New baler ensures efficient recycling

This week, during National Recycling Week, council is focussing on how our region recycles to ensure we produce high quality recyclables for market.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said the new automatic horizontal baling machine provided a more efficient way of storing and transporting recyclable items.

“The horizontal baling press uses hydraulic power to compress wastepaper and cardboard into compact bales. The baling press reduces the volume of waste piles, saving valuable space that the bulky packaging materials take up on-site,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Most importantly, it brings our facility in line with industry standard, ensuring our product can access the commodity market.

“This is essential as providing high quality product means no recyclable items will end up in landfill,” he said.

The machine was installed at the Paget Materials Recovery Facility in October at a cost of $257,200. It replaces a 17-year-old machine that had reached the end of its lifespan.

In 2020-21, council processed 17,937 tonnes of recyclables at our Materials Recovery Facility and sent these to market. This was 13.5 percent more than the previous financial year. There were significant increases in paper, cardboard, and mixed plastics.