The Andrews Labor Government is delivering a clean, green future for Victoria with a new circular economy accelerator project at Deakin University exploring ways to process and reuse waste across the community

Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney today launched the $16.4 million Circular Economy-Accelerator project at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, in collaboration with Monash and RMIT universities and 20 industry partners.

The project will allow researchers to explore solutions to reducing and repurposing food waste, agricultural waste and biproducts into other products like nutritional supplements, essential oils and fertiliser.

A BioFactory will also be established to convert organic waste from landfill and farms into new products.

The project builds on the Labor Government’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and halve Victoria’s emissions by 2030 – as well as Deakin, Monash and RMIT university’s research capabilities in sustainability, processing and analysis.

The project will create 10 jobs in research, engineering and construction and another 130 jobs in manufacturing, as well as learning opportunities for students in chemistry, environment, marine science and sustainability.

The Labor Government has invested $10 million towards the project, which was one of many pitches from universities to the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund.

The unprecedented $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund is supporting universities with capital works, research infrastructure projects and applied research focused on boosting Victoria’s productivity and economy as the state recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney

“This is another great example of how we’re harnessing the research capabilities of our local universities in collaboration with industry to create jobs and learning opportunities – while working on clean, green solutions.”

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

“Our circular economy strategy is transforming the way we think about waste and resource recovery – deliver better environmental, social and economic results for Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Deakin University Vice Chancellor Professor Iain Martin

“We are excited to be partnering with Monash and RMIT, as well as more than 20 industry partners, to provide an environment for the creation of sustainable products from food waste, organic farm waste and other biomaterials.”