Tasmanian businesses are being encouraged to bring forward new ideas and new technologies for tackling the country’s growing plastic waste challenge, with the Recycling Modernisation Fund (Plastics) Grants Program now open.
The Program is funded by both the Federal and State Governments at $5.5 million each, with an additional $5.5 million investment from Tasmania’s business and industry sector.
According to Environment Minister Sussan Ley, the plastics program delivers on the Federal Government’s commitment under the National Partnership Agreement on Recycling Infrastructure.
“For our environment and for our economy, we need to change the way we look at waste,” Ley said.
“That means less waste in the first instance, it means designing products in ways that allow for remanufacture and it means growing our recycling capacity, particularly when it comes to waste plastic.”
Tasmania’s Acting Environment Minister 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,” she said.
“We expect the funding provided through the national partnership agreement 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 right here in Tasmania.”
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.
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