The WA Government will invest $10 million in a scheme to encourage local councils to use recycled construction and demolition materials in civil works projects.
Environment Minister Albert Jacob said it was important that better use was made of recycled construction and demolition materials to reduce the amount going to landfill.
“Western Australia has a poor record in the use of recycled construction and demolition materials,” Mr Jacob said.
WA’s use of recycled construction and demolition materials is significantly lower than in other Australian states. Three million tonnes of construction and demolition waste are generated and two million tonnes go to landfill each year.
“This waste makes up about half of all materials sent to landfill in Western Australia, while the products it could replace, such as limestone, are getting harder to source close to the metropolitan area,” added Mr Jacob. “This Government’s financial incentive will raise awareness about the benefits of using these recycled products.”
Focusing mainly on increasing the use of recycled road base, the Construction and Demolition Product Procurement Incentive Program will invest $10 million of Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account funds in two streams over three years.
The first stream will provide a pre-allocated, non-competitive financial incentive payment for each metropolitan local council that uses recycled construction and demolition products in its own operations. The second will involve open, competitive funding for the purchase and use of recycled construction and demolition products by the private sector, metropolitan local governments and state government organisations.
“Increased use of these products is likely to see the prices of recycled construction and demolition waste fall further,” added the minister. “A range of information and awareness measures will ensure the community better understands the benefits of using these materials.”