Increasing and maintaining the capacity of South Australia’s recycling systems and reprocessing infrastructure is a key priority for Green Industries SA.
The waste management and resource recovery industry is a major player in South Australia’s economy with approximately 4,800 people employed. For every 10,000 tonnes of waste recycled there are 9.2 full time jobs created compared to 2.8 jobs when sent to landfill.
More than 50 local companies reprocess paper, metal, glass, plastics, concrete, asphalt, timber, electronic waste and organics with Green Industries SA stimulating the industry’s development through grants and loans.
South Australia’s leadership in innovative practices and reforms in waste management, recycling and resource recovery means that is in a good position to ensure resources circulate more, as evidenced by the well-developed reprocessing industry.
The transition to a Circular Economy needs innovation, along with investment and development of new infrastructure and technology, to enhance resource efficiency and create business opportunities both locally and overseas. As Australia is beginning to think ‘circular’ there is much that can be learned from South Australia’s experiences and practices.
