New service to boost council use of recycled products

Published: 24 February 2022
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A picnic table made from recycled plastic in outdoor setting. A picnic table built at San Remo made from recycled plastic, as part of a Bass Coast Council initiative and supported through Sustainability Victoria’s Sustainable Infrastructure Fund.

Roads made using recycled glass, park benches from recycled plastic, and sports courts that use recycled tyres are likely to become increasingly common across the state with the launch of a new service to encourage local government to use more recycled products in their infrastructure and landscaping projects.

The Buy Recycled Service, a new one-stop portal for local government, will leverage local government’s buying power and support councils to become leaders and drive procurement of recycled materials.

The service was launched in San Remo by Ms Jordan Crugnale MP, State Member for Bass, on behalf of the Minister for Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio.

“Councils can use this service to take action through their everyday purchasing decisions, which will drive and grow the market for recycled materials, helping Victoria transition to a circular, climate-resilient, clean economy,” said Ms Crugnale.

Also in attendance at the launch was the Mayor of Bass Coast Shire, Cr Michael Whelan.

“We were very proud to welcome Sustainability Victoria to San Remo, to launch the innovative and important Buy Recycled Service,” said Mayor Whelan. ”Using products derived from recycled materials not only reduces waste sent to landfill, but reduces the sourcing of natural resources.”

To make it easier for councils to consider and use recycled products in a range of infrastructure projects, the dedicated online portal offers:

  • case studies
  • product information sheets
  • a procurement toolkit
  • a dedicated email service
  • a product directory.

The Buy Recycled Directory, a key feature of the service, includes more than 100 suppliers of products ranging from asphalt, ready mixed concrete, gardening equipment, fencing, street furniture, organic mulch and materials for use in other civil infrastructure and landscaping projects.

Strengthening and growing Victoria’s circular economy, the Buy Recycled Service aims to boost the use of recycled products in community projects, which will accelerate and build markets for recycled materials.

To find out more and use its tools and resources, view the Buy Recycled Service.