A group of recycling companies from Melbourne’s west have been recognised for their efforts to make the industry more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The Brooklyn Recycling Group (BRG) was honoured with the Greenstart Award at the 35th Australian Freight Industry Awards on at Crown Casino on Saturday, September 6.
Comprising EcoGypsum and Fertilizer, City Circle Group, ResourceCo, and Delta Group, BRG were awarded for developing a plan for the entire Brooklyn industrial precinct to reduce emissions, reduce dust pollution and improve air quality in the area.
Under the Better Environment Plan (BEP) businesses in Brooklyn’s industrial precinct are committed to implementing strategies such as establishing natural wind breaks, installing dust monitors in more locations, planting more trees and providing regular updates to local residents.
The first plan of its type in Victoria, the BEP includes objectives and actions developed with the support of the Victorian Government’s Clean Air for All Victorians Strategy (2022) and the recommendations of the Inner West Air Quality Community Reference report, released in 2020.
The plan was approved by Environmental Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) and began operation in October last year.
Accepting the award on behalf of BRG, EcoGypsum’s Christian Buxton thanked Environmental Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), Victorian Transport Association, National Transport Insurance, local councils and the inner-west community for helping them implement the BEP.
“In the waste and recycling industry, we know we can compete in the marketplace — but tackling complex challenges, like improving air quality in Melbourne’s west, demands collaboration. By working together, we can create real, lasting change,” said Mr Buxton who invited other operators and businesses in Brooklyn and the inner-west to join them.
“We can achieve so much more with greater numbers, united by a shared commitment to sustainability.”
The Greenstart Award recognises individuals, groups, or organisations making efforts to improve environmental sustainability within the transport, freight, and logistics industry.
Other winners on the night included Mariella Teuira from Peter Sadler Removals & Logistics who received the Women’s Leadership Award and TOMRA Cleanaway who won the Waste & Recycling Business of the Year Award.
