Plastic recycling hub North Queensland business case

RDA Tropical North engaged RPS to support an investigation and business case into the development of the recycling facility, as a pilot for future regional centres across Australia.

RPS’ economic and environmental experts conducted market analysis and research to inform its report. Our investigation found the preferred option for a recycling hub would be a plant that recycled HDPE (high density polyethylene) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate). These plastics would be sourced from commercial premises within a 150-kilometre radius of Cairns. Analysis by RPS experts found a multi-polymer recycling plant could provide the following benefits:

• Divert approximately 5,500 tonnes of plastic per year
• Increase recycling from 1.9% in Far North Queensland to 17.1% in 2022
• Reduce embodied greenhouse gas emissions by around 5,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year
• Deliver a net benefit to Queensland of $50.6 (net present value) and a benefit cost ratio of 3.1
• Provide economic stimulus to the region, including the creation of up to 83 full-time employment direct and indirect jobs during construction and up to six during operation
• Provide a potentially attractive return to investors.

As part of the business case, RPS also outlined a delivery plan for the project.