Magnetic Island turning trash into treasure

Magnetic Island is a small, environmentally aware community wanting to do more to tackle its waste problem. In the past, the island’s waste was sent to landfill and then transported back to the mainland by barge.

With funding from the Resource Recovery Industry Development Program (RRIDP) under the Queensland Jobs Fund, Townsville City Council successfully increased the diversion rate of domestic waste on the island.

RRIDP funding supported a new Magnetic Island Waste Facility infrastructure to improve the recovery of recyclable commodities (cardboard, plastic and metals) and re-useable items (toys, furniture, electrical and household items).

The upgrade includes a new Resource Recovery Centre, with purpose built workshop facilities for up-cycling diverted products, an indoor resale area and storage. Not only is it better for the environment and the community but it will help the council to achieve its target of diverting and recycling 40% of municipal solid waste.

It’s a huge step in the right direction with the community moving that much closer to a circular economy.

It’s just the sort of project we’re keen to support with the $3.34 billion Queensland Jobs Fund which brings together the Queensland Government’s industry development and investment programs and encourages investment in future-focused, job-creating industries like Resource Recovery.

Read more about Resource Recovery and the circular economy.