The Armidale Regional Council has sold and shipped approximately 20 tonnes of mixed plastics to Impact Recycling based in Queensland, demonstrating the city’s cutting-edge crate recycling system.
In a news release, the council said this latest batch includes assorted mix plastics including household containers and bottles and some discontinued wheelie bins.
Mark Low, manager of Armidale Recycling Services (ARS), said this huge export occurs at a time when many recycling facilities are suffering and unable to sell their goods, reducing the life of landfills and increasing the costs to councils and communities.
“Armidale has an outstanding waste management record. With recently upgraded recycling facilities and a high level of community participation, our recycling figures are exceptional,” said Low.
According to him, many in the sector are finding it difficult to sell their plastics since there is less demand, but product quality and cleanliness are essential for getting sales.
“Separation at the source by our community members means contamination is kept to a minimum and it’s the quality of the final product that has led the facility to securing this contract,” Low added.
Sam Coupland, mayor of the Armidale Regional Council, expressed gratitude to the community for its commitment to reducing waste and promoting environmental sustainability, saying “the hard work is paying off.”
“We have an engaged community who care about the environment and reducing waste. This twenty tonnes of mixed plastics is evidence of that,” the mayor noted.
Mayor Coupland pointed out the move enables reuse and diverts a considerable amount of garbage from landfills while proudly boasting one of the highest capture rates in Australia which is currently 97 per cent.
ARS, which has been in operation for 18 years, is contracted to process recycling materials from Armidale Regional Council’s kerbside collection service and the community support in separating recyclables at home is keeping contamination rates low and turning recyclables into sales.
