SaveBOARD, a manufacturer of sustainable building materials, will establish a new facility on the Gold Coast thanks to funding from the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund (QRMF).
This initiative, which is part of a larger effort by the federal and state governments, will help turn waste materials like used Tetra Pak beverage cartons, coffee cups, and soft plastics into high-performance building boards for construction. This follows the opening of Australia's first beverage carton recycling facility in Sydney's southwest earlier this year.
With more than $1.7 million in grant funding, SaveBOARD will create new jobs and contribute to the growth of the state's economy, Queensland’s department of state development, infrastructure, local government and planning said.
By diverting thousands of tonnes of packaging waste away from landfills each year, this project is an important step towards achieving a more sustainable future, Qld government added.
The QRMF is a joint initiative supported by the Queensland and Australian governments to invest in new infrastructure that sorts, processes, recycles and remanufactures waste. The QRMF helps accelerate projects that address critical infrastructure gaps in Queensland’s waste management and resource recovery industries, according to the state government.
Speaking at the Sydney facility opening, CEO and co-founder of saveBOARD Paul Charteris said that this initiative will support the circular economy to make a real impact to the environment and climate change.
He said the material produced will enhance the construction industry’s drive towards more sustainable construction practices, while also showing consumers the importance and value in recycling and opting for recyclable products in their day-to-day lives.
"To create a circular economy you need to be able to provide a circular product or service. Adding that it must have a use and an end of life, with a collection or takeback program, before being able to be reused, remanufacture or recycled into a new product. Most importantly all circular economy products or services need someone to buy them," he concluded.
