The Waste management essentials for urban developments: Mixed-use, multi-unit and medium to high density residential developments guide provides practical guidance for anyone involved in planning, designing and implementing waste management systems in higher density residential and mixed-use developments across South Australia.
Replacing the 2014 Better Practice Guide for Waste Management in Residential & Mixed Use Developments, the updated guide reflects significant changes to the waste and recycling industry, South Australia's planning and regulatory landscape, and the increasing pace of urban development across metropolitan Adelaide and key regional growth areas.
The guide outlines better-practice approaches to waste management for common forms of higher density development, while encouraging opportunities to go beyond minimum requirements to increase diversion from landfill, keep valuable materials in circulation and support South Australia's transition to a circular economy.
It also provides an overview of the current waste management planning process, helping developers, planning professionals, local councils, waste management consultants and other stakeholders understand key considerations and requirements.
Rather than providing step-by-step instructions, the guide encourages early collaboration between stakeholders to ensure waste management is considered from the outset, supporting better environmental outcomes, improved residential amenity and more effective waste and recycling systems.
Supporting tools
Simple residential waste management template
This template document supports smaller residential developments to develop a waste management plan suitable for the development application process.
Residential waste generation and bin calculator
This excel-based calculator supports smaller residential developments to estimate waste generation and bin requirements. This information can be input into the Simple residential waste management template.
Case studies
Bohem on Wright Street
Bohem on Wright Street provides an example of how an apartment building can offer residents more recycling options, reduce waste issues onsite, and lower overall costs. The building has convenient waste infrastructure, active onsite management and additional recycling services for residents. The building has also transitioned from high-cost private waste collections to City of Adelaide’s bulk bin service.
Bohem highlights the importance of designing waste systems that are convenient, actively managed and supported by positive resident communication. It shows that these systems can deliver both environmental and financial benefits when implemented well.
Glenside by Cedar Woods
The Glenside development by Cedar Woods is an excellent example of a strong commitment by the Development Manager to consider waste management early in the concept design phase. The long-term thinking required for a master planned and staged development makes resident experience a core consideration in all aspects of the development. This has meant a practical and effective waste management system is allowed for within each apartment building from the outset.
East Park Apartments
East Park in Kent Town provides an example of how a building can transition from expensive private waste collections to cost effective council collection services. Revisiting and refining the waste management system has delivered more recycling options, lower overall costs and a big increase in landfill diversion and food recycling performance.
