100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

New machine to recycle enough plastic to fill Olympic-size swimming pool

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Flood rescue and lightning strike after night of heavy rain

A person has been rescued from floodwaters and another was struck by lightning after wild weather hit the Sunshine Coast. ANZAC Day commemorations went ahead More

Lest we forget: Coast pauses to remember on wet ANZAC Day

Across the Sunshine Coast this morning community members have gathered to pay heartfelt tribute to past and present servicemen and women as part of More

Never forgotten: veteran’s mission to keep ANZAC spirit alive

Every year on April 25, Australians and New Zealanders commemorate those who have given their lives, fought on the frontline, served in the Armed More

ANZAC Day: where you can attend services on the Coast

This Friday the country will stop to remember the sacrifice and bravery of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and servicewomen, past and present. April 25 More

Easter feast: python devours possum at busy beach

A slithery creature has enjoyed quite the Easter feast while stunning visitors at a popular beach over the recent long weekend. Passers-by were stopped in More

‘Ongoing challenge’: group works towards reliable harbour access

The state's waterways authority says it is doing what it can to address persistent shoaling at the entrance to the Sunshine Coast's main harbour. Maritime More

A new machine is set to reduce the amount of waste and costs at a Noosa Council facility.

The Expanded Polystyrene Thermal Compaction Unit, at council’s Eumundi Road service facility, is set to spare an estimated 50 tonnes of polystyrene from landfill annually.

It follows a successful six-month trial of the recycling technology, using a smaller machine.

Councillors this week endorsed a motion to award IS Recycling Pty Ltd a $227,000 contract for the supply, installation and 12-month maintenance of the machine.

Mayor Clare Stewart said processing polystyrene in-house would save council more than $380,000 annually in costs associated with sending the material to landfill.

“It makes good business sense as the machine will more than pay for itself in less than six months, and we’re conserving space in our new landfill cell while helping reduce the environmental impact of polystyrene waste,” she said.

The machine heats up polystyrene waste and compresses it, turning it into small, solid bricks, which take up less space and can be more easily transported for repurposing into new products.

An array of plastics, including polystyrene containers. Picture: Shutterstock

Council’s waste and environmental health manager Kyrone Dodd said the trial machine processed about 25 tonnes of polystyrene during six months, with the larger machine capable of processing even more if required.

“The machine reduces polystyrene’s size by 90 per cent and turns it into product,” he said.

“Around 50 tonnes of polystyrene processed equates to around 2388 cubic metres of landfill space saved.

“As a comparison we would be diverting one Olympic-size swimming pool (of plastic) every year from landfill and recycling it.

“Recycling polystyrene keeps it out of landfill, stops the particles entering the natural environment where they cause all sorts of issues and saves us the cost of putting it into landfill.”

The equipment also includes a shredder that can be used independently of the thermal compactor.

“It means we can safely stockpile polystyrene until we have a significant amount to run through the thermal compactor at one time, which makes the process as efficient as possible,” Mr Dodd said.

Council aims to have the new machine in place and online in August.

Subscribe to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share