The SWA Product Stewardship Scheme (PSS) was established to explore the use of recovered materials and industrial by-products for application in road and rail projects. This includes fast-track application into a number of ‘Towards100’ demonstration projects. Recovered materials include but is not limited to, waste derived materials, recycled materials, reused materials etc.
The Scheme explores the hazards and risks of a range of products proposed for use in road and rail projects. Specialized skills and knowledge are drawn from a range of technical disciplines (e.g., engineering, environment, chemistry) in the assessment to ensure these new products are safe and will perform effectively through their full lifecycle. The aim is to minimise negative impacts and maximise value.
Industry partners contribute funds to the PSS in order for the SWA Innovation Hub to invest time and to undertake verification and potential demonstration related activities needed in order to provide confidence in their use, to help reduce perceived risks and to identify issues needing to be addressed. The level of investment required from industry partners is dependent on the status of the product, the availability of useful independent technical and scientific information, and the anticipated effort required for verification and demonstration activities.
We are pleased to announce the latest commitments that have been made by industry partners to conduct PSS assessments:
The Scheme explores the hazards and risks of a range of products proposed for use in road and rail projects. Specialized skills and knowledge are drawn from a range of technical disciplines (e.g., engineering, environment, chemistry) in the assessment to ensure these new products are safe and will perform effectively through their full lifecycle. The aim is to minimise negative impacts and maximise value.
Industry partners contribute funds to the PSS in order for the SWA Innovation Hub to invest time and to undertake verification and potential demonstration related activities needed in order to provide confidence in their use, to help reduce perceived risks and to identify issues needing to be addressed. The level of investment required from industry partners is dependent on the status of the product, the availability of useful independent technical and scientific information, and the anticipated effort required for verification and demonstration activities.
We are pleased to announce the latest commitments that have been made by industry partners to conduct PSS assessments:
- FOGO as a landscaping material - Group of Regional Councils (EMRC, RRG and MRC)
- DBS as an imported fill in embankments - Mineral Resources Limited
- DBS as an imported fill in embankments - Covalent Lithium
- DBS as an imported fill in embankments - Albemarle
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The SWA Product Stewardship Scheme provides a number of direct benefits as follows:
- Independent verification of product/material performance and compliance claims
- Confidence assurances in relation to the fit-for-purpose use of the product
- Fast-track product development for implementation into infrastructure projects
- Collaborative approach between suppliers and purchasers
- Towards100 Circular Economy approach
For each waste derived material or product, the SWA innovation Hub undertakes the following tasks:
- Independently reviews and verifies proponent data including the ability of the material to comply with specified environmental and engineering technical requirements
- Develops a model product specification to enable use of the material in demonstration or other projects to ensure consistency of outcomes
- Explores wider application to Main Roads and METRONET project activities
A flowchart depicting the major stages in the PSS process is given below. A copy of the PSS Process Fact Sheet can be accessed by clicking on the flowchart diagram.
A Terms of Reference has been produced for the Expert Scientific Panel. This can be downloaded from the PSS documentation area below.
SWA PSS Process Flowchart
SWA Product Stewardship Scheme Documentation
| SWA PSS Expert Scientific Panel Terms of Reference |
| SWA PSS Process Fact Sheet |