Cairns Advanced Resource Recovery Technology (ARRT) Facility

Cairns Advanced Resource Recovery Technology (ARRT) Facility is an Alternative Waste Treatment (AWT) project located in the industrial suburb of Portsmith, approximately 5km south of the Cairns CBD in Queensland. Registered in July 2013, the project transitioned from the original Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) to the 2015 AWT method. The facility served as a central waste processing hub for the Cairns, Douglas, and Mareeba regions, diverting approximately 125,000 tonnes of mixed solid waste (MSW) from landfill annually.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Alternative Waste Treatment) Methodology Determination 2015. This methodology credits emission reductions achieved by processing mixed solid waste, that would otherwise release methane in a landfill, into alternative products. The Cairns facility utilised "Bedminster" technology, a form of Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT). This process involves sorting non-organic materials from the waste stream and processing the remaining organic fraction through enclosed drum composting and maturation. The resulting compost product was frequently used by local agricultural enterprises, particularly sugarcane farmers, to improve soil health.

The Cairns region is characterised by a tropical climate with high rainfall and humidity. These environmental conditions necessitated specific infrastructure design, such as the facility's enclosed roofing system, to manage moisture and prevent leachate runoff during the wet season. While the project successfully completed its carbon abatement contract in August 2022, the physical facility faced significant operational challenges in its later years. It was slated for closure in 2026 due to efficiency constraints; however, a major fire in January 2025 caused catastrophic structural damage, leading to the immediate suspension of operations and the commencement of demolition works.