Aerofloat designed and installed a wastewater treatment plant to manage the expected peak flows at the site and meet Melbourne city’s strict trade waste requirements for Circular Plastics Australia.
Circular Plastics Australia’s new plant in Altona North, Victoria, will recycle high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) plastics from the Melbourne community.
It required a wastewater treatment solution that would meet Melbourne city’s strict trade waste requirements.
Aerofloat designed and installed a wastewater treatment plant consisting of its proprietary AeroDAF technology, alongside screening, pH correction and a dewatering system.
Aerofloat designed a system that would manage production growth at the site over time.
Aerofloat’s design allows for further water saving options for the Circular Plastics Australia site in the future if required.
The entire plant was automated to ensure low maintenance for operators.
Aerofloat has worked with Circular Plastics Australia on multiple ventures, the new Melbourne plant is expected to be operational in 2023.
Following the announcement of the National Plastics Plan; Pact Group, Cleanaway, Asahi Beverages, and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners formed a joint venture known as Circular Plastics Australia.
“The joint venture has created a complete supply chain of recycled plastic in Australia on a scale that has never been seen before,” said Michael Anderson, GM of Projects and Engineering for Aerofloat.
Following the plastics recycling industry boom in Australia with the inception of the National Plastics Plan in 2021, Aerofloat has become the go-to wastewater treatment company for new projects.
Aerofloat designed and built the wastewater treatment system for Circular Plastics Australia’s first plant, located in Albury New South Wales prior to its Laverton and Altona North plants in Melbourne. Circular Plastic Australia’s plant in Altona North is expected to be operational by mid-2023.
Aerofloat’s wastewater treatment system consists of an IPS (inlet pumping station), screening, balance tank, AeroDAF, sludge tank and screw press. Wastewater is collected in the IPS and pumped to the balance tank after undergoing screening to remove larger particles. The wastewater is blended and pH corrected in the balance tank, before entering the AeroDAF.
In the AeroDAF, solid waste is separated, with the separated solids going to the sludge tank and the treated effluent flowing into the effluent tank. The sludge tank is periodically pumped to the screw press for further solid removal. Finally, the treated effluent undergoes a final pH correction before being discharged into the sewer.
“The wastewater treatment plants discharge into the Greater Western Water municipal sewer, so all parameters must meet the requirements for discharge of trade wastes from industrial premises as a minimum,” said Adam Kornhauser, Site Manager for the nearby Laverton facility in Melbourne.
With significant production volumes at Altona North, wastewater flows are expected to be equally high.
“We are expecting average daily flows of around 120 cubic metres per day at Altona North,” said Kornhauser. “Aerofloat’s design is expected to more than meet that demand.”
With the plant expected to be operational by mid-2023, Anderson has been proactive in growing the opportunities for further sustainable operations at the plants in Albury, Laverton and Altona North.
“At the moment, ensuring Circular Plastics Australia meet their recycling volumes is the first priority, however we have set up the plants ready for additional water re-use. That will be something we can address in the future if they want to reduce their water output further.”
“Our knowledge helps us grow and remain the industry’s go-to wastewater engineering company in Australia,” said Anderson.
Meat manufacturer Meyer Food Co. utilised Aerofloat’s AeroDAF to ensure compliancy for its meat processing facility.
Circular Plastics Australia’s new plant in Laverton, Victoria, required a wastewater treatment solution that would meet Melbourne city’s strict trade waste requirements. Aerofloat has worked with Circular Plastics Australia on multiple projects to ensure compliant wastewater.
Wastewater and wash line system ensures quality and growth assured for plastics recycling plant in Victoria. Aerofloat recently installed a wastewater treatment system at GT Recycling in Moolap, Victoria to wash the recycled plastic to ensure quality products for their customers.
