As we continue getting to know our customers in Tasmania, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of Cleanaway’s Derwent Park Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Hobart.
The MRF is the only facility of its kind in southern Tasmania, receiving approximately 75 to 105 tonnes of kerbside recycling each day for processing. There has been significant investment in the facility over the past 12 months, with most of the plant and equipment requiring major refurbishment following the acquisition from SKM in October 2019. These improvements resulted in better recovery rates and increased safety features.
Representatives from Tasmanian councils Glenorchy and Kingborough, and the State Government visited the facility to see how their recycling is being managed and were impressed with the extensive engineering and design that had been implemented.
The facility recently achieved two major milestones – a new enterprise agreement was successfully negotiated, providing ongoing protection for our employees onsite. Secondly, the reinstatement of the eddy current has allowed us to sort more material onsite and export the recyclable commodities directly to overseas markets. Find out more about how a MRF works here.
“This is an incredible diversion story for the Tasmanian community. Our ability to process and find end markets for recyclables would not have been possible without the outstanding leadership of Operations Manager Clint Knight and his team of dedicated operators and sorters. Sarah Britton from the Cleanaway Commodities Trading Desk has also played a major role in selling the commodities to buyers around the world.” said Regional Manager Matt Eiszele.
When Derwent Park reopened in December 2019, the site employed 15 people and processed cardboard, newsprint and mixed plastic/aluminium bales of recyclable material. Today, we have expanded our team to 21 onsite staff managing multiple recycling streams including cardboard, newsprint, HDPE, PET, mixed plastic, aluminium and steel.
“As volumes into the facility continue to increase, we’ve maintained an 8% contamination rate – which is exceptional and better than most contamination rates on the mainland. For their part, Tasmanians are doing a great job. Households and businesses should continue to be conscientious recyclers and avoid contaminating the recycling bin with items that don’t belong.” added Matt.
Contact us to learn more about how we’re making a sustainable future possible for businesses and communities across Australia.