Local business investing in recycling - Good for Environment, Good for Business case study
With a strong focus on diverting materials from landfill and reducing its environmental footprint, Mills Freightlines has undertaken significant upgrades to its recycling processing facility in Brinkworth, with the state government funding half of the $600,000 project.
Established in 1966, Mills Freightlines took ownership of Clare Valley Waste in 2007. Since then the business has developed, and its focus is clear – ‘zero waste’ by investing in recycling for the benefit of the future.
Its initial waste operations focused on the Main Street site at Brinkworth – a small-scale paper and cardboard bailing operation. In 2014, Mills purchased an additional property at Condowie Plains Road and developed it into a fully enclosed transfer station.
The Clare Valley Waste Resource Recovery Facility is a large shed used in part to store and segregate waste as well as fertiliser. The facility also has a trommel to screen and separate waste.
The advantages for local councils and residents have been significant as the recycling facility is able to process kerbside recyclables collected by the Mid North councils. In addition it can receive commercial and industrial waste, and green waste.
The focus of its recycling operation has remained cardboard and newsprint with Mills Freightlines achieving a high level of resource recovery and keeping transport costs to a minimum.
In 2017 Mills Freightlines added the green waste stream to the Condowie Plains site to better service the regional areas. The increased recycling capacity means an additional 700 tonnes of material will be diverted from landfill each year – up by 200 tonnes of green organics, 300 tonnes hard waste and 200 tonnes kerbside recycling.
EPA’s Kathryn Bellette Director Regulatory Strategy and Assessment said this is a well-placed boutique operation which benefits the regional community.
“Their innovative approach to business operations has provided significant benefit to the environment and to the community. Green organics are dried to reduce the weight and volume for transport from the Brinkworth plant for processing into valuable compost,” Ms Bellette said.
“They have an exemplary compliance history for their sites and continually strive to recover more from waste.”
Clare Valley facility has 21 staff onsite while its parent company Mills Freightlines employs an additional 15 people.
Clare Valley Waste Manager Josh Zappone said the company is committed to its business.
“We are very passionate about the recycling business and want to support local people and country councils manage waste sustainably.
“We have looked to modern and innovative ways to manage the demands of waste production while also reducing our environmental footprint.
“Much of the success of this site stems from good logistics. Transport management and the use of a 100-cubic metre walking floor vehicle for waste delivery to landfill sites has effectively reduced the amount of heavy vehicles enroute to metropolitan landfill sites,” Mr Zappone said.
“We also facilitate cardboard and paper recycling in the Mid North and currently bale 2,000 tonnes of cardboard for export, diverting it from landfill. Our trommel is currently being fitted with an additional bounce conveyer that will significantly improve and expedite our cardboard and paper sorting.
“This facility has required a huge commitment and financial outlay, with efficient logistical management. We are able provide a financially viable option for local councils and businesses, and plan to do so for future generations.”
