Turning waste into valuable products is a new and innovative industry that is set to thrive in Queensland.
Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said Waste Free Systems is a Sunshine Coast-based business doing an incredible job fighting the war on waste.
“They collect used shampoo containers from 45 different salons and make them into prosthetic arms for children,” Ms Enoch said.
“This gives hair salons the ability to recycle their used plastic bottles, while helping people in need.”
Minister Enoch said that Queensland is generating waste faster than we are growing in population, and this needs to be addressed.
“Last week we released the Government’s new Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy, which presents a vision for Queensland to become a zero-waste society where waste is avoided, reused and recycled,” she said.
“Waste Free Systems is a great example of how we can embrace innovative ideas to reuse waste, and extract all of the value from products before they are disposed.
“There are also more job opportunities in recycling than there are in landfill.
“The new strategy, and the waste levy that came into effect on Monday, will allow markets to grow and stimulate demand on innovative products that contain recycled material.”
Mr Bernie Craven, owner of Waste Free Systems, said he set up his company to help well-meaning hair salon and business owners go waste-free and reverse the current trends that are harming the environment.
“We realised that if we reorganise or reimagine the way waste is dealt with in small business we can impact the waste to landfill result in a major way,” Bernie said.
“Currently our system is saving 90% of waste from landfill.
“We also wanted to help people and turn waste into profitable resources.
“Our Circular economy is a ground breaking new approach to an age old problem. Repurposing the waste to benefit the environment and the people in need.”
