Innovation In Australian Recycling

Most of us would have heard the mantra, ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. But how many people actually do this as much and as often as they can?

You can reduce waste through such measures as simply swapping out single-use plastic wrap and plastic bags for reusable sandwich wrap and bags.

Reusing whatever plastic you have is also straightforward. If you do end up with a plastic bag, reuse it as a bin liner, or to wrap up something you need stored.

Then recycle as much as possible. Any plastic bottles you use should end up in the recycling bin, along with other items marked as recyclables, such as cardboard, newspapers or toiletry bottles.

Before you throw anything straight in the bin, it’s a good idea to ask yourself, ‘Can this be recycled?’

Australian recycling innovation

On July 18, the state of Victoria announced $2.4 million would be going towards new recycling projects.

Seven recycling facilities will benefit from this. Some will be launching completely new operations, while others will have their equipment upgraded to improve the recovery of materials such as wood, plastic, tyres and organic material that may otherwise be sent straight to landfill.

For example, Action Recovery and Recycling will establish a new facility that will recover commercial and industrial waste including timber, glass, plastics and paper.

Alex Fraser Group will increase the use of recycled glass sand in products such as road base and pavement mix.

Tyrecycle will double its capacity in recycling tyres into rubber granules.

Visy Recycling will open a new facility to recover valuable materials such as cardboard, timber and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). When recycled, PET can be used to make reusable bags and other products.