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NEWS
Cairns Local News
Briefs
Rifle Creek Rest Area refreshed Motorists on the Mulligan Highway between Mount Molloy and Lakeland can break up their drive at the improved Rifle Creek Rest Area. Transport and Main Roads Director-General Neil Scales said the rest area now had a new sheltered seating area. “To improve safety, we have removed two large trees near the toilet block and overhead power lines,” Mr Scales said. “We have also resealed the toilet block road and regraded the entry/exit bay for the rest area. “Well-equipped rest areas like this help keep our roads safe and I encourage all motorists to use them to break up long drives.” The upgrade was funded by the Queensland Government under the Royalties for the Region Program.
CAFNEC Green Drinks CAFNEC holds “Green Drinks” events on the last Thursday of each month at Cominos House, 20 Greenslopes Street, to encourage networking among people interested in protecting the environment and all are welcome. Register attendance at www. cafnec.org.au/green-drinks
Friday, October 23, 2020
Springing to action on mattress recycling “All of our employees are well trained in the use of PPE to ensure they can do this work safely.
MATTRESSES heading to landfill are something that Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) and Endeavour Foundation will no longer take lying down.
“Having a job provides our supported employees with an income but they also receive the benefits of social connection, increasing confidence and self-esteem, and improving physical and mental health.”
The disability service provider and local council are partnering on a Far North Queensland-first initiative to save space in the region’s landfill, while creating jobs for people with an intellectual disability. The initiative will save more than 926 cubic meters of waste from going of landfill each year, which is equivalent to the volume of 23 fully-grown African elephants.
Supported Employee Jarrod Murray said he was looking forward to the new dismantling work.
Councillor Teresa Millwood with Craig Whitechurch, Kahla Oliveri and Gordon McDermind at Endeavour Foundation Business Solutions, Innisfail.
A total of 1,926 mattresses went to landfill in the region last year but from now on, 70 per cent of the region’s mattresses will be recycled, with the exception of badly soiled mattresses
“Mattresses are huge bulky items but they are very recyclable once they’ve been dismantled and the reduction in waste is massive,” she said.
CCRC Councillor for Waste, Teresa Millwood said the council was springing to action to tackle the issue.
“Once the springs and other recyclable parts have been taken out, 100 mattresses can be reduced from 130 cubic
metres of waste to just one cubic metre of waste, saving heaps of space in our local landfill.” Mattresses will be collected from council transfer stations, aerated for five days, and dismantled at Endeavour Foundation Business Solutions –
“It’s great to have more and different things to do,” Mr Murray said.
Innisfail, before being sent for recycling.
“It’s pretty easy and fun. We cut the mattress open and strip away the top and bottom.
“Nearly every part of a mattress including the springs, the wood, and the fabric can be recycled so this new scheme will eliminate a great deal of waste,” said Site Manager Craig Whitechurch.
Local residents can take their mattresses to council’s waste transfer facilities.
“It’s good to stop them going to [landfill] and the metal can be used to make other things.”
