14 February 2024

STATEMENT FROM GREENLIFE RESOURCE RECOVERY (GRRF)

Following requests to the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Greenlife Resource Recovery Facility (GRRF) has received in writing test results from its site which show that its mulch is free of asbestos contamination. 

The EPA visited GRRF’s site on 15 January 2024 and took 12 samples of mulch and soil that had been manufactured for John Holland to use at Rozelle and other locations.  In addition, John Holland had its independent field testing lab experts conduct more than 20 test before GRRF was permitted to deliver mulch to the Rozelle site. 

GRRF remains confident that when its mulch is delivered to contractors for landscaping it is free of asbestos.  The company has no visibility of, and does not control, how its mulch is used on a site once delivered.  For example, GRRF has no control over whether its products are mixed with other mulches, materials or existing soil that has been disturbed. Further, GRRF understands that many of the government projects and sites on which its mulch has been used and asbestos has been identified were going through or have gone through processes of remediation.  GRRF understands in many cases this remediation was to address historical contamination with substances likely to be present including asbestos. 

GRRF’s lawyer, Ross Fox, Principal of Fishburn Watson O’Brien and Accredited Specialist in Planning and Environment Law, said: “GRRF is at risk of being made a scapegoat for failures in a complex supply chain for construction and landscaping projects.” 

GRRF continues to cooperate fully with the EPA, has provided unlimited access to its site and all information requested.

Ends