A new recycling facility planned for Browns Plains is being pitched as a major shift in how waste is managed across south-east Queensland.
The Greenovate Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is a $65 million project backed by the Australian and Queensland governments alongside Logan, Ipswich and Redland city councils.
The facility will process recyclable material collected from yellow-top bins across the three council areas.
Construction of the facility is part of the South East Queensland City Deal, a long-term partnership between the three levels of government and the Council of Mayors (SEQ) aimed at delivering major infrastructure projects across the region.
When operational, the Browns Plains facility will act as a central hub for sorting mixed recyclables such as paper, plastics, metals and glass.
Advanced machinery will separate materials more efficiently before they are sent on for reuse in manufacturing.
The project comes as recycling rates have declined across Australia over the past decade, creating pressure on councils to improve waste recovery and reduce the amount of material sent to landfill.
Under the Greenovate model, recyclables collected across Logan, Ipswich and Redland will be directed to the single facility, allowing the three councils to share infrastructure and scale up processing capacity.
The facility will include a materials recovery plant, glass processing equipment, bale storage and a public education centre designed to help residents better understand recycling and waste reduction.
The project build is being managed by recycling specialists Re.Group, which will eventually operate the facility on behalf of the three councils, and construction company FKG.
Together, they have incorporated recycled materials into the build, including using crushed recycled glass as a replacement for sand in the base of electrical trenches.
Local leaders say the regional approach reflects a broader shift towards a circular economy, where waste materials are reused and remanufactured rather than sent to landfill.
If successful, the Browns Plains facility could reshape how recycling is managed across one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
