NEW POLYSTYRENE PROCESSING MACHINE AT WHYLANDRA
Dubbo Regional Council’s (DRC) Whylandra Waste Facility and Recycling Centre is now home to a new polystyrene processing machine co-funded thanks to the $40,271 funding from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Bin Trim Equipment Rebate Program.
The new polystyrene processing machine compresses polystyrene into denser, more manageable blocks and greatly reduces its volume, making it easier to transport and recycle.
Since the program started 15 months ago, DRC, with the support of the community, has diverted 5.7 tonnes, which equates to approximately 380kgs a month.
The rebate program provides organisations and businesses with funding to assist with the cost of small-scale, on-site recycling equipment that helps them to avoid, reduce, reuse or recycle their waste.
“The new processing machine allows us to continue to divert this problematic waste from landfill but also saves Council money as we no longer need to get a contractor from Sydney to melt the polystyrene,” Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Josh Black said.
“The new machine is used once a week at present but as our volumes of polystyrene received increase the operating hours can also increase as well.”
The condensed polystyrene blocks are then sold on to manufacturers who make building materials such as skirting boards, architraves, doors, window frames as well as picture frames.
Clean polystyrene free of any tape or other materials can be dropped off free of charge to the Whylandra Waste and Recycling Centre and the Wellington Transfer Station.
As part of the 2040 Community Strategic Plan, Council is committed to reducing its environmental footprint through waste management processes. The continuation of new programs that divert waste and recycle products is a major priority for Council.
Over 71,000 tonnes of polystyrene is produced and used every year in Australia with 85 per cent of this product going to landfill.
“Being able to divert polystyrene waste from landfill helps save money and assists with our goal to reach 80 per cent waste to landfill diversion by 2030,” Clr Black said.
Last Edited: 07 May 2025