CLEAN WASH WATER FOR CIRCULAR PLASTICS AUSTRALIA (PET)

Aerofloat ensured clean wash water and sustainable operations for Circular Plastics Australia.

Circular Plastics Australia (PET) is leading the charge with the construction of a world-class recycling facility in Victoria. The company projects the facility will recycle the equivalent of around one billion 600ml PET plastic bottles annually once operational in 2021. The resulting recycled plastic will be used to produce new bottles as well as food and beverage packaging.

Located in Albury-Wodonga, the Circular Plastics facility is a joint venture between Asahi Beverages, Pact Group Holdings Ltd and Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd. Australian company Aerofloat was contracted to design and construct the wastewater treatment system for the project to ensure clean, reusable wash water within the plant and a sustainable end-product. The project heralds the third venture that Astron Sustainability, a subsidiary of Pact Group, and Aerofloat has worked on together.

“It’s terrific to be working with the team at Astron Sustainability again, on what is an incredibly important project for Australia’s recycling industry,” said Aerofloat’s General Manager, Michael Anderson.

The treated effluent from Aerofloat’s wastewater treatment plant will meet Albury City Council’s water quality requirements and will be suitable for discharge to sewer. Aerofloat’s design meets Circular Plastic’s vision for a sustainable facility that re-uses wash water within the facility, helping to reduce water usage significantly.

Aerofloat’s wastewater treatment plant design provides for expansion of the recycling facility in the future. Its patented circular dissolved air flotation unit, the AeroCircDAF, can treat higher flow volumes of wash water if needed as the facility grows. Additionally, its fully automated, intelligent PLC control system can accommodate the integration of additional Aerofloat technology as the business expands.

“Aerofloat’s partnership with Circular Plastics Australia ensures compliant wastewater that can be reused as wash water within the recycling plant, helping to reduce the company’s footprint further with significant savings on water usage,” said Anderson.

Aerofloat’s design ensures a sustainable, long-term solution for Circular Plastics. Clean wastewater from the system is either re-used as wash water within the plastics recycling facility or discharged to sewer. Aerofloat is working closely with the local council to ensure its strict policies and guidelines around managing microplastics in its inland waterways are met.

Aerofloat has created sustainable wastewater treatment designs for major plastics recycling businesses across Australia. The Australian, family-owned company has been awarded for its innovative approach to tackling plastics recycling wastewater issues and offers unique, patented designs to ensure economical and environmentally sustainable solutions for the industry.