In an effort to roll out recycled materials for local infrastructure projects, the Victorian Government has released $2.6 million from the Sustainable Infrastructure Fund in grants.
Local councils and alpine resort management boards can apply for grants of up to $300,000 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.
This funding is underpinned by the government’s previous $4.5 million investment in the Research, Development and Demonstration program for new recycled products.
So far a $200,000 Research, Development and Demonstration grant has been used by the Government, Boral, City of Whitehorse and RMIT University to develop an environmentally friendly concrete mix using recycled plastic and crumb rubber. It will be used for a new footpath in Ailsa Street, Box Hill South later this month.
Infrastructure projects across Victorias 79 local councils are expected to cost $8 billion over the next three years. This will present significant opportunity for the use of recycled products.
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.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said 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,” D’Ambrosio said.
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