Recycling Modernisation Fund: What You Need to Know

How Does the Recycling Modernisation Fund Work?

The Recycling Modernisation Fund is an Australian Government initiative investing over $190 million to expand the nation's capacity for sorting, processing, and remanufacturing recycled materials like plastic, paper, cardboard, tyres, and glass. It aims to address waste export regulations and bridge infrastructure gaps in regional and remote areas.

In Victoria, funding is administered by Sustainability Victoria, who is supporting industry and local councils through Round 4 of the Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund . (Scroll to the bottom for information about accessing grants in other states and territories.)

The Recycling Modernisation Fund Aims To:

• Build the capacity, capability and resilience of Victoria’s resource recovery sector
• Support Businesses to respond to the national regulation of waste exports
• Increase the quality of materials for manufacturing
• Support the roll-out of a new standardised four-stream household waste and recycling system
• Create jobs in the circular economy.

When Do Applications Open for the Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund?

Applications opened on 13 June 2023 and close on 11 August 2023.

What Types of Business & Projects are Eligible for Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund?

Round 4 is open to businesses, social enterprises, not-for-profits, and local governments and it provides grant funding for projects that meet one or more of the below objectives:

• Increase recovery and reprocessing of priority materials. Round 4 targets mixed paper and cardboard, plastic wastes, tyres, and glass (regional funding only).
• Address critical infrastructure gaps in Australia’s waste management and resource recovery system.
• Boost domestic reprocessing and manufacturing capacity for materials affected by the national regulation of waste exports.
• Manage materials according to proper waste management practices.
• Enhance quality of recovered materials, particularly for food and garden organics from kerbside (state-funded).
• Increase demand and market uptake for the use of recycled materials in remanufacturing and new product manufacturing.
• Foster job creation in the resource recovery sector.
• Promote economic development opportunities, including regional hub growth.
• Reduce landfill waste and minimise environmental impact.

What Types of Funding are Available?

Projects can receive grants ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000, depending on their scope and objectives.

Co-contribution

The funding model for most projects follows a 1:2 co-contribution ratio. This means that for every dollar provided by Sustainability Victoria, the applicant is required to contribute two dollars. It's important to note that only financial (cash) co-contributions are accepted. In-kind contributions, such as equipment or services, cannot be included in the applicant’s co-contribution.

What’s also important is that co-contributions or investment leverage will be a key consideration as part of application assessments. Higher investment from the applicant will be looked upon favourably.

Who is Administering the Recycling Modernisation Fund in Each State and Territory?

For further information about the Recycling Modernisation Fund in your state or territory, including rounds currently open for application, eligibility and assistance with applications, get in touch with our grants and incentives experts by submitting the form below.

Get in Touch With BlueRock’s Grant Consultants to Get Started

Our grant consultants can help confirm your eligibility for the Recycling Modernisation Fund and ensure you have the best chance of success by preparing your grant application. Submit the form below and our grant consultants will arrange a free consultation.