A joint funding initiative aimed at scaling up the State’s waste recycling infrastructure has been announced to boost the local waste and recycling industries.
Federal Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley said the Australian and Queensland Governments would each allocate $20 million to the Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF), with industry also to match the funding.
Ms Ley said the projects funded would help protect the environment, boost the economy and create jobs in Queensland.
“The Recycling Modernisation Fund is the centrepiece of the Government’s one-billion-dollar transformation of Australia’s waste and recycling industries, which will ensure that Australia has sufficient recycling infrastructure in place to reprocess our valuable waste resources,” she said.
Ms Ley said the initiative would lead to more unprocessed waste materials being recycled and made into new products following the ban on exporting waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres overseas.
Minister for State Development, Steven Miles said the fund was open for applications until 7 September.
“This fund will invest in projects including new high-tech equipment to sort, process and remanufacture mixed plastic, paper and cardboard, glass and tyres,” Mr Miles said.
“We want to continue to sustainably grow the resource recovery industry through this new fund and increase capacity to process additional waste, deliver environmental and community benefits and create new jobs, particularly in regional areas.”
Minister for the Environment, Meaghan Scanlon said the fund would make an invaluable contribution towards the State becoming a zero-waste society.
“This shared investment embeds the principles of a circular economy in the State, ensuring valuable recyclable materials can be processed and reused in Australia,” Ms Scanlon said.
