What is a MRF (pronounced Murf)

    A MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) is an operational facility that receives mixed recyclable materials. A combination of technologies, equipment and manual labour are used to separate and condense these materials, in preparation for transport to markets.

    What materials are collected in a MRF

    Recyclable materials received at a MRF are known as comingled materials. This means they arrive at the MRF as mixed loads. The materials include paper/cardboard, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and containers, aluminium cans and steel cans. It is typically the type of material collected in a yellow lid household recycling bin.

    What happens to the materials?

    The materials, once separated and baled, are transported to companies across Australia (and sometimes overseas where applicable). These companies specialise in re-processing the materials into new products. For example, paper/cardboard is often made into new cardboard boxes, aluminium cans are typically made into new aluminium cans and steel cans are made into a variety of steel products. Glass is often used as building aggregate and plastics are made into a myriad of new products, from clothing and garden products to new plastic bottles and containers. They are even made into kerbside garbage bins.

    In 2018, China tightened its import restrictions on recyclable products. As a result, the Australian Government were compelled to focus on growing the capability of the domestic recycling industry to increase resource recovery and use of recycled content in manufacturing. Infrastructure such as this new MRF will assist Council in achieving high quality recyclables to be sold in this new, highly competitive, market.

    How is the MRF being funded?

    The MRF will be financed through loan funding to be paid back over 10 years.  The income used to fund the operational costs of the MRF is sourced from a combination of a gate fee, return on CDS (Container Deposit Scheme) materials and sales of sorted recyclables.

    Will this cost me more?

    No, there will be no additional cost to residents associated with the building of this MRF.  The cost of recycling has increased considerably since the China Sword policy and the global recycling crisis.  These increases have already been incorporated into the annual domestic waste management charge, so it is unnecessary to increase the cost.

    What impact will this have on me, the resident?

    There is no negative impact or change in household kerbside recycling services for residents. There may be future benefits with Council being able to undertake special collections of targeted materials at specific times as required.


    What benefits are there to the community?

    The new MRF will incorporate the latest technology and equipment which will result in a higher quality separation of recyclable materials. As councils play a critical role in waste management and resource recovery, this increase in value of the recycling output will allow Shoalhaven Council to access markets more readily. This positive impact on the economics and management of recycling, together with the increased capability of the facility, will assist in maintaining the viability of recycling across the Shoalhaven.

    Why has Council chosen to take recycling "in-house" and not continue to use an external contractor?

    The current contract for sorting commingled recycling expired at the end of June 2020. External contractors are traditionally used so that Council is provided with a predictable ongoing service at a consistent price without risk. The global recycling crisis has highlighted that Council is now not without risk and, while contracted out and Council cannot control or satisfactorily adapt to that risk.

    Council saw the opportunity to construct a state-of-the-art recycling facility that is designed primarily to maximise the quality of the recycled products. Previous MRFs around Australia were designed to produce lower quality product that were readily accepted into the market prior to the global recycling crisis.  

    A Council run facility provides versatility for Council to introduce new products midstream without having to change contract conditions and to do special collections of targeted materials collection at specific times.

    Where will it be located?

    The MRF will be located at the West Nowra Recycling and Waste Depot

    What is required for implementation?

    The following plans and approvals will be in place:

    • Council approval - August 2020
    • full concept design - August - October 2020
    • development application with associated Statement of Environmental Effects - May/June 2021
    • tendering - July - September 2021
    • EPA licence amendment application - September/October 2021
    • construction - October 2021 -  April 2022
    • commissioning - May/June 2022
    • operations - July 2022

    How many tonnes of recyclable material will this facility process annually?

    The facility will be capable of processing up to a maximum of 24,000 tonnes per year with half of that coming from yellow lid kerbside recycling bins. Other materials come from Council’s 10 recycling and waste transfer depots, from Holiday Haven Tourist Parks and other Council owned facilities.

    Will the facility be powered by renewable energy?

    The facility has a large roof area with capability of producing up to 0.5 MWh of electricity through solar power.