Packaging waste is being turned into new products such as toys and shopping baskets, thanks to funding from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, today announced that grants of up to $50,000 are available to help businesses develop new ways to reduce, reprocess or remanufacture packaging waste, with total funding of over $450,000.
The grants will support innovation that helps create new products from packaging waste. It is estimated that funded projects will divert 6,000 tonnes of packaging waste from landfill and support 30 full-time jobs.
This is the second round of funding available to small to medium businesses, not for profit organisations and social enterprises.
Previous grant recipients include family-owned business Happy Planet Toys who were awarded funding to manufacture a fully recyclable bath toy made from recycled milk bottles and Sa’pere Drinks who received funding to create a reusable glass bottle system for pubs and clubs.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said packaging is necessary for storage and to keep food fresh, but it also makes up one-third of waste in landfill.
“We’re actively encouraging small to medium business, not for profits and social enterprises to think outside the box and come up with new ways to reduce and use packaging waste,” the Minister said.
“These grants will help to reduce waste, create jobs, pave the way towards a more circular economy and help tackle climate change.”
The funds form a part of the State Government’s $515 million investment to transform the waste and recycling sector, including $380 million towards Recycling Victoria: a new economy, helping to position Victoria as the national leader in recycling.
For further information on the grants, visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/grants-funding-and-investment/grants-and-funding/investment-support-grant-packaging-round-2
