Two Victorian businesses have received funds to boost recycling under the state’s $2.25 million Circular Economy Infrastructure Fund.
Drouin-based business Plasgain, will receive $250,000 for its light pole project which will use recycled plastic to produce 100 per cent Australian-made light poles, dubbed ‘Plaspole’. This will help reduce the use of imported materials and virgin plastic products in urban developments.
The light poles will feature a rigid core made from 95 kilograms of recycled plastic covered with aluminium, giving it the appearance of a conventional light pole.
Plasgain will manufacture an estimated 5000 light poles each year, recycling 350 tonnes of soft plastic – the equivalent to one and a half Olympic swimming pools of water – and creating 10 local jobs.
This builds on its range of high-quality products for the construction sector made from recycled materials, including a stormwater drainage pipe and an electrical cable cover manufactured from recycled plastic.
Pinegro has also received $1 million to install decontamination equipment at its Morwell facility. This will help turn an additional 65,000 tonnes of food and garden organic waste collected from kerbside green bins each year into high landscape and garden potting mixes. The project will create eight jobs.
These investments are part of the State Government’s $515 million transformation of the state’s waste and recycling industry – helping to reduce waste, create jobs in new industries and drive more value from our resources.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said all the projects being supported are creating jobs and turning waste into useful products.
“Reducing our use of new materials and recycling our waste is not only saving money but also creating jobs for Gippslanders, and innovations just like this are just one example of how we can make a real difference to the way we use and manage waste,” said Harriet Shing, Member for Eastern Victoria .
For more information, visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
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