TRC, businesses highlight innovative waste management initiatives
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Toowoomba Region businesses are advancing innovative waste and resource recovery operations that are driving viable business models, reducing waste disposal volumes, in addition to costs, and promoting environmental benefits.
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC), USQ and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning today (Thursday, November 25) hosted a tour inspecting businesses that are progressing industry-leading solutions for diverting food, organic, construction and demolition waste from landfill. Other stops on the tour highlighted operators that are committed to plastics recycling and generating char and energy by using waste.
TRC Water and Waste Committee portfolio leader Cr Nancy Sommerfield said the tour highlighted the emergence of private businesses that were developing and operating efficient waste management facilities.
“Council is committed to playing its part to help residents reduce, reuse and recycle our precious resources where possible. We are always looking for new ways to divert as much recyclable material from landfill to reduce operating costs and promote further environmental benefits,” Cr Sommerfield said.
“By diverting recyclable materials from landfills, we can extend the life of our landfill cells and ensure we are not depositing metals and other substances that could have a more valuable future use. Building and maintaining landfill cells is costly work.
“Today’s tour has highlighted how businesses and industry sectors are also playing their part to reduce, reuse and recycle resources, often with the added spin-off of a new and growing revenue source or business model that is creating new jobs.
“Our Region has seen the rise of firms covering a range of waste activities, including Grand Central (food and commercial waste), Orgro (organic waste), Zilch (construction and demolition waste), Envorinex (plastics recycling), Pyrocal (energy from waste) and USQ in the area of waste research. Many other businesses are committed to reducing their waste that would be destined for landfill.
“These firms are indicative of the heightened interest around waste and resource recovery businesses in our Region. Given government waste reduction targets and requirements for more of Australia’s waste to be recycled onshore, these industries have great potential for future growth while providing additional environmental benefits to our Region.”
Cr Sommerfield said Council had expanded recycling options to include E-waste collection, mattresses and polystyrene, concrete, car wheels (rim and tyre), plus the Paintback collection, and the development and implementation of these services would not be possible without industry involvement.
“We continue to plan for cost effective and user-friendly waste management and resource recovery opportunities across our Region.”
CAPTION: TRC Water & Waste Portfolio Leader Cr Nancy Sommerfield (centre) said the tour highlighted how businesses and industry sectors are also playing their part to reduce, reuse and recycle resources.