Queensland councils are set to share in more than $13 million to help boost recycling rates thanks to the State Government’s Let’s Get It Sorted partnership program.
Announced by Environment and Tourism Minister, Andrew Powell, while inspecting the new Sunshine Coast Material Recovery Facility (pictured) in Nambour for National Recycling Week today, the program provides councils with a framework, tools, and funding to help improve household recycling habits and tackle littering and illegal waste issues.
The first tranche of the program, funded by Queensland’s waste levy as part of the Recycling and Jobs Fund, will see $7.15 million go to 26 councils and two Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs), with applications still open to apply for further funding.
While onsite at the MRF, Minister Powell encouraged Queenslanders to get involved with National Recycling Week by ensuring they keep recyclables loose in their yellow-lid bins and using resources like Recycle Mate, B-cycle, and mobile muster for disposal information.
The Let’s Get It Sorted Partnership Program is part of the Queensland Government’s drive to establish a zero-waste society within a circular economy by 2050.
A state-of-the-art facility, the Nambour MRF is operated by Sunshine Coast Council and was funded through an agreement between all levels of government, with $21.9 million from the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund, $13.5 million from Council and a $5.1 million joint contribution from Australian and Queensland governments under the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund.
Minister Powell said the Let’s Get it Sorted program was designed to reduce litter and boost recycling rates.
“Avoiding waste and reusing and recycling gives us cleaner environments, healthier ecosystems, green jobs, and stimulates our economy,” Minister Powell said.
“It also conserves our natural resources, helping to protect Queensland’s incredible natural beauty and our outstanding quality of life.
“That’s why we’re helping local councils to boost recycling rates, and why I’m saying Let’s Get it Sorted this National Recycling Week, Queensland, by paying attention to what goes into our recycling bin after first reducing and reusing materials wherever possible.”
Sunshine Coast Council Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor, Tim Burns, said the Council was appreciative of the Queensland Government’s support through the grant.
“This funding will significantly enhance our waste education and recycling initiatives, helping us to create a cleaner and more sustainable community,” he said.
“With this support, we can engage more effectively with our community on how to recycle the right way as well as providing clear messages about the correct way to use a garden organics bin.
“This will be done through a bin inspection program, and by connecting with our community though local events.
“By recycling correctly, we contribute to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Sunshine Coast,” said Cr Burns.
