As a wide array of building projects continue to spring up across Australia’s cities to cater for population growth, we learn how Cleanaway is managing the resulting construction and demolition waste streams.
When the Western Australia Gateway and Mitchell Freeway Extension were completed, a huge volume of construction waste had been saved from landfill during the course of the projects.
When world-first waste paint collection scheme Paintback launched this past May, it had 12 sites in key Australian metropolitan centres ready to start on its mission of saving more than 45,000 tonnes of hazardous waste paint from landfill in five years.
Through its construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and its liquid and hazardous waste divisions, Cleanaway has contributed to both of those achievements.
As Australia’s populations grow and its cities expand with building works – such as office and apartment blocks, housing estates, schools and roads – dealing with the outputs of C&D projects is also a growing business. This is an area to which Cleanaway can bring its expertise and capability according to General Manager – Western Australia, David Williamson.
“We have extensive experience managing waste from constructions and demolitions,” says David. “So whether it’s a high-rise build, store fit out, hospital redevelopment or road project, we can treat those waste streams in a sustainable way, ensuring as much is recycled or repurposed as possible.”
Cleanaway has supported a number of large national construction and demolition major projects with waste management solutions. In the civil works and building segments, Gateway WA – a $1 billion project to deliver sustainable landmark road infrastructure around the Perth Airport and the Kewdale Freight Precinct – has been the biggest recently.
Associated with demolitions, excavations, new building and infrastructure projects are materials such as sludges, hazardous waste (asbestos), paints and liquid fuels, which all need specific handling and treatment at end of life. Cleanaway also has a specialist fleet of vehicles, fully equipped to take aqueous and sludge materials from a range of waste streams back to its facilities for processing and recycling.
When it comes to managing C&D and industrial waste streams of any size or type, David says Cleanaway can help customers with standard or customised services.
“The scope and therefore the solution will vary from project to project,” he says. “Differences may include bespoke assets, compliance to site requirements, safety or induction requirements, strict collection times and indigenous employment.”
Its waste management services can range from the straightforward provision of skip bin delivery and collection to recycling performance reports, for which it meets Green Star rating requirements.
The waste materials it collects include broken bricks, concrete, green waste, plasterboard, metals, soils, tiles and timber. Materials can be source separated on site or combined in one bin through its commingling systems.
“As part of our view that all waste is a resource, we aim to recover, recycle and reuse building waste wherever possible,” says David. “Specialist facilities sort and process the incoming materials to stop them from going to landfill through different forms of recycling or reuse.”
To read more, see page 30 of the latest edition.