Why invest in Victoria’s circular economy

Last updated: 8 January 2025
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The amount of waste Victorians generate is forecast to grow. As we strive to increase our recovery of valuable materials while moving to a circular economy, we need further investment to:

  • support infrastructure needs
  • stimulate innovation in design and reuse
  • accelerate end markets for recovered materials.

This investment will help us to:

  • meet Victoria’s 2030 targets
    • increase waste recovery to 80% of collected waste
    • reduce total waste generation by 15% per capita
    • reduce organic material by going to landfill by 50%
    • reduce recycling contamination with 100% of households having access to food and organic waste services or composting
    • 50% of Victoria’s electricity comes from renewable sources
    • reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45-50% from 2005 levels
  • address the capability to meet market demand
  • address the national regulation of waste exports
  • support the transition to a Circular Economy.

Key reasons to invest in Victoria

Government commitment to build Victoria’s Circular economy

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Significant industry support with more than $130 million in grants

  • We have committed $380 million to deliver the circular economy policy which includes more than $130 million in grants to improve the waste and recycling sector.
  • Read about our grants and programs.
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Stimulated markets ready for investment

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Support the transition to a circular economy

  • The Victorian ‘Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021’ was passed by Parliament in December 2021. This Act is the foundation for Victoria’s transition to a sustainable and thriving circular economy, to minimise waste and landfill, and significantly increase recycling and more efficient use of resources
  • This new Act established a new market regulator ‘Recycling Victoria’ in July 2022. RV provides leadership and oversight of waste and resource recovery services to support the circular economy. Other key functions include:
    • stewardship and oversight of the new CDS (Container Deposit scheme)
    • administer the ‘Waste to Energy’ scheme.
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Reduced landfill demand to increase material recovery rates

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New recycling schemes for improved quality of feedstock

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Home of Australia’s fastest growing city

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World-class infrastructure

  • Growing road and rail links and Australasia’s best connected and largest port.
  • 2 curfew-free international airports and uniquely placed to service Asia Pacific, the world's fastest growing economic region.
  • Read about Victoria’s leading infrastructure.
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Australia’s home of manufacturing

  • Home to the largest number of manufacturing employees.
  • The highest level of business expenditure in manufacturing research and development in the country.
  • Read about Victoria’s manufacturing sector.
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Leading Australia’s research, innovation and education

  • Victoria boasts world-leading research capabilities and is home to 10 leading universities with 7 ranked in the world’s top 500.
  • Home to the largest number of qualified engineering graduates in Australia.
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Roles and responsibilities

Australian Government

Oversees the National Waste Policy which was released in 2018 and provides a national framework for waste and resource recovery in Australia. In August 2019, the Australian Government and all state and territory governments committed to ban the export of waste glass, paper, cardboard, plastic, and tyres. Administers product stewardship legislation and schemes.

A 'Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group' was established in February 2023 to provide advice to the Australian Government on the transition to a circular economy.

Victorian Government

Sets strategic policy direction, makes laws, and regulates waste management. The Victorian Government's Waste and Resource Recovery portfolio agencies are made up of:

  • the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
  • Environment Protection Authority Victoria
  • Sustainability Victoria Recycling Victoria.

Local Government

Delivers waste and recycling services to households and some businesses. Some local governments own and operate waste management infrastructure.

For help with your circular economy project

Contact:

Circular Economy and Investment Facilitation Service invest@sustainability.vic.gov.au

Related pages

Research and innovation capabilities in Victoria
How Victoria's innovation and research make it the place to invest.
Invest in materials and infrastructure
Learn about materials and infrastructure investment opportunities in Victoria.