A further $10 million is being made available for research into new processes and markets for waste plastics, paper, glass, and tyres.
Research projects eligible for funding under Round 10 of the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants program can also include other problem materials, such as building waste.
The funding is part of the Federal Government’s commitment (with the states and territories) to progressively ban the export of plastics, paper, glass and tyres, starting with glass on 1 January 2021.
Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said: “Ideas that open up new processes and new markets for recycled products are going to be critical as we change the way we recycle materials for infrastructure, packaging and consumer products.
“Whether it is waste glass replacing virgin sand in concrete sound walls or waste plastic replacing virgin polymers in asphalt, we are already seeing new technologies emerge – and with support like this Australia can play a lead role in reducing the pressure on the earth’s resources.”
CRC-Ps can run for up to three years, with grants capped at $3 million. They must have at least two Australian industry partners, including one small or medium-sized business.