New Resource Recovery Centre major step forward in becoming a zero waste Shire
The development of a new Resource Recovery Centre at Yeppoon’s Landfill has commenced, thanks to funding from the Queensland Government’s Resource Recovery Industry Development Program (RRIDP) and Livingstone Shire Council.
Portfolio holder of Water, Waste Management and the Environment, Councillor Andrea Friend, said the proposed Resource Recovery Centre will divert waste from landfill by increasing the level of sorting and capturing of reusable, recyclable, or recoverable materials at the landfill.
“We all recognise how important it is to divert waste away from landfill, reduce stockpiling and recover resources for more valuable uses,” Cr Friend said.
“We’re here to help households, communities, businesses, and industry to reduce waste generation and seek more value from recovered resources.
“Our vision is to become a zero-waste society, where waste is avoided, reused, and recycled to the greatest extent possible.
“Therefore, significant modifications to the site entry were proposed to facilitate the waste recovery process.
Cr Friend said the Resource Recovery Centre would include a covered check-in, regulated waste storage, and a resource recovery shed connecting to the existing landfill road system.
“Identifying waste as a potential resource provides opportunities for the economy and the environment.
“Materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill can be processed and manufactured into new products.
“The disposal of waste into landfill creates environmental problems including additional greenhouse emissions, contaminated land, noise, and odour.
“Providing an incentive to recover and recycle material can help protect the natural environment and conserve natural resources.
She said the project would be getting underway and that site investigations would soon been completed.
“It is anticipated that geotechnical and environmental investigation works will commence early June 2021”.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the project would enable more than 2,700 tonnes per annum of waste to be diverted from landfill and create three new jobs as part of the state’s economic recovery.
“It’s a valuable investment that adds to the Palaszczuk Government’s almost $1 billion commitment to protect the environment and create jobs this year,” Ms Scanlon said.
“This is all levels of government working together to create jobs, create a better environment and take action on waste. It adds to major reforms like the ban of single-use plastics and the popular Container Refund Scheme, which has seen more than three billion containers recycled and created more than 800 jobs.”
Member for Keppel and Assistant Minister for Education Brittany Lauga said $625,000 from the Queensland Government’s RRIDP had been awarded to Livingstone Shire Council to help deliver its $2.18 million Resource Recovery Centre at Yeppoon.
“The Queensland Government is committed to supporting projects like this that divert waste from landfill, reduce stockpiling and create jobs,” Ms Lauga said.
“Projects like this are helping achieve our goal of making Queensland a world leader in recovery projects.
“RRIDP funding is supporting waste recovery projects being undertaken by local governments and waste recovery businesses to accelerate waste recovery projects at different stages of implementation.
“This is why RRIDP is a key action in the Queensland Government’s Resource Recovery Industries 10-year Roadmap and Action Plan.”
Cr Friend thanked the Queensland Government for helping fund this vital community project.
“The global economy is moving towards a more circular model,” Cr Friend said.
“A circular economy will see products and materials keep circulating within the economy at their highest value for as long as possible, through reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, and delivering products and services.
“The Resource Recovery Centre at Yeppoon Landfill is well placed to take advantage of a circular economy.”