Port Adelaide Enfield and Charles Sturt councils to build recycling plant

Two Adelaide councils will join forces to build their own multimillion-dollar recycling plant in an effort to turn a growing rubbish crisis into a money-making opportunity.

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Two metropolitan councils will join forces to build a multi-million recycling plant.

Port Adelaide Enfield and Charles Sturt councils announced today they would spend $12.8 million to build a Material Recovery Facility in Kilburn to process kerbside recyclables.

The plant, on Mill Ct, should be built by early 2021 and create between 15 to 20 new jobs.

There are plans to work with local recycling businesses to turn waste into “usable commodities” like road surfaces.

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said there were economic benefits for councils managing their own waste.

“Both our councils have a commitment to being more sustainable and accountable with our recycling, so the MRF facility will enable us to sort and process our recyclable waste such as plastic bags into asphalt for roads,” Mrs Boan said.

“This collaborative project between two neighbouring councils is part of our commitment to work together to find the best solutions to make improvements for our communities.”

Both councils voted at meetings this week to press ahead with building the plant.

Currently, the councils outsource recyclable processing to the private sector.

The councils came to the conclusion it would be more effective to process its own kerbside recyclables, following affects of the China Sword recycling policy and an increase to the Solid Waste Levy.

Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans said it showed the councils were “serious” about being leaders in waste management.

“With so much focus on the impact we all have on the future of the plant, being able to lead the charge in recycling is so important for our communities,” she said.

Charles Sturt chief executive Paul Sutton said there could be opportunities for other councils to come on as “customers” in the future.

Detailed design, planning and approvals would begin shortly.

The Advertiser revealed the failed SKM Recycling, which closed its facilities at Wingfield and Lonsdale, had left thousands of tonnes of material in Adelaide.

That waste looks destined to be dumped at a private landfill.

SKM declared insolvent this month with debts totalling $5 million.

At the time, Local Government Association president Sam Telfer said the collapse highlighted the need for greater investment in material recovery facilities in South Australia.

Mr Telfer today welcomed the announcement, and said the State Government should pitch in.

“The State Government will collect more than $40 million from councils through the Solid Waste Levy this year, while only making $2.5 million available in waste and recycling grants,” he said.

“Money collected through this levy should be invested in projects that will support the creation of a circular economy in South Australia.”