A new $40.5 million facility capable of processing more than 60,000 tonnes of recyclable products annually is set to be operational by the end of the year.
Construction of the Sunshine Coast Material Recycling Facility (MRF) at Nambour, which will incorporate industry-leading intelligent sorting technology, is nearing completion.
The MRF is the first new-build facility and largest new investment in publicly owned recycling infrastructure in Southeast Queensland in a decade.
It will be able to process 60,000 tonnes or more per year to recover glass bottles, plastic containers, cardboard, paper and steel and aluminium cans, supplying a range of quality products for re-use across several industries.
This extra recycling capacity, combined with the intelligent sorting equipment, will deliver improved recycling outcomes, helping to reduce waste-to-landfill and create new circular economy opportunities in downstream markets.
“Sunshine Coast residents are keen recyclers and they’re telling me that they’re keen to do even more to reduce, reuse and recycle waste,” Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton says.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson says the facility will be a smart step forward to build on the council’s goal to be a zero-net emissions organisation by 2041.
“Scheduled to open by the end of 2023, the new Nambour Materials Recovery Facility is set to deliver an even-smarter solution to recycling in our region,” Mayor Jamieson says.
“The facility will sort glass bottles and jars, paper, cardboard, plastics, steel cans and aluminium cans from household and business yellow-lidded bins at 98 per cent purity – the highest quality of any Australian recycling facility.”
Construction of the facility has been funded through a tripartite funding agreement between all levels of government.
It is enabling 80 local jobs during construction, while 18 new full-time positions are being established to run the facility once open.
