Building a sustainable City with recycled materials

Published on 29 May 2020

From recycled asphalt to footpaths made with recycled concrete, the City of Swan is pushing ahead with building materials that reduce landfill and demand for non-renewable resources.

The City has engaged local contractor Eastside Concrete to construct and repair footpaths in The Vines and Ellenbrook using concrete made from recycled building materials

Eastside will work alongside Boral, using its sustainable concrete, Envirocrete®, which incorporates recycled and waste raw materials reducing the environmental impacts associated with concrete manufacturing and construction.

City of Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey said the City is the first local government to use this particular product which will save building material from landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are committed to innovation and sustainability, particularly when it has a positive impact on the environment while ensuring a good asset life and condition," he said.

Footpath repair works underway this week along Pinaster Parade in Ellenbrook are part of the City's $8.85 million COVID-19 economic stimulus package to increase local investment, encourage job creation and inject money quickly into the local economy.

Eastside were also recently contracted to build a new 1km footpath along Barbera Lane in The Vines using Envirocrete®.

Eastside Concrete Director Julianne Mackey said the product is an important way to improve the sustainability of their operations, and see it as the way of the future in the construction industry.

"We are grateful for the City of Swan’s COVID-19 Stimulus Package to allow us to promote the use of recycled materials whilst providing opportunities for our local workforce, seventeen of whom are City of Swan residents,” she said.

Boral Western Region General Manager John Ralph said Envirocrete® forms part of Boral's commitment to a circular economy and congratulated the City of Swan on leading by example.

“Envirocrete® demonstrates Boral’s commitment to tangibly contribute to an increasingly environmentally sustainable Australian construction sector at the same time as meeting the high expectations of our customers and the community," Mr Ralph said. 

"We aim to make a real difference by promoting sustainable practices and seek to be part of the practical solution to reducing landfill.”

The City also recently trialled sustainable asphalt in Whiteman Edge, Jane Brook and Belhus.

As part of the Whiteman Edge trial, every kilometre of a two-way road which uses the asphalt diverts 500,000 plastic bags and plastic containers, 165,000 glass bottles and 2,000 printer toners.

200 tonnes of Crumb Rubber asphalt made from over 250 light truck tyres was laid on West Swan Road in Belhus.

Talbot Road in Jane Brook was resurfaced with 400 tonnes of Plastiphalt, meaning vehicles will be driving on asphalt made from approximately 200,000 plastic bags.

For more information about recycling in the City of Swan, visit www.swan.wa.gov.au/recycle 

Pictured from left to right - City of Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey, Boral representatives Ryan Uphill and John Ralph, and Eastside Concrete Director Julianne Mackey.