Amount of incinerated waste from Australian Antarctic Stations

INDICATOR DEFINITIONThis indicator identifies the total weight of material incinerated, and the weights of the major components on Casey, Davis, Mawson and Macquarie Island stations. The figures are reported monthly, in the station plumbers' reports to the Building Services Supervisor in Kingston, and to the Operations Environment Officer.TYPE OF INDICATORThere are three types of indicators used in this report:1.Describes the CONDITION of important elements of a system;2.Show the extent of the major PRESSURES exerted on a system;3.Determine RESPONSES to either condition or changes in the condition of a system.This indicator is one of: PRESSURERATIONALE FOR INDICATOR SELECTIONWaste minimization is an important element of Australia's Antarctic program, so the total weight of waste produced, and any trends, provide an important management tool. Approximately 10% of waste is incinerated, so incineration statistics are an important part of this assessment.A separate aim of Australia's program is reduction in the amount of material incinerated on the stations, either reduction in the amounts of certain materials sent to the stations or by diverting materials from incineration to reuse or recycling. In either case it will be necessary to target individual materials incinerated, as different materials are likely to respond to different management practices. To properly target these materials it is important to know the amounts of each of the materials incinerated, and trends over time.DESIGN AND STRATEGY FOR INDICATOR MONITORING PROGRAMSpatial scale: Australian Antarctic continental stations and Macquarie Island station.Frequency: Weights are recorded each time materials are incinerated, which is every few days in winter and daily in summer and reported monthly.Measurement technique: Weights are recorded for the following categories: (1) food scraps, (2) spoiled fruit and vegetables, (3) wood and wood products (not treated wood), (4) cardboard, (5) paper products (poor quality paper, books and magazines), (6) medical waste, (7) science waste, (8) hydroponics waste, (9) human waste from the field and (10) miscellaneous. In addition, weights of specific materials may be recorded separately, if burnt in unusually large amounts, for example if large amounts of particular types of fruit and vegetables have been spoiled.RESEARCH ISSUESChemical analysis of emissions as a pollution index and also to assess the efficiency of the burn. This information could be used to indicate the need to change the components of burns or to adjust the equipment. It may also highlight the release of toxic materials into the atmosphere which may be overcome by eliminating certain materials from incineration.A major audit of total waste production, leading to recommendations on how to achieve maximum waste reduction.LINKS TO OTHER INDICATORSSOE Indicator 47 - Number and nature of incidents resulting in environmental impactSOE Indicator 48 - Station and ship person daysSOE Indicator 49 - Medical consultations per 1000 person yearsSOE Indicator 53 - Recycled and quarantine waste returned to AustraliaSOE Indicator 57 - Monthly total of fuel used by station incineratorsSOE Indicator 69 - Resources committed to environmental issues