Lismore launches Materials Recovery Facility and Glass Processing Plant

Lismore City Council this week opened its $3.65 million Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and Glass Processing Plant. The MRF will sort, separate and prepare up to 15,000 tonnes of recyclables to be made into new products every year, including materials from neighbouring councils.

Lismore City Council developed the MRF as a regional hub and is looking at bringing on board the Richmond Valley Council and Ballina Shire Council. Through the Glass Processing Plant they will also be able to recycle all used glass and crockery, which will be crushed into sand under the ‘Glass - 2 - Sand’ initiative and then used for blending into road base and asphalt.

At the official opening of the facility were (L-R) Council General Manager Gary Murphy, Australian Packaging Covenant CEO Stan Moore, Mayor Jenny Dowell, Lismore MP Thomas George, EPA Manager of Waste and Recycling Infrastructure Mark Jackson and Council Waste Operations Coordinator Kevin Trustum.

The Glass Processing Plant was jointly funded by the Australian Packaging Covenant, the NSW Government and the Product Stewardship Forum. According to APC CEO Stan Moore, “Collaboration is the key.

“Lismore City Council working with its community, and the plan to work with Richmond Valley Council and the Ballina Shire Council on this regional initiative, combines the actions and efforts of individuals to contribute to an overall outcome,” Moore continued.

“The integrated approach to the development of this facility is far-sighted and commendable. The glass recovery and re-use is exciting; recovering glass and turning it back into sand and using it as a sand replacement makes sense and is part of the new way of thinking about the circular economy.”

Lismore City Council residents have been issued with an information sheet and fridge magnet detailing 12 recycling rules for their yellow bin. They can also collect free satchels to recycle problem waste including household batteries, reading glasses, corks, CDs and DVDs, mobile phones and accessories, printer cartridges and small electronics such as cameras, iPods and calculators.