Packaging waste is being turned into new products such as toys and shopping baskets thanks to funding from the Victorian Government, paving the way towards a more sustainable economy.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced today grants of up to $50,000 are available to help businesses develop new ways to reduce, reprocess or remanufacture packaging waste, with total funding of over $450,000.

The grants will support innovation that helps create new products from packaging waste. It’s estimated that funded projects will divert 6,000 tonnes of packaging waste from landfill and create 30 full-time jobs.

This is the second round of funding available to small to medium businesses, not for profit organisations and social enterprises.

Previous grant recipients include family-owned business Happy Planet Toys who were awarded funding to manufacture a fully recyclable bath toy made from recycled milk bottles.

Sa’pere Drinks received funding to create a reusable glass bottle system for pubs and clubs, allowing Sa’pere to reduce waste to landfill.

These are just two examples of how the grant program is reducing waste and getting more value from packaging waste.

These funds are part of the Government’s $515 million investment to transform the waste and recycling sector, including $380 million towards Recycling Victoria: a new economy, helping to position Victoria as the national leader in recycling.

For further information on the grants, visit https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/grants-funding-and-investment/grants-and-funding/investment-support-grant-packaging-round-2

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

“Packaging is necessary for storage and to keep food fresh, but it also makes up one-third of waste in landfill.”

“We’re actively encouraging small to medium business, not for profits and social enterprises to think outside the box and come up with new ways to reduce and use packaging waste.”

“These grants will help to reduce waste, create jobs, pave the way towards a more circular economy and help tackle climate change.”