The South Australian government has announced eight new projects worth $111 million that will build and modernise key recycling infrastructure across the state in the wake of the bans on the export of unprocessed waste plastic, paper and cardboard, glass and tyres.
The projects, which will create more than 500 jobs, include a $12 million waste paper and cardboard recycling plant in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, a $24 million material resource facility in the southern suburbs and a new $19 million glass processing plant just outside of Gawler.
The new $12 million waste paper and cardboard recycling plant at the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority (NAWMA) will process 40,000 tonnes of mixed waste paper and cardboard each year – a third more than the 30,000 tonnes South Australia currently exports each year for disposal overseas.
The $24 million state-of-the-art Material Recovery Facility at Seaford Heights will process kerbside recyclables from households in Adelaide’s Southern councils, whereas Orora Group’s new $19 million glass ‘beneficiation’ plant in Kingsford, near Gawler will recycle and produce high quality glass containers like wine bottles.
Federal Minister for Environment Sussan Ley said the eight new projects will divert over 205,000 tonnes of waste resources back into the manufacturing of valuable new Australian made products.
“These kinds of high-tech projects build the infrastructure that will power the circular economy in Australia, improving our ability to process our own waste and creating local jobs,” Minister Ley said.
“By mid-2024 when Australia’s full waste export ban comes into effect, Australia will need to recycle 378,000 tonnes of mixed waste paper and cardboard each year – the same weight as a quarter of a million cars.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans said the projects will be delivered thanks to $35.3 million in joint state and Australian Government funding under the Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF).
A key aim of the Recycling Modernisation Fund is to ensure that we have new recycling infrastructure operational in time for when the export bans are fully phased in by mid-2024 and I am delighted to say that SA will meet this goal,” Assistant Minister Evans said.
“Recycling requires large and expensive facilities however there are significant benefits beyond creating new jobs. For example, recycled paper uses up to 90% less water and 50% less energy than making new paper from virgin materials.
“Australia was the first country in the world to ban the export of its unprocessed waste for disposal overseas and we now lead the world in taking responsibility for our own waste.”
Full list of projects announced today, co-funded by Australian and South Australian governments, is available here.
