The term industrial symbiosis has gained popularity in recent years, and the Narangba Innovation Precinct in Moreton Bay, South East Queensland is an example of how it can work in practice for small and medium companies in the construction industry. By facilitating the co-location of synergetic industries, the City of Moreton Bay Council is enhancing resource flow between businesses, reducing waste, and fostering a circular economy. In this article, we show how this innovative approach not only benefits the environment, but also boosts the bottom line for the companies involved.
What is Industrial Symbiosis?
Let’s go back one step and explain the concept to anyone new to it. Industrial symbiosis is a system where waste or byproducts of one company are repurposed as valuable inputs for another. The concept is grounded in circular economy principles, where industrial waste is minimised, and resources are kept in use for as long as possible at their highest value. It is sometimes referred also as a subset of industrial ecology, which highlights the study of industrial systems that operate more like natural ecosystems, where nothing goes to waste (or landfills as in our case).
In the context of the Narangba Innovation Precinct, several industries collaborate to reuse materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, contributing to sustainable industry development in the Moreton Bay Region and in Queensland.
The Circular Businesses Involved
The companies that are the centre of the analysis in this small case study example of industrial symbiosis include:
- Jumbo
- Moreton Bay Recycling
- Holcim Australia
- PCD Prime Concrete Developments
- Kennedy’s Timbers
Let’s explore how these five businesses are collaborating to create a circular flow of resources and promote sustainability in the region. The image below illustrates the circular flow of resources.
Image Copyright: Jumbo
Three Key Resource Streams at Narangba Innovation Precinct
The Narangba Innovation Precinct is an industrial park with a network of industries that work symbiotically to manage their resources and waste efficiently. Below are the major resource flows by resource stream and the companies involved in the process:
1. Concrete Recycling
Holcim Australia is a trusted concrete supplier. They play a crucial role in the resource-sharing ecosystem by delivering leftover concrete (also called agi-crete in the industry) to our partner business Moreton Bay Recycling for reprocessing. Instead of disposing of unused or excess concrete, Holcim Australia ensures that this material is repurposed, in line with sustainable construction practices. They also supply PCD Prime Concrete Developments with the raw material for their concrete sleepers.
PCD Prime Concrete Developments is another key contributor to the symbiotic network. Their concrete sleepers that do not meet the required standards, and are, therefore, rejected for sale, are sent to us at Jumbo. This reduces waste to landfills and provides a stream of reusable material that is processed into recycled concrete aggregate, crusher dust, soil and fill, and sand.
2. Recovery and Recycling of Building Materials
Jumbo is integral to the flow of resources at the precinct. We recover various waste types and building materials, such as concrete, bricks, pavers, and roof tiles, which are then sent to Moreton Bay Recycling for recycling. By recovering these materials, we help ensure that they are recycled into new building supplies, extending their lifecycle and reducing the need for virgin materials.
At Moreton Bay Recycling, these recovered materials are then processed and transformed into aggregates and road bases. These recycled products are then supplied to local builders, plumbers, landscapers, and civil works projects. By creating these sustainable building materials, Moreton Bay Recycling contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry.
3. Reclaiming Timber for Sustainable Reuse
In addition to concrete and building materials, the Naranga Innovation Precinct also emphasises the sustainable use of timber. When we collect enough timber during our waste recovery projects, we send this reclaimed material to Kennedy’s Timbers. Kennedy’s Timbers specialises in repurposing timber, giving it new life in sustainable building projects. This helps reduce the demand for freshly cut timber and promotes the reuse of existing resources.
Related: Recycling Concrete Waste at Jumbo
Two Key Enablers of Industrial Symbiosis: Proximity and Collaboration
One of the key factors contributing to the success of industrial symbiosis at the Naranga Innovation Precinct is the proximity of the businesses involved. The co-location of these companies in the same industrial area minimises transportation needs, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This not only cuts costs, but also boosts the overall efficiency of the resource-sharing model.
By co-locating businesses with synergetic processes, the precinct has created a win-win situation for all parties involved. Companies reduce their waste management costs, avoiding the waste levy, while contributing to the production of valuable recycled materials adding to the value chain. Additionally, all involved businesses save on transportation expenses and reduce their overall environmental impact, on top of improving the bottom line.
The Key Benefits of Industrial Symbiosis
The highlighted example brings several key benefits that have broader implications for the construction industry and can be replicated in other regions and sectors.
Here is a summary of the benefits:
- Cost Savings: Businesses reduce costs by sourcing materials locally and avoiding the Queensland landfill levy rates.
- Improved Bottom Line: When resources are kept in circulation at their highest value, they can still be monetised generating income.
- Environmental Benefits: Less industrial solid waste is sent to landfills, and fewer virgin materials are required, reducing the strain on natural resources and reducing the embodied carbon of the final products.
- Increased Efficiency: Proximity reduces transportation costs, and the collaborative approach enhances resource efficiency.
- Systems Thinking and Innovation: This model encourages companies to systems thinking, which is needed to innovate their processes and stay competitive.
Conclusion: Advancing the Circular Economy in the Moreton Bay Region
This is only a small example of how industrial symbiosis can contribute to Queensland’s circular economy strategy. This approach is essential in moving away from the traditional linear economy, which follows the “take, make, dispose” model, towards a circular economy where no end waste is created.
The City of Moreton Bay Council has taken significant steps to support this shift with the Narangba Innovation Precinct, creating a vibrant industrial space where businesses can thrive while embracing sustainable practices. The collaboration between Holcim Australia, Moreton Bay Recycling, PCD Prime Concrete Developments, Kennedy’s Timbers, and us Jumbo demonstrates how circular business models can be implemented successfully, even at the microscale.
By taking an active role in the circular economy, we are not just contributing to our profitability (yes, the bottom line!) but we are also helping to close the resource loop and helping decarbonise the construction and building industry.