Up to $10 million in Western Australian Government funding is now available for local councils to use recycled construction and demolition waste in their civil engineering project such as building roads, car parks and drains.
State Environment Minister Albert Jacob said in a statement funds were available through the State Government’s Recycled Construction Products Program.
The program aims to support local councils in their use of construction and demolition waste and help to meet landfill diversion targets, aligning with the state’s waste strategy, which includes a target to divert 75 per cent of construction and demolition waste from landfill by 2020.
Under the program, the first $8 million stream provides a pre-allocated, non-competitive financial incentive payment for each metropolitan local council which uses recycled construction and demolition products in its own operations.
The second $2 million stream is for open, competitive funding to purchase and use recycled construction and demolition products by the private sector, metropolitan local councils and state government entities.
“Achieving the target for diverting waste from landfill is a shared responsibility and requires action from State and local governments, industry and the wider community,” Mr. 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 Minister said significant financial savings and environmental benefits could be achieved by using recycled construction and demolition waste.
“This is an important initiative and I encourage the private and local government sectors to apply for this funding,” he said.
Application details are available at http://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au