New Technology in Australia Provides Paper, Cardboard Recycling Boost

Through new technology, Victoria, Australia’s ability to recycle mixed paper and cardboard has increased 40%.

The new technology has helped keep fewer used pizza boxes from ending in landfills. Premier Daniel Andrews and federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek on Thursday visited Visy’s Coolaroo facility in Melbourne’s outer north to unveil a paper drum pulper.

The drum pulper will help keep additional paper and cardboard waste from ending up in landfills. The machine can recycle an additional 95,000 tonnes of mixed paper and cardboard in Australia every year.

"This machine alone increases our recycling capacity by 40 per cent as a state," Andrews told reporters.

Several local councils in Victoria currently don’t allow pizza boxes to be recycled but the Andrews government will soon develop a set of statewide curbside waste standards.

The drum pulper was a first for Australia and represents the most advanced paper recycling technology globally, according to Visy executive chairman Anthony Pratt.

"It will double Visy's curbside recycling capability in Victoria, diverting up to 180,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard annually from Victoria's landfills or exports - the equivalent of approximately 400 Olympic swimming pools," Pratt said.

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