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The Andrews Labor Government is helping councils build a cleaner, more sustainable Victoria with $2 million in funding for new local recycling projects – creating jobs and saving residents money at the same time.

Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt announced the opening of the third round of the Circular Economy Councils Fund today, which will support councils to increase recycling capacity and divert tonnes of waste from landfill.

Projects eligible for funding include initiatives that seek to increase the reuse, repurposing and recycling of materials at local or regional scale, helping to meet the Government’s target to divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.

A circular economy keeps materials, products and services in circulation for as long as possible and keeps them out of landfill. So far, more than 50 projects across the state have been supported by $3.8 million in funding.

Previous projects include a mattress recycling program in Swan Hill, a recycling library in Wyndham where residents can borrow re-used gardening, sporting and camping equipment, a composting facility in Bairnsdale and a food organics collection service for multi-storey buildings in Melbourne.

The projects are estimated to have prevented more than 55,000 tonnes of waste going to landfill and created 60 jobs.

The Labor Government has made a record investment of $515 million to deliver a once in a generation transformation of our state’s waste and recycling system. This includes rolling out a statewide four-stream household waste and recycling system and a Victorian container deposit scheme.

The Government’s plan will increase the recycling and reuse of our precious resources while reducing waste and helping us reduce emissions to hit our ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2045. It will also create new jobs by building a sustainable and thriving circular economy.

All Victorian councils and Alpine Resorts can apply for grants to develop projects.

For more information, visit .

As stated by Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt

“Our ambitious plans and record investment are helping make Victoria cleaner and more sustainable – creating jobs and supporting the economy at the same time.”

“We’re supporting councils to develop local projects that help people think of waste differently, developing creative local solutions that reuse precious resources.”

“These projects will mean more materials are being reused, repurposed and recycled, which brings us closer to reaching our target of diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.”