PVC Recycling Scheme Expands To 40 Locations Across Queensland

Craig Kuhlar from Our Plumber, MPAQ Trustee Bill Watson, Finley Turner from Spot On Plumbing and Drainage, Tradelink Browns Plains Branch Manager Darren Charlesworth, and MPAQ President Kent Vickers at the Tradelink Browns Plains store.

Phase three of the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme was launched on 19 April 2024, which marks an expansion of the Scheme to more areas across Queensland. The expansion aims to continue raising awareness, educating, and inspiring action on how organisations can reduce waste going to landfill by recycling PVC off-cuts.

Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) and Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA) launched phase three in time for World Earth Day 2024, celebrated on 22 April. The scheme echoes the theme of this year’s World Earth Day, “Planet versus Plastics,” which hopes to support conversations on stewardship and sustainability.

Three breakfast events were held simultaneously at three locations – Reece Jimboomba, Tradelink Browns Plains, and Samios Northlakes. Members of the industry and partners were in attendance to express their support.

The initiative is supported by the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund.

"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 pipes. 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 aims to educate and change behaviours when it comes to the disposal of PVC offcuts, working collaboratively with the broader industry to provide easy and accessible drop off points and help divert waste from landfill. These PVC offcuts are then recycled into new long-life recyclable pipe products.

Reece Jimboomba store

New recycling locations and efforts

The Hon Leanne Linard MP, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation, announced a grant to support the Scheme and help establish new recycling locations across Queensland.

The Scheme’s expansion will see 22 new locations established all the way to Rockhampton to facilitate broader participation and accessibility, bringing the number of recycling deposit sites to 40.

Part and parcel of the initiative is educational outreach. Efforts will expand to TAFE campuses to instil recycling behaviours into the next generation of Queensland plumbers.

“We are proud of our collaboration with our partners in promoting eco-conscious practices within the industry through the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme. Numerous plumbing businesses are dedicated to adopting sustainable approaches and we are excited that the Queensland Government is supporting this scheme, extending its reach up to Rockhampton,” said Penny Cornah, MPAQ Executive Director.

Samios North Lakes

Plumbing industry leading the way

The Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme officially began on 1 November 2021, with collection bins delivered to seven participating locations across South East Queensland (SEQ). Dedicated bins located in partner locations and trade stores are regularly audited so the contents can be sorted to remove unusable waste before the recycling process can begin.

In 2022, the Scheme celebrated National Recycling Week and grew to 16 locations across SEQ.

In 2023, additional efforts were concentrated on education and awareness. In time for World Earth Day, a video was developed to show the recycling process, as well as industry participation and support for the Scheme and its intention to invest in our planet.

PIPA Executive General Manager Cindy Bray said the key to a circular economy is designing products to last:

“One of the common plastics used for pipe production is PVC; thanks to its durability and long service life, typically more than 100 years, this material is found on all building sites today. Although most of the PVC goes into the buildings, there can be off-cuts that can be reused and reprocessed into new PVC pipes. Overall, the process of producing, recycling, and reusing pipes have minimal environmental effects highlighting the never-ending benefits to implementing the Scheme. Plastic pipes are smart, efficient, and sustainable, providing long-lasting and reliable infrastructure both now and into the future.”

Participating locations

South East Queensland:

• 44 Townhouses Development North Lakes
• Express Plumbing Supplies Burleigh Heads
• J & P Richardson
• Logan Hospital
• Manning on Milton
• Monarch Apartments – Milton
• Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre – PICAC
• Ramcon Centre Wacol
• Reece Coolum
• Reece Enoggera
• Reece Jimboomba
• Reece Mansfield
• Reece Morayfield
• Reece Redland Bay
• Reece Springfield
• Remondis
• Rowcon Recycling
• Samios North Lakes
• TAFE Acacia Ridge
• TAFE Alexandra Hills
• TAFE Ashmore
• TAFE Eagle Farm
• TAFE Sunshine Coast
• Tradelink Bowen Hills
• Tradelink Browns Plains
• Tradelink Geebung
• Tradelink Kunda Park
• Tradelink Woolloongabba

South West and Darling Downs:

• K & R Chinchilla
• K & R Gatton
• Reece Dalby
• TAFE Toowoomba
• Tradelink Toowoomba West
• Tradelink Ipswich
• Tradelink Warwick
• Woodford Youth Detention Centre

Wide Bay-Burnett:

• Reece Gympie
• Samios Hervey Bay
• Tradelink Bundaberg

Central Queensland:

• Reece North Rockhampton

To find out more about the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme and what can and cannot be recycled, visit www.mpaq.com.au/pvc.