Giving Old Tanks a Second Life: QTank’s Water Tank Recycling Program

With Recycling Week in New Zealand having recently wrapped up (20–26 October) and National Recycling Week in Australia about to kick off (10–16 November), recycling is a topic top of mind for many.

QTank, a Queensland-based rotomoulder and longstanding ARMA member, has been giving the issue extra thought this year. Back in January, the company launched its Water Tank Recycling Program, designed to make it easier for customers to responsibly dispose of their old poly water tanks. When customers purchase a new QTank water tank, the company collects and recycles their old tank at no extra cost.

Why the Program Matters

Between 2002 and 2009, the Queensland Government’s Water Tank Rebate Program saw more than 100,000 rainwater tanks installed across the state. In Brisbane alone, over 90,000 tanks were installed between 2005 and 2009, helping cement the city’s reputation for water efficiency. At the time, around one in three Queensland households took part in the program.

Fast forward to 2025, and many of those tanks are reaching the end of their lifespan. QTank recognised both the environmental challenge and the opportunity this represents. Their Recycling Program aims to prevent these old tanks from ending up in landfill, conserve valuable resources, and reduce environmental impacts.

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Turning Old Tanks into New Opportunities

Recycling poly water tanks doesn’t just keep waste out of landfill, it turns a problem into a resource. Recovered plastic can be repurposed into new, useful products such as:

• Construction materials: Components for building and infrastructure.
• Outdoor furniture and garden products: Durable benches, planters, and more.
• Packaging: Recycled plastics for new packaging solutions.
• Agricultural products: Feeders, troughs, and other farm equipment.

Landfill conditions make it nearly impossible for plastic to biodegrade. As more tanks reach end-of-life, programs like QTank’s will play an increasingly important role in managing this waste stream. Recycling reduces demand for virgin plastic, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and supports a more sustainable, circular economy.

Checking in with QTank

To find out how the program is progressing, we checked in with QTank to hear their perspective.

What inspired QTank to create the Water Tank Recycling Program?

“QTank started the Water Tank Recycling Program because more and more of our customers were facing the difficult reality of aging rainwater tanks, many of which were installed years ago, and they simply didn’t know how to dispose of them. In many cases, our customers are physically unable to dismantle or transport these large tanks, or they’re understandably hesitant to just send them to landfill.

“On top of that, a lot of our customers are very environmentally aware: they installed water tanks to reduce their environmental footprint in the first place. The idea of being able to recycle their old tanks, rather than letting them sit in a tip or fill up a landfill, was very appealing to them.

“For QTank, offering this program isn’t just good business, it’s a service to the community. We see ourselves as an environmentally conscious company, and part of that commitment means looking beyond just making durable tanks. We want to close the loop by making sure that, when water tanks reach the end of their life, they can be responsibly recycled into new, useful products.”

What happens to the tanks after they’re collected?

“Once a tank is collected, or delivered to our recycling site, the real work begins. First, we remove all the fittings including taps, lids, and plumbing hardware. Then we cut the tank into manageable pieces, making transport and processing more efficient. And place it into collection bins.”

How many tanks have been recycled through the program to date?

“Since the program launched we have collected and recycled around 50 tanks which would have ended up in landfill.”

What are the biggest challenges or learnings you’ve encountered since launching?

“One of our biggest challenges has been the cost and logistics involved in collecting and preparing old tanks for recycling. Every tank we collect requires labour: removing fittings, cutting it into transportable pieces, and we absorb all of that cost ourselves. Then, supply the plastic to a recycler to process the material.

Do you see this type of program expanding in the future, either at QTank or across the industry?

“Yes, absolutely. We very much see this program as something that needs to expand, not just at QTank but across the entire rainwater tank industry in Australia. The reality is that tanks installed in past decades are now approaching the end of their useful life, and if manufacturers don’t get ahead of the disposal issue, we’re going to face a major environmental problem.

“We believe that all tank manufacturers should embrace a recycling-at-end-of-life model. It makes good environmental sense. Rather than hundreds or thousands of these old poly tanks ending up in landfill, the material can be reclaimed, reused, and remade into new products. By doing this now, we can prevent it from becoming a burden on local councils or, worse, something that’s mandated only because of public pressure or a growing societal concern about plastic waste.

“QTank launched its recycling program not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because we genuinely feel responsible, both to the community and to the planet. We want to see other manufacturers join us in this. If more of us commit to taking responsibility for our products at end of life, we can collectively close the loop and show that water-tank manufacture doesn’t have to mean plastic waste. That kind of shift could influence how the industry evolves, hopefully for the better.”

How does this initiative align with QTank’s broader sustainability goals?

“The Water Tank Recycling Program is a natural extension of QTank’s broader sustainability goals. From the beginning, we’ve focused on manufacturing high-quality, durable tanks that comply with AS/NZS 4766, ensuring a long design life and minimising environmental impact over time.

“Recycling end-of-life tanks fits perfectly within this framework. It’s about closing the loop: taking responsibility for the full lifecycle of our products, reducing waste, and giving the polyethylene a second life in new applications.”

What advice would you give to other businesses considering a similar recycling initiative?

“Our advice to other businesses considering a similar recycling initiative is simple: just offer the service. It’s a powerful way to do something meaningful for the environment while also building your reputation as a responsible, community-minded company. Customers truly value the ability to recycle their old tanks, and that trust and goodwill can have a lasting impact.

“Of course, there’s the added benefit that when a tank is being replaced, there’s the natural opportunity to provide a new, high-quality product, but the bigger win is in supporting your customers and your community. Recycling programs like this show that your business isn’t just about sales, it’s about solutions, stewardship, and doing the right thing.”

Looking Ahead

As water tanks across Queensland reach the end of their useful life, initiatives like QTank’s Recycling Program offer a practical, responsible solution that benefits both the environment and the community. By taking the lead, QTank is demonstrating how industry can drive positive change, closing the loop on materials and contributing to a more circular economy.