Clarinda recycling plant to save 200 million bottles from landfill

August 19, 2019

Sustainability Victoria has announced Alex Fraser’s Clarinda recycling facility is among 13 recipients granted a share in the Victorian State Government’s $4.67 million Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund.

The state funded grants program aims to support the diversion of recyclable materials from landfill.

The $336,500 grant will go towards the build of a glass additive bin within the recycling plant at the Clarinda facility, enabling reprocessed glass waste to be blended into a range of high quality 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 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.

“Natural sand is quarried in outlying areas and trucked up to 100kms so this initiative will not only go a long way to solving Melbourne’s glass waste problem but help reduce congestion on our roads and the cost and carbon emissions of these projects,” he said.

The project promises to reduce the landfill or stockpiling of problem glass by 38,500 tonnes each year.

“This improvement at our Clarinda recycling plant will divert almost 200 million bottles worth of problem glass from landfill.

“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,” Mr Murphy said.

“We’re pleased to be working with the Victorian Government to overcome one of the state’s biggest recycling challenges.”