The Tasmanian Government will invest more than $30 million in waste and resource recovery initiatives as part of its 2020-21 State Budget.
Environment and Parks Minister Roger Jaensch said the Budget will provide the confidence the state’s resource recovery sector needs to build a circular economy, as part of a reinvigorated Tasmanian economy.
The budget has committed $9.5 million to a range of initiatives designed to reduce waste and promote recycling, including $4 million to implement key commitments under the state’s Waste Action Plan, including the delivery of a container refund scheme in 2022.
“Delivery of this scheme is an important priority for the government, providing incentives for the collection of recyclable containers to reduce litter and help us reach our target of being the tidiest state by 2023,” Jaensch said.
“Introduction of the scheme will bring Tasmania in line with other jurisdictions, protecting Tasmania’s environment, providing new opportunities to community groups, local businesses and industry and helping to maintain the Tasmanian brand.”
As part of the national Recycling Modernisation Fund, the Tasmanian Government will provide up to $5.5 million in grants that will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Federal Government and recycling businesses, to invest at least $16.5 million in new commercial recycling opportunities.
“To support this, the 2020-21 Budget also includes $10 million to co-invest with the existing waste management sector in Tasmania to build the infrastructure needed to collect and sort recyclable waste,” Jaensch said.
“These initiatives will enable Tasmania’s emerging recycling industry to plan for and invest in critical infrastructure, address key waste streams and to plan for market development in Tasmania.”
The state government will also progress the introduction of a statewide landfill levy.
“The levy will fund future waste minimisation, reuse and recycling initiatives and support co-investment with the resource recovery sector to increase recycling and generate more jobs for Tasmanians,” Jaensch said.
Related stories:
- What the Federal Budget means for the waste sector
- Tasmania to implement CDS
- Tasmania releases Waste Action Plan
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