The next stage of the Morrison Government’s transformation of the recycling industry is underway in Tasmania with the announcement of three jointly funded plastics projects that will reprocess 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste, the equivalent weight of 9,000 cars, every year.
The innovative projects - part of a $20.3 million co-investment through the Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) – will see wood plastic composites used in home timber decking; fully recyclable framing for transporting goods as well as products for the aquaculture, agriculture and construction industries.
Federal Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the projects will help to protect the environment, boost the economy and create jobs.
“Today’s announcement is another example of government working together with industry in Tasmania to deliver transformational change,” Minister Ley said.
“It is exciting to see innovation at the centre of these projects. Not only will they turn a waste product into something of value, but they will do so while creating more than 50 jobs for local business – it is good for the economy, good for jobs and good for the environment.”
Minister Jaensch said the partnership through the RMF will help Tasmanian businesses invest in new, ground-breaking ideas and technologies that will turn waste into new resources and products, creating local jobs and helping to build a circular economy in Tasmania.
“Together, these projects will recover and value-add around 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste in Tasmania every year,” Minister Jaensch said.
“Today’s investment, together with our commitment to introduce a state-wide waste levy and Container Refund Scheme, industrial composting and with other innovative resource recovery initiatives, means that we are better placed than ever before to meet our future waste challenges, and turn them into opportunities.
“This is great news for Tasmania and we are excited to see the innovative approaches to waste management, resource recovery and remanufacturing that these companies have proposed and will deliver through these projects.”
Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said: “These projects are just the start of Tasmanian’s embracing waste as a resource rather than a problem.
“It’s fantastic to see that two of these three important projects are based in George Town, supporting the local community and the regional economy.”