Local recycling facility helps environment and saves money
Posted on Thursday, 9 February, 2012
Council’s Pine Mountain Road recycling facility is saving ratepayers money as well as helping reduce Brisbane’s carbon footprint through sustainable operations.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Pine Mountain recycles approximately 50,000 tonnes of asphalt each year, which is then used in the maintenance of Council’s road network, saving $2.5 million each year for ratepayers.
“I want Brisbane to be Australia’s most clean and green city and the Pine Mountain recycling facility is one example of how Council is working to reach this goal through responsible, sustainable and green practices,” Cr Quirk said.
“Currently, 20 percent of all asphalt used in Brisbane for road resurfacing is recycled, a significant figure and one of the highest percentages in Australia.
“This not only saves Council approximately $2.5 million a year, but it is also helping us minimise our carbon footprint through the fuel, electricity and energy savings made from a reduced reliance on mining operations at the Mt Coot-tha Quarry.”
Cr Quirk said asphalt removed from roads during maintenance as well as old kerbing and sidewalks were taken to Pine Mountain where they were screened and crushed in order to be recycled.
“Concrete, asphalt and road base which would have previously gone into land fill is processed into a material that can be used on future road projects.
“If the material cannot be recycled into road base, it is used to fill the void left by mining activities at the old Pine Mountain Quarry in line with a rehabilitation plan for the site.”