Councils receive funding boost for local repair, reuse and recycle programs
Eleven metropolitan and regional councils will continue their transition to a circular economy, thanks to funding from the Victorian Government.
The $1.6 million Circular Economy Councils Fund will support local projects including a resale shop providing Nagambie residents with access to pre-loved goods, and a roving repair program giving residents in Bayside City Council a local solution to repairing or repurposing quality items.
In a first of its kind for the area, a tool library will give Wyndham residents the opportunity to borrow a variety of quality tools, enabling participation in the sharing economy.
“Small regional council solo projects and large metropolitan multi-council partnerships are all working hard to make an impact on reducing waste to landfill and increasing job and business opportunities.”
The City of Melbourne has received funding to address one of the most complex waste collection issues in Australia. Their new collection service for food organics in high-rise buildings in the CBD will divert a further 850 tonnes of organic materials from landfill and improve processing infrastructure by over 2,500 tonnes per year.
Funding has also been provided to tackle mattress waste in Swan Hill Rural City and neighbouring councils. They will establish a mattress processing facility that will help divert 75 tonnes of mattress waste from landfill, and result in 15kg steel recovered per mattress.
Together, these projects will divert 16,000 tonnes of waste and create new opportunities to increase local recycling while growing local businesses and jobs.
Sustainability Victoria’s Interim CEO Matt Genever said local councils are demonstrating great leadership in enabling their communities to transition to a circular economy.
“It’s great to see councils from across Victoria stepping up to take the lead or be involved in a project that progresses our transition to a circular economy. A total of 32 councils are involved in these implementation projects, resulting in reduced waste to landfill and increased awareness of the role all Victorians have in circular economy activities," said Matt.
Learn more about all the Circular Economy Councils Fund recipients.