Government Expands Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme

The Miles Government’s Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme is expanding to boost the amount of construction waste being recycled. The Hon Leanne Linard MP, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation, announced a grant of $150,000 for the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland to expand the scheme which is currently operating in South East Queensland.

PVC is a widely used plastic polymer in the construction industry, and clean PVC piping, offcuts, and fittings can be recycled into new PVC pipes. Since the scheme has started, more than two tonnes of PVC off-cuts have been recycled.

"Construction and demolition waste is the largest headline wastes by volume and is listed as a problem waste in the Queensland Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy. Since the scheme began, builders and tradespeople have diverted more than 2.1 tonnes of PVC piping from landfill, and 93 per cent of recovered materials were recycled into new PVC products. The Miles Government will continue to work with industry to identify and implement real and innovative recycling solutions to divert waste products from landfill and create a circular economy for construction waste," said Environment Minister Leanne Linard.

The scheme’s expansion will see 22 new recycling locations established, including one at Reece Plumbing Centre in North Rockhampton, to facilitate broader participation and accessibility and bring the number of recycling deposit sites to 38. The expanded scheme’s will also have an educational outreach and will expand to TAFE campuses to instil recycling behaviours into the next generation of Queensland plumbers.

Preparations are now being conducted to install the new bins across Queensland. More information about the launch of phase 3 and the new bins will follow.

Currently, here is the list of bin locations where industry can drop off their PVC off-cuts and fittings: Locations — Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme.

Read the Government media statement

Visit the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme website for more information