Circular Economy Councils Fund recipients announced

Sustainability Victoria has released the successful recipients of the Victorian Government’s $1.6 million Circular Economy Councils Fund. Initiatives being funded range from a circular economy program across 14 council business districts, to roving repair events and tool libraries, diverting over 16,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.

One of the recipients, The City of Melbourne, has received $217,000 to address one of the most complex waste collection issues in Australia and will implement a collection service for food organics in high-rise buildings over six storeys in the CBD, diverting a further 850 tonnes of organic materials from landfill, and improving processing infrastructure by over 2500 tonnes per year.

$167,500 of funding has also been provided to tackle mattress waste and will assist Swan Hill Rural City and neighbouring councils to establish a mattress processing facility that will help divert 75 tonnes of mattress waste from landfill and result in 15 kg steel recovered per mattress.

Sustainability Victoria’s Interim CEO Matt Genever said: “Councils are demonstrating great leadership in championing circular economy initiatives for their communities.

“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.

“Small regional council solo projects and large metropolitan multi-council partnerships are all working hard to make an impact on diverting waste and increasing job and business opportunities.”

Other projects being funded in Round 2 of the Circular Economy Councils Fund include:

• City of Whittlesea (collaborative), $140,000 for implementing waste and recycling models across business precincts in 14 metro and regional councils, achieving circular resource practices for 140 businesses;
• East Gippsland Shire Council, $250,000 for improving organics processing facilities adjacent to Bairnsdale Regional Landfill;
• Northern Grampians Shire Council, $196,482 for introducing public place recycling to promote circular economy practices whilst increasing resource recovery and separation of waste at the local source;
• Bayside City Council, $50,000 for establishing pop-up repair events including opportunities for reuse or repurposing;
• Wyndham City Council, $91,290 for providing a facility for residents to borrow high-quality equipment such as tools, gardening, sporting and camping equipment.
   

Full details on all the projects being funded are available at: https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/circular-economy-councils-fund-funded-projects.

Image caption: iStock.com/maerzkind