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Turning trash into treasure: how Australia plans to recycle its way to recovery after COVID-19

The Australian government has announced a A$190 million (US$130 million) investment in the nation’s first Recycling Modernisation Fund, with the aim of transforming the country’s waste and recycling industry. The hope is that as many as 10,000 jobs can be created in what is being called a “once in a generation” opportunity to remodel the way Australia deals with its waste.

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The need for a dramatic increase in Australia’s recycling capacity pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic. Australians create approximately 67 million tonnes of waste a year, and like in many wealthy countries, much of that was sent overseas. That all changed when China announced it was banning the import of a huge range of foreign waste and recyclables. Soon other countries followed suit, and Australia was forced to look for alternative solutions.

Australia has adopted a strategy of taking responsibility for its own waste. Starting in January 2021, it is phasing in bans on the export of different forms of waste. By mid 2024, Australia’s home-grown recycling industry will have to deal with an extra 650,000 tonnes of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres.

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Words by Alex Thornton