Construction begins on new Hume Materials Recovery Facility in ACT

Construction has officially commenced on the new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at Hume in the Australian Capital Territory. The $26 million project aims to restore local processing of mixed recyclables following the destruction of the previous facility by fire in December 2022.

Since the 2022 fire, the ACT has been required to transport approximately 50,000 tonnes of recyclables interstate annually, incurring costs of roughly $10 million per year. The new facility is expected to be operational by 2028 and will have the capacity to process up to 115,000 tonnes of materials, including paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, steel, and aluminium.

To prevent future incidents caused by items such as batteries, the facility will feature advanced fire detection, mitigation, and suppression systems that exceed Australian standards. The project is being delivered by Veolia and Manteena, with Veolia slated to operate the facility for the next 20 years. Funding is provided jointly by the Federal and ACT governments, supported by the Recycling Modernisation Fund.