Whitehorse Council is believed to be the first Council in Australia to construct a road using 100 percent recycled products.
Then Mayor, Councillor Jessie McCallum, said more than 600 tonnes, or 100 truckloads, of rubbish that would normally have gone to landfill has been diverted into products to construct Bass Street in Box Hill.
“Recycled concrete from old footpaths has been used to develop a base for the road and recycled bitumen from old roads has been used for the road surface,” she said.“Additionally, more than 60,000 shampoo containers and milk bottles with a code two have been used for the plastic drainage pipes underneath the ground.
“We have constructed the 400 metre stretch of Bass Street using as much recycled products as possible.
“The only major virgin materials used was asphalt, that we mixed with other recycled asphalt, to ensure an acceptable driving surface.”
Councillor McCallum said a similar road in Box Hill, William Street, was constructed using standard methods to provide a comparison of the cost and surface quality.
She said while several Councils had used some recycled products for road reconstruction, Whitehorse is believed to be the first Council to almost entirely use all recycled materials.
Councils from all parts of Victoria are now approaching Whitehorse for more information on the initiative.
“We are not just making roads, we are making history,” Councillor McCallum said. “This project changes a Council tradition that dates back more than 100 years.
“I believe that in five to 10 years, the majority of roads will be reconstructed using recycled products. Now that we have piloted this initiative, Council will endeavour to use recycled products in future road reconstruction projects.
“While the costs are relatively the same, there will be large savings in terms of the environment. It is exciting to know that Whitehorse was the first Council to pioneer this.”
Further information contact Michele Purtle, on (03) 9262 6586
