Planned Welshpool recycling option not to be wasted

WESTERN Australian firm Waste Stream Management is planning a $2.5 million inert waste depot in Welshpool that will provide a viable recycling option for construction companies.

Waste Stream Management specialises in the recycling of concrete and last year opened a $4 million facility in Kwinana that converts demolition waste and rubble into reusable products, such as road base.

While major companies transport their waste to this facility themselves, the new depot will provide smaller companies that produce less waste with a convenient drop-off point.

Waste Stream Management will sort the waste on site and then transport it to Kwinana to be recycled.

Chief executive officer Mike Bobrowicz said millions of tonnes of inert waste still went to landfill each year because companies did not have options to dispose of small amounts of waste.

“Waste from major demolition and construction gets sent to Kwinana in bulk loads in the 22 tonne dump-trucks ... it costs them about the same as it would to put in landfill,” Mr Bobrowicz said.

However, there remained a significant amount of waste from smaller projects, such as partial renovations, that went to landfill because it was more financially viable, he said.

Mr Bobrowicz expected the new facility to be open by the middle of next year.

He said the facility also would serve as a shopfront for Waste Stream Management’s recycled products.