The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) has welcomed the release of Infrastructure Australia’s Replacement Materials report, which highlights the significant opportunity to increase the uptake of recycled materials in road infrastructure.
As the peak body for resource recovery, recycling and remanufacturing in Australia, ACOR identifies scaled-up procurement of recycled materials as a core priority in order to properly kickstart supply chain integration of recycled materials and establish robust and resilient end markets.
Infrastructure Australia has found that reclaimed asphalt pavement, glass fines and crushed concrete could replace over a quarter of conventional raw materials in road construction, with the potential to more than double this amount in the future, with further advances in technologies and standards.
“With unprecedented levels of public infrastructure investment and an emphasis by all of Australia’s government on stimulating demand for recycled materials, a focus on recycled materials in road infrastructure is critical and timely,” said ACOR CEO, Suzanne Toumbourou.
“Infrastructure Australia’s release of the 2022 Replacement Materials report is promising recognition of the fact that as Australia’s largest infrastructure client and major procurer of goods, government has a key role to play in leading market demand for recycled content,” said Ms Toumbourou.
With demand for materials for use in road construction projects expected to grow to a peak of $7.6 billion next year, there are substantial economic, social and sustainability benefits in utilising more recycled materials in delivering the infrastructure pipeline.
“This commitment to an Australian circular economy, where resource recovery, recycling and remanufacturing are central, will generate economic and social value, all while rebuilding Australia’s industrial base and improving the health of our environment,” said Ms Toumbourou.
“We’re heartened that Infrastructure Australia and the Australian Government understand exactly what our sector needs in order to deliver great recycling outcomes,” said Ms Toumbourou.
“Road building is such significant and visible infrastructure for Australia, and our sector knows that Australians are keen to see recycled materials more widely used,” Ms Toumbourou added.
About ACOR
The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) is the preeminent industry forum for resource recovery, recycling and remanufacturing, leading the transition to a circular economy in Australia. ACOR represents businesses that are part of a successful $15 billion industry that employs over 50,000 Australians, generates exceptional environmental benefits for our society, and is committed to supporting proactive product stewardship initiatives to inform better recycling and circular economy outcomes.
For more, visit: www.acor.org.au