Joint media release: Joint funding to boost business recycling in Victoria

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Lily D'Ambrosio, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action

The Albanese Labor Government and Andrews Labor Government are cutting waste, creating jobs for Victorians and helping businesses save by using recycled materials.

The Federal and Victorian Governments are co-investing $2 million to boost Victoria’s recycling and remanufacturing of plastic, paper, cardboard, and tyres. 

Victorian businesses and local councils can now apply for the third round of the Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund to install new recycling and remanufacturing technology or to upgrade existing recycling facilities. 

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said that the Australian Government’s Recycling Modernisation Fund is an important part of driving Australia’s circular economy— where products that are no longer useful or required for their initial purpose are either reused, recycled or remanufactured for use in another product or process.

“None of us want to see our waste being left behind for our children to deal with,” Minister Plibersek said. “As well as being the right thing to do for our planet, there are many job and economic opportunities to be gained by investing in recycling.  

“This $2 million in funding builds on more than $68 million in joint Australian and Victorian government funding that has already been awarded to 21 infrastructure projects across Victoria. These have already been announced will support over 270 new ongoing full-time jobs and process an additional 322,000 tonnes of glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, and tyre waste each year.”

Victorian Minister for the Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio said that the additional funding will not only protect the environment by keeping more of Victoria’s waste out of landfill but will also support businesses and local councils to install new technology or upgrade their existing recycling facilities.

“We are delivering the biggest transformation and reform of Victoria’s waste and recycling sector ever, diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030 and creating jobs for Victorians,” said Minister D’Ambrosio.

“We’ve invested more than ever before in new recycling infrastructure, creating new uses for waste, innovation for businesses to increase recycling capacity and community education - we’re strengthening Victoria's recycling industry so valuable resources are reused over and over again.” 

The $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund investment, and measures to support Australia’s National Waste Policy Action Plan, will support approximately 10,000 new jobs all around Australia over the next ten years. 

The Victorian Government’s funding is a part of its $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector, including $380 million under the government’s circular economy policy Recycling Victoria: a new economy. 

Find out how to apply at sustainability.vic.gov.au/grants