MORE than 12 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste is generated every year in Australia – with more than half sent to landfill.
The not-for-profit Planet Ark Environmental Foundation has set up a free online directory, BusinessRecycling.com.au, to help cut back on rising rates of landfill.
Planet Ark’s recycling programs manager, Janet Sparrow, has urged businesses across Victoria to decrease their waste by visiting the site.
“As waste disposal costs increase, it makes financial sense to look for recycling options for the wide range of waste materials generated by businesses,” Ms Sparrow said.
In the Brimbank area, the top five materials searched for the BusinessRecycling site include cardboard cartons, video and audio tapes, computers and accessories, office paper and printer cartridges. One business in the West which is featured on the internet page is Transpacific’s Brooklyn Transfer Station.
The centre’s operations supervisor, Marcus Steer, said in an average month, the site removes or processes the 230 tonnes of timber, 100 tonnes of hard green waste, 80 tonnes of steel and eight tonnes of cardboard.
“The facility operates as a drop off point for residential waste, commercial and industrial waste, green waste and kerbside collection waste,” Mr Steer said,
“The materials dropped off are then sorted and segregated into items that can be recycled and reused.
“The facility is operated by eight employees covering a seven-day roster, with tasks ranging from a gate attendant to machine operators handling materials.”
Mr Steer said Transpacific viewed all waste as a resource and aimed to incorporate recovery, recycling and reuse throughout its operations.
“Transfer stations are in integral part of waste and recycling management solutions for local areas, as they help to divert waste away from landfill, saving valuable landfill space and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
