The federal and Queensland Labor governments have announced the first three projects to be funded under the $40 million Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund (QRMF), which supports new projects diverting waste plastics, glass, paper and cardboard, and tyres to manufacture into new commercial products.
Queensland environment minister Meaghan Scanlon and federal member for Moreton, Graham Perrett, announced the new fund at Vinidex in Coopers Plains, who was one of the three announced to receive funds.
Vinidex received $652,525 for equipment to increase capacity to shred, was and micronise waste PVC materials for remanufacture into new products.
“Vinidex is a leader in Australian manufacturing, and the supply of advanced pipe systems and solutions,” said Perrett.
“The new equipment, funded by the QRMF, will enable Vinidex to diver 1000 tonnes of PVC waste away from landfill each year. These pipes possess long-lasting properties and are easily recyclable, making them cost-efficient and sustainable.”
According to David Bird, CEO of Vinidex, the company has a strong commitment to increasing recycling and reducing carbon footprint.
“Closing the loop by quadrupling the use of using recycled waste materials is an important pillar of our 2025 sustainability vision,” Bird added.
“This grant for processing equipment will enhance our ability to reuse PVC materials, which would otherwise go to landfill, and will ensure that the quality of the final product allows the long service life that our customers wants.”
The second was Ability Enterprises in Wilsonton, who received $513,306 for a plastics recycling project to operate in South West Queensland.
And finally, Casafico in Morayfield, who received $175,000 for a manufacturing plant, as well as a mobile plant that will process plastics, polystyrene and glass into premium products for the building and construction industry.
“More than 150,000 tonnes of waste will be kept out of landfill annually through the QRMF, and channelled into increasing the amount of recycled content in manufacturing thanks to these projects,” Scanlon said.
“By supporting reusing, recycling and remanufacturing here in Queensland, it’ll help achieve our goal to divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill and hit 65 per cent recycling by 2030.
“We want to stop as much waste as possible from ending up in landfill, and in turn, increase recycling, create new products and drive down the impact we have on the environment. These new projects certainly tick these boxes.”
Steven Miles, deputy premier and minister for state development, said that once operational, these new projects are expected to create a total of more than 300 new recycling industry jobs.
“Investing in resource recovery projects like this is supporting the creation of a new industry and supply chains in Queensland, building a more sustainable economy and creating new jobs,” Miles explained.
“These projects are a perfect example of our move towards a circular economy, where as much valuable material as possible is diverted from landfill through reuse, recycling and remanufacturing.”
The QRMF is a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland governments with a combined investment of $40 million.
Queensland industries involved in the initiative contribute at least half of the project costs, delivering in excess of $80 million in new investment for Queensland.
The joint initiative is helping to deliver on actions in the Queensland Resource Recovery Industries 10-year Roadmap and Action Plan.
“The government’s Recycling Modernisation Fund is turbocharging Australia’s circular economy, so that when a product is no longer useful for its initial purpose, it is either reused, recycled or remanufactured,” said federal minister for the environment, Tanya Plibersek.
“To power Queensland’s circular economy, we need cutting edge waste management and recycling facilities.
“That’s why the federal and Queensland Labor governments are co-investing $40 million to create new or expanded facilities, employ Queenslanders, and increasing manufacturing using recycled materials.”
More successful projects will be announced soon.
