This virtual room has just completed the second of several virtual engagement events that will be held as we progress the Campbellfield proposal.
Virtual engagement event closed 19 February 2021.
You can still visit the room to learn more about the project, download factsheets, ask questions and register for future engagement events.
Inside you’ll find more information about Sims Resource Renewal and what we are hoping to achieve through the proposed Campbellfield resource renewal facility. You will also be able to explore the displays in this room to learn about our objectives so that you can provide feedback across a number of important areas, including:
· Facility building design – Initial facility building design concepts are now available, and we are seeking the community’s feedback and input.
· Environmental and planning assessment process – Review more detailed information about the proposal, our approach to environmental investigations and studies, and other key areas of focus in the works approval and planning permitting processes.
This room is the second of several virtual engagement events we are creating as we progress the proposal. You can register to be a part of future engagement events inside, or on our website
To help create a world without waste to preserve our planet we need to be able to recover more from the materials we recycle so we no longer need to send the material left over following metals recycling (ASR) to landfill. Instead we can use to create new, useful products.
In line with the waste hierarchy, the ASR we use has had all recoverable materials removed and recycled before it is used as feedstock for resource renewal.
For more about the waste hierarchy visit the EPA website.
We have selected a proven technology, called plasma gasification, which operates safely around the world. This technology heats the ASR and transforms it into a mixture of clean gases known as synthesis gas (syngas). A “glass like” product is also created. Importantly this technology does not burn ASR and does not produce the types of problematic emissions that some older forms of technology can create.
We will continually improve our technology by drawing on the latest innovations generated through our research and development. Our designs are based on European emissions standards which is the current global emissions benchmark.
Our aim is to deliver a leading circular business model that creates value for our business and society.
Shredded material, known as ASR, is what remains once recoverable materials are removed following the recycling of metal-based goods like cars, washing machines, and shopping trolleys. ASR is currently sent to landfill.ASR typically includes plastics, fabrics, insulation, foam, rubber and wood. Dirt, sand and stones may also be present in small amounts, because they were a part of the original source materials for cars and appliances before the initial recycling process.
The ASR that will be used as feedstock is what is left over once all of the recoverable materials have been used. ASR is currently treated as waste, and it is disposed in landfill.
The location chosen for our first resource renewal facility is next to our existing metal recycling operation at 1904 Hume Highway, Campbellfield, Victoria.
We have been operating a metal recycling facility in Campbellfield since the late 1960s. We are proud to be a member of the local community providing employment, economic development and recycling services.
The proposed facility will enable us to immediately reduce our environmental footprint by transforming the more than 60,000 tonnes of shredded material left over following our metals recycling process and taken to Victorian landfills every year, known as ASR, into new, useful products.
Our proposal enables us to take responsibility for our own waste now, so it is not left for future generations to manage.
In addition to immediately stopping 60,000 tonnes of shredded material going to landfill every year in Victoria, we will reduce trucking distance travelled on Victorian roads.
We will also generate employment and industry development opportunities through the creation of about 100 jobs during construction and 20 during operations, and a focus on local procurement.
Importantly our research and development will help position the facility globally as a leading centre of excellence on circular economy initiatives.
The facility will help us advance towards our goal of carbon neutrality as we will optimise the design of our technology to produce a cleaner form of electricity than currently available through the grid to power our own resource renewal facility and neighbouring metals recycling operation. We will also lower the distances our trucks need to travel because we will no longer need to take ASR to landfill - which will further reduce our carbon emissions.
As we improve the technology available to us, we will reduce our carbon footprint further because we will be able to capture the carbon present in the ASR to create new products, including recycled plastics.
Sims must undergo robust environmental and planning assessment processes for the proposed resource renewal facility.
We must secure a works approval from the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA). We must also secure a planning permit. Recent changes to the responsible authority for planning permit applications for some energy generation and storage facilities mean we are engaging with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Hume City Council to clarify the process we must now follow and will update stakeholders and the community as soon as this is confirmed.
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About the environmental and planning assessment process
We are now working to progress engineering design, environmental studies, and environmental and planning assessment processes. Community engagement will be a fundamental part of these processes.
As part of environmental and planning assessment processes we are conducting a range of environmental studies and assessments.
This will help Sims Resource Renewal, the community and stakeholders understand how our proposal fits within Campbellfield, as well as how to deliver the best environmental and planning outcomes for the area.
About the assessment 'buffer zone'
The geographic area being assessed initially as part of environmental assessments is approximately a 2 km radius around the location for our proposed facility. This investigation area is informed by guidance provided within EPA Publication 1518 (Recommended Separation Distances for Industrial Residual Air Emissions) as well as our various specialist studies.
As we progress our environmental studies we will test to confirm this area is adequate.We are asking you as members of the local community if you have any particular points of interest within this 2 km zone you believe need to be considered as part of our assessments, as outlined in our interactive map.
Scroll through the tabs to the left to read about the following study and assessment areas:
We have created a number of options for you to provide your feedback at this early stage, including this interactive map, and the virtual engagement room. If you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to contact the team on info.rr@simsmm.com and 1800 570 530. You can also visit our website to find out more about ways to get involved.
We are assessing the anticipated changes in traffic volumes that would result from the Proposal during both the construction and operation phases.
Why?The traffic study enables us to understand the anticipated changes to traffic flows as a result of the proposed development. Once changes are understood we are able to identify management actions that can be taken to address any potential changes to traffic network capacity (including intersections), and parking requirements.
We are assessing the potential noise effects that may occur on the area surrounding the proposed facility by modelling potential noise emissions during construction and operations. As part of the modelling process we are considering existing noise conditions around the location of the proposed facility and topographic and other factors that may influence noise levels.
Why?This assessment will help us understand how to design the proposed facility and select appropriate equipment and control measures to minimise any changes to existing noise conditions in the area.
We are developing an assessment of any fire risks that could potentially be created by the proposed facility. This includes a risk assessment of causes of fire as a result of operational procedures, and management of these risks.
Why?The assessment is being undertaken to ensure that any potential risk of fire at the proposed facility is fully understood, and that appropriate designs and management measures are developed and implemented during design, construction and operation to address this potential risk and protect the safety of employees, the community and the environment at all times.
Visit the virtual engagement room to learn more about the safety record at our existing Campbellfield operation.
We are assessing the potential air emissions from the facility through detailed modelling and the incorporation of existing data captured through our feasibility trial and recent commercial demonstration. This will assist us in understanding and managing any potential changes to air quality that could arise from the proposed facility and ensure there are no resulting human health impacts. We are using the latest plasma gasification technology to limit the emissions produced through the resource renewal process and we will ensure we comply with the required EPA standards as contained in the State Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality Management) and EU Directive requirements.
Why?The outcomes of these assessments will be used to inform the design of the facility, and refine operational processes and the emissions control system. This will be important in demonstrating that our technology can operate safely and achieve the most stringent emission requirements
The greenhouse gas assessment involves calculating the total CO2 emissions that would occur from all activities associated with the construction and operation of the proposed facility so we can ¬-understand its potential carbon footprint.
Why?We are undertaking this assessment to ensure we minimise greenhouse gas emissions to the extent possible in line with Sims Limited’s aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2042 and net zero by 2050. This assessment will inform the design and operation of the proposed facility to maximise energy efficiency and seek lower CO2 emissions options.
We are assessing historical land use, existing soil conditions and potential for surface water runoff to ensure there are no impacts to the local environment, such as watercourses, as a result of our proposed development. We also want to ensure we understand any historical land use that occurred previously at our site, and any changes this may have created in the local environment, so we can also consider this in our assessment processes.
Why?It is important that we understand the existing condition of the site due to historical industrial land use which may affect the construction and operation of our facility. We also need to ensure that land, groundwater and surface water surrounding the site are protected from any impacts from the operation of the resource renewal facility.
We are assessing the waste material (ASR) that is processed at the proposed facility including anticipated volumes, storage, and handling. We are also assessing the minimal waste that may be created through the proposed facility and how this would be managed.
Why?We need to ensure that any waste material (ASR) processed on site is managed to the highest environmental standards. We also need to ensure that any residual waste proposed by the resource renewal process is handled and disposed of according to the highest standards. We are committed to achieving our purpose; create a world without waste to preserve our planet, and our proposed facility will operate on this basis and minimise waste to the extent possible.
We are assessing the proposed design of the facility and plant, and modelling the potential changes the proposal would have on the existing visual landscape in the area. We are also conducting a broader engagement process with the local community to seek their input into facility building design.
Why?This assessment, together with input from the surrounding community into facility building design, will assist in refining the design to ensure that the appearance of the facility complements, and where possible, enhances the local visual amenity.
Understanding local community values is an important part of the design process and we are keen to understand more about your views and ideas. We are currently seeking feedback based on a number of key design elements.
Visit the facility building design section of this room to see our initial facility designs and get involved.
We will generate employment and industry development opportunities through the creation of about 100 jobs during construction and 20 during operations. There is also a focus on local procurement. We are still in the early stages of the process, for further information please register here.