The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) recently revealed that its latest major refurbishment has achieved a remarkable 90.7 per cent resource recovery rate.
During the extensive upgrade programme – which included refurbishing the Plaza Auditorium, replacing core infrastructure like the Great Hall’s operable walls, and installing new large-format LED screens – the Centre diverted over 151 tonnes of material from landfill.
This was made possible by embedding strict sustainability criteria into the procurement phase, ensuring that 100 per cent of metals and 80 per cent of plasterboard were recycled through dedicated on-site separation systems.
A standout feature of the project was the prioritisation of reuse over simple recycling to maximise environmental value. This circular approach saw 3.5 tonnes of removed carpet diverted to local community pathways and 620 auditorium chairs refurbished rather than replaced, eliminating the carbon costs of new manufacturing.
BCEC’s general manager, Kym Guesdon, noted that these results reflect the standards BCEC has applied throughout its 30-year history, supported by 14 years of EarthCheck Platinum Certification.
