Why Reduce Waste To Landfill
We all need to work together to reduce waste going to landfill and keep the Mackay region clean, green and sustainable.
What you can do:
- Put the correct items in your recycling bin.
- Recycle your drink containers through the Queensland Container Refund Scheme.
- Reduce, reuse and repair items where possible.
- Resell your items or give them away for free.
Reduce food waste by planning your meals, and freezing leftovers.
- Recycle food waste by composting or setting up a worm farm at home.
Why correct recycling is important:
- More materials can be recovered and recycled into new products.
- Less waste ends up in landfill, reducing the impact on the environment and the cost to our community.
- Our workers can do their jobs safely and equipment isn’t broken causing breakdowns and costly repairs.
What Happens to Recycling?
After the truck empties your recycling bin, your recycling is taken to our Paget Waste Management Centre where it is lightly bundled. It is then transferred to Townsville's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
Bringing recyclables together at the Townsville MRF allows enough volume to use advanced equipment and technology to process recyclables into high-quality materials that can be made into new products.
At the MRF, a series of machines sort everything into paper, plastic, glass, steel and aluminium streams. These materials are then cleaned and processed onsite produce high quality paper and cardboard, ferrous metals and aluminium, glass sand and plastics, which are then sent off to be processed into new products!
Waste education resources:
What Happens to General Waste?
Once collected by our trucks, general waste is sent to landfill where it is buried. This is an expensive option and means that items can’t be recycled or repurposed.
Hogan’s Pocket Landfill is Mackay's dedicated waste disposal site designed to protect the environment while safely managing waste.
In 2019, the Queensland State Government Waste Levy was introduced. The levy means that it costs $75 per tonne (ex GST) on top of Mackay Regional Council’s gate fee to dispose of waste at Hogan’s Pocket Landfill. The aim of the levy is to reduce waste and increase recycling in the community.
Landfill Operations
Hogan’s Pocket has three landfill sections (cells):
- Cell 1: Used from 2006 – 2012, now closed.
- Cell 2: Opened in 2012.
- Cell 3: Opened in 2016, designed to protect the environment and expected to last until 2027.
- Cell 4: Currently being constructed.
Who Can use Hogan’s Pocket Landfill?
- There is no public access – only commercial and industrial waste is accepted.
- Some regulated waste (eg. asbestos) can be disposed of but under strict rules.
Protecting the Environment at Hogan’s Pocket Landfill
Several controls are in place at this site to reduce impacts on the environment.
Managing Liquid Waste (Leachate)
- A double liner system stops liquids from reaching the ground.
- A leachate collection system captures and cleans waste liquids.
- Two leachate ponds store and treat these liquids to prevent pollution.
Keeping Water Clean
- Rainwater that touches waste goes through sedimentation ponds to remove dirt and chemicals before it leaves the site.
- Clean rainwater is kept separate to protect rivers and creeks.
Capturing Landfill Gas
- The site collects methane gas (produced by decomposing waste) to reduce pollution.
- Right now, the gas is burned off safely but in the future, it could be used to create electricity.
Hogan’s Pocket Landfill is designed to keep waste contained to protect water and air quality and reduce environmental harm.