The Victorian Government is giving innovators $4.4 million to create everyday products from reusable waste while getting those ideas out of the lab and into the market with a new round of recycling infrastructure grants.
This morning Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, announced that 19 projects will share in $2.6 million to support innovative use of reusable waste in infrastructure projects delivered by local councils and alpine resort management boards.
Together these 19 projects will support 338 new jobs and use approximately 2,000 tonnes of recycled materials, including glass, plastic and rubber, to create roads, footpaths, outdoor park furniture, drainage and pavements.
Among the successful councils is the City of Darebin, which has secured $300,000 to upgrade the KP Hardiman Hockey Field using recycled material. Players are expected to be scoring goals at the upgraded facilities by July 2021.
As part of the redevelopment, recycled glass will be used in new concrete pathways, recycled plastic will become asphalt, and outdoor furniture and shockpads installed under artificial turf will be made from rubber tyres.
Darebin Mayor Councillor, Lina Messina, said the project would become a case study for what could be achieved when the circular economy was prioritised in demolition and construction work.
“We hope this project will become an inspiration for individuals, businesses and organisations across Victoria to take up the use of recycled materials and these exciting new technologies,” Cr Messina said.
“Recycled materials are no longer a novelty. Their use will and must become a priority for how we design and build for our future.”
The State Government will further increase the use of recycled materials across the economy by supporting innovation and product development with the launch of the $1.8 million Research and Development Fund.
Grants of between $75,000 and $300,000 are available to support research institutes and industry to develop new products made from recycled materials including plastic, paper, cardboard, glass and tyres.
These grants will see more recycled materials used in local community spaces and the development of exciting products that are yet to be discovered, helping to create local jobs in new industries.
