A new recycling facility in Melbourne’s west will process 39,000 tonnes of recycled paper a year, thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today launched Australian Paper Recovery’s $2.5 million paper sorting facility in Truganina.

The Labor Government provided $475,000 in funding to the project, with the facility providing full grade separation of kerbside and commercial mixed paper and cardboard.

The high quality sorted, and graded paper is reprocessed locally and recycled into valuable products such as newspaper and packaging.

The facility has also expanded operations to accept additional materials from regional and metropolitan kerbside recycling, including plastics and metals, further increasing recycling capability here in Victoria.

The new facility will create six new jobs and will help work towards developing a circular economy in Victoria.

The project has been supported by the Government’s $2.6 million Recycling Industry Transition Support Fund, which is helping transition Victoria’s resource recovery and reprocessing industry after the collapse of the export market to China.

The Victorian Budget 2019/20 is investing $35 million to strengthen and diversify Victoria’s waste and recycling industry.

This latest package builds on the $37 million Recycling Industry Strategic Plan – bringing the Labor Government’s investment in the waste and resource recovery industry to more than $135 million.

The Circular Economy Policy issues paper is now open for consultation until 2 August 2019 at engage.vic.gov.au/circulareconomy.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Facilities like these are a crucial part of reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill – it’s fantastic to see Australian Paper expand their operations to accept more materials.”

“A circular economy will not only improve Victoria’s waste and recycling systems – it will support local businesses and create local jobs here in Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly

“This new facility is delivering local jobs and makes an important contribution to tackling the challenges facing our recycling sector.”