Queensland Environment Minister congratulates Boyne Smelters on commitment to can recycling

Queensland’s Environment and Heritage Protection Minister has congratulated Central Queensland’s Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) on its commitment to operate Australia's largest aluminium can recycling facility.

Dr Steven Miles said BSL’s announcement today (Monday) was a wonderful – and timely - way to kick-off National Recycling Week (November 9-15).

“Boyne Smelters Limited successfully trialled recycling aluminium cans, and should be congratulated for seizing on the opportunity to commit to this large-scale facility,’’ Dr Miles said.

“This aluminium recycling plant is the largest in Australia, and the only one of its type in Queensland, and is set to recycle about 13 million cans a month.

“Recycling aluminium cans will result in less greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce landfill waste,’’ he said.

BSL, which sources 80 per cent of its cans from Queensland, employed 1000 staff and “indirectly supports’ another 3000 jobs in the Gladstone region.

With the majority of aluminium cans being sent offshore for processing, Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said BSL filled “a very important gap’ in the market.

“BSL added to its recycling capability by processing aluminium cans through the existing on-site plant, which will process an average of 520 tonnes of material including cans and scrap aluminium a month,’’ Mr Butcher said.

Dr Miles stressed the Queensland Government had set up an advisory group to begin consulting with the public about a container deposit scheme to help encourage recycling and cut waste.

He said the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection had received a considerable amount of correspondence from members of the public calling for the introduction of a container deposit scheme.

“The scheme has proven successful in reducing beverage container litter in South Australia, while New South Wales also recently announced plans to introduce a scheme,’’ Dr Miles said.

“By working closely with key stakeholders, we will ensure the best outcome for the people of Queensland.

“I will look at how the New South Wales Government implements their scheme and we will be working closely with them,’’ he said.

ENDS.

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