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Institute for Culture
and Society
Closing the Loop on Waste
Community Engagement, Cultural Diversity,
and Shared Responsibilities in Waste Management
in Canterbury-Bankstown
CLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE First published, 2019 Creative Licence copyright © Authors: Paul James, Abby Mellick Lopes, Sebastián Martín-Valdéz, Shuman Partoredjo, Juan Francisco Salazar, Flora Zhong Published by the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia A report commissioned by the City of Canterbury Bankstown Image: A shopping trolley dumped near new high-rise apartments, Canterbury, 2019 Image: Abby Mellick Lopes Cover image: Public compost bins, Cooks River, Canterbury, 2019 Image: Abby Mellick Lopes 2 Western Sydney University
CLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4
≥≥ Overview
≥≥ Insights
RECOMMENDATIONS 6
INTRODUCTION 8
CHAPTER 1 PRACTICES OF WASTE 12
≥≥ Recycling
≥≥ Dumping
≥≥ Littering
≥≥ Composting
≥≥ Re-use
CHAPTER 2 MAKING WASTE PUBLIC: 20
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH
ONGOING ENGAGEMENT
≥≥ Working Together
≥≥ Communications
CHAPTER 3 CULTURAL QUESTIONS IN SOCIAL CONTEXT 25
APPENDICES 32
≥≥ Anticipating Policy Shifts and the Circular Economy Challenge
≥≥ Social Change in Canterbury-Bankstown
≥≥ Engagement Strategies in Culturally Diverse Communities
≥≥ Online Survey Questionnaire
REFERENCES 70
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CLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE
Executive Summary
OVERVIEW One of the key challenges facing all councils INSIGHTS
is that waste management is considered
Canterbury-Bankstown is a complex and primarily to be an individual’s responsibility, The key findings from the literature review,
rapidly changing municipal area, facing all the with a bias toward residents of houses, which focus groups, critical issue workshop, and
challenges of a suburban region in a world of is still the main dwelling type in Canterbury- online survey are listed below:
increasing economic, ecological, political and Bankstown—though as noted this is rapidly
cultural fracturing.1 Demographic change, changing. Residents tend to be treated and 1. Accessibility to a diverse range of
rapid densification, and increased pressure on communicated with, mainly as individuals, co-research participants is critical for
basic infrastructure, are all characteristic of with neighbourliness seen as an accident ongoing engagement in Canterbury-
this and similar municipalities. of circumstance and, when things go right, Bankstown over waste issues.
an added benefit. The City of Canterbury
Cultural diversity and demographic change The demography of the survey, focus groups
Bankstown does a lot in the broad area of
are defining features of Canterbury- and critical issues workshop reveal that
community engagement, seeking to go
Bankstown: both are significant challenges Council were not able to reach and recruit
beyond a delivery-of-information approach
and two of its greatest assets. The Local culturally and linguistically diverse residents
with great success. This community-
Government Area (LGA) is home to one of for this research via their usual channels,
engagement approach could be further
the most diverse populations in Australia and including traffic to the website. This difficulty
leveraged in the waste-management area,
the world. More than 44 per cent of residents is not unusual and was exacerbated by a
and integrated fully into its approach.
are born overseas and almost two-thirds demanding time-frame.
speak languages other than English at home. Considering the rapid densification taking
There is, in addition, an extraordinarily diverse place in Canterbury-Bankstown, neighbourly 2. Information and communication
range of NGOs in Canterbury-Bankstown (see relationships should be considered as
Appendix 2). This creates both opportunities
tend to be treated by councils
structurally significant in terms of the effective
and challenges for developing programs that as the same thing.
management of waste. In collaboration with
successfully engage with members of the community leaders and strata managers. Councils tend to rely substantially on
community and meet their needs. This is perhaps the key overall finding of this a diffusionist model of communication
Closing the Loop on Waste report: promoting the transfer of information from
The city is comparatively dense. The city’s
those who have knowledge to those who
population density stands at a relatively Council should ideally focus on engaging with don’t. The City of Canterbury Bankstown is no
high 31.4 persons per hectare, compared to communities as groups of people cohabiting exception. However, the evidence suggests
the South Sydney Region of Councils’ 24.3 in a location—particularly as residents of that good communication only happens under
persons per hectare and Greater Sydney’s a new multi-unit dwellings—to facilitate certain structured conditions where person-
overall 3.9 persons per hectare (see Appendix a perception of waste management as a to-person relationships are developed with
2). In addition, there is a trend to multi-unit community responsibility. individuals and communities.
dwellings and multi-storey apartment living.
This means that the pressure on infrastructure Individuals both within Council and in the
is increasing. 3. In responding to behavioural
community, are currently working very hard to
monitor and educate people to improve their change, Councils tend to work
In this context, waste-management is critical waste-management practices. Nevertheless, with a behaviourist model.
and becoming increasingly complicated. the feeling of ‘barely scratching the surface’ There is a tendency in the waste-management
Waste and recycling are essential services is being conveyed in Council and community literature and the strategies adopted
provided by the City of Canterbury Bankstown forums. An enhanced community-level by councils and municipalities to rely
with major implications for impact on the approach might help to alleviate some of this substantially on an attitude-behaviour-context
safety, health, amenity and wellbeing of the burden on individuals including the wellspring model of behaviour change. The City of
residents of the LGA. Waste management is of community advocates, creating a norm of Canterbury Bankstown is no exception. Such a
one of the most significant and most intensive civility and a shift in the cultural disposition method may successfully foster an identity of
services provided by the City of Canterbury toward waste management in environmental citizenship for a limited number
Bankstown (21 per cent of its budget). Canterbury-Bankstown. of residents in the LGA, particularly based on
1 1 NB. The Council name is ‘City of Canterbury Bankstown’ and abbreviated to CBCity; the urban area is referenced as Canterbury-Bankstown; and ‘Canterbury-Bankstown Council’ is the legal name of the city.
4 Western Sydney University
CLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE
waste recycling in certain community groups. practically encouraging local precinct- goods as desirable, resilient and often of a
However, this kind of governmentality, upon based composting), is possibly higher design quality than the ‘fast’ options
which the attitude-behaviour-choice model is leading to a lack of engagement. available on the market.
predicated, tends to ignore the need for, and
could potentially be inhibiting consideration Because many migrants have a deep 10. Participatory communication
of, broader societal change concerning urgent relationship with growing, sharing, or
and education is important,
environmental issues involving consumption harvesting food, this might be an opportunity
to introduce on site options including
particularly where it promotes
and waste.
technologies for organics recycling (discussed local leadership and diversity.
4. Learning about waste is clearly in Chapter 1, Insight 6), which might be more Shared responsibility on waste management
conducive to the limited space available in is not best accomplished through public
culturally specific, however,
multi-unit dwellings. information sessions and presentations
this not necessarily in itself an
organised by industry, often in partnership
explanatory basis for attributing
7. There is evidence that developing with government. These tend to support
problems of ‘bad behaviour’.
a positive approach to reuse and individual-level responsibility in a largely
The few participants in our focus groups who systematically working with local top-down fashion. Such events need to be
had come to Australia from countries other communities to manage and formalise brought into a larger program of community
than Europe reported that in their country informal kerbside exchange can engagement.
of origin, waste had little meaning. However, mitigate waste production.
more importantly, our recycling system is 11. The first civic encounter that a
complex and is by necessity becoming more Dumping is undoubtedly a serious problem in newly arrived citizen in Canterbury-
complex, which demands ongoing attention to Canterbury-Bankstown, with a range of risks. Bankstown experiences is critical.
educational needs. Even committed recyclers Following the recommendations of community
were unsure about what could and couldn’t be participants, however, we suggest exploring There are significant problems with waste
recycled, what the various symbols imprinted the possibility that dumping is possibly a result minimisation and recycling across new
on products mean and what was still relevant of structural issues, which might yield further mixed-use and medium-density residential
or what was a legacy of the past. (See Chapter options for addressing the problem. developments. When people arrive in
3 on cultural diversity and responses to waste.) Canterbury- Bankstown, whether from
8. A significant kind of casual litter another council area or from another country,
5. Beyond the immediate questions in Canterbury-Bankstown seems how do they first learn about Council services
and their own responsibilities regarding
of waste management there to be anonymous fast litter.
waste management? Participants in the
should be a stronger focus on
The material component of what we are focus groups identified the need for a good
issues of over-consumption. calling ‘fast litter’ is mainly fast-food ‘first encounter’, which goes beyond offering
Several recent studies highlight that the packaging. This suggests ways of responding language option on the Council website.
focus on waste management and how to to the problem, including working in
get rid of waste efficiently and with minimal partnership with the fast-food outlets to
damage to our health and the environment deliver litter reduction.
is important, but the ultimate goal needs to
be a focus on avoiding waste creation. The 9. An inchoate but important second-
basic key in relation to resource management hand culture and repair network
and sustainability for future generations is to exists in Canterbury-Bankstown.
counter over-consumption.
An existing second-hand culture could be
6. Working on picking up organic waste further promoted in Canterbury-Bankstown,
as a first-choice option for all. This might
in green bins where the community
involve campaigns that re-code second hand
do not see the outcomes (rather than
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Recommendations
SHORT AND MEDIUM-TERM Recommendation 3. That the Council Recommendation 5. That the Council
RECOMMENDATIONS emphasise face-to-face contact consider precinct-level organic waste
with building managers of multi- recycling depots (possibly using
Recommendation 1. That the unit dwellings when implementing new processing technology options),
Council escalate the importance a successful trial program. linked to precinct community gardens,
of waste and recycling outcomes where people can see the outcomes
This might emphasise recovering and
by incorporating these issues into recycling polystyrene, soft plastic, cardboard, of their green-waste recycling.
Local Strategic Planning Statements e-waste, clothing and mattresses (from This might well have been added to the
and Local Environmental Plans. Chapter 3). next set of ‘Complex and Long-Term
This is required as part of the recent State Recommendations’ for while the phenomenon
government planning reforms to support A Recommendation 4. That the Council of precinct community gardens has a long and
Metropolis of Three Cities: The Greater Sydney considers ways of supporting successful history, setting up new gardens
Region Plan (from Appendix 1). the repair and re-use culture in requires long-term planning and considerable
Canterbury-Bankstown, including commitment (from Chapter 1).
Recommendation 2. That through working more closely with
Council develop a policy and one or more of the reuse networks that
practice of transparently and operate in Canterbury-Bankstown.
comprehensively reporting back
A culture of reuse could be deepened
to its many communities. considerably in the municipality by bringing
This might include on the outcomes of different local organizations and community
the work of various waste-management groups into association with reuse networks
subcontractors such as recycling companies and kindred NGOs (from Chapters 1 and 3).
(from Chapter 3).
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CLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE
COMPLEX AND LONG-TERM ≥≥ Pay special attention to the first generation the relevant communities to introduce ideas
of migrants; and collaborate with council in their aims
RECOMMENDATIONS to produce more relatable and effective
≥≥ Give priority to face-to-face engagement;
Recommendation 6. That the outcomes. This approach to community
≥≥ Test and refine communication materials
engagement, which build on a long tradition
Council consider moving beyond and messages through face-to-face
of participatory design, opens the ‘black
the usual emphasis on information communication; and
box’ of communication between a ‘provider’
distribution as a means to ≥≥ Recruit culturally diverse officers and/or (i.e. local council) and a ‘recipient’ (i.e., the
change people’s behaviour. train facilitators; and community). Co-design is gaining traction in
Effective policy interventions should pay ≥≥ Treat community consultation as important the public sector in Australia and all over the
attention to both the material (everyday from the beginning of any project. world (Hanckel et al., 2016).
infrastructures such as bins, storage
space, receptacles) and the social contexts (From Appendix 3 under the heading of Recommendation 10. That the
(available time, face-to-face engagement, ‘Engagement Strategies in Culturally Diverse Council work with local communities
household composition) that shape practices Communities’).
to develop a protocol and process
of waste avoidance (reuse, repair), disposal, for welcoming new residents into
and recycling. Furthermore, there is a Recommendation 8. That the Council the city of Canterbury-Bankstown,
need to investigate potentially beneficial should build upon systematically including a welcome orientation
everyday habits of consumption and waste work with existing networks and to waste management.
management, such as practices of repair and institutions, including religious
reuse, ‘giving away’ unwanted items, or simply and community centres. This would ideally involve working with
consuming less goods. That is, the activities established NGOs in the new-arrival and
of Council should leverage already existing Building on existing networks and community migrant-settlement space (from Chapter 1).
practices (from Chapter 3). groups not only offers better communication
channels with culturally diverse groups.
Recommendation 11. That Council
Recommendation 7. That the Council Crucially, approaching waste strategies in
explores ways of systematically
collaboration with these community hubs
treat ongoing social research and addressing the problem of over-
may provide the opportunity to leverage
dialogue with local people as basic to consumption through working
on informal practices of sharing, reusing,
refining waste-management strategies. repairing and other social practices that, with local groups and community
It should be recognised that the present although in line with waste management organisations, schools and
Closing the Loop on Waste report is based goals, may be invisible for local authorities. faith-based organisations.
on minimal diversity engagement, and is
This is a massive area of work, and perhaps
only a first small step. This research and Recommendation 9. That the Council the most difficult given the permeation of
dialogue should take the following issues into begin a process of collaborative a generalized culture of consumption in
consideration: co-design of new projects for Australian cities. It is ideally linked to work
local waste management. with small-scale producer groups to re-
≥≥ Actively acknowledge diversity within
establish the relationship between production
different cultural groups, though without This requires not only that the community is
and consumption.
assuming that ethnic background is consulted in the early stages of a project and
always causal in relation to social practices are part of the design of the project, but that
concerning waste-management; communication channels remain open beyond
≥≥ Harness existing networks and institutions, campaign implementation to gather feedback
including religious and community centres; in process, and to offer opportunities for
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Introduction
This project seeks to support Council to 4. Innovate in conjunction with universities meanings. These elements of a practice are
engage with culturally diverse communities in and other partners develop new products. dynamic rather than fixed, and can change
its delivery of waste services and initiatives. In The contribution of this report is to in response to certain disruptive events or
this section of the Closing the Loop on Waste collaborate with Council in the development at critical moments such as moving into
report, we discuss key practices of waste of a community-engagement study focused or moving out of a home. Understanding
management in Canterbury-Bankstown, that around current community sentiments household waste-management from a social
emerged from the focus group discussions towards waste and Council waste- practice perspective allows us to see how
we led as part of this project. We have management services. This part of the project the interaction of elements influence the way
analysed these discussions through the lens aimed to support Council to engage with a practice is performed, how it may endure
of our literature review on cultural diversity culturally diverse communities and identify a or change, and how it could be strategically
and waste (see Chapter 3 below), identifying range of platforms and engagement methods. modified in the future.
where the perspectives and experiences of
residents reflect key points in the literature. As reported in Appendix 2, the less than
AIMS favourable ergonomics of some types of
Furthermore, we have enhanced our analysis dwelling, as well as short-term residency,
with insights from previous research on The following milestones were agreed for the impinge on waste-management patterns,
cultural diversity, engagement and education Institute for Culture and Society research team: and are probably more important in relation
conducted by the Institute for Culture and to problematic practices such as dumping
Society (ICS), to strengthen the findings 1. Provide advice to inform the community- than cultural background. Our position is
emerging from the present modest engaged engagement methodology; that ‘things’ (bins, jars, cardboard boxes,
research project. This was important given 2. Research the literature on the relationship wheelbarrows, plastic bags, reverse vending
that Council were not able to reach and between culture and waste; machines, fast food packaging, campaign
recruit a higher proportion of culturally, 3. Facilitate workshops and events; and materials, newsletters, fridge magnets etc.)
linguistically and religiously diverse residents and places (laundries, kitchens, workplaces,
4. Provide a written report, including
for this research via their usual channels. cars, garages, gardens, cul-de-sacs, kerbs,
a review of engagement data, an
The findings reported below, provide critical verges, etc.), are influential participants
executive summary, key findings and
insights into community attitudes toward in human projects, forming an important
recommendations.
waste and provide further evidence in support part of the ‘habitus’ of people and playing
of our key recommendations for improving a significant role in how they relate to their
the effectiveness of community engagement OUR APPROACH social and environmental contexts over
methods around waste and waste services in Our approach is oriented around a number time.2 This approach could help in identifying
Canterbury-Bankstown. of principles associated with the Circles practical ways that Council could better
of Sustainability method: 1. that bringing support residents to manage their
This Closing the Loop on Waste report waste in alignment with Council practices
together the knowledge of both local and
contributes to a broader in-depth project and requirements.
external experts, as well as local constituents,
being undertaken by Canterbury-Bankstown
is critical to understanding (hence the
City and a range of partners that aims to The purpose of the research design was to
emphasis on co-design); 2. that social
deliver improvements in customer service provide tools to examine the critical issues
practices and ideas are dynamic and they
and organisational efficiency for waste and shared values of responsibility-sharing
therefore need to be understood in place
management. This project has four major between Council and residents around
and time; and 3. that the complexity of social
milestones: waste management and waste services.
life, and therefore any issue, including waste
We designed the methodology in three
1. Build strong relationships with management, will have economic, ecological,
complementary stages:
customers, partners, universities and political and cultural dimensions.
community groups; 1. A literature review;
The questions we asked were developed
2. Develop data products using newly using a social practices approach (see 2. Two focus groups:
deployed technology devices to collect Chapter 3 below). We used this approach 3. A Critical Issues Workshop and a Social
information on dumped waste, and as daily household waste-management Learning Workshop; and
contamination; can be understood as a routinised form of 4. An online survey of Canterbury-
3. Collect and provide data to measure, behaviour shaped by material and social Bankstown residents.
benchmark and enable future service elements including place, resources and
improvements; and infrastructures, rules and information,
personal know-how and social and cultural
2 Habitus is a term derived from sociology that describes a social space of interaction and engagement informed
by how a person lives and understands the norms and values of that social space.
8 Western Sydney University
CLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE
FOCUS GROUP 1 Nearly half of participants were between 40 Most of the participants in the Critical Issues
and 54 years old; 36 per cent were over 70 Workshop and Focus Groups appeared to
In total, 18 residents participated in Focus years-old. Eighteen per cent of participants be relatively well-informed and committed
Group 1 (FG1), with one participant not come from an age group of 25 to 39 years- to ecological sustainability, possibly making
completing the demographic survey. The old. Over half of the participants (55 per cent) them an unrepresentative sample of the
results discussed in Chapter 1 are based on had lived in Canterbury-Bankstown for five population of Canterbury-Bankstown. Again,
the analysis of 17 participants (8 male and 9 to ten years, followed by 36 per cent who to repeat the same point made above, this was
female). The age of participants was between had lived there for over ten years. Only one a factor that participants themselves noticed
25 and 80 years old, and they were recruited participant (9 per cent) reported living there and remarked upon.
via Council channels. Around 40 per cent between one and five years. Four participants
participants were within the age between came from Padstow and the others were from While participants sometimes reinforced
55 and 69 years old, while the other three seven different suburbs within the LGA, such assumptions about culturally diverse
groups each made up around 20 per cent. as Condell Park, Milperra and Picnic Point. communities not in the room (particularly
Most participants (75 per cent) have lived Over half of participants (55 per cent) live in that practices such as incorrect recycling
in Canterbury-Bankstown for more than ten houses, three times more than the groups or dumping were related to ignorance,
years, followed by 19 per cent who have lived living in large (18 per cent) or medium-size laziness, a lack of awareness or care), they
there between one and five years, and 6 per (18 per cent) blocks of units. One participant did have particular insights into how waste-
cent between five and ten years. Nearly half reported living in a small-sized block of units. management practices had changed over
participants live in Bankstown and Yagoona. The majority of participants (82 per cent) hold time in their area. They had strong familiarity
Others come from seven different suburbs undergraduate or postgraduate university with and views about Council, confidence
such as Campsie, Panania, Punchbowl and degrees compared to 18 per cent finished in their understanding of correct waste
Earlwood. Over two-thirds of participants their secondary schools. Most participants management practices and a number of ideas
live in single houses, compared to 24 per cent (82 per cent) were English speakers. Other about how things might be improved.
living in medium-size blocks. Nearly half of the participants are speakers of Vietnamese
participants (47 per cent) hold a postgraduate and Cantonese.
degree, and 29 per cent have completed SOCIAL LEARNING
secondary school. Most participants (76 per WORKSHOP
cent) are English speakers. Other participants CRITICAL ISSUES WORKSHOP This workshop was held at Council on 20 May
are speakers of Arabic, Vietnamese,
Thirteen residents (six male and seven and involved 12 participants from Council,
Cantonese, Italian and Swiss.
female) attended the workshop on 7 May including the Manager of Sustainable Futures,
2019. Despite one participant who did not six staff from Education Resource Recovery,
FOCUS GROUP 2 report their age, the majority of participants the Manager of Customer Experience, two
(84 per cent) were over 55 years old. Nearly staff from Customer Service and two staff
The second Focus Group (FG2) was half of participants (46 per cent) had lived from Waste and Cleaning.
composed of 11 Council workers who reside in Canterbury-Bankstown for over 20 years,
in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA (four followed by 39 per cent who had lived there The aim of this workshop was to deepen
male and seven female). All who completed for ten to 20 years. Two participants reported the research team’s understanding of
the survey exhibited similar demographic living in the LGA between five and ten years. how Council perceives the communities it
characteristics as FG1, with the exception of a Two groups of three participants are from engages with in relation to waste services,
slightly more diverse residential spread (half Panania and Sefton, and the others are from and to create a space within the project for
in medium or high-density blocks), slightly five different suburbs within the LGA, such Council participants to explore the operative
higher levels of education and higher levels as Bankstown, Bass Hill, Campsie and Wiley concepts, cultural assumptions and ‘group
of English as the main language spoken at Park. Seven (54 per cent) of participants think’ (or unquestioned organisational ‘truths’)
home. Three residents in this group were reported living in houses while 6 (46 per cent) currently informing perception and practice.
born overseas in countries other than Europe, in units. Over half of participants (57 per cent) Through the workshop, we hoped to identify
but none had been in Australia for less than hold undergraduate qualifications compared opportunities for implementing some of
12 years. Two spoke Vietnamese at home. to 24 per cent have trade training and 19 our recommendations emerging from other
In total, the focus group demography is not per cent finished their secondary schools. aspects of the project.
representative of the diverse Canterbury- Most participants (85 per cent) were English
Bankstown community, a factor that speakers. Two other participants, married
participants themselves noticed and remarked partners, were Cantonese speakers.
upon, with one describing the focus group as
‘preaching to the converted’ (John).
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ONLINE SURVEY are families with a couple and children (47
per cent). Nearly 80 per cent living in houses
The online survey The Future of Waste and (including single houses, semi-detached
You was implemented between 9 April houses, duplex or granny flats, and two-thirds
and 10 May through the ‘Have Your Say’ of participants have lived in Canterbury-
Canterbury-Bankstown website platform. Bankstown area over ten years. Their
A total of 605 respondents (437 female and educational level ranges from primary school
167 male) completed the survey.3 Around 35 to postgraduate degree with 66 per cent
per cent of participants were in the 40-to- holding university or college degree. There are
54 years bracket, followed by 30 per cent in 270 participants (53 per cent) residing in the
the 25-to-39 years bracket. Almost half of suburbs previously in the City of Canterbury
the respondents were families with children and 237 (47 per cent) in the prior City
(48 per cent). Nearly 80 per cent indicated of Bankstown.
they lived in houses (including single houses,
semi-detached, duplex or granny flat, and
nearly two thirds of participants have lived in
Canterbury-Bankstown area for more than 10
years (see Appendix 4). The focus group and workshop methods were
developed by Western Sydney University
The survey results should be interpreted with researchers with Council advice. The content
care, particularly for responses from residents of the questionnaire was developed by WSU
in medium (n=71, 12 per cent) and large blocks within directions, parameters and guidelines
of units, villas or townhouses (n=18, 3 per cent). set by Council. The methods were all initially
Image 1. Resident of Multi-Unit Dwelling
designed as an approach to provide the
Usually the units, villas or townhouses are in Lakemba displays a sign stating, ‘This
opportunity for collective self-reflective
under Strata Title Management, so the is RESIDENTIAL AREA. If anyone found
inquiry of the lived realities of waste practices
residents do not take direct responsibility to dumping rubbish or illegal materials will be
(both by council workers and a diverse sample
manage waste and recycling, nor would they handed over to Council, security and hidden
of community members) and to highlight
contact Council directly regarding the waste cameras. WARNING!!’.
critical issues and shared social learning
management issues. From this perspective, Image: Shuman Partoredjo.
around the shared responsibility of
many of the survey questions were not waste management.
relevant to this group of participants.
While, as expected, group interactions
Cultural background is an implied category in focus groups and workshops enabled
based on the first language at home as discussion and identification of a range
reported by participants. This may not fully of issues that would have likely not come
represent how participants identify their out in individual interviews or participant
ethnicity, as some migrants (e.g. second observation, the social demographic of the
generation) may use English as their first participants recruited however (as was the
language at home but identify themselves to a case with the online survey too) did not
specific ethnic group. It is recommended that present the ideal opportunity for engaging
future surveys of this kind should include a with the full diversity of the residents of
question of ethnicity identification. Canterbury-Bankstown, leaving out
important community-based knowledge
Over 35 per cent participants were between around waste management.
40 and 54 years old, followed by 28 per cent
in 25-to-39 year-old range, and almost half
3 One participant was excluded from analysis because he/she skipped all survey questions except the demographics.
10 Western Sydney UniversityCLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE Image 2. Dumping or gifting a chicken coop, Earlwood, 2019 Image: Abby Mellick Lopes Image 3. Rubbish, 2019 Image: Paul James westernsydney.edu.au/ics 11
CLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE
1. Practices of Waste
In this section of the Report, we discuss waste is waste that is no good to me, but with the waste practices of newly arrived,
key practices of waste management in may be useful to another’. culturally diverse communities in their area.
Canterbury-Bankstown that emerged This very much correlates with the literature
from the focus group discussions. We have Changes in Practice over Time? on cultural questions in a social context,
analysed these discussions through the lens explored in Chapter 3 below.
of our literature review on cultural diversity Participants remembered a lot less waste
and waste (see Chapter 3 below), identifying flowing through their homes and lives when
where the perspectives and experiences of they were growing up. Valentine, who had RECYCLING
residents reflect key points in the literature. lived in Australia for 36 years noted that
Participants were, in the main, highly
Furthermore, we have enhanced our analysis ‘back in India we didn’t have a huge amount
motivated to ‘do the right thing’ and recycle,
with insights from previous research on of waste compared to now. Every element
and enjoyed being recognised as doing so.
cultural diversity, engagement and education of, let’s say a cauliflower … was used. We
Nina said ‘we have received a smiley face for
conducted by the Institute for Culture and didn’t worry too much about fumes (during
our bins. It’s good to receive them, it’s a happy
Society (ICS). This was important given incineration) because we didn’t have that
thing to get, you know. We’ll keep doing things
that Council-ICS research team were not much plastic at that time. Modern amenities
this way’. It was noted that this feedback
able, in the time-frame available, to reach bring more waste’. This was consistent with
might not connect with the newly arrived, as
and recruit a representative proportion the experiences of Duong, who had been
there may be an issue with the basic legibility
of culturally, linguistically and religiously in Australia for 12 years. ‘Back in Vietnam
of our three-bin system. Jim remarked that
diverse residents for this research via the everything got used. Not much waste. Now
‘The colours of the bins work, but people do
Council’s usual channels. The findings it’s different’. ‘Coming from (Vietnam) you
not know what goes in them.’ And Anna: ‘I like
reported below, provide critical insights try to use everything, no waste. You try to
the three colours (of bins) because I grew up
into community attitudes toward waste and maximise whatever you have. In Australia
with it. I think there’s a lot of people in my area
provide further evidence in support of our you have to learn the culture of dealing with
who haven’t grown up with it and don’t know
key recommendations for improving the waste, recycling, composting.’ This was
… Why don’t we have big stickers on the top
effectiveness of community engagement in sharp contrast to Natalie, the youngest
which have photos of what goes in what bin?’.
methods around waste and waste services in participant at 21 years, who was born
Canterbury-Bankstown. in Australia and had been inducted into Participants described unique and sometimes
recycling culture at school. quite complex domestic waste-management
infrastructures, which had been tailored for
THE FRAMING QUESTIONS Participants all shared a perception that
their own lives and living spaces. Availability
single-use plastics were a key driver
of space was important for effective recycling,
The Meaning of Waste? of normative change. They referred to
with laundry, kitchen and a space ‘out the
‘the disposable society’ (Kathy) or ‘the
We began the focus groups by asking what back’ described as the key sites for sorting
throwaway society’ (John) and older
does waste mean to you? Responses varied bins. As Dan put it, ‘suddenly you need all this
participants in particular had noticed
from those who took issue with the very space; and we don’t have a very well-designed
changes in how people valued and
concept, for example Bel who described it kitchen … we’d like to remodel it’. Many
maintained things, as well as in the overall
as ‘two degrees from insanity’ or Gabriel participants living in houses acknowledged
practical know-how of communities.
as ‘a flaw of design’, to Nan who described how fortunate they were to have a garage
Duncan said ‘DIY doesn’t exist anymore’ and
waste simply as ‘stuff that I’ve finished with’, or garden space. Such spaces were a crucial
Vinh said (in the past) ‘when things broke
or Tu as ‘something you don’t want in the part of their personal waste management
people just fixed them.’
house’ or Anna ‘what ends up in landfill’. In infrastructure, functioning as a ‘holding bay’
the main, participants understood waste not Many older participants also recalled or ‘storage area’ until the next collection
a material category, but rather as attribution practices of backyard incineration and that day. Nan said ‘I have an awful lot of green
of value: the remainder, the unwanted, that growing up, a visit to the tip was a highlight waste which sits in a wheelbarrow and I wait
which can’t be recycled. As Vera described and a fun experience. Kathy said, ‘we used for two weeks before a collection.’ A place
it ‘waste is not just things that have no use to scavenge at the tip and were allowed to ‘out the back’ was important also for tools,
to you anymore, but also things that people take stuff.’ maintenance or repair projects.
don’t want anymore, because they don’t
value them anymore’. It is worth noting that There was a strong perception amongst Participants indicated that waste
most participants moved very quickly in participants that transience had increased in management in the home was a ‘collaborative
their response to reattributing value and Canterbury-Bankstown, and that there were process’ with certain family members
life to the unwanted, as though they saw many more new residents, who moved more functioning as ‘educators’ of the others.
waste as itself a transient concept. ‘I recycle frequently. It was this transience, coupled Charlotte said ‘I have three adult children who
everything’, remarked Bel. And Jim said with language barriers that seemed to are like toddlers. It’s constant work and hard
‘there is good waste and bad waste; … good underpin many of the problems people saw training them about what can and cannot
12 Western Sydney UniversityCLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE
go in the bins’. She said she has to check the go for a walk with plastic bags and pick Gio said ‘We want facts, we want statistics …
recycling bin, as ‘the Uber Eats paper bags up bottles and cans from the street. That whether its volume (in cubic metres), what
sometimes have food inside.’ Despite having a money is used for petrol and other expenses.’ was actually recycled, or what is stockpiled.
good level of knowledge and commitment to Community members who collect cans were And, you know, just the truth. That’s all
recycling, there was still significant confusion variously described as ‘good Samaritans’ we need, the stark truth.’ There was also a
about recycling symbols on products and who walk around and ‘clean up’ everyday, desire to see how recycling rates improve,
what they all mean. What is a legacy of the to ‘bin chickens’ who ‘scavenge’’ for, or ‘help charting quantifiable progress over time.
past and what is relevant now? themselves to’ cans. The distinction here Kathy remarked that the water bill has a graph
appeared to be in relation to transgressing which shows usage, and wondered about
Across both groups there was a concern the boundary between public and private something like that for recycling rates. ‘If
about recycling in multi-unit dwellings, where property, with the yellow bin itself seen as a recycling does cost a lot to the … rate-payer,
limited space and capacity were understood contested space. It was noted that the free I’d also like to see how Council puts back
to exacerbate bin confusion. Distance from ‘Return and Earn’ wheelie bins (‘blue bins’) into the community from the money that
communal recycling bins was also a pressure were in high demand, with a six-month waiting they’ve made.’ There were so many questions
point for effective recycling, with one resident list (as of Jan 2019). about the recycling lifecycle that a Council
Michelle saying that driving her recycling to member who was present held an impromptu
work was easier than attempting to carry it People had had problems with the reverse- information session at the end of the
200 metres to the communal bins. vending machines ‘jamming’ and with focus group.
people leaving plastic bags around the
Soft plastics were still seen as an important machines. Kathy had noticed that the system
resource to assist household waste exacerbates littering. ‘There needs to be a DUMPING
management, with many participants using yellow bin next to the red bin at the return
plastic bags for bin-lining, sorting, storing, Dumping was the most significant problem
and earn site, for things the machine doesn’t
collecting and carrying. Some remarked on that participants experienced in their
accept.’ Most (though not all) participants
their scarcity and sought out shops that still neighbourhoods. ‘Paint, oil, furniture,
were aware of the commercial REDcycle
provide single-use plastics. Jason said ‘we electricals, washing machines, you name
bins in the supermarkets. Some participants
use plastic bags from Asian shops to carry it — it’s out on the footpath (dumped) in the
were able to explain to others the distinction
recycling materials to the bin’. Nina remarked middle of the night’ … ‘why don’t the garbos
between hard and soft plastics, using the
‘I used to double bag red rubbish, now only report it. They drive past it every time they
‘scrunch test’.
single bag because plastic bags are scarce’. come around.’ (Vera). People found dumping
There was a deep dissatisfaction with an insult to their efforts to do the right thing,
Across both groups there was a relatively Council’s provision of information about and described feelings of powerlessness. ‘I do
high awareness of the community of recycling where materials go after the recycling bin everything I can … yeah (but) sometimes you
businesses and services, and knowledge is collected. People were worried they were feel defeated’, said Kathy: ‘We have a canal
about and access to this community ‘wasting time’ with their careful recycling, behind our unit block, and there is a resident
incentivised participants’ recycling. People expressed suspicion about where materials that will open her balcony door and throw out
were in the main happy to ‘take this task off went and a desire for proof that materials over the back fence into the canal. So, there’s
Council’ (Dan). As Gabriel described, ‘we actually do get recycled: ‘I don’t think there’s a lot of education [needed], I think.’
have a little jar for all the batteries — we go enough disclosure by Council as to what
to Aldi or Ikea … In the garage, we collect old Again, short-term residency was seen as a
happens to household waste’ remarked Kathy.
electrical items … and take them to Council factor relevant to dumping. Valentine had
‘And I don’t think there’s enough education.’
recycling collection’. Nonetheless, there were noticed a deterioration with new multi-unit
Everyone had heard of the ‘China ban’
calls for Council to provide more up-to-date developments and new people coming in.
and were aware of the need to rethink our
and accessible information on recycling ‘Many of these new developments become
recycling system. However, people seemed to
businesses and community recycling centres, dumping grounds. ’Most people were in
want to know what it meant for recycling in
with participants suggesting a booklet or agreement with negative impact of higher
more practical terms. ‘We don’t really have a
fridge magnets as options that could easily density on waste. Participants were unsure
mature recycling industry’, remarked Gabriel,
enhance knowledge and use of these services. about the motivations for dumping: whether
and Duncan said ‘There’s a code of secrecy
it was linked to low awareness of Council
about where it all goes’. Dan described the
There was good participation in the relatively services or simply to ‘not caring’. Natalie said
community’s relationship with Council as a
new ‘Return and Earn’ Container Deposit ‘(new residents) don’t know about clean ups
‘contract’, implying a need for reciprocity:
Scheme, which was seen as a great incentive and they just assume Council will collect it. We
‘It’s like a contract, so we (the community)
for kids to collect litter and see value in things. have these two collection clean ups a year and
as a group we’ve contracted to do our part.
Jason described this system as also being people don’t know about it.’
And yet the contract’s been broken. We don’t
good for his retired parents: ‘I taught them know what’s happens after that. We know
to return and earn. They even sometimes we’re doing our duty.’
westernsydney.edu.au/ics 13CLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE
It is certain that time pressures may have a don’t pick them up’. Litter was concentrated Facebook accounts to ‘advertise’ stuff they no
role to play, with people stuck needing to near parks, fast food shops and bus stops. longer want, and several participants tried to
move and simply not knowing what to do Jason said he thought there were a lack of re-circulate things by ‘putting outside on the
with their unwanted items. Perhaps dumping public bins. However, Anthony said people kerb with a ‘free’ or ‘working’ sign. Even cans,
could be usefully understood at least in part also need to take responsibility: ‘if there is no people can take them for return and earn’
as a breakdown in communication. There was bin in a park take the rubbish with you. It’s (Jason). This was done in a spirit of generosity,
general agreement across both focus groups easy to blame Council.’ which was a long way from the assumed
that there should be more education targeting mind-set of illegal dumping, and was certainly
renters and new residents. Bel from Focus Group 1 had noticed that not perceived as illegal dumping within the
a local park that had been full of litter and focus groups. People had developed their own
Another factor which was discussed later broken glass had been converted to a dog rules for how long things should be left on
in the focus group, is that one person’s park, and that this had changed how people the kerb before they were brought back into a
‘dumping’ is another’s giveaway, so there is relate to and care for that environment. ‘It’s person’s property, from less than a day to ‘two
also a possibility that some people may have great that dogs have this … there should be days max’ (Valentine). Apart from a possible
good intentions, desiring to share the utility in more of those.’ difference in intention, these practices differ
their unwanted items with others who might from illegal dumping as people were taking
make use of them. The mechanism underpinning ‘Return and responsibility for taking these items back and
Earn’ that encourages people to collect litter disposing of them correctly if they are not
was appreciated. Bel said ‘(I)f we could (have taken by other people. This was ‘good waste’
LITTERING Return and Earn system) for McDonalds to use Jim’s term.
rubbish, because what you notice is people
Quite distinct from dumped items, which tend
go round and they have trolleys and they pick Amin remarked that ‘(In Blakehurst) Everyone
to be large and heavy, participants discussed
up all the bottles and cans that other people has two Council Clean-ups a year. And
a ubiquitous variety of waste we might term
don’t have. If everyone could just go around what you get is the guys who come through
‘fast litter’, derived from fast-food restaurants
and pick up those McDonald’s containers and actually collect all the metal; people come
and designed to be consumed on the fly, in
then (I don’t know how much) you’d get back, through, and you know, collect it all and sell it
cars. A study conducted by the Werribee
… but people would go and pick it up, and put on Gumtree and stuff. Whereas when it’s just
River Association in Melbourne called
it in the bin.’ one house, on one street, every however many
‘Circles of Litter’ found litter concentrated in
distinct circles around fast-food restaurants, months, no-one sees it.’
most probably dropped by people in motor
vehicles. A branded litter study commissioned
COMPOSTING Natalie suggested there was possibly a stigma
Many participants actively recycled their in the community about reusing second-hand
by the National Packaging Covenant Industry
organics, with several households having goods. Valentine had taken advantage of
Association found that McDonald’s packaging
compost bins and worm farms. Composting second-hand furniture when she moved to
made the most significant contribution to the
however went together with gardens. While Australia, but it was seen very much as an
national litter stream, and was on the rise.
there was a desire to compost, people living interim measure until her family got on their
The relationship between litter and fast food in multi-unit dwellings felt that the design feet and ‘didn’t need’ it as they were in a
was strongly identified by the focus groups. of their environment meant composting better financial position. She said she was very
‘There is always MacDonald’s packaging all organics was impossible. John said, ‘I live in involved in paying it forward and donating
over the verge … mostly young people, 18 a unit block, a bit tricky in a unit block at the to charity (including Salvo’s, Smith family or
to 20, they’ve all got P-plates on their cars. best of times, as you may know, the new ones. nearby church communities) however she saw
They just dump stuff, they don’t care’, said Ah, so I take (organics) to work where we second-hand very much within the frame of
Dan. In Michelle’s words: ‘I live on a main road have a community garden. So I put it there’ helping the less fortunate.
and there’s lots of littering on the front yard. and Kathy (also in a unit): ‘we don’t compost
Slurpee cups, soft drink cans. Take away because we don’t have the facilities.’ Nan
containers. McDonalds. Lots of take away raised compost collection, asking couldn’t the
REPAIR
rubbish.’ Anna said the litter inhibited her green bin be a compost bin? Repair skills were widespread amongst
walking with her child to the library, for fear of participants, with people actively involved
broken glass. Duong lives near a school and in extending the life of their things through
had noticed kids sometimes have a snack and WASTE AVOIDANCE maintenance and repair. Duong said, ‘I try
leave packaging on the street. AND REUSE to repair everything, I find a way to fix stuff.’
People discussed routine clothing repairs
There was general agreement in Focus Group Many participants described being careful not
and furniture maintenance to more extensive
2 that ‘lots of local papers becomes litter. to ‘buy waste’. Duncan suggested, ‘The easiest
furniture restoration and repurposing, though
Weekly papers are forever at the front, people way to not have rubbish in the house is not
fixing electrical and electronic products was
to buy it.’ Some participants used personal
14 Western Sydney UniversityCLOSING THE LOOP ON WASTE
considered a challenge. One participant’s 2. Information and communication culture within which ‘waste creation’ is a norm.
husband actively shared his repair skills with tend to be treated by councils Participants noted that Council’s feedback
the broader community. People described as the same thing. programs like the bin smiley faces were nice
tool sheds, and a range of activities that to receive, but that these might not connect
suggested repair practices were also attached Councils tend to rely substantially on with the newly arrived, as there may be a
to available space as they included sanding, a diffusionist model of communication much more basic issue with the legibility of
spraying, restoring and storing. promoting the transfer of information from our three-bin system. Our recycling system is
those who have knowledge to those who complex and is by necessity becoming more
don’t. Canterbury-Bankstown is no exception. complex, which demands ongoing attention to
However, the evidence suggests that good educational needs. Even committed recyclers
communication only happens under certain were unsure about what could and couldn’t be
INITIAL INSIGHTS structured conditions where person-to-person recycled, what the various symbols imprinted
relationships are developed with individuals on products mean and what was still relevant
The findings reported above, provide critical and communities. or what was a legacy of the past.
insights into community attitudes toward
waste and provide further evidence in support
of our key recommendations for improving 3. In responding to behavioural 5. Beyond the immediate questions
the effectiveness of community engagement change, Councils tend to work of waste management there
methods around waste and waste services in with a behaviourist model. should be a stronger focus on
Canterbury-Bankstown. Here we have collated There is a tendency in the waste-management issues of over-consumption.
those insights into a series of discussion points. literature and the strategies adopted Several recent studies highlight that the
by councils and municipalities to rely focus on waste management and how to
1. Accessibility to a diverse range of substantially on an attitude-behaviour-context get rid of waste efficiently and with minimal
co-research participants is critical for model of behaviour change. Canterbury- damage to our health and the environment
ongoing engagement in Canterbury- Bankstown is no exception. Such a method is important, but the ultimate goal needs to
Bankstown over waste issues. may successfully foster an identity of be a focus on avoiding waste creation, which
environmental citizenship for a limited number was a point many participants identified and
The demography of the survey, focus of residents in the LGA, particularly based felt committed to. The basis key in relation
groups and critical issues workshop reveal on waste recycling in certain community to resource management and sustainability
that Council were not able to reach and groups. However, this kind of governmentality, for future generations is to counter over-
recruit culturally and linguistically diverse upon which the attitude-behaviour-context consumption. Everything in our culture
residents for this research via their usual model is predicated, tends to ignore the need pushes in that direction from the prevalence
channels, including traffic to the website. This for, and could be potentially be inhibiting of advertising and the production methods of
difficulty is not unusual and was exacerbated consideration of, broader societal change mass consumption of goods to the emphasis
by a demanding time-frame. As reported concerning urgent environmental issues on home remodelling and renovating. For
in Chapter 3 below (Lakhan, 2015, 2016; involving consumption and waste. example, when Dan put it, ‘suddenly you need
Perry and Williams 2007), and in previous
all this space; and we don’t have a very well-
research commissioned by the NSW Office
4. Learning about waste is clearly designed kitchen … we’d like to remodel it’,
of Environment and Heritage (CIRCA, 2014)
participation in Council projects amongst culturally specific, however, he may have been expressing the dominant
this not necessarily in itself an cultural view that forgets that remodelling
culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse
explanatory basis for attributing itself makes waste.
communities is low, and requires culturally
sensitive design and particular attention to problems of ‘bad behaviour’.
accessibility needs. In light of the intent of 6. The current work of picking up
The few participants in our focus groups organic waste in green bins where
this project to improve the effectiveness
who had come to Australia from countries
of community engagement methods, this the community do not see the
other than Europe reported that in their
suggests that regardless of engagement
country of origin, waste had little meaning.
outcomes (rather than practically
purpose, Council needs to explore alternative encouraging local precinct-based
Jason, for example, said that ‘In Australia
ways to engage culturally, linguistically and composting as part of a community-
you have to learn the culture of dealing with
religiously diverse communities in the LGA. based activity), is possibly leading
waste, recycling, composting.’ This suggests
This includes young people; the majority of
that a basic understanding of ‘waste’, a to a lack of engagement.
our research participants were over 40 years
highly familiar concept for a section of
old which is again not representative of the Organics in landfill is a significant problem,
committed long-term residents adapting to
City (see Appendix 2). however among the focus group participants
the ‘disposable society’, may not be so for
composting of organics was largely confined
the newly arrived, suddenly greeted with a
to private gardens, or to memories of
westernsydney.edu.au/ics 15You can also read
