The Palaszczuk Government is investing nearly $27 million in recycling projects that will create jobs and support businesses in the resource recovery sector while reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill.
Treasurer Cameron Dick made the announcement at Enviro Sand, a Wacol-based glass recycler that will create 11 new jobs while turning nearly 45,000 tonnes of glass that would otherwise have gone to landfill into an environmentally-friendly and innovative sand products for the construction industry.
"By reusing materials, the resource recovery industry directly contributes at least $830 million to the Queensland economy – turning rubbish into economic prosperity and jobs," the Treasurer said.
"This funding will support the creation of 303 new jobs in Queensland – and that's just the start of the economic benefit.
"It will see more than 957,000 tonnes of rubbish diverted from landfill each year and result in $126 million in additional capital investment into our economy from the industry."
Minister for State Development Kate Jones said investing resource recovery initiatives makes sense economically and environmentally.
"Each year, our investment in the Resource Recovery Industry Development Program diverts 1.3 million tonnes of waste from landfill, creating over 360 jobs and reducing total landfill by 11 per cent," Minister Jones said.
"We have a real opportunity to push this industry forward and seize the employment opportunities associated with the resource recovery industry as we unite and recover."
Enviro Sand Chairman Jim McKnoulty said more than 60 per cent of the world's glass waste ends up in landfill representing one of the waste industry's biggest unsolved problems.
"Our recycled glass sands can be used in road surfacing, pool filtration systems, countertops and furniture. Using glass sand instead of quarry sand also reduces the workplace risk of Silicosis by 90 per cent," Mr McKnoulty said.
"This new $3.4 million project will allow us to increase our production capacity to meet the demand for this product."
The Treasurer said the investment through the Resource Recovery Industry Development Program will continue to grow this high-value industry and create jobs as part of the Palaszczuk Government's Economic Recovery Action Plan.
"Our economic plan to revive Queensland's economy by supporting businesses and jobs is clear," the Treasurer said.
"Just as clear is how we will pay for that plan – by borrowing to rebuild."
"As anyone who goes to their local tip on the weekend can tell you, there are more jobs and economic benefits in resource recovery than there are in landfill – three times as many according to some studies."
The Palaszczuk Government released its Resource Recovery Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan which sets out key strategies to develop the state's resource recovery industries.
Funding recipients include:
- AKM Earth Pty Ltd, Moreton Bay, will be funded $1.5 million
- Blocktexx, Woodridge, will be funded $600,000
- Disruptive Packaging Pty Ltd, Acacia Ridge, will be funded $275,000
- Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd, Brendale, will be funded $2.5 million
- Enviro Sand Pty Ltd, Wacol, will be funded $1.2 million
- Envorinex Pty Ltd, Toowoomba, will be funded $1.3 million
- Furness Group Pty Ltd T/A Enwaste, Warwick, will be funded $421,500
- Kalfresh Pty Ltd, Kalbar (Scenic Rim), will be funded $1 million
- Kriaris Transport Pty Ltd, Rockhampton, will be funded $600,000
- Livingstone Shire Council, Yeppoon, will be funded $625,000
- Maranoa Regional Council, Roma, will be funded $359,000
- QLD Recycling Pty Ltd, Nudgee Beach, will be funded $1.5 million
- Reclaim PV Recycling, Rocklea, will be funded $130,000
- Re.Cycle Operations, Mackay, will be funded $750,000
- Rosenlund Constructions, Pinkenba, will be funded $2.35 million
- ResourceCo BRRF Pty Ltd, South East Brisbane, will be funded $8 million
- Rowcon Recycling Pty Ltd, Sunshine Coast, will be funded $1.25 million
- Stapylton Resource Recovery (Qld) Pty Ltd, Stapylton, will be funded $2 million.
- Veolia Environmental Service Australia Pty Ltd, Swanbank, will be funded $500,000.
