With the state’s population continuing to grow and more housing and infrastructure needing to be built to cater for it, the amount of construction and demolition waste produced in Victoria is set to grow too.
Disposing of this waste requires either sending it to landfill or recycling it, but while the latter may be better for the environment, PHD student at RMIT’s school of property, construction and project management , Moein Behzad, said that didn’t mean it was popular.
“It’s really important to develop our recycling facilities and establish new ones, but when it comes to establishment of new recycling facilities, usually people who live in suburbs neighbouring these facilities, oppose them,” said Mr Behzad.
Like other heavy industries, many waste recycling plants that deal with construction and demolition waste are based in the inner-west, especially Brooklyn.
Mr Behzhad is conducting a survey of residents in Brooklyn to find out why they oppose these facilities and what can be done to assuage their concerns.
“It’s really important to address these concerns and on the other side it’s really important to consider recycling groups concerns as well,” said Mr Behzad who warned of dire consequences if a workable solution between inner-city residents and recycling companies wasn’t found.
“If recycling groups relocate their facilities further away (from the city), it can increase their recycling costs and demotivate them from recycling and lead to them sending more waste to landfill which can be dangerous for the environment and communities.”
Mr Behzad has so far received about 35 responses to the survey and said air and noise pollution were the most common concerns.
He’s said he needs to double that amount over the next two months in order for the research project to work, but that the outcome would be beneficial to both residents and industry.
“I’m going to apply the results of my survey to create a framework for recycling in the future. I’m going to include public opinion in my framework and this can be a good option for recycling groups in the establishment of their facilities,” said Mr Behzad, adding than consulting with local residents and engaging with them as early as possible was crucial.
“That’s how we can increase the acceptability of these facilities.”
The survey can be accessed at: https://rmit.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cMGLeowIgIW4Ake
Cade Lucas
