The Morrison Government’s transformation of Australia’s recycling industry has seen a landmark agreement with Tasmania today that will deliver a $16 million boost for the state’s recycling industry, creating jobs and reducing pressure on the environment.
Federal Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley, and Tasmania’s Minister for Environment and Parks, Roger Jaensch have announced the signing of an $11 million joint funding agreement between the Commonwealth and State Government.
Minister Ley said the partnership under the Morrison Government’s $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund will leverage a further $5.5 million from Tasmanian industry to further develop plastic recycling.
“The Australian Government is investing in infrastructure to drive a $1 billion transformation of our waste and recycling capability,” Minister Ley said.
“Investing in the latest recycling technology just makes sense as Australia moves towards becoming a circular economy in which we shift the focus from ‘take, make, use and dispose’ to a more circular approach where we maintain the value of resources for as long as possible.”
Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans said the investment will create a high-quality recycled material which will then be available for industry to make into new products.
“Tasmanians need to know that their waste is a valuable product, not a problem that needs to be solved or put into the ground. Our Recycling Modernisation Fund recognises that and will make sure that Tasmania reaps the benefits,” Assistant Minister Evans said.
Over the next four years the Tasmanian Government will provide up to $5.5 million in grants, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Australian Government through its $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund.
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism, Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam said the funding would help create a circular economy.
“The is the Morrison Government leveraging investment with the Tasmanian Government and local industry to drive long term change,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.
“It will encourage new technologies, turn waste into a resource and support the local economy, while at the same time reducing the pressure that waste, and plastic in particular, places on our environment.”
Further details of the grants program will be released shortly, with applications to open before Christmas.
For more information on the RMF see https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/waste/how-we-manage-waste/recycling-modernisation-fund