- The Miles Government’s construction plastics recycling scheme is being expanded to Central Queensland.
- The government will provide $150,000 in additional funding to support the expanded roll-out.
- More than two tonnes of PVC piping have been recycled since the scheme began.
The Miles Government’s Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme is expanding to Central Queensland to boost the amount of construction waste being recycled.
Environment Minister Leanne Linard today announced a grant of $150,000 for the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland to expand the scheme which is currently operating in South East Queensland.
PVC is a widely used plastic polymer in the construction industry, and clean PVC piping, offcuts, and fittings can be recycled into new PVC pipes.
The scheme’s expansion will see 22 new recycling locations established, including one at Reece Plumbing Centre in North Rockhampton, to facilitate broader participation and accessibility and bring the number of recycling deposit sites to 38.
The expanded scheme’s will also have an educational outreach and will expand to TAFE campuses to instil recycling behaviours into the next generation of Queensland plumbers.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation:
“The Miles Government is committed to supporting councils, industry and our community to become a zero-waste society.
“We want a society where waste is avoided, reused and recycled, and that includes the construction industry.
“Construction and demolition waste is the largest headline wastes by volume and is listed as a problem waste in the Queensland Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy.
“Current recycling of PVC waste is limited as it is usually not separated from other waste at construction sites.
“With new funding of $150,000, the expansion of our Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme will see more dedicated PVC recycling bins installed at strategic locations, including here in Rockhamtpon.
“Since the scheme began, builders and tradespeople have diverted more than 2.1 tonnes of PVC piping from landfill, and 93 per cent of recovered materials were recycled into new PVC products.
“The Miles Government will continue to work with industry to identify and implement real and innovative recycling solutions to divert waste products from landfill and create a circular economy for construction waste.”
Quotes attributable to Master Plumbers Association of Queensland Executive Director, Penny Cornah:
“The construction industry holds a crucial responsibility in curbing plastic waste and advocating for the planet’s well-being.
“We are proud of our collaboration with our partners in promoting eco-conscious practices within the industry through the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme,” Ms Cornah said.
“The scheme enables us to offer a straightforward solution to reduce the disposal of PVC off-cuts in landfill.
“Numerous plumbing businesses are dedicated to adopting sustainable approaches and we are excited that the Queensland Government is supporting this scheme, extending its reach up to Rockhampton.”
