The WA Government is helping councils to use recycled construction and demolition (C&D) waste in their civil engineering projects with $10 million of funding.
The Recycled Construction Products Program, which was originally announced in September, aims to encourage the use of such recovered products in new roads, car parks and drainage and help the state divert the amount of C&D waste going into landfill.
The WA Waste Strategy: Creating the Right Environment includes a target to divert 75 per cent of C&D waste from landfill by 2020
Announcing the rebranded program, Environment Minister Albert Jacob said: “Western Australia’s use of recycled construction and demolition materials is significantly lower than in other States and we need to change this.
“Each year we generate three million tonnes of construction and demolition and WA sends two million tonnes to landfill. This is a valuable resource that we could be using in everyday construction projects.”
The program, which is funded by the WA landfill levy, has two streams. The first $8 million stream provides a pre-allocated, non-competitive financial incentive payment for each metropolitan local council that uses recycled C&D products in their operations.
The second $2 million part allows the private sector, local councils and state government entities to secure competitive funding to buy and use recycled R&D products.
Mr Jacob encouraged eligible organisations to apply for the funding by emphasising the significant financial savings and environmental benefits that could be achieved by using these reclaimed materials.
The first deadline for applications is 30 June 2016. More details are available from the Waste Authority website.