Cairns’ recycling and recovery capacity has doubled with the commissioning of a new state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
The $14.3 million facility was officially opened last week, and includes a new shed, education room and glass-sorting and processing plant that can manage up to 30,000 tonnes of recycling each year.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the project reaffirmed council’s commitment to reducing waste and keeping materials out of landfill.
“We envision all glass processed through the MRF to be used locally, building a circular economy and avoiding the need to transport more than 5000 tonnes of glass each year to South-East Queensland,” he said.
“Improved technology, combined with additional staffing, will also achieve high quality recovered cardboard, plastics, steel and aluminium.”
Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Steven Miles said the Queensland Government had invested $3 million into the project.
“The improved Cairns MRF will help lessen the region’s environmental footprint and lower the cost of recycling for the Far North,” he said.
“This is a smart, circular approach that will raise the quality of recycling in our state and give us better access to relevant global export markets.”
The facility’s new education room – the Rediscovery Centre – offers a bird’s-eye view of the processing plant, which is complemented by the use of cameras inside the machinery to see up-close how the facility works.
Schools and community groups can take guided tours of council’s waste and recovery facilities, which includes a behind the scenes look at each step of the recycling sorting process.
“If we want to change household habits, the best place to start is through education, and particularly by arming younger members of the family with correct information on recycling practices,” Manning said.
“This new MRF can divert up to 85 per cent of items from landfill, but we need residents to also do their bit, and that means getting the right items in the correct bin.”
The Queensland Government provided $3 million to the project through the Building our Regions program and $11.3 million from the Cairns Regional Council.
Pictured: Council Resource Recovery Precinct leading hand Maru Saitu (left) showing Cairns Mayor Bob Manning (centre) and Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles around the new Materials Recovery Facility.
Related stories:
- Cairns material recovery facility receives $6.9 million for upgrades
- QLD invests $1M to support local landfill infrastructure
- Cairns Regional Council: a new focus