CBD building keeps 91% of waste out of landfill

Sydney recycler WSN Environmental Solutions has achieved great success in the first year of its GreenStep contract with the Gateway building in Sydney, with its resource recovery program keeping 91% of the building’s waste out of landfill.

The Circular Quay building’s owner, Dexus Property Group, sought a sustainable waste solution in March 2008 and since then WSN has worked with the company to collect 600 tonnes of organic rich general waste. This is processed through the alternative waste technology (AWT) facility at WSN’s Eastern Creek Waste and Recycling Centre.

WSN has also recovered 150 tonnes of paper and cardboard from the Gateway building’s waste stream which is recovered and on-sold to make new cardboard boxes and other products.

The Eastern Creek AWT facility, which is owned and operated by Global Renewables Limited, separates valuable products such as plastic, metal and glass and converts the organic component of the waste into green electricity, compost and fertiliser products.

The GreenStep program also engages employees in helping to recover waste by running on-site staff education and training and environmental and safety auditing, as well as advising on the development of systems, policies and standard operating procedures.