Construction of new recycling centre now over halfway

The construction of a new Fraser Coast recycling centre at the Maryborough landfill has reached a significant milestone, with the project now more than halfway through.

Fraser Coast Regional Council Resource Recovery spokesperson Zane O’Keefe said the new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) would be a game-changer for recycling in the region.

“The new MRF in Maryborough will be three times the size of the current facility at Dundowran, which has reached the end of its working life,” he said.

“The new and improved facility will use state-of-the-art sorting technologies and advanced automation, significantly improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the recycling process.

“About 20 per cent of the material going through the current MRF ends up in landfill. With the new facility, that could be halved.

“Better separation of different types of recyclables will lead to higher recovery rates and improved quality of recycled materials.

“That opens up opportunities for innovative recycling initiatives, such as the production of park benches from recycled plastic or cat litter from recycled cardboard.”

Cr O’Keefe said construction progress had been rapid in recent months, with the completion of the new building expected by August.

“Once the construction of the building is complete, the installation of equipment will start, paving the way for the facility’s opening in January 2025,” he said.

“A key feature of the new MRF will be an expanded education room to raise awareness and promote sustainable recycling practices among residents.

“Council is committed to increasing recycling and reducing waste to landfill. This new MRF will be vital to helping us achieve that goal.”

About 8,000 tonnes of mixed recyclables are processed annually from the kerbside collection of yellow-lid recycling bins, with about half of that a mix of paper and cardboard. Other materials recovered include glass, aluminium and steel.