Rosehill Detritus Plant, a repurposing facility

05/06/2018

On 5 June 2018, World Environment Day, Downer opened the Rosehill Detritus Plant, a repurposing facility which is capable of cost effectively processing, separating and cleaning of upwards of 25,000 tonnes annually from street sweepings and stormwater pits. Approximately 85 per cent can be converted into meaningful streams of material for reuse such as organic matter, sand, gravel, metals and plastic.

The new state of the art facility that sets a new benchmark in sustainability and innovation in Australia is unlike many other recycling plants as it can separate waste into several materials for reuse. These products have the potential to be utilised in asphalt production for roads that Downer builds and other building materials.

The plant services Sydney’s metropolitan road network and is open 24/7. The plant also helps to optimise street sweeping operations by enabling street sweepers to complete more than one load in a shift, with shorter distances travelled to empty their loads. This in turn allows for improved productivity, reduced fuel consumption and longer equipment life.

Downer’s Rosehill Detritus Plant operates in full compliance with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requirements and industry best practices. This project was supported by the Environmental Trust as part of the NSW EPA’s Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, funded from the waste levy.

This initiative demonstrates Downer’s contribution to achieve the following Sustainable Development Goals: