Landfill diversion
Downer’s landfill diversion, circular economy and recycling capabilities, and industry partnerships enable projects to achieve exceptionally high rates of waste diversion.
With diversion rates often exceeding 85–95%, we are at the forefront of participating in and contributing to sustainability targets and protecting the environment.
Downer’s facilities and innovative processes enable the repurposing of tens of thousands of tonnes of waste each year. This approach significantly reduces landfill fees and long-term liabilities for customers by minimising the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.
Using recycled products such as Reconophalt supports the circular economy, allowing customers to achieve demonstrable sustainability outcomes that can be shared with stakeholders and the wider community.
Every tonne of waste diverted through Downer’s programs leads to measurable reductions in carbon emissions and resource extraction, directly contributing to the achievement of key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
Summary table: Landfill diversion highlights
| Facility/Initiative | Diversion Rate | Key Materials Diverted | Notable Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosehill, NSW | Up to 85% | Street sweepings, organics, aggregates | 21,000+ tonnes/year diverted from landfill |
| Wingfield facility, South Australia | 90% | Unusable pavement materials | Reconobase innovation, which repurposes previously unusable pavement materials into engineered products for road construction |
| Reconophalt (National) | Varies | Plastics, glass, toner, RAP, rubber | 420,000+ tonnes paved, major landfill savings |
| Textile Recycling | N/A | Uniforms, garments | 783,535 kg diverted (Textile Recyclers Australia) |