A re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government will seize the opportunity to create a truly circular economy, by investing in recycling and organics processing.

The Tasmanian Government has set a target to reduce the volume of organic waste sent to landfill by 50 per cent by 2030.

To help us achieve this, we will invest $4.5 million to improve organics collection and reprocessing infrastructure across Tasmania.

We will support Dulverton Waste Management to develop a state-of-the art composting facility in Northern Tasmania, while supporting feasibility and design work for a similar facility in the South.

The Liberal Government already has a clear plan to take strong action on waste, but a re-elected majority Liberal Government will go further.

We’ll lead by example and pave the way for the use of crumb rubber from recycled tyres in our State-owned road pavements.

We will start the introduction of crumb rubber through our State Road resurfacing program from 1 July 2022, and if successful look to expand its use to state-owned roads and pavements from 1 July 2023.

Importantly, we’ll invest $3 million of our Circular Economy Fund to partner with industry to invest in a rubber crumbing plant to support this commitment and provide an additional $4 million over four years to help the industry transition.

A re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government will also;

• Provide $1 million over four years to implement our commitment to phase out single use plastics, including $100,000 to drive innovation from small businesses to start this journey;
• Provide $200,000 for a second Business Resource Efficiency Program;
• Support the Australian Government to implement a single touch environmental approvals process; and
• Develop a sustainability strategy to ensure our island remains productive for future generations.

We will also invest an additional $1.34 million for the ongoing protection of Tasmania’s threatened species. This includes $1 million towards the implementation of actions identified in the Swift Parrot Recovery Plan, as well as funding for the Raptor Refuge to run their dedicated telephone hotline for injured birds.

These commitments are in addition to;

• Commencing operation of a Container Refund Scheme next year;
• Introducing a new state-wide waste levy this year; and
• Providing $5.5 million towards the Recycling Modernisation Fund grants program to build our plastics reprocessing capacity.

The full policy is available here.