Construction of the Resource Recovery Park
Overview
In June 2005, Council appointed Handybin Waste Services to develop and deliver the regional waste management services for Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca Councils. The new system has been operational since December 2005. (Read more about the Regional Waste Service in general, the Resource Recovery Facility or specifically about Coffs Coast Waste Services).
Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
The new $7 million Coffs Coast Waste Services Materials Recovery Facility was officially opened by the NSW Local Government Minister Kerry Hickey on 9 February 2007 (see photo on the right).
The MRF was built by private operator Handybin Waste Services for the CCWS regional waste management partnership with Coffs Harbour City Council, Bellingen Shire Council and Nambucca Shire Council.
The recycling facility is the most technologically advanced of its type in Australia. It is supported by a comprehensive community education program that will enable Coffs Coast residents to make a positive impact on the environment through better recycling, and reductions in waste going to landfill.
More than 230 tonnes of recyclable materials are collected each week from 40,000 households and a number of commercial premises on the Coffs Coast, and sorted at the MRF.
Handybin Waste Services employs about 60 fulltime staff and contractors in collections, sorting, education, administration and other roles supporting the MRF's operation.
The Materials Recovery Facility was actually completed and started operating in December 2005. During the initial peak Christmas period the facility was receiving 55 tonnes of "waste product" per day.
The MRF processes 7 to 8 tonnes of recycled waste product per hour; maximum capacity is approximately 10 tonnes per hour. (Photo on the right shows unsorted recyclabes.)
Paper and cardboard are screened out of the total mass of recyclables to a grade 8 level, that is the highest quality for recycled paper. It is then baled and transported to an Australian company in Toowoomba that uses it to make animal bedding and kitty litter products.
The baled aluminium and steel(see photo on the right) is transported to Smorgon Steel.
There is currently a large market for recycled plastics due to the high price of oil.
The weighbridge buildings and weighbridge at the entrance to the England's Road facility (see photo below left) were completed in April 2006. The weighbridge measures the weight of vehicles entering the site and the "empty" weight as the vehicle exits. Vehicles are then charged according to this measured weight.
The Education Centre inside the MRF (see photo below right) has been completed and plans for education sessions are progressing. The MRF has been equipped internally with eight cameras allowing students to view all aspects of the recycling operation without leaving the Education Centre.
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The weighbridge and weighbridge buildings |
The Education Centre at the MRF is complete; |
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Machines separate white glass from brown |
Trucks deliver recyclable materials |
Coffs Coast Resource Recovery Facility (CCRRF)
The Coffs Coast Resource Recovery Facility became fully operational in January 2008. The plant processes mixed waste and organics waste into a range of high-grade composts and soil enhancers. It also turns mixed waste into a mulch for use in the agricultural industry and separates out any residual recyclable materials.
The construction of the three-hectare building began in February 2006. Nearly 3,500 m³ of concrete was poured for the building's foundation slab. See the pictures below for an overview of the construction phase.
Construction of the CCRRF building was completed in December 2006
Erecting steel beams during construction of the CCRRF building (August 2006)
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The structure for the indoor agitated bin composting |
Concreting of the foundation slab |
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Rain caused construction delays for the |
Preparations are well underway for the |
Facts about the early construction stages
Stage 1 of construction consisted of earthworks between May and September 2005 to prepare the site for building. The earthworks involved blasting, excavating and placing of approximately 60,000m3 of rock and soil and the construction of a 4m high 120m long retaining wall.
The work was project-managed and supervised by Coffs Harbour City Council and the work group included a combination of Council staff and private plant operators. The work was completed within the 15 week construction period and 15% under budget.
