THE SOUTH Australian government has launched a plan to grow the waste and resource recovery sector and increase the percentage of waste diverted from landfill to more than 81.5 percent.
The Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan models projections for future trends in waste generation, recovery and landfill, potential infrastructure needs, and associated investment using a 10-year and a 30-year scenario.
Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister Ian Hunter said the scenario based on moderate diversion over the next 10 years would see the state’s waste and resources recovery sector deliver an additional $113.9 million in GSP and an additional 1035 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs.
The 30-year high-diversion scenario estimates an additional $660.5 million in GSP and an additional 4969 FTE jobs.
“South Australia has attracted national and international interest with our proactive approach to waste management, and we are now looking to further build our already successful and growing industry,’’ Mr Hunter said.
Last week, the Weatherill Government announced it will provide grants of up to $100,000 to South Australian councils and recycling businesses to invest “in activities which will overcome market barriers to accepting products with recycled content”.
The “Recycling Market Development Grants” are a response to the difficulties recycling businesses are currently experiencing following the Chinese government’s decision to impose import restrictions on certain recyclable materials.
Grant applicants will be required to provide 50 percent matching funding. Total available funding is $300,000.
Eligible projects or activities include accredited testing to validate product quality and performance to improve the local market’s confidence and acceptance of recycled-content products; and development of new or expanding existing markets for the products.
Applications are now being accepted, and will close on 31 May.
More information can be found here.