• January 20, 2025
• By JEP Team
• Articles, News

Sydney Copper Scraps proposes to establish a Copper Recycling Facility at 188 Silverwater Road, Silverwater NSW 2128. The facility will receive 29,999 tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including some de-gassed white appliances. Ferrous and non-ferrous metals will be baled on site and plastic encased copper cables will be stripped and the recovered plastic granulated into plastic pellets for further recycling off-site.

A previous consultation letter was sent in July 2024 regarding a Copper Recycling Facility proposed at 3 River Street. Please note that this Proposal is no longer being progressed at this site, due to a change in our client’s business priorities. The new Proposal is located at 188 Silverwater Road. 

The Proposal will involve a series of demolition works, building alterations and additions to support the proposed Copper Recycling Facility. Once the demolition works, alterations and additions are completed, the buildings will be fitted out with plant and equipment to enable the Site to operate as a best practice Copper Recycling Facility. The Industrial Building will contain concrete bays, hook lift bins, a baler, two wire strippers and a granulation plant, with the Domestic Vehicle Area located within the Industrial Building. The Metal Receivals Building will include a tipping area and stockpile, baler and metal storage bins. Staff amenities will be located within the three-storey office building attached to the industrial building.

The process used to ferrous and non-ferrous metals will involve sorting the metal and baling into metal bales. Plastic encased copper cables will be stripped using the wire strippers and the recovered plastic processed into plastic pellets using the Granulation Plant. The output materials of the Copper Recycling Facility are expected to be ferrous and non-ferrous metal bales, ferrous metal scraps, aluminium/stainless steel, plastic pellets and general waste (non-recyclable scraps and recovered plastic), which will be transported off-site for export. These processes allow for the materials to be used in further production off-site. The operation of this facility results in less waste in the environment, meaning it is sustainable and beneficial to the environment. 

The Site is located within Silverwater Industrial Park, on E4 General Industrial land, which is compatible with the Proposal. This development helps to assist in NSW sustainability goals through the recycling of materials and avoidance of landfill.

The development will assist in creating jobs and boosting economic growth within the Sydney Region. The project will inject more than $3 million during construction into the local economy.

The design of the development proposes several sustainability initiatives to protect the local environment. These are:

• Recycling of ferrous and non-ferrous metals means less waste in the environment. This supports the circular economy;
• Solar panels on the roof will provide the Site with green electricity;
• The recovered plastic from stripping of plastic encased copper cables will be granulated into plastic pellets that can be used in future plastic production;
• The site will have a fully sealed hardstand to prevent the possibility of contamination of the environment, and allowing all weather access;
• Handstand to be bunded to contain all firewater in the unlikely event of a fire;
• All stormwater runoff will be intercepted and treated prior to entering the Council drainage system; and
• Noise controls within the building to avoid impacts on neighbours and sensitive receptors.

Neighbour and community feedback is being sought on the proposal. More information can be found in:

• Fact sheet
• Scoping report
• Webinar recording

You can provide your feedback about our proposed development by contacting JEP Environment & Planning via email or phone:

• E: admin@jacksonenvironment.com.au 
• T: 02 8056 1849

We greatly appreciate your feedback on this project which will benefit both the environment and the local economy.