Buy Recycled Service

Last updated: 19 November 2024
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The Buy Recycled Service and dedicated team work with councils to encourage more use of recycled materials and products in infrastructure, landscaping, parks and gardens. This service is part of Sustainability Victoria’s Recycled First Local Government program.

Tools and resources

The Recycled First policy

The Recycled First policy is delivered as part of the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy.

The Recycled First policy intends to optimise the use of recycled and reused materials within major transport projects, build a better understanding of the types, volumes and location of recycled and reused material use and support innovation. The Recycled First Policy applies to all major transport infrastructure projects.

Sustainability Victoria is leading the Recycled First Local Government program to:

  • support councils to align procurement activities with the Recycled First policy
  • share information and data captured through the major transport projects with councils
  • accelerate council adoption of recycled products in infrastructure and landscaping
  • encourage councils to test and try recycled products
  • reduce barriers to the procurement of recycled products
  • challenge misconceptions of recycled materials and products and promote benefits.

While Recycled First Policy is not mandatory for Local Government, councils are in a unique position to leverage the learnings and momentum created by the policy and contribute to Victoria’s circular economy by increasing the use of Victorian reused and recycled materials and reducing waste.

Councils have significant buying power and play a critical role in driving markets for recycled products and materials and fostering innovation. The Buy Recycled Service leverages this opportunity and empowers councils to make confident decisions when buying recycled. For there to be a strong circular economy, we need strong markets for recycled materials and products to support industry and innovation and reduce waste.

More information

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Ask a question

Get in touch with Sustainability Victoria’s Sustainable Procurement team to ask a question about your sustainable procurement project or our service.

Email: sustainableprocurement@sustainability.vic.gov.au