• Predeparture
• Training
• Travel & logistics
• Stations
• Station life & activities
  • Alcohol on station
  • Clothing & toiletries
  • Food
  • Recreation
  • Smoking on station
  • Station amenities & operations
    • Buildings & structures
    • Diving operations
    • Fire prevention
    • Fuel transfer procedures
    • Hydroponics
    • Laboratory facilities
    • Living accommodation
    • Medical facilities
    • Power generation
    • Renewable energy
    • Energy management
    • Site services
    • Telecommunications
    • Vehicle, small boat & plant operations
    • Waste management
    • FAQs on protecting the environment
      • How do we manage waste in Antarctica?
      • Is any waste burned on station?
      • Which waste is reused on station?
      • What happens to recyclables when they are returned to Australia?
      • Are you reducing fossil fuels on station & in the field?
      • What happens if there is an oil spill?
      • Can solar power be used in Antarctica?
      • What do you do to protect wildlife?
      • Can you feed the wildlife?
    • Environmental improvements with supplies
  • Working in Antarctica
• Field operations
• Family & friends

How do we manage waste in Antarctica?

Waste management on station

Expeditioner removing excess packaging before departure. Photo: A. Rushton

To reduce the amount of waste on station, we actively promote waste minimisation strategies.

A number of products are supplied in bulk or concentrate. For example, we provide only powdered cow, soy and coconut milks, and only concentrated forms of soft drinks and fruit juices. Since the introduction of these Postmix cordial drinks, we have reduced our use of plastic bottles by 25,000 each year!

On station, waste is sorted into three categories:

• Recyclables
• Burnables
• Return to Australia (RTA) for landfill

Other station waste management measures include the following:

• To reduce bulk, recyclable aluminium cans are crushed and stored securely for return to Australia (RTA)
• Burnable waste, such as foodstuffs and paper, is incinerated on station
• To reduce the likelihood of wind-blown debris, station 'rubbish-runs' use cages fitted to the back of vehicles
• Waste water (grey water and sewage) is treated before discharge into the sea
• Waste management audits are undertaken each year at every station. Expeditioners are encouraged to log hazards or suggestions resulting from these audits, and their suggestions are used to improve the system

Waste management in the field

Human waste and grey water

• The aim is to return all waste from the field, including human waste. There are some exceptions, such as on Macquarie Island, where human waste can be deposited directly into the sea.
• Special containers are provided to assist in the return of waste from the field.
• Frozen urine and grey water is returned to the waste treatment plant to thaw and go through the system.

Wire cages on back of vehicles prevents rubbish being blown around Photo: AAD

Urine tank from field emptying into waste water treatement plant Photo: L. Frost

Recycling bins are used for sorting rubbish on Macquarie island Photo: G. Beech

Field huts

Australia maintains a number of permanent field huts, and periodic clean-ups are organised to maintain, clean and replenish the huts. This includes the removal of accumulated waste back to station for recycling, incineration or RTA.

During the 2005-06 summer, a number of old fuel drums near the Beaver Lake tide crack were also cleaned up. Most have now been returned to station.