Transforming recycling in Victoria

Last updated: 30 January 2024
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Recycling Victoria: a new economy is the Victorian Government's $380 million policy and action plan to deliver a cleaner, greener Victoria. The plan will help create a circular economy, less waste and pollution, better recycling, more jobs and a stronger economy.

A circular economy transforms our linear economy mindset (take, use and throw away). It seeks to reduce the environmental impacts of production and consumption while enabling economic growth through more productive use of natural resources.

What we’re doing

Several government departments and agencies are delivering the Recycling Victoria policy.

Alongside the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, we are partnering with industry, business, government and communities to make the circular economy a reality in Victoria.

As a key delivery agency for the policy, we’re supporting these changes and more:

  • a stronger waste and recycling industry
  • improving our recycling infrastructure
  • better use of materials
  • innovations in Victorian business operations
  • a new 4-bin waste and recycling system across the state.

We’re doing this with a range of programs, including funding opportunities, with more to come.

Programs

Asbestos Disposal Management Plan

Making asbestos disposal safer and easier for communities

Who might be interested in this: Commercial removalists, landfill owners, resource recovery centres, transfer stations

Read more

Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre

Providing support to identify, develop and implement circular economy business opportunities

Who might be interested in this: Businesses, charities, industry groups, research institutions

Read more

Detox your Home

Providing a free service for residents to safely dispose of their household chemicals

Who might be interested in this: Councils, residents

Read more

Industry and Infrastructure Development Package

Funding infrastructure to increase local recovery, reprocessing and manufacture of materials from across the economy, build local industries and create jobs

Who might be interested in this: Councils, manufacturers, waste and resource recovery sector

More information will be available when ready.

For information about our grants, see the Grants, funding and investment page.

Recycling Markets Acceleration Package

Funding the development of innovative new products, identifying new used for recycled materials, and making it easier for these products to be used

Who might be interested in this: Councils, manufacturers, research institutions, waste and resource recovery sector

More information will be available when ready.

For information about our grants, see the Grants, funding and investment page.

Circular Economy Education and Behaviour Change program

Supporting Victorian residents in using new recycling services and reducing waste

Who might be interested in this: Councils

More information will be available when ready.

For information about our grants, see the Grants, funding and investment page.

Support for communities and councils

Supporting councils and communities to identify and pursue local opportunities for improving material use and management and participate in a circular economy.

Who might be interested in this: Alpine resort management boards, councils, community groups, not-for-profit organisations

More information will be available when ready.

For information about our grants, see the Grants, funding and investment page.

Waste and resource recovery infrastructure plan

This builds on the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Plan (SWRRIP), a 30-year roadmap to improve Victoria’s waste and recycling infrastructure. It is known as the Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan and will include hazardous waste management.

More information will be available when ready.

In the meantime, you can read about the SWRRIP.

Grants and funding

From 2019 to 2021, we have launched more than $60 million worth of funding opportunities.

Materials recycling infrastructure funding

For industry and councils to increase the capacity and capability of Victoria’s resource recovery sector and the quality of materials recovered

Communities Fund

For local community initiatives by community groups, not-for-profit organisations, charities and social enterprises that engage the community in local solutions for low-waste living

Councils Fund

For councils and alpine resort management boards to reduce waste to landfill and transition towards a circular economy

Household Education Fund

For councils and alpine resort management boards to support the delivery of local campaigns to educate Victorians to better manage and reduce their household waste.

Innovation Business Support Fund

Stream 1: Identification grants

For individual applicants or collaborative partnerships to investigate how to adapt and apply circular economy business opportunities and approaches

Stream 2: Implementation grants

For individual applicants or collaborative partnerships to implement solutions across one or multiple businesses. These grants will support the business to implement evidence-based circular economy business opportunities and approaches in Victoria.

Innovation Fund

Stream 1: Food Innovation

For collaborative partnerships that identify opportunities and apply innovative circular economy business models and practices for food waste or for the food sector

Stream 2: Collaborative Innovation

For collaborative partnerships that identify, develop and/or scale-up innovative circular economy business models and practices. The projects need to address systemic barriers with innovative thinking and practice

Research and Development Fund: Materials

For research institutes and industry to collaborate on innovative solutions to accelerate markets, confidence, and demand for recycled products in Victoria