Roads to Reuse

The Roads to Reuse Program (RtR) is a State Government initiative administered by the Waste Authority. Our objective is to encourage State Government organisations, local governments, regional councils and the private sector to use recycled construction and demolition (C&D) products in civil applications, such as road construction. We do this by supporting the supply of recycled C&D products to the market that meet a product specification, to protect human health and the environment.

C&D waste makes up around half of Western Australia’s waste stream and represents around 45 per cent of material recovered from recycling. It is important to increase the recovery of C&D to meet the state’s material recovery targets.

Funding for the program has been made available through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account and is available for C&D recyclers through the RtR Product Testing Scheme, as described below.

This program supports a key headline strategy in the Waste avoidance and resource recovery strategy action plan 2030 (actions 3.11, 3.12 and 3.13).

Following the successful completion of the RtR pilot in 2019–2020, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and the Waste Authority, in partnership with Main Roads WA, delivered an online information session on Wednesday, 19 August 2020. The session provided an update to local governments on the RtR pilot, shared experiences in using recycled C&D products in construction projects (including the experiences of CPB Contractors and the City of Cockburn), and identified opportunities for local government use of recycled C&D products.

A recording of the session is available here.

The PowerPoint presentations from the session are below:

• Scott McKenzie, DWER
• Les Marchant, Main Roads WA
• Nelson Serrao, CPB Contractors
• Omar Qasem, City of Cockburn

The Roads to Reuse product specification (updated June 2020)  is designed to protect human health and the environment. The product specification applies to recycled road base (sealed with asphalt) and recycled drainage rock.

The product specification sets out requirements for C&D recyclers, including:

• preparation of a Material Acceptance and Sampling Plan (MASP) – a site-specific plan which describes the recycler’s processes and procedures
• sampling and testing requirements – to determine whether the material meets the product specification.

Recycled C&D product that meets the RtR product specification provides confidence to purchasers about the suitability of the material. 

RtR Product Testing Scheme (for C&D recyclers)

The RtR Product Testing Scheme supports C&D recyclers with the costs to develop a MASP, and undertake routine sampling and testing.

C&D recyclers wishing to access funding for the RtR Product Testing Scheme should contact the Waste Authority on (08) 6364 6965 or email: info@wasteauthority.wa.gov.au

RtR auditing

The RtR program delivers an independent audit of C&D recyclers’ processes and products. The audit provides an additional level of assurance to purchasers of recycled C&D products.

For purchasers

Several C&D recyclers are producing material which meets the RtR product specification. A list of suppliers will be available soon. 

 

If you wish to purchase RtR compliant material, please contact the Waste Authority on (08) 6364 6965 or email: info@wasteauthority.wa.gov.au

In 2019, the Waste Authority, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, and Main Roads WA entered into a partnership to undertake the RtR pilot project that aimed to:

• test the extent to which producers can supply recycled C&D products in accordance with the revised RtR product specification
• assess the effectiveness of the independent audit process in verifying producers’ processes and products, in order to provide confidence to the market
• test purchasers’ confidence – in this case, Main Roads WA – in using recycled product produced by the RtR program.

Main Roads WA is using material produced under the program in the Kwinanna Freeway widening project. A case study of Main Roads WA’s use of RtR material is available here.

If you are seeking further information, please contact the Waste Authority on (08) 6364 6965 or email: info@wasteauthority.wa.gov.au

The Home in WA TV program featured a number of stories about resource recycling in the building industry. They were created out of the strategic partnership between the Master Builders Association and the Authority.

• Construction & Demolition Excellence in Recycling Award 2015
  • The Master Builders Association Housing Excellence Awards 2015, which featured the category Excellence in Recycling, sponsored by the Waste Authority.
• Construction & Demolition Research on Diversion
  • Research by Murdoch University for new building practices to improve landfill diversion.
• Construction & Demolition Training Courses
  • Resource recycling and training courses for builders.
• Construction & Demolition Source Separation
  • Source separation at Alkimos with Earthcare Recycling. The video clip highlights the Smart Waste Guide.
• Construction & Demolition Housing Excellence Awards
  • The Master Builders Association Housing Excellence Awards for 2016.
• Construction & Demolition Excellence in Waste Management Award
  • Resource recycling and waste reduction for builders.