Sussan Ley, Federal Minister for the Environment
Elise Archer, Acting Minister for Environment and Parks
Tasmania’s businesses are being encouraged to bring forward new ideas and new technologies for tackling the country’s growing plastic waste challenge as the Recycling Modernisation Fund (Plastics) Grants Program opens today.
The Program is a $16 million boost for Tasmania’s recycling industry, creating jobs and reducing pressure on the environment and is part of a national transformation of our recycling capacity.
The Program is funded by both the Commonwealth and State Governments at $5.5 million each, with an additional $5.5 million investment from Tasmania’s business and industry sector.
Commonwealth Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley congratulated Tasmania for getting on with the job as the Morrison Government begins the phasing in of its waste export bans from January 1 and said she looked forward to seeing new ideas being put forward.
“For our environment and for our economy, we need to change the way we look at waste,” Minister Ley said.
“That means less waste in the first instance, it means designing products in ways that allow for re-manufacture and it means growing our recycling capacity, particularly when it comes to waste plastic.”
Tasmanian Acting Minister for Environment Elise Archer said the partnership between the State and Federal Governments under the national Recycling Modernisation Fund will significantly develop plastic recycling and manufacturing in Tasmania.
“This is a fantastic investment for Tasmanian businesses and industry, and will help significantly grow the resource recovery sector in Tasmania, while building a circular economy in this State,” Acting Minister Archer said.
“We expect the funding provided through the NPA will result in over $16 million being injected into the resource recovery industry in Tasmania.
“This will help businesses invest in the new ideas and technologies that can turn waste into resources and new products, adding value and creating jobs in Tasmania.”
The Recycling Modernisation Fund (Plastics) Grants Program delivers on the Government’s commitment under the National Partnership Agreement on Recycling Infrastructure.
Guidelines to help business prepare their applications have been developed and are available from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
The Grants program is open until Monday 12 February 2021.
