$45 million up for grabs for pipeline of recycling projects

• $45 million for resource recovery and recycling businesses to develop large-scale, high-volume projects
• Up to $10 million each for projects tackling commercial and industrial waste and providing recycling solutions for renewable energy technologies, electrical and electronic products, and batteries
• Boost to recycling capacity to meet ambitious waste-diversion targets
• Part of the Miles Government’s $2.1 billion waste and resource recovery package which includes the $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund

The Miles Government is building the recycling industry to meet Queensland’s ambitious waste diversion targets, create jobs, and support a clean energy future. 

The $45 million package is aimed at large scale, high recovery projects, and was launched on the Gold Coast this week as Ministers from the Miles Government held Community Cabinet in the region.

It is part of the Miles Government’s $2.1 billion waste and resource recovery package, which includes $1 billion in household waste levy rebates for Queensland councils and the $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund.

State Development Minister Grace Grace visited BMI Group’s Stapylton Resource Recovery Centre, which is diverting over 185,530 tonnes of waste from landfill every year by separating co-mingled construction and demolition waste like timber and concrete to produce materials for industry and homeowners, such as roadbase and chipped timber for landscaping soils.

The facility was partly funded by a $2 million grant from the Miles Government’s Resource Recovery Industry Development Program (RRIDP) and has created 16 full-time jobs in its operation.

Today’s announcement builds on efforts to create a sustainable resource recovery industry through programs such as the RRIDP and the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund.

These programs have so far supported 48 projects to bring forward new technologies, diverted over 1.46 million tonnes of waste from landfill, resulted in over $425 million in capital expenditure and created around 560 jobs across Queensland.

By 2030, Queensland aims to recover 80 per cent of all waste and achieve 65 per cent recycling rates across all waste types.

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:

“This government has a vision for Queensland to become a zero-waste community, where waste is avoided, reused, recycled, and remanufactured to the greatest extent possible.

“The recycling industry has told us that to achieve some of Queensland’s 2030 waste diversion targets, there is a need to concentrate effort towards large-scale projects with co-investment from the Miles Government – so that’s exactly what we are doing.

“Today we are unlocking $45 million in funding for projects tackling waste in three key areas: commercial and industrial waste, renewable energy technologies, and electrical and electronic products and batteries.

“This funding will provide critical assistance to industry to grow its reprocessing and recycling capacity and prevent solar panels and other materials ending up in landfill.

“It’s another way the Miles Government is investing in the jobs of tomorrow, today.”

Quotes attributable to Environment Minister Leanne Linard:

“The Miles Government is strongly committed to protecting Queensland’s iconic natural environment, and reducing waste through increased resource recovery is an important part of our plan.

“This funding will help our recycling sector to boost its capacity, particularly recycling end-of-life electrical and electronic products, such as household appliances.

“Recycling is not only good for the environment. It’s good for the economy as well.

“We know that for every one job in landfill, there is the potential for three jobs in recycling, reuse and remanufacturing.”

Quotes attributable to Suzanne Toumbourou, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Council of Recycling:

“The Australian Council of Recycling applauds the Queensland Government’s $45 million investment in maximising resource recovery and scaling recycling, particularly through the focus on renewable energy technologies and electronic products.

“Collaboration across industry and government is essential to reducing waste and maximising the value of all materials.

“By keeping valuable resources in circulation for longer, we ensure a clean energy future and support Queensland’s circular economy.”

Quotes attributable to Nick Badyk, Chief Operating Officer, BMI Group:

 “With $2 million in grant funding from the Queensland Government, BMI Group commissioned the $5.92 million Construction and Demolition (C&D) plant at our Stapylton Resource Recovery centre in April 2022.

“This has led to the creation of over 16 full time jobs across a number of skill sets, including engineering, plant and equipment operators and pickers, who are a critical component of our recycling effort.

“The recycled products from the plant provide key products for industry and homeowners, including recycled aggregates, chipped timber for use as a fuel to generate power and landscaping soils, and other timber related products.”

Further information:

• Applicants can apply for financial assistance of up to $10 million to a maximum of 50 per cent of the total eligible project cost
• The $45 million package is open until funding is exhausted. More information including funding guidelines is available here
• Businesses can apply for up to $10 million to support large-scale recycling projects that:
  • provide recycling solutions for renewable energy components, particularly solar panels and end of life batteries, including electric vehicle and stationary storage batteries,
  • recover, reprocess or recycle of end-of-life e-waste and household appliances, or
  • target the mixed commercial and industrial waste stream
• The Queensland Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy sets ambitious targets to divert more waste from landfill and increase recycling.
• The Queensland Resource Recovery Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan provides a framework to accelerate this transition and develop Queensland’s resource recovery industries.

ENDS