Cleanaway is focussed on reducing contamination, increasing resource recovery rates, and identifying pathways for the reuse of recovered materials. This circular economy model of resource recovery and reuse is a crucial part of Cleanaway’s mission to make a sustainable future possible.
Cleanaway is focussed on reducing contamination, increasing resource recovery rates, and identifying pathways for the reuse of recovered materials. This circular economy model of resource recovery and reuse is a crucial part of Cleanaway’s mission to make a sustainable future possible.
Cleanaway’s Engineering team in Victoria has been working on finding new ways to beneficially reuse glass from kerbside recycling received by our Victorian Commingled Resource Recovery (VCRR) network of facilities. One of the glass recycling applications identified by the team was to use crushed glass as a sand/aggregate substitute in the rehabilitation of Fraser Road Landfill, where Cleanaway is currently managing site remediation.
Cleanaway CEO and Managing Director Vik Bansal said, “With VCRR facilities now upgraded to the highest standards, Cleanaway is focussed on reducing contamination, increasing resource recovery rates, and identifying pathways for the reuse of recovered materials. This circular economy model of resource recovery and reuse is a crucial part of Cleanaway’s mission to make a sustainable future possible.”
Remediation Manager Leo Oldridge said the team is looking at innovative ways to apply the recycled glass especially in construction projects, “With up to 300,000 tonnes of glass being used every year in Victoria, Cleanaway is undertaking several engineering projects that will be able to beneficially reuse significant volumes of glass. Aside from our Fraser Road site, we’re also looking to reuse glass to make pavements and for use in wet weather pads, road sealing and as aggregate binders.”
Following the acquisition of SKM Recycling in July 2019, Cleanaway undertook major upgrades to facilities in Coolaroo, Hallam, Geelong, and Laverton North, now collectively known as VCRR, to mitigate any legacy risks and rehabilitate operations.
Recycling services were restored to Victorian residents in record time including in Moyne Shire, where council has successfully recycled materials from the commingled bin with Cleanaway, after 17 months of being unable to find a processor that could accept the materials.
The technology at VCRR is designed to sort paper, glass, cardboard, hard plastic and tins from commingled recycling. The glass stream undergoes various processes such as sorting, crushing and screening. The resulting output is engineered to be a cleaner, consistent and versatile product, meaning a higher quality commodity for reuse.
Moyne Shire was one of the first in the state to introduce a glass-only bin this year, with the state government mandating all Victorian councils provide a glass-only system by 2027.
Cleanaway continues to work closely with consultants and EPA-appointed auditors to ensure the material meets the required specifications and standards.
Contact us to learn more about how we’re making a sustainable future possible together for communities and businesses across Australia.