Environment and Sustainability South Australia

Eight new recycling projects improve SA’s recycling industry

Eliza Sayon May 21, 2021

2 min read

Eight new recycling projects have been recently announced in South Australia, bringing in big investments into the state’s recycling industry.

The new recycling projects are said to be over $111 million and will build and modernise key infrastructure in the region. Some of the projects include a $12 million waste paper and cardboard recycling plant, a $24 million material resource facility and a new $19 million glass processing plant.

The projects will increase the state’s ability to process waste after the export of unprocessed waste plastic, paper and cardboard, glass and tyres were banned.

South Australian Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs and Federal Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans announced the eight recycling projects at the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority (NAWMA).

The waste paper and cardboard recycling plant at the NAWMA will process 40,000 tonnes of mixed waste paper and cardboard per year, more than the amount South Australia exports for waste disposal.

“The eight projects which are worth $111 million will transform waste management in South Australia and improve our ability to process plastic, glass, paper, cardboard and tyres within the state. They will reinforce South Australia’s position as a national leader when it comes to waste management,” Minister Speirs said.

“The new $12 million processing plant here at NAWMA will guarantee waste which was originally destined for export can be converted to into new products which is not only good for the environment but good for the economy.”

Federal Minister for Environment Sussan Ley said the recycling projects are expected to create more than 500 jobs. The projects are also said to convert over 205,000 tonnes of waste resources into new products.

“These kinds of high-tech projects build the infrastructure that will power the circular economy in Australia, improving our ability to process our own waste and creating local jobs,” Minister Ley said.

“Taking responsibility for our waste means meeting this challenge, and that is why the State Government is driving a $1 billion transformation of our waste and recycling industry, including $190 million for a Recycling Modernisation Fund that will leverage over $600 million in total investment to turbocharge our waste and recycling industry’s infrastructure.”

Federal Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans said the key aim of the Recycling Modernisation Fund was to create an operational recycling infrastructure before the waste export bans are fully phased in.

“Recycling requires large and expensive facilities however there are significant benefits beyond creating new jobs. For example, recycled paper uses up to 90% less water and 50% less energy than making new paper from virgin materials,” Minister Evans said.

“Australia was the first country in the world to ban the export of its unprocessed waste for disposal overseas and we now lead the world in taking responsibility for our own waste.”

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.