Back in the 1980’s, the possibility of an Australian aluminium smelter closing its landfill would have seemed extremely remote. Today, aluminium smelter landfills that used to handle thousands of tonnes of material each year are closed or are in the process of closing.

Waste management and recycling at the source have been the key to this amazing turnaround. Some Australian smelters are now at the leading edge of global practice in residual material management.

At one Australian smelter, where Regain remanufactures residual carbon materials into cement kiln fuel, 5.7 hectares of licenced landfill has been returned to natural wetlands. Where once waste materials were destined to be buried, now migratory birds, kangaroos, frogs and other wildlife are thriving.