WE’RE TRANSFORMING WASTE WITH CIRCULAR SYSTEMS THAT REINVEST IN PEOPLE, PLACE AND PLANET.
Our adaptive approach improves community resilience and connection, through the localisation of resources and employment opportunities.
The system also collects data to develop community education and enable government reporting. Once the waste streams are sorted within the Recyclapod they are individually processed and used to make entirely new products for local community use, thus reducing reliance on raw materials and external supply chains.
The Norfolk Island Project has demonstrated that circular systems can not only address these challenges but provide many additional benefits, to both community and government.
In early 2022, we were engaged to design, build and operate a full scale circular resource management solution for the community of Norfolk Island, which was experiencing serious waste management issues.
These issues included open-air incineration, ocean dumping and airfreighting waste to landfill in Australia, at great cost.
In mid 2023, in collaboration with Norfolk Island Regional Council we installed a glass crusher, increasing the recycling rate from less than 10% to 35%. RYW officially commenced operations at The Norfolk Wave Recycling Centre in August 2023, and rapidly transformed community waste management behaviours.
Recycling rates increased from less than 35% to 75%* in the first month of operation.
We are expecting to exceed the 2030 National Waste Policy recycling target of 80% from landfill in 2025.
* Above figures for domestic and commercial waste only.
Our implementation of circular resource management systems on Norfolk Island has resulted in a variety of features and benefits for the local community, including:
REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
This comes a result of organic waste diverted from landfill, which is also creating compost for local farms and gardens.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
New positions created and up-skilling across a variety of roles and functions at the Norfolk Wave Recycling Centre.
REDUCED WASTE MANAGEMENT COSTS
By December 2023 operating costs were significantly less than the previous export waste to landfill costs.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
Extensive community engagement resulting in the successful adoption of RYW’s circular systems.
RESOURCE CIRCULARITY
New recycled products are created locally, leading to a reduction in imports and a more self-sufficient community.
To check out more on RYW’s Norfolk Island Project, including the latest recycling data on the community dashboard, head over to The Norfolk Wave