Council applies for grant to improve recycling

Recycled glass could be turned into sand on the Fraser Coast as part of the new material Recovery Facility (MRF) to be constructed next year.

At a Special Meeting today (Thursday, September 30) Council endorsed a proposal to include a glass recycling processing plant and mixed fibre optic-sorting unit (to sort paper) in its application for a $8million grant from the Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) to build a new $16million Materials Recovery Facility.

The $40 million Queensland RMF was set up in 2020 as a partnership between the Australian and Queensland governments to boost the state’s recycling industry through improved recycling, sorting, and processing.

“A modern MRF will greatly enhance our ability to sort recyclable materials, cut the amount of waste going to landfill and create new industries and jobs on the Fraser Coast,” Cr Seymour said.

It is proposed to build the new MRF in Maryborough.

The proposed glass processing plant will clean and crush glass from the Fraser Coast, and potentially take glass from other regional centres.

“The crushed glass sand aggregate is suitable for reuse in construction and drainage projects,” Cr Seymour said.

“It would also cut costs and carbon emissions as glass would no longer have to be transported to Brisbane for processing and create revenue as either a replacement for sand in Council projects or by selling the sand.”

The Mixed Fibre Optic-Sorting Unit will improve the sorting of paper through the MRF.

“The improved product will have a higher value and be easier to sell for further processing into new products,” Cr Seymour said.

“Once export bans come into effect in 2024 it will be harder to secure markets for low-quality fibre product, emphasising the need for the additional sorting equipment to increase product quality.

In August Council allocated $14.4 million for the construction of the MRF under the Alliance Agreement with Cleanaway.

Securing the RMF funding will allow Council to deliver the project, with upgraded equipment and the addition of a mixed fibre optic-sorting unit and glass processing plant within the approved budget.

The program also aligns with Council’s adopted Waste Strategy 2019-2020, adopted in July 2019, which includes actions to improve the recovery of recyclables from kerbside collection.

It also aligns with Council’s Corporate Plan which details how Council will manage waste through efficient and sustainable waste management.

The proposed project will increase resource recovery rates and reduce the carbon footprint by a decreasing transport of glass and low-grade mixed paper and provide a localised market for the crushed glass sand.