AUSTRALIA – Melbourne-based paper, packaging and recycling company, Visy has secured US$31.25 million (A$48m) to upgrade its recycling and remanufacturing facility in Gibson Island, Queensland, Australia.
The upgrade includes a new state-of-the-art paper optical sorting plant and an upgrade to the embedded energy facility onsite, which uses waste as a power source as opposed to going to landfill.
The upgrade is a part of his commitment to invest US$1.31 billion (A$2bn) over the next decade – US$457.94 million (A$700m) of that in Queensland – to reduce landfill, cut emissions and create green collar manufacturing jobs, according to Visy executive chairman Anthony Pratt.
“Recycling is an important weapon against climate change. We’re not just manufacturers, we’re in the landfill avoidance business,” he added.
“We can’t make these changes without Government action, and I thank Premier Palaszczuk and the Queensland Government for their vision and dedication to practical environmental reforms.”
As per a statement from the Queensland government, this upgradation project has generated more than 100 jobs at the time of construction, as well as 11 recycling and manufacturing employment opportunities at the site.
With these newly added roles, the workforce at the Gibson Island facility has now increased to approximately 200.
The work is expected to divert nearly 39,000 tonnes of material from landfill with the help of a new paper optical sorting plant.
Waste material from thousands of homes in Queensland, instead of going directly to landfill, will be taken by Visy to be recycled and remanufactured into 100% recycled paper and corrugated boxes.
These boxes can then be used by local farmers or food and beverage companies, while the recycled paper will be sent to Visy’s corrugated box plants in Hemmant and other locations.
Australian Olympic and Paralympic Games premier and minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said: “It will remove 39,000 tonnes of material each year – equivalent to 20 kilos for every Queensland household.
“This project is helping to progress Queensland’s 2050 vision of becoming a zero-waste society.”
Early this month, Visy acquired privately owned supplier and distributor Zenexus for an undisclosed fee, strengthening its footing in the country.
Following the acquisition, Zenexus’ brands will continue to be sold through Bunnings and Homebase with Zenexus’ managing director Rodney Sutton serving as the general manager of Visy Retail Services.
The acquisition comes after Visy invested A$2 billion (US$1.33bn) in new clean energy plants that will increase the recycled content of bottles and reduce overall water use.
For all the latest packaging and printing industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
