The operator of Weston Aluminium is behind plans for a proposed new recycling plant in the Hunter Valley that will convert industrial waste into alternative products and fuels.
It would operate along similar lines to the Kurri Kurri facility which extracts aluminium from a waste substance called dross, but also produces a material used as a road base.
Managing director Garbis Simonian says feeder material could include power station ash, coal washery residues and foundry sands.
He says while hazardous waste will also be processed, the plant's emissions will be within environmental guidelines.
"I mean there's no point recycling something if you're going to create more pollution," he said.
"The whole point is to reduce it substantially both in volume and emissions and toxicity so that the community's well ahead. That's the challenge - to do it responsibly."