As the waste crisis continues with local councils stockpiling or sending recycling to landfill, waste management leaders are looking to long term solutions.
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Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group has applied for government funding to develop a business case for a materials recycling facility in Ballarat.
This push toward a local recycling solution comes after recycling processor SKM stopped taking material at its South Geelong plant and its plants in Laverton and Coolaroo were shut due to Environmental Protection Authority orders.
Local councils that have recycling contracts with SKM have been left to either stockpile their recycling or send it to landfill and uncertainty remains as to when the Geelong South plant will resume taking material.
Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group chief executive La Vergne Lehmann told The Courier a recycling facility in Ballarat would allow the region to take ownership of its mounting waste problem and provide certainty in its ability to process recycling.
"Given what has happened in the last few weeks I think it is really quite clear how important getting something like this in the region is, with the possibility of serving other regions like Western Melbourne into the future," she said.
We have to encourage councils to think bigger picture and long term but we also have to deal with the immediate problem.
- La Vergne Lehmann
Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority opened a recycling facility in 2017 that is owned and operated by local government.
The facility provides a revenue stream for the authority's constituent councils, while reducing exposure to the commercial recycling industry.
The Adelaide facility cost $10 million to build and set up.
The business case for a facility in Ballarat will investigate markets for recycled plastic, paper and glass.
Ms Lehmann said there were opportunities for businesses to create products from recycled materials, like Ballarat-based company Replas that creates products like furniture and fencing from recycled plastic.
"Ballarat is a manufacturing centre and there is no reason why we shouldn’t look at trying to bring in new players to use those materials and developing new industries out of that," she said.
"It is not just about having a recycling facility, but it is the economic development opportunities that come with it: new businesses, or the enhancement of current businesses and the opportunity for those big thinkers that see this is something we could be doing and doing well.
"We have to encourage councils to think bigger picture and long term but we also have to deal with the immediate problem."
GCWWRRG is working to secure funding before beginning the materials recycling facility business case.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
