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Recycling processing to move to Townsville’s newer facility. Photo supplied
Mackay Regional Council is investigating innovative and cost-effective ways to reduce waste and improve recycling outcomes as Australia works towards ambitious national waste reduction targets.
The nation has set a goal of diverting up to 90 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030; however, all states and territories are currently falling short of that target.
In response, Mackay Regional Council is exploring proactive measures aimed at reducing reliance on landfill, and looking to be a leader in this space.
Mayor Greg Williamson said council had been investigating pathways to improve waste management sustainability.
“Mackay, like all councils across Queensland, is facing rising waste volumes, increasing landfill costs and tighter environmental expectations. Being reliant on landfill is not sustainable in the medium to long term,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Council is enhancing its recycling capabilities by transitioning the ageing Paget Material Recovery Facility (MRF) into a bale and transfer station where recyclables will be lightly bundled and transferred to Townsville’s much newer MRF, operated by Re.Group,” he said.
“This will allow us to leverage advanced technology to maximise landfill diversion and support a growing resource recovery industry.”
Mayor Williamson said cost-effectiveness was also a driving factor.
“As the cost of everything increases, we need to adapt to ensure our money is going as far as possible,” Mayor Williamson said.
“This new approach will reduce costs by sharing the operational burden of a modern recycling facility across Mackay, Whitsunday and North Queensland regions,” he said.
“When we went out for tender in late 2025, Re.Group’s proposal to bundle recycling locally and transport it to Townsville for processing was by far the most cost-effective option.”
The partnership also provides access to advanced processing infrastructure and international recycling markets, ensuring materials are responsibly turned into new products.
Re.Group Managing Director David Singh said materials from Mackay would begin transferring to Townsville within the month.
“Consolidating recyclables at our Townsville facility achieves the scale that allows advanced equipment and technology to process recyclables into high-quality materials which can be reused in new products,” Mr Singh said.
“This facility has the capacity to process 30 thousand tonnes of recycling material and onsite we produce high quality paper and cardboard, ferrous metals and aluminium, glass sand and plastics,” he said.
“These products are then put to market to be remade into new products made from glass, paper cardboard and plastic.”
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