ResourceCo’s global experience and credentials in resource recovery is helping others realise their sustainability objectives.
ResourceCo’s brand promise is to leave the world in a better state than it was found.
Thirty years ago, when the company was founded, there were no net zero targets or sustainable development goals, just a deep-seated belief that industry can work within a circular economy for a sustainable future.
Sanj de Silva, Director Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, says the brand promise on which the company was built is more relevant today than ever.
“There’s been a big mindset change, not just in boardrooms but right across the community,” Sanj says. “Communities are demanding organisations do the right thing when it comes to sustainability.
“This industry has a big role to play in coming years and is well placed to drive sustainability aspirations, progressing Australia’s circular economy.
“The resource recovery sector forms a key component in the supply chain of several industries and plays a vital role in promoting and supporting sustainability and circular economy priorities for organisations.”
Industry is transitioning from a linear to a circular model, driven by low emissions targets, government policies and regulatory pressures to divert waste from landfill to achieve the 80 per cent national resource recovery target by 2030.
“Sustainability is at the heart of ResourceCo – we are steadfast in our commitment to maximise the potential of all the material we handle,” Sanj says. “That makes us a valuable business partner to deliver on the sustainability aspirations of our customers.”
ResourceCo has been at the forefront of recovery and remanufacturing of primary resources across Australia and Asia. The philosophy has always been that the rubble the company handles, the tyres it recovers and the waste it collects, does not go to landfill but is remade as high quality products.
Sanj says while most companies now have sustainability goals and net zero aspirations, the focus on Australia reaching a circular economy has elevated the conversation and the need for greener supply chains.
She says organisations are not just ensuring their waste is recycled – they want traceability.
“Where did it end up? What happened to it? What percentage is recycled? Organisations are asking those questions, and rightfully so,” Sanj says. “They should know where their waste ends up. People need to go beyond just handing their waste over to a collector.
“This genuine interest in waste traceability and landfill minimisation is encouraging, but what we’re really looking forward to is the evolution of this interest into further action – when organisations go from asking questions for their sustainability reporting to committing to buy recycled material.”
ResourceCo has a track record of diverting waste from landfill. Construction and demolition waste or commercial and industrial waste is recycled either as products that go back into the industry, or as processed engineered fuel. Up to 99 per cent of end-of-life tyres the company receives are recycled as crumb rubber for local use, or Tyre Derived Fuel (TDF), an alternative fuel.
Sanj says that having repurposed more than 60 million tonnes of materials, ResourceCo is one of the largest energy-from-waste producers in Australasia, and in doing so is a big contributor to carbon abatement and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
She says other organisations can leverage ResourceCo’s experience and success to help them reach their own sustainability targets.
“Our business model is uniquely placed to deliver on sustainability aspirations of our customers, embracing innovations and expanding our operations for sustainable circular outcomes.”
The ResourceCo sustainability framework provides a clear platform for reporting and communications, allowing for a meaningful dialogue with stakeholders and a consistency of focus that makes reporting more transparent.
With more than 20 years’ experience in driving and embedding the concepts of sustainability, Sanj has witnessed the evolution of sustainability from a buzz word in boardrooms to be the centre of globally recognised guidelines.
While sustainability has been on the corporate agenda for some time, she believes the COVID-19 pandemic acted as a tipping point and forced the issue into the spotlight.
She’s encouraged by a call to action across the industry and has been responsible for ResourceCo’s own sustainability journey with the first Sustainability Report, released in 2022.
Sanj says everyone at ResourceCo is driven by a sustainable future.
“We’re focused on engaging with our customers, broader industry and governments to demonstrate how the resource recovery industry can deliver a unique package of positive sustainability and economic outcomes.”
While ResourceCo’s business helps others with their sustainability goals, it too has an integrated company-wide commitment.
“All of us are responsible for delivering our aspirations, goals and targets, which impact our organisation, environment and customers,” Sanj says. “ResourceCo has been doing this for the past 30 years but putting it into a framework that resonates globally has been an exciting journey.”
For more information, visit: www.resourceco.com.au
