Sustainability Victoria awarded funding to a construction materials manufacturer as part of the Victorian Government’s $4.67 million Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund.
The funding aims to support the diversion of recyclable materials from landfill.
A grant of $336,500 will go towards building of a glass additive bin within Alex Fraser’s the recycling plant at the Clarinda facility.
This will allow reprocessed glass waste to be blended into a range of recycled construction materials, replacing natural sand.
Alex Fraser’s Managing Director, Peter Murphy, said the grant would go a long way to closing the loop on problem glass waste, diverting thousands more tonnes from landfill and increasing the supply of materials needed to build greener roads in the southeast.
“Glass is a high-density waste stream, so it is imperative its recycling facilities are well located, close to the point of generation and close to end-markets. This minimises truck traffic, reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions,” he said.
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Natural sand is quarried in outlying areas and trucked up to 100 kilometres so the addition of the recycling infrastructure will help Melbourne’s glass waste problem, reduce congestion on roads and lessen the cost and carbon emissions of projects.
The project promises to reduce the landfill or stockpiling of problem glass by 38,500 tonnes each year.
“By reprocessing this priority waste into high quality sand we’re able to supply rail and road projects with a range of high-spec, sustainable materials that cut costs, cartage, and carbon emissions and reduce the strain on natural resources,” Murphy said.
“We’re pleased to be working with the Victorian Government to overcome one of the state’s biggest recycling challenges.”