12/08/2009 Grants to expand recycling services in Perth`s Eastern Region

The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) has been awarded two grants totalling $185,835 to expand its mattress and fluorescent light recycling programmes. The grants were awarded under the State Government's Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS).

A grant of $127,930 will see the EMRC expand its mattress recycling service, following a successful three month trial in early 2009. For the first time in WA, residents, businesses and local governments will have a sustainable disposal option for mattresses.

The grant will be used to extend the mattress storage and processing area at the EMRC's Hazelmere Recycling Centre, as well as purchase equipment to improve the recovery of mattress components for recycling. The expansion will allow up to 10,000 mattresses to be recycled each year.

Depending on the brand and construction, a majority of a mattress can be recycled. Springs are melted down at a smelter to make new steel; foam is turned into flooring underlay; and the timber is reused in particleboard, animal bedding and mulch.

Residents are encouraged to take their unwanted mattresses to the EMRC's Red Hill Waste Management Facility. Bulk deliveries of mattresses can be taken direct to the EMRC's Hazelmere Recycling Centre (77 Lakes Road, Hazelmere).

The SWIS program also awarded the EMRC a grant of $57,905 to expand its fluorescent light recycling programme. The grant will be used to prepare a study on how to best collect fluorescent lights from householders across Perth. The study will also include an evaluation of the available recycling options for fluorescent lights; and a practical trial of different collection infrastructure, in a range of public places.

EMRC Chairman, Cr David Fardig, said 'These two grants will greatly assist the EMRC to divert more waste from landfill. With an estimated 1.25 million mattresses and 70 million fluorescent lights sent to landfills around Australia this year, the need for these projects is pretty clear.'

The EMRC continues to show leadership in recycling initiatives, with these projects adding to a suite of other successful recycling programs for dry-cell batteries, electronic waste, industrial timber waste and green waste.

Mattress Recycling
Rebecca Smith, Market Development Officer ' Resource Recovery
Direct: (08) 9424 2220
Email: Rebecca.Smith@emrc.org.au
 
Fluorescent Light Recycling
Gabrielle Grime, Waste Education Coordinator
Direct: (08) 9424 2256 Email: Gabrielle.Grime@emrc.org.au

Teresa Foley, Manager Marketing and Communications
Direct: (08) 9424 2252
Email: Teresa.Foley@emrc.org.au