$16 million to boost Tasmanian recycling infrastructure

Roger Jaensch,Minister for Environment and Parks

Sussan Ley, Federal Minister for the Environment,and Trevor Evans, Federal Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management

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 Tasmanian 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.

Tasmanian Minister for Environment and Parks Roger Jaensch said that the funding provided through the NPA was expected to result in over $16 million being injected into the resource recovery industry in Tasmania.

“This is a substantial investment in recycling in Tasmania that will help to grow the resource recovery sector and create a circular economy in Tasmania,” Minister Jaensch 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.

“This will leverage additional matching investment from businesses with new ideas and technologies that can turn waste into resources and new products, adding value and creating jobs in Tasmania.”

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