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Environmental

2023-2024 CLOSED LOOP 12-MONTH WASTE AUDIT

ARDC · May 3, 2024 ·

SMSP Waste Audit (March 23 through to Nov 23)

The initial Waste Audit conducted by CLES covered the period from Feb 22 through to Jan 23, the first 12 months of CLES contract with the ARDC as ‘Official Sustainability Partner’.

The initial waste audit covered the following: ​

  • The general day-to-day functioning of the venue, and ​
  • The input from major Events including:
    • Powercruise ’23​
    • Supercars ’23​
    • World Time Attack ’23​
    • Shannon’s ’23

Waste Audit Results for 2022/2023

The waste audit delivered the following results:

  • Total Waste treated 1783.63 m3​
  • Recycled 1233.38 m3​
  • General Waste (landfill) 550.25 m3​

The equated to a recovery rate (% recycled) of 69.1%​

Associated Programs running alongside with the day-to-day cleaning and waste process: 

  • Simply Cups (coffee cup recycling) – collected 65k+ cups​
  • Container Deposit Scheme – 130k+ units

After gaining an understanding as to how the venue works (after coming out of Covid), for the next year (period from 2023 to 2024) the main objective was to consolidate and improve the processes and procedures put in place in Year 1.

This doesn’t necessarily translate into a higher landfill diversion rate but means that the processes behind the scenes are becoming more sustainable and efficient.

Audit Results 2023/2024 (March 23 to Feb 24):

The waste results to date are running in line with 22/23 with a slight improvement in the recycled rate and significant improvement in the associated programs

The waste audit delivered the following results:

  • Total Waste treated 1804 m3​
  • Recycled 1141 m3​
  • General Waste (landfill) 663 m3​

The recovery rate (% recycled) for 23/24 is 63%​

Associated Programs​:

  • Simply Cups – collected 65k+ cups (on par with 22/23)
  • Container Deposit Scheme – 205k units (increase 75k on 22/23)

See Appendix 1 for year-on-year comparison of waste streams and quantities.

Key difference between Year 1 and Year 2

The decrease in the recycling rate (69% v 63%) was driven by several factors:

  • Under estimation of audience attendance at several events which lead to under resourcing for the period and reduced capacity to sort waste streams driving additional landfill.
  • Third party waste dumping on the precinct – straight to landfill
  • Staffing shortages – the ability to find and retain staff on a long-term basis (industry issue)

Improvements between Year 1 and Year 2

One of the key initiatives for CLES in the past 12 months has been to improve the processes and procedures at SMSP to deliver a better outcome for the ARDC, the venue and its employees and for CLES staff.

To enable this, Closed Loop have brought in more experienced management to establish stronger relationship with SMSP operations management, improve communication, processes and procedures and to facilitate and improve the relationship between the parties.

To date this has enhanced the working relationship between the parties and the working environment for staff in areas such as rostering, WH&S and engagement.

This initiative will also fall in line and support one of the key objectives for the ARDC Board and management moving forward, to improve the venues SCI score for the Sustainable Motor Index (SMI).

As you will see from Appendix 1, we have added several new waste streams to ensure the disposal of the product meets CLES’s standards and are comfortable with the recycling/upcycling process to follow.

We have also collaborated with ARDC to determine the most efficient process for waste management of some streams, where ARDC manage the process and CLES tracks the outcomes i.e. tyres.

In addition, the bin specification in designated areas of the precinct has changed to ensure there are relevant bins specific to areas that generate specific waste streams – maintenance sheds, waste compound.

Appendix 2 gives a more detailed summary of this work to date and moving forward.

Other Initiatives

One of CLES’s key objectives is to seek continuous improvement on specific objectives year on year.

Working with ARDC staff the following initiatives will assist to improve outcomes and contribute towards a higher SCI score:

  • The Sustainability Clauses added to the venue hire agreement will provide the opportunity to engage with hirers and other partners prior to events, to educate, engage drive down waste number and deliver more sustainable event for the hirer and their customers.
  • Continuous exploration of how waste can be managed and processed more efficiently and sustainably on-site and areas of improvement
  • Measuring contamination levels in each waste stream to better understand ‘lost resources’ in the landfill stream, and the quantity of non-recyclable material in the co-mingled recycling stream ​
  • Assessing whether alternate resource recovery options should be investigated and the costs implications
  • Continue wood pallet collections around SMSP and finalise options for recycling and sale
  • Installation of a dedicated scrap metal skip (by Sell + Parker) to facilitate certified collection, reporting, and sale of all scrap metal from SMSP.
  • Collection of E-waste (commenced November 2023) with viable disposal options currently under review.
  • Enhance and improve on current 6S methodology towards 6S LEAN.
  • Trialing a digital checklist app facilitating real-time tracking of (safety + quality + efficiency) KPIs into an all-in-one workplace operations platform (used by Toyota, MoneyGram Hass F1 Team).
  • Phase out compostable packaging used by GEMA GROUP and food truck vendors.

Conclusion

Year 1 was used by CLES to primarily learn about the venue, build a relationship between the parties and deliver a better diversion rate for waste to landfill than previously achieved.

Year 2 CLES has begun the job of working on efficiencies through better processes and procedures, work with venue partners/suppliers and build a stronger relationship with better understanding with ARDC staff.

The focus of Year 3 is to work with the ARDC and Enovation Consulting to deliver on the SMSP Sustainability Improvement Approach project (1Q 2024), improve on-site education to attendees and work with ARDC marketing to deliver more innovative marketing program to add to the experience of the venue.

Appendix 1

Waste Audit Results – comparison between 22/23 and 23/2

Appendix 2

CLES having been actively working on the ‘behind the scenes’ processes and procedures to ensure that this work meets the criteria and supports the efforts to become more sustainable.

Below outlines the changes made from 2022/23 to 2023/24 across 8 activities, all of which will be relevant to the SCI score for the Sustainable Motor Index (SMI).

Sydney Motorsport Park racing towards a greener future

ARDC · March 6, 2024 ·

▪ARDC welcomes motorsport industry stakeholders and thought-leaders to its first-ever Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable
▪Sydney Motorsport Park continues to lead the way as Australia’s #1 venue on the global Sustainable Circuits Index™
▪Supercars begins its own sustainability journey with a range of initiatives and programmes

Tim Watsford – COO, Supercars
Tim Watsford – COO, Supercars


March 1 , 2024: The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), operators of Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP), has welcomed Australia’s motorsport industry to its first-ever Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable this week.
The roundtable, hosted at the recently-opened Australian Motorsport and Innovation Precinct (AMIP) along the main straight at SMSP, was attended by thought-leaders, delegates and ARDC board members, all coming to learn more about the positive steps Australia’s leading permanent motorsport circuit is taking towards greater sustainability at the venue, and to understand the shared objectives of Australia’s major motorsport entities.
Under the ARDC’s stewardship, SMSP continues to be ranked Australia’s number-one venue on the global Sustainable Circuits Index™ – a ranking it has maintained since the Index was first published in 2021. Like everything in motorsport, this achievement has been a team effort with industry stakeholders, partners, suppliers and venue hirers all contributing; a result that ratifies the ARDC Board and management’s strategic vision.
Providing attendees with an update on projects at SMSP the ARDC revealed that through significant improvements to EV charging infrastructure, new and existing partnerships with suppliers, and impressive landfill diversion results, 2023 was a year for sustainability at SMSP, with 2024 to continue that focus.
However, just as in motor racing, being in front comes with its own set of pressures and responsibilities; which is why the venue continues to look for new initiatives for SMSP and to encourage collaboration with all stakeholders.
Speaking at the roundtable, Supercars Chief Operating Officer, Tim Watsford, stressed the importance of motorsport playing its part in sustainability.
“We have begun our journey; we’re the biggest motorsport category in Australia and we want to get it right,” Mr. Watsford explained.
As a leading Australian sport and premiere motorsport category, Supercars is already taking several key steps to reduce its environmental impact, with its lower carbon bp E75 racing fuel, tyre recycling programme and a host of initiatives to address waste reduction, energy management, transport and water conservation.
ARDC CEO, Glenn Matthews, explained why the time was right to host the club’s first sustainability roundtable with industry colleagues:
“As a venue, Sydney Motorsport Park continues to lead the way in pushing for sustainable practises in everything it does, but we can’t do it alone. We rely on the support of our partners and collaborators to achieve the results we have in 2023,” Mr. Matthews said.
“Our first-ever Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable is a chance to share ideas and find new ways of working together. When the ARDC opened its AMIP facility in mid-2023, we did so with the promise that it would be a centre of excellence, and a home of progressive thinking for the motorsport industry – the discussions and shared insights from this week are just another example of the ARDC fulfilling that promise,” he continued.

Dr. Cristiana Pace, CEng – CEO, Enovation Consulting UK
Dr. Cristiana Pace, CEng – CEO, Enovation Consulting UK, live Zoom

ARDC Sustainability Workshop in Focus: The Speakers
Speaking at the Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable is a panel of leaders from all sides of the industry, covering topics that speak to addressing the future of motorsport with a greener, more sustainable approach.

Dr. Cristiana Pace, CEng – CEO, Enovation Consulting UK
Illuminating the latest sustainability trends in motorsport, decorated engineer, FIA consultant and former commission member, Cristiana Pace, discussed the Sustainable Motorsport Index™, citing case studies from the UK’s Silverstone Circuit, and SMSP’s progress in obtaining FIA 2-Star Accreditation.

Joe Costanzo – CTO, PMY Group
As a major partner of the ARDC and SMSP, global tech giant, PMY Group’s Joe Costanzo’s discussion at the roundtable focused on how increased technology uptake has positive implications for sustainability – using SMSP as proof-positive of this insight.

Prof. Richard Hopkins – University of NSW, Walkinshaw Andretti United
Former Red Bull F1 COO, Sunswift Solar Racing Team Principal and inaugural AMIP ambassador, Professor Richard Hopkins, shared insights on creating a sustainable formula, developed over a career living in the pits, and the winners’ circle, of elite motor racing.


Tim Watsford – COO, Supercars
As Chief Operating Officer of Australia’s premier racing category and event series, Supercars’ Tim Watsford spoke with attendees on how the sport is addressing its responsibilities towards a greener future, and what are some of the key areas of
attention that the category is focusing on right now, as new technologies come to the fore.

Robert Pascoe – CEO, Closed Loop Environmental Solutions
A significant contributor to SMSP’s continued efforts toward increased venue and operations sustainability is through its partnership with Closed Loop. At the roundtable, Closed Loop CEO Robert Pascoe delved into the organisation’s own approach to the circular economy.

Tan Nguyen – Sustainability Manager, Australian Racing Drivers’ Club Providing an insight to the ARDC’s own journey, Sustainability Manager, Tan Nguyen, gave guests an update on the club’s activities and sustainability projects at SMSP, along with highlighting the achievements over the past decade.

Glenn Matthews – CEO, Australian Racing Drivers’ Club
The ARDC’s CEO, Glenn Matthews, concluded the roundtable and thanked the speakers, while at the same time stoked further discussion and debate about maintaining a sustainable mindset, which all speakers agreed must permeate motorsport at all levels for future success.
<ENDS>


For more information or to request an interview with ARDC CEO, Mr, Glenn Matthews, or the Sustainability Roundtable guest speakers, please contact:
Peter Larum
Chief Marketing Officer
ARDC/Sydney Motorsport Park
E: peter@ardc.com.au
M: +61 419 732 029
Kurt McGuiness
Founder
PRIMAL Storytelling
E: kurt@weareprimal.com.au
M: +61 413 135 334
Link: http://sustainability.smsp.com.au

MYLAPS Goes Carbon Neutral

ARDC · December 21, 2023 ·

OFFICIAL RELEASE 16/11/23: MYLAPS is now a carbon neutral company!
MYLAPS has taken decisive steps to minimize environmental impact and contribute to a sustainable future. 
They started measuring our carbon emissions on a yearly basis and set targets for reducing our carbon footprint. In addition to this, they compensate for excess CO2 emissions through the Kantigan Mentaya Project, a reforestation project in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Their goal is to reach zero emissions by 2050, as stated in the Paris Agreement.
MYLAPS Formula E
“As our valued customers, you can continue to rely on our high-quality products and services while knowing that your partnership with MYLAPS supports an eco-conscious business. We are passionate about durability and product innovation, which lie at the core of our product development. In Motorsports, our transponders are built to last and can be used for many years. Subscription based transponders can be re-used by other drivers. We also develop transponders specifically for electric vehicles. More than 95% of our packaging is paper based, further supporting our eco-conscious approach. Our solutions are designed to withstand the test of time and endure various weather conditions, ensuring long-term use and reducing waste.”

MYLAPS is a proud partner of Sydney Motorsport Park.

Tyrecycle

ARDC · December 7, 2023 ·

Tyrecycle is ResourceCo’s tyre recycling business with an ambition to supply high quality repurposed material for the domestic and international markets to drive circularity and support Australia’s net zero commitments.

A global leader in tyre recycling, Tyrecycle has delivered strong environmental and economic outcomes by repurposing materials otherwise destined for landfill.

Sydney Motorsport Park has been using Tyrecycle for a decade, and is proud to partner with them.

TYRECYCLE WEBSITE

Asahi Beverages

ARDC · November 21, 2023 ·

Asahi is an official partner of SMSP/ARDC, and is strongly committed to delivering products through responsible business practices: minimising its impact on the environment and enhancing livelihoods, both at work and in the communities in which they operate.

These are sentiments shared with parent company, Asahi Group Holdings.  The corporate philosophy of the Asahi Group is to “satisfy customers with the highest level of quality and integrity while contributing to the promotion of healthy living and the enrichment of society”.  

https://www.asahi.com.au/responsibility/

Climate Change goals:

  • 100% of purchased electricity to be sourced from or matched with renewable sources by 2025
  • Reduce Scope 1 & 2 CO2 emissions in our operations by 50% by 2025*
  • Reduce Scope 3 CO2 emissions across our entire supply chain 
  • Reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050

*vs a baseline year of 2019

Some initiatives so far:

  • Hot Queensland sun now brewing Australia’s best ice-cold beers with solar
  • VB and Linfox start electric truck deliveries as transport revolution accelerates
  • Swap Solar Power for VB in Aussie-First Program

Sustainable Packaging goals:

  • 100% of our primary packaging will be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.  Primary packaging means bottles and cans
  • Increase the amount of recycled content used in our glass bottles and aluminium cans to on avg. majority (50>%) recycled content by 2030
  • Transition to 100% eco-friendly materials for PET bottles* by 2030. Eco-friendly means either compostable, bio based or 100% recycled content

* Bottle does not include cap and label.

Some of our initiatives so far:

  • Cool Ridge water bottle (excluding cap and label) now made with 100% recycled PET (rPET)
  • Cascade discontinues plastic six pack ring packaging
  • Carlton & United Breweries to scrap plastic six-pack rings

Environmental Sustainable Raw Ingredients goals:

  • Review key raw materials across our supply chain to mitigate climate risks, water risks and management of environmental loads-priority
  • Work closely with growers and support farms to drive best practice land, environment and quality management

Some of our initiatives so far:

  • Asahi Beverages pours dollars direct to Aussie farmers
  • Farmers raise their glasses to home-grown beers
  • Vintage Cascade beer brews fresh bonds with Tassie farmer

Circular Economy goal:

  • Zero waste to landfill by 2030 at our manufacturing sites

Some of our initiatives so far:

  • New $45 million Albury / Wodonga recycling plant to build a domestic circular economy and boost regional jobs
  • Australia’s largest PET recycling plant now under construction in Albury Wodonga
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