New ACOR Chairman set to lead discussion on circular economy

Close the Loop’s Peter Tamblyn has been announced as Chairman of the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR), with the appointment set to boost the company’s credentials in leading discussion on the circular economy.

A recycling innovator for more than 17 years, Close the Loop is an active participant in the development of the broader recycling industry through its association with ACOR. Tamblyn, Close the Loop’s Sales and Marketing Manager, has represented the company on the ACOR Board for several years prior to his appointment as Chairman.

“Australia faces a national waste crisis with numerous municipal councils sending recyclable materials directly to landfill. While this has mainly arisen from China’s decision to no longer accept imported waste, it has been exacerbated by a largely neglected local recycling industry,” Tamblyn said.

“Australia is now paying the price for not developing and investing in a recycling and re-use industry over the last 20–30 years. It’s simply not enough to create and build local recycling capabilities; a viable and sustainable recycling industry is essential if we are to appropriately deal with end-of-life products,” he continued.

ACOR, the national association for the recycling and resource recovery industry, represents local businesses in the value and supply chain. In addition to advocating on behalf of members, it works with governments to develop recycling policies and programs.

“ACOR is taking action to address this crisis and has submitted a 10-point plan for results-based recycling to government, which includes a $150 million one-off investment in recycling innovation and infrastructure. We hope this 10-point plan will largely drive the government’s strategy for the National Waste Policy.”

At an organisational level, Close the Loop is focused on creating products that divert valuable waste materials from landfill. Its TonerPlas asphalt additive contains the equivalent of more than 530,000 plastic bags, 168,000 glass bottles and toner from more than 12,000 used printer cartridges in every 1 km stretch of road (two lanes).

“Like Close the Loop, there are several local companies developing innovative solutions at the moment that could significantly reduce landfilling of recyclable materials, but many of these are dependent on end markets being incentivised to purchase products made with recycled materials,” Tamblyn said.

Image credit: ©acor.org.au