STEEL destined for the scrap heap will have a new life in the workshops of Tropical North Queensland TAFE.

The scrap metal will be reused and recycled through a new partnership between the TAFE and Tropical Reef Shipyards at Portsmith.

TNQT metal fabrication teacher Greg Weremchuk said the initiative would save tonnes of steel from the scrap heap every year and allow students to use it in their practical workshop activities.

"A recycling project of this scale will save tonnes of metal from the scrap heap and save TNQT thousands of dollars on the purchase of new product which can be spent on other vital training equipment," he said.

"It also exposes our students to materials in the forms that are actually used in industry, such as beams, angles, channels and plate in various thicknesses and weights."

Recycling bins, designed and constructed by the students, were delivered to the shipyards this week.

Shipyard operations manager Graham Baker encouraged others to donate their scrap metal in TAFE's direction.

"We are pleased to be able to give something back as all our apprentices are trained at TAFE," Mr Baker said.

TAFE institute director Joann Pyne said the project was an example of their commitment to sustainability.

 

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