Quarry certification sets Qld on path to greener roads

In support of the increased use of recycled construction materials in major roads and infrastructure, Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has granted a Quarry Registration Certificate to Alex Fraser’s Archerfield and Nudgee Recycling Facilities.

The initiative is set to markedly improve the sustainability of Queensland’s road and rail projects, giving major contractors the ability to choose a certified supplier of recycled roadbase and aggregate that delivers on sustainability and quality in compliance with TMR specifications.

Alex Fraser Recycling GM Sean McCormick said the Queensland Government’s move to increase the use of recycled material in road projects is accelerating the circular economy.

“The best way to improve resource recovery is to develop strong markets — a critical part of that is having certified suppliers and clear specifications for the use of recycled products,” he said.

In July 2020, TMR discontinued the MRTS35 technical standard, specific to recycled unbound materials. TMR then updated the MRTS05 technical standard, specifying recycled materials alongside virgin quarried materials — making it easier for Queensland civil contractors to make sustainable choices.

McCormick said the Quarry Registration Certificate is strictly controlled to ensure consistent quality.

“To maintain certification, our products are tested regularly to ensure they are consistent and conform to the same standards as virgin material. This gives our customers peace of mind, knowing that they’ll never have to compromise on quality to achieve sustainability.

“We have been manufacturing high-spec, recycled construction materials for use in major infrastructure for decades; many of our customers consider our green roads products to be equal to, if not better-performing than, their quarried counterparts,” McCormick said.

“There’s been a lot of talk around increasing the use of recycled products — TMR has taken real action by awarding this Quarry Registration Certificate to Alex Fraser. It’s an exciting time to be in recycling and construction in Queensland. Alex Fraser’s Quarry Registration Status means the industry now has a go-to certified supplier for sustainable materials across a wide range of applications.

“This TMR certification assures the construction industry that our recycled products are manufactured and tested in a way comparable to quarry products. It’s a clear sign to local governments that certified suppliers of recycled materials can supply their works, too,” McCormick added.

Alex Fraser’s recycling facilities in Archerfield and Nudgee have the annual capacity to divert more than one million tonnes of South East Queensland’s construction and demolition waste, recycling it for reuse in sustainable infrastructure projects that can reduce carbon emissions by up to 65%.