The science of sustainability

Last updated: 23 August 2023
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At SV, we invest in new ideas for a new Victoria.

We’re on the cusp of a recycling boom, and we’re making sure Victoria’s prepared as we imagine our future without waste and embrace the possibilities of a recycled world.

We invest in the best and brightest brains – scientists, engineers and manufacturers – to explore how we can build the recycling system of the future. We partner with some of Australia’s leading universities to fast-track innovation in recycled materials, supporting the research and development essential for getting these ideas out of the lab and into the real world.

But only with the right recycling infrastructure can we can turn ideas into impact. So, we partner with industry to invest in the latest technology, create jobs and build new recycling facilities, to ensure we can process and use more recycled content locally.

It’s all part of reshaping Victoria’s circular economy around a future built on recycled materials, and ensuring our state achieves its ambitious target to divert 80% of waste from landfill by 2030.

Research and Development in recycled materials

Sweet dreams are made of recycled materials
Sustainability Victoria is investing in research that could produce a bed made from recycled plastic that is also recyclable at the end of its life.
Driving innovation and expanding markets for recycled products
On behalf of the Victorian Government, Sustainability Victoria is awarding more than $2.1 million to 10 research institution and industry partner projects.
Recycling your dinner
Sustainability Victoria is working across government and industry to fast track high-quality infrastructure and market solutions that provide long-term, sustainable improvements to our recycling system including food and organic waste.
The technology turbocharging recycling in Victoria
We’ve partnered with industry and the Australian Government to invest in the latest technology for new recycling infrastructure, ensuring we can process and use more recycled materials locally.

Developing new markets for recycled materials

Recycling silicon from PV panels for making advanced lithium ion batteries
This research project’s purpose was to recover silicon from end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) panels which proved it was an excellent material to produce high performance silicon-graphite hybrid anode for lithium-ion batteries.
Building recycling processing in Victoria
Australia’s largest plastics recycling plant has opened in Victoria boasting a processing capability of 70,000 tonnes a year – equivalent to almost half of all plastics currently recovered across the state.
Victorian market development strategy for recovered resources
A market development strategy for recycled materials is key in delivering the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan.
Funded projects: Recycling and reducing waste
Learn about our previous grant programs and the projects they've funded in the recycling and reducing waste space.

Investment Opportunities in recycled materials

Invest in materials and infrastructure
Learn about materials and infrastructure investment opportunities in Victoria.
Tyre stewardship
Sustainability Victoria is working to grow the market for tyre-derived products and fuels and reduce used tyre stockpiles.