TNQ Plastics
A feasible way to improve our plastic recycling
Currently, plastic waste within Far North Queensland is sorted and freighted down to Brisbane for processing. Recycled products are bought back from southern businesses, incurring further freight costs and emissions. There are opportunities to harness high-density polyethene (HDPE) plastics and recycle them locally in Far North Queensland.
Feasibility studies conducted by the Regional Development Australian Tropical North (RDA TN) show how beneficial a plastics recycling hub can be.
Our circular economy pays dividends
There is substantial potential to increase recycled plastic within the region, giving private investors a Return on Investment of between 14% and 25%. The benefits wouldn’t stop there. For every 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste recycled, 9.2 jobs are created, compared with 2.8 jobs if the same amount of waste was sent to landfill. In addition, a multi-polymer plant would also reduce emissions by 5,000 carbon tons per year.
“The TNQ Plastics project has delivered substantial work to help the private sector establish a recycling industry here in Far North Queensland. With support from the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund (QRMF), several recycling projects in the region are in development.
In addition, we’ve also produced a Replicable Pilot Template available on the RDA TN website. The template enables users to understand the feasibility of a recycling facility within an LGA or region based on plastic types and volumes."
Sonja Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, RDA TN
A solution for the banana industry
“Just from two farms, we’ve collected over 100 tons in twelve months, so we know a lot of plastic is being used in the region. And it’s not just banana bags, there’s shrink wrapping, plastic straps, fertiliser bags, and the twine used to hold the banana trees up. It all adds up.”
Marc Jackson, Director – Enviroplas Recycling
Virgin plastics with nowhere to go
Based in the Millaa Millaa hills, the team at Mungalli Creek has been advocating for more incentives to help prevent virgin plastic from ending up in landfill. Working through their supply chain to minimise the impact of their operations, the family-owned operation finds it almost impossible to buy recycled plastic for their products. In addition, the lack of recycling options in the region, prevents them from saving plastic waste from landfill.
“We produce a lot of plastic bottles for our products. When bottles have imperfections caused by the blowing process, they can’t be used and, therefore, become a waste product. While it is virgin plastic that hasn’t been used and could be recycled to become a perfect PET bottle – but we have no way of capturing the plastic that could be recycled.”
Beth Watson, Marketing – Mungalli Biodynamic
*Disclaimer: This case study showcases an innovative approach in Cairns’ Smart Green Economy. While this project is not owned by Cairns Regional Council, and the presentation of this case study does not imply Council endorsement, it is our aim to highlight some of the exciting initiatives in our region and inspire positive change within our community.