes items such as computers and peripherals, televisions, stereos and microwaves. Armidale Dumaresq Council are currently in the process of establishing an e-waste processing facility. It is envisaged that this facility will be able to service the NIRW Member Council area in processing their e-waste.

Regional Education Program

The Regional Education Program will comprise a regional media campaign encompassing programs that have been developed & conducted by NIRW. The aim is to promote the group of NIRW throughout the region & gain further community support for the range of programs provided by member Councils.

Environmental Youth Forum

NIRW will conduct a youth forum to look at & raise environmental awareness by engaging the regional schools. Discussion focus will look at addressing syllabus requirements & general community issues about achieving a sustainable future.

Illegal Dumping Strategy

NIRW will be addressing the regional issue of illegal dumping. Virtually all Member Councils are seeking to improve management of rural landfills through supervision & restricted access. With cost for waste disposal increasing & historic service levels changing, Councils are being faced with the challenge of managing the reactionary response of illegal dumping.

Reuse Centres

NIRW will conduct a case study of Reuse Centres within the region and develop a model for the region. The aim is to implement Reuse Centres within the major landfills by June 2007.

Model - Rural Waste Disposal Facility

Increased pressures to better manage small rural landfills has resulted in many varying initiatives being undertaken to provide ongoing waste disposal options for small or isolated rural communities. NIRW proposes to collate the data & experiences from Member Councils to identify best practice options for continued service delivery & sustainable environmental management of waste in a small rural community.