Segregated concrete waste reused at TRC facility

Piles of crushed concrete are finding a useful home above ground at the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Water and Waste Committee chair Cr Rebecca Vonhoff said the facility was proud to put the reduce, reuse and recycle mantra to good effect at the O’Mara Road site.

Cr Vonhoff said concrete that had been discarded by commercial and domestic users was being re-purposed to renew the hardstand pad at the site.

“This highlights the best use of resources and demonstrates how the ‘circular economy’ places value on materials that are recycled for a new purpose,” Cr Vonhoff said.

“Apart from providing a solid base for the new hardstand for green waste, timber waste, concrete and bulky items, including white goods, the new site will prevent concrete from filling costly space at our landfill.

“Engineers have found the waste concrete meets the specifications for the new pad. This means Council avoids using virgin material from off-site, ensuring we are not transporting raw materials to the site for the project and other uses.”

TRC Water and Waste portfolio leader Cr Nancy Sommerfield said the crushed material generally was sent to the Toowoomba Waste Management Centre or other sites to be used for internal roads and storage pad areas.

“This project highlights how easily materials can be recovered if loads are segregated before commercial operators or residents visit our waste facilities. Various materials can be recycled at the relevant section at facilities rather than ending up in landfill,” Cr Sommerfield said.

“Council is progressing with facility upgrades, such as the new Kleinton waste transfer facility that is under construction, that offer residents better choices for streaming their waste.

“Optimising our service levels and increasing diversion from landfill does contribute to balancing the costs of managing our waste. “

For a list of TRC waste facility locations and hours, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/waste

Caption: Cr Rebecca Vonhoff (left) and Cr Nancy Sommerfield welcome the reuse of crushed concrete for a new hardstand pad at the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility.