JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SUSSAN LEY AND ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR WASTE REDUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TREVOR EVANS
The Morrison Government will commit $190 million to a new Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) that will generate $600 million of recycling investment and drive a billion-dollar transformation of Australia’s waste and recycling capacity.
More than 10,000 jobs will be created and over 10 million tonnes of waste diverted from landfill to the making of useful products as Australia turbo charges its recycling capacity.
The RMF will support innovative investment in new infrastructure to sort, process and remanufacture materials such as mixed plastic, paper, tyres and glass, with Commonwealth funding contingent on co-funding from industry, states and territories.
Australia’s waste and recycling transformation is being further strengthened by an additional:
- $35 million to implement Commonwealth commitments under Australia’s National Waste Policy Action Plan, which sets the direction for waste management and recycling in Australia until 2030.
- $24.6 million on Commonwealth commitments to improve our national waste data so it can measure recycling outcomes and track progress against our national waste targets.
- The introduction of new Commonwealth waste legislation to formally enact the Government’s waste export ban and encourage companies to take greater responsibility for the waste they generate, from product design through to recycling, remanufacture or disposal (Product Stewardship).
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the Morrison Government was sending a clear message about changing the way Australia looks at waste and recycling.
“It is our waste and our responsibility and doing something about it is good for jobs, good for the environment and good for local communities,” Minister Ley said.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said the Morrison Government waste agenda was important for the people of Victoria.
“People want to be confident that the waste they place in their kerbside recycling bins is being recycled and re-manufactured into items like roads, carpets, furniture and building materials,” Senator Henderson said.
“The Morrison Government is helping to reassure them the that their efforts are leading to a better outcome for the environment and the community.
“This is an opportunity for us all to look at the contribution we can make in reducing waste and ensuring we are recycling properly on an individual level and as part of a community response.”
Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Trevor Evans, highlighted the importance of working with industry to bring on this turning point in waste and recycling.
“Our targeted investment will grow Australia’s circular economy, create more jobs and build a stronger onshore recycling industry,” he said.
All Australians can play a role by looking up local council websites for important recycling tips and by choosing products with the Australasian Recycling Label, which explains how to recycle every element of a product’s packaging.
For further information see: http://www.environment.gov.au/rmf
6 July 2020