The Queensland Government is investing nearly $27 million in recycling projects under the Resource Recovery Industry Development Program, a $100 million scheme that provides funding to local governments, established businesses and not-for-profits to use proven resource recovery technologies to improve existing operations, or develop new facilities in Queensland.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick says the funding will support the creation of 303 jobs in the state and divert 957,000 tonnes of rubbish from landfill.  “By reusing materials, the resource recovery industry directly contributes at least $830 million to the Queensland economy – turning rubbish into economic prosperity and jobs,” Dick says.

Enviro Sand, a glass recycler based in Wacol in Brisbane’s south-west, received $1.2 million under the program. Enviro Sand chairman Jim McKnoulty says more than 60 per cent of the world’s glass waste ends up in landfill, representing one of the waste industry’s biggest unsolved problems.

“Our recycled glass sands can be used in road surfacing, pool filtration systems, countertops and furniture. Using glass sand instead of quarry sand also reduces the workplace risk of Silicosis by 90 per cent,” McKnoulty says.

McKnoulty adds the funding will allow Enviro Sand to increase production capacity to meet demand for its recycled glass.