Rockhampton Regional Council has diverted almost half of the region's collected waste from landfill through its recycling and recovery programs.
During the last year, Council recovered more than 55,000 tonnes of material that would otherwise have gone to landfill, achieving an overall landfill diversion rate of 47.8 per cent.
Council is responsible for operating and maintaining seven waste management facilities across the region, as well as kerbside wheelie bin collection.
Alongside these core services, Council runs a range of recycling, re-use and education programs that help reduce waste, recover valuable resources and support a local circular economy.
Some of the strongest results came from the construction sector, where Council achieved a 96.4 per cent recovery rate, significantly exceeding the State Government target of 88 per cent. More than 16,500 tonnes of materials were recovered, including asphalt, concrete and clean fill.
The commercial and industrial sector diverted almost 44 per cent of waste from landfill, recovering more than 23,300 tonnes of material, while households and kerbside services recovered more than 15,600 tonnes, including green waste, recycling, metals and cardboard.
Council continues to encourage residents to make use of the free recycling and recovery services available across its seven waste facilities, helping to keep valuable resources in circulation and supporting the region's long-term goal of reducing waste sent to landfill.
$5.7 million has been allocated in this year's budget for waste management capital works.
Some of Councils initiatives include:
- Reviva Ibis Reuse Shops at Lakes Creek Road, Gracemere and Mount Morgan, giving quality second-hand items a new life.
- Free e-waste recycling, keeping televisions, computers and electronic devices out of landfill.
- Household battery recycling, providing a safe disposal option for potentially hazardous waste.
- Used motor oil recovery, helping prevent environmental contamination.
- Metal recycling programs, recovering valuable materials for reuse.
- Polystyrene recycling, diverting bulky packaging materials from landfill.
- Free household recyclable drop-off services at waste facilities.
- Green waste recovery programs, turning garden waste into useful products rather than landfill.
- Recycle Mate, a free app that helps residents identify the correct disposal option for thousands of household items.
- Recycling Hero School Program, supporting 22 schools with education sessions, waste audits, facility tours and funding opportunities to improve recycling outcomes.
Quotes attributable to Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams:
"Waste and recycling services are essential for our communities, and this $5.7 million investment will help Council continue delivering these services across the region.
"Diverting more than 55,000 tonnes of material from landfill is a great result and shows the impact of our facilities, programs and community participation.
"We're focused on making it easier for residents and businesses to recycle, recover and reuse materials, helping create a more sustainable region."
Quotes attributable to Waste and Recycling Councillor Shane Latcham:
"Our waste facilities are doing more than managing rubbish, they're helping recover valuable resources and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill."
"The recovery rates achieved across construction, commercial and household waste streams show the strength of Council's recycling and resource recovery programs."
"I encourage residents to make use of the free recycling and recovery services available at our waste facilities and help us keep valuable materials in circulation."
