Cairns Regional Council’s annual State of the Environment (SoE) report was released on the 10th February 2016, providing a snapshot of activities during the 2014-15 financial year.
Highlights include:
An overall recycling rate of 49%, above the state average of 42.7%. This means almost half of all waste sent to the transfer stations is recycled or reused.
A 24% reduction in electricity usage across Council’s top 11 consuming facilities since 2010-11, saving more than $1.3 million.
A total 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2007-08, on track to meet the existing target of a 50% reduction by 2020.
Introduction of e-waste recycling facilities at Portsmith and Smithfield Waste Transfer Stations.
Increase of hybrid electric vehicles in fleet leading to a 27% decrease in fuel consumption from the previous year.
New initiatives such as ECOfiesta and the Love to Ride Challenge.
During 2014-15, Council supplied 26,137 megalitres of potable water, representing an average 433 litres per person, per day across residential and commercial use.
Council collected a total 110,995 tonnes of waste and treated 18,944 megalitres of waste water, of which 11.6% was reused.
