The Victorian Government is rolling out recycled materials for local infrastructure projects – creating local jobs and supporting our growing circular economy.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio opened the $2.6 million Sustainable Infrastructure Fund grants to increase the use of recycled materials in local infrastructure projects across Victoria.

Grants of up to $300,000 are open to local councils and alpine resort management boards to use recycled materials such as glass, paper, cardboard, plastics and rubber to build new infrastructure including roads, footpaths, outdoor park equipment, drainages and cycleways.

The grants are supported by the Government’s previous $4.5 million investment in the development and use of new recycled products through the Research, Development and Demonstration program – increasing the uptake of recycled products, improving market confidence and demand, and supporting innovation.

Thanks to a $200,000 Research, Development and Demonstration Grant awarded in October 2018, a partnership between the Government, Boral, City of Whitehorse and RMIT University has successfully developed an environmentally friendly concrete mix by utilising recycled plastics and crumb rubber.

The concrete mix will be used for a new footpath in Ailsa Street Box Hill South later this month.

Victoria’s 79 local councils are expected to spend more than $8 billion on infrastructure projects over the next three years, presenting a significant opportunity to increase the use of recycled materials.

Recycling Victoria – the Government’s 10-year action plan for waste and recycling – is investing more than $300 million to transform the state’s recycling sector, reduce waste, create thousands of jobs and set Victoria up for a more sustainable future.

For more information and to apply for the grants visit: sustainability.vic.gov.au/SIF

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re supporting councils to build innovative infrastructure and make the most out of recycled materials as we continue to build a strong circular economy for Victoria.”

“Victoria is leading the way in giving new life to old rubbish – transforming plastic into roads and glass into footpaths.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Burwood Will Fowles

“This new local footpath demonstrates the role local ingenuity will play as we transition to a circular economy.”

“Our local community has demanded action on recycling and the Victorian Government is delivering.”