Relivit’s recycling solution is based on Knowaste’s state-of-the-art treatment process for AHP waste.

Potential re-use options for reclaimed softwood pulp fibre include:

• – Cardboard products
• – Animal bedding
• – Compost additive and soil conditioner
• – Feedstock for anaerobic digestion
• – Generation of renewable energy

Potential re-use options for recovered plastics include:

• – Waste bins and other receptacles
• – Non-woven fibre sheets with various applications
• – Construction materials

Relivit’s priority is to prepare the reclaimed materials for sale, so that they can be re-used in manufacturing products in Australia which have a commercial value. At the very least, we will explore using the fibre for generating renewable energy, to be used in our own process and the remaining energy can be exported to the grid.

We’d like to hear other ideas for using these recovered materials, especially where there’s a deal to be done! Please click on ‘Contact us’ and send an email.

The Relivit team adheres to the principles of the waste management hierarchy, where Reuse and Recycle are preferred options than Disposal (to landfill).

It is not always viable, efficient or socially acceptable to recycle certain materials or recover energy. Landfilling is still therefore a necessary and recognised component of the waste management system in Australia.

However, for AHP waste at least, Relivit is bringing a proven and acceptable recycling technology to Australia.

The New South Wales state government has introduced legislation and policy which promotes recycling over disposal to landfill, thereby moving up the waste management hierarchy. Combined with other market factors this makes Sydney an ideal location for the first Relivit facility.

70% less carbon emitted

In 2010 international consultants Deloitte completed a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing the environmental performance of Knowaste’s recycling process with the existing disposal methods for AHP waste in the UK.

The assessment found that compared to landfill and incineration the Knowaste recycling process emitted up to 71% less carbon.

For every tonne of AHP waste processed by Knowaste, there was a saving of 626 kg of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO₂e).

Based on processing 36,000 tonnes of AHP waste per year, the lowered carbon emissions equate to:

• – The annual carbon emissions of 2,064 UK citizens
• – Almost 7,500 cars removed from roads in the UK
• – 100,000 LCD TVs switched off

Download the Executive Summary of Deloitte LCA report (Adobe Acrobat PDF) here.

In 2012, Relivit will commission a leading environmental consultancy to adapt the Knowaste LCA findings to the Australian context. The study will compare Relivit’s facility with existing disposal routes for AHP waste and other planned waste treatment options for household and commercial waste streams. It is expected that the report from this study will be available in June 2013.