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Recycled glass sand passes test in the ACT

Recycled Glass

 

ACT water and wastewater company Icon Water has partnered with ACT NoWaste and Regroup to create sand made from recycled glass.

The three companies plan to develop and trial the use of sand made from recycled glass as a building material in sewer pipes.

By reprocessing kerbside glass in Canberra, the Hume Materials Recovery Facility – aka Regroup – has previously manufactured products using recovered glass sand, which prevents the need to send glass waste to landfill.

Icon Water has been trialling recycled glass sand in its sewer pipes instead of using extracted river sand.

The trial has since been labelled a success after being approved by the ACT’s Environmental Protection Agency and Icon Water.

Recycled glass sand is attractive to building projects for several reasons due to its lower cost and lower respirable crystalline silica content.

“As the supplier of Canberra’s water and sewerage services for over 100 years, we understand the value that Canberrans place on the environment and sustainability,” Icon Water’s managing director Ray Hezkial told RiotACT.

“In providing an essential service to the community, our priority is not only to deliver a safe and reliable service but to implement sustainable practices throughout the work that we do.

“We’re really pleased to collaborate with the ACT Government, Regroup and the Materials Recycling Facility to create a product that is not only fit for purpose but provides a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for use.”

Around 200 tonnes of pipe embedment sand is used each year by Icon Water through its sewer mains maintenance program.

The sustainable sand alternative will also be available for developers and contractors.

“Icon Water is committed to finding new ways to contribute to a more sustainable future for Canberra, and we’re keen to consider further opportunities for the use of recycled products and our active participation in Canberra’s local circular economy,” Hezkial added.

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