Penrith City Council will continue to use recycled glass for future road resurfacing works, after a successful trial showed using glass in the road’s asphalt mix made a more durable road surface.
Council’s review of the trial in Stafford Street revealed incorporating the end-of-life glass in the bitumen delivered a win for the circular economy and a more durable road surface.
Penrith Mayor, Tricia Hitchen, said Council was proud to be leading the way in a move that will not only streamline road works in the Penrith Local Government Area but also lay the foundations for a more sustainable circular economy for the City.
“Council is always looking for opportunities to improve our services and following the recent flood events which wreaked havoc on Penrith’s roads, we have been eager to implement preventative measures and long-term solutions,” Mayor Hitchen said.
“Through our commitment to the circular economy by using recycled glass in future road works, we are providing more robust roads for the safety of our residents and visitors, while contributing to the circular economy at a local level.”
In June, Council used recycled glass in projects at three sites.
Council will source and repurpose just over 257 tonnes of recycled glass for the projects which form part of its scheduled road reconstruction works.
“I am proud to share that these three projects will save more than 1 million recycled glass bottles from landfill and be put to good use, improving the longevity of our roads and reducing maintenance costs in the years to come,” Mayor Hitchen said.
“Penrith is encouraging other councils to consider this innovative plan that will future proof our roads and is a win for the environment.”
During 2020- 2021, Council collected 14,965 tonnes of recyclable material from the yellow-lidded recycling bin which was diverted from landfill. Of this, glass currently makes up 30 per cent.
