Circular Economy Business Support Fund – Stream 2: Implementation grants – Funded projects

Last updated: 1 February 2023
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Number of recipients to date: 7
Total funding awarded to date: $2,922,027
All projects to be completed by: March 2024
Prior to 1 July 2022, this fund was named the Recycling Victoria Business Support Fund

Stream 2 of the Circular Economy Business Support Fund supports businesses, industry groups and associations to implement circular economy business models or practices that will directly avoid waste in Victoria.

These grants are funded through the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy.

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Fund recipients

These projects will support Victorian businesses to reduce waste and extend the life and value of products and materials currently wasted. They are the next step in establishing a true circular economy in Victoria.

These innovative business models will improve materials efficiency and deliver triple bottom line benefits to our environment, society and economy.

Building Australia’s first zero waste hub for olive growers
Project lead: Boundary Bend Olives (a subsidiary of Cobram Estate Olives Limited)
Status: In progress
Funding source: Circular Economy Business Support Fund
Funding amount: $500,000
Australia's largest olive oil producer will build an industry-first facility to upcycle up to 28,000 tonnes of olive waste each year into new products.
Victoria Regional Food BSF Olive oil

Round 2

Announcement date: 19 October 2022

Three recommended projects received a total of $741,100 to implement new circular economy business models, products, and services.

B-Alternative

B-Alternative's reusable crockery service will provide festivals and events with a closed loop, eating and drinking experience. Reusable crockery made from rice husk will be provided to food vendors, served to customers, and returned to the 'wash station', where dirty dishes will be cleaned, and the cycle repeats. This will allow the event to avoid single use packaging and landfill.

Funding: $58,027

Innovative Mechatronics (IM Group)

This project aims to build on the success of a Business Support Fund – Round 1 feasibility project. It will implement and upscale infrastructure to support the production of Retired Electric Vehicle batteries for Energy Storage. This will address an emerging need by providing a high-value circular economy solution for a growing e-waste stream.

Funding: $500,000

Round 1

Announcement date: 15 July 2021

Five recommended projects received a total of $2.35 million to implement new circular economy business models, products, and services.

These projects will deliver new circular business models that:

  • prevent more than 36,000 tonnes of waste each year
  • deliver more than 27,000 tonnes of new recycling capacity.
Establishing Victoria’s first sustainable edgeboard manufacturing line
Project lead: The Broadford Mill
Status: In progress
Funding source: Circular Economy Business Support Fund
Funding amount: $364,000
The Broadford Mill is building a new regional facility to transform 10,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard waste into a new recyclable edgeboard product.
Victoria Regional BSF Manufacturing Broadford Paper Edgeboard
Melbourne's first zero waste food upcycling hub
Project lead: Fresh Select
Project partners: Nutri V
Status: In progress
Funding source: Circular Economy Business Support Fund
Funding amount: $500,000
The processing facility will transform 7,900 tonnes of surplus vegetables and by-products into new foods, including nutrient powders and snacks.
Victoria Regional BSF Food waste Werribee Crops
Returnr Marketplace
Project lead: Cumulo Group
Status: In progress
Funding source: Circular Economy Business Support Fund
Funding amount: $500,000
Returnr is Australia’s first zero-packaging-waste online grocery delivery service. It enables local producers and food brands to sell their products in reusable packaging.
BSF Melbourne Metro Packaging Retail Reuse Zero waste Zero waste groceries Circular economy
Building Australia's First Synthetic Turf Recycling Hub
Project lead: Tuff Group
Status: In progress
Funding source: Circular Economy Business Support Fund
Funding amount: $500,000
Tuff Group aims to deliver Australia’s first synthetic turf recycling facility capable of processing turf waste and recovering 98% of the raw materials for repurposing and redistribution.
Victoria Regional BSF Turf Construction Landscaping

Stream 1: Identification grants

Run in parallel to Stream 2, the Stream 1: Identification grants program seeks to support business to investigate how to adapt and apply circular economy business opportunities and approaches.

To view the funding recipients, view the Circular Economy Business Support Fund – Stream 1: Identification grants – Funded projects page.

More information

Grants Support Representative
Sustainability Victoria

Contact:

1300 363 744 grants.enquiries@sustainability.vic.gov.au
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