Turning the Northern Rivers’ unwanted plastics into a reusable commodity is one step closer, with Southern Cross University and CRDC Global signing a new partnership agreement.
The new partnership will see researchers in the University’s ReCirculator (Regional Circular Economy Accelerator) undertake a demonstration project to test how CRDC’s existing technology can be used to provide circular economy solutions to plastic waste in the Northern Rivers region.
CRDC’s technology converts mixed plastic waste into a resin product that can be used in the construction industry to reduce the volume of plastic waste going to landfill, and enhance the properties of building materials.
‘Partnering with CRDC Global will enable our researchers to further test the application of their innovative technology in order to identify further opportunities to apply technology to convert waste into a resource, generating benefits for business, the economy and the environment,’ said Ben Roche, Vice President (Engagement) at Southern Cross University.
‘As a region that has prioritised circular economy as a real opportunity for business and industry alike, this partnership will demonstrate how circular economy principles can be effectively applied to the process of recovering resources from a waste stream—in this case, plastic—and converting it into a usable product that can be sold.’
The trial will get underway early in the 2023.
‘Successfully undertaking this demonstration project will not only add to the existing research bank in this area, but will also showcase CRDC’s technology within the NSW Northern Rivers Region to other potential users whose businesses could benefit from it,’ Mr Roche added.
As well as demonstrating product circularity by converting waste plastic into the resin product for uses such as construction, this project will expand the analytical, research and support services Southern Cross University can offer to future CRDC clients.
It will also give valuable real-life problem-solving experience to the Southern Cross University students.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
