A new website is set to play a pivotal role in helping Noosa businesses to divert waste product from landfill.
The digital platform ASPIRE has been described as a marketplace for business.
Originally created by the CSIRO, the website works on circular economy principles, connecting producers of waste with those who can reuse, repair, remake and recycle the products.
Noosa Council waste education and sustainability officer Emma Menzies said Council had invested in a license to help local business to improve its recycling efforts.
“Businesses can trade, exchange or sell unwanted waste with the ASPIRE program, reducing waste disposal costs and the amount of waste sent to landfill,” she said.
Any business with fewer than 100 staff can register for free.
Business waste can be collected for free or traded via the ASPIRE platform. This can include organic waste, construction and demolition waste, electronic waste, paper and cardboard, furniture and glass. Metals, plastics, textiles, wood and timber are also accepted.
“Our world is moving away from a take it, make it, break it and throw it out mentally to a reuse, repurpose, repair, recycle,” Ms Menzies said.
One business operator taking advantage of the initiative is Keith Hamlyn who owns Loop Oils.
“I sell my oils in recyclable steel containers which, after use, go to recycling. I then purchase secondhand lockable tins from a local Cooroy Fish and Chip shop which I use to collect the used oil in,” he said.
Mr Hamlyn said the collected used oil was stored in 1000lt plastic containers which he sourced from a local brewery.
“The oil is then sold for stock feed and bio diesel manufacture and then I give the plastic containers to the Mary River Catchment Committee which they use as cane toad traps,” he said.
Ms Menzies hoped lots of local businesses would jump on board.
“We expect existing businesses will benefit through reducing costs associated with landfill, but some may also add new revenue streams by selling materials and goods through ASPIRE.”
More information is available on council’s website, noosa.qld.gov.au/aspire
Noosa businesses can sign up to ASPIRE by visiting aspiresme.com
