C&D facility leads Queensland’s green path

A modern recycling plant for construction and demolition (C&D) waste, operated by Rino Recycling, is claimed to be setting a new standard for recycling and sustainability in Australia’s South East Queensland (SEQ).

The Brisbane facility uses advanced processing methods, boosting local waste recovery and reducing landfilling while transforming discarded materials into valuable construction resources.
The plant addresses the pressing need for sustainable infrastructure as the region gears up for its AUS$ 1.8 billion (EUR 1.1 billion) SEQ City Deal. The strategy aims to create an interconnected, sustainable region to support a fast-growing population projected to grow 40% by 2041.

The facility’s fully automated system can process up to 475 tonnes of C&D waste per hour and is expected to reach full capacity within the next two years. It recovers recyclable materials like sand and aggregate, serving as viable alternatives to virgin resources. This approach not only helps extend the life of SEQ’s natural resources but also reduces the carbon emissions associated with transporting waste to distant recovery centres.

‘Beacon of sustainability’

Rino Recycling’s general manager Daniel Blaser describes the plant as ‘a beacon of sustainability’. The plant’s dual-system configuration facilitates an efficient waste processing sequence: dry processing removes contaminants before materials undergo wet washing, resulting in clean, market-ready products including fine sand and various grades of washed aggregate. The plant is also water-neutral, recycling up to 95% of the water it uses.

Logistic benefits

In addition to environmental benefits, the plant’s close proximity to Brisbane’s Central Business District reduces logistical costs, making sustainable waste management economically more viable.
With Rino Recycling’s facility as a blueprint, SEQ’s waste management strategy could pave the way for other regions, the company says, ‘demonstrating that economic growth and environmental stewardship can indeed go hand-in-hand’.