Gawler Council contracts and projects officer Marty DeDuonni, infrastructure and engineering services manager Sam Dilena, Gawler Mayor Karen Redman and Downer pavements state manager Steve Ainscow at one of the local roads to be resealed using recycled materials. PHOTO: Sam Bradbrook
PLASTIC bags, used printer cartridges and 230 tonnes of reused asphalt will help build a series of new roads throughout Gawler.
Works have begun on Brown Street, Willaston to reseal the road using recycled materials, with a further five roads to be completed under the same method.
Up to 780 tonnes of recyclable material – including 240,000 plastic bags, toner from 14,000 used printer cartridges and 230 tonnes of reclaimed asphalt – will be used to reseal the 1.35km of local roads.
According to the council, the project will prevent 11 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being produced if new asphalt was used.
Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said the projects support local government and industry transition to sustainable material and demonstrated council’s “commitment to tackling climate change”.
“By the community supporting recycling, whether through the council’s yellow bin, or other means, it provides private industry with the ability to invest in new technology which seeks to use this waste as a commodity,” she said.
“It is as strong a reason as any for everyone in the community to be diligent in our waste disposal, as it has a direct consequence on our natural environment and our ability to reuse our waste.”
Road resealing contractor Downer will oversee the project, with the recyclable materials sourced from recycling firms REDcycle and Close the Loop.
The council is also working with the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority to incorporate used glass products into future road sealing.
Glass which is unsuitable for recycling can be refined and used to replace sand in the road resealing process.
“There is still work to do on including additional glass waste stream within our roads, however council has committed to doing what it can to assist facilitate this happening,” Ms Redman said.
“The benefits are not only environmental, there are economic benefits from reducing our waste that is being sent to landfill. This is where all the community can assist in doing the right thing with their recycling.”
