The Andrews Labor Government is delivering another major infrastructure boost for Victoria’s recycling sector that will create 155 jobs across Victoria and divert more than 350,000 tonnes of waste from landfill each year.

Minister for Environment Lily D’Ambrosio today announced $4.8 million for 20 recycling projects as part of the third round of the Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund.

The projects, worth more than $35 million, will expand the collection of kerbside food organics, increase the recycling of plastics and upgrade major recycling facilities – including three regional resource recovery facilities.

A further $1.5 million will be provided to 10 research organisations to explore new uses for recycled materials and to work with businesses or government to maximise their use.

The Research, Development & Demonstration Program will provide grants of $50,000 to $200,000 to each of the 10 research projects.

The projects will investigate innovative uses for glass, plastics, organics, concrete, brick and rubber, while exploring new processing technologies.

The program will work with the University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Swinburne University and the Australian Road Research Board – in collaboration with several major Victorian businesses – to increase procurement of large volumes of recycled materials in to the commercial market.

The Labor Government has awarded $15.1 million to support 47 projects through the Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund.

The Research, Development & Demonstration grants are part of the Labor Government’s broader $4.5 million Market Development program, which helps to build new, strong domestic markets for Victoria’s recovered resources.

For more information, visit sustainability.vic.gov.au.

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

“These grants will help develop a circular economy that maximises the reuse of materials and reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfill.”

“These exciting projects across Victoria will stop waste, boost the resource recovery industry and create jobs.”