Victoria invests in waste-to-energy systems

Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lisa Neville today announced $300,000 in funding to support innovative projects that will help keep organic waste out of landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Advanced Organics Processing Technology Grants program will help businesses to install small-scale on-site or precinct-scale anaerobic digestion technology for organics recovery and as an alternative energy source. Anaerobic digestion is a process that breaks down organic waste, such as food and compost, to produce heat and gas that can then be used to produce energy.

“These new technologies could reduce our reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, resulting in a reduction in our emissions,” said Neville.

The program is targeted towards food manufacturers, local government and other small to medium-sized businesses that produce organic waste on-site and have an anaerobic digestion solution well developed but not yet investment ready. Funded projects will be used to demonstrate the viability of organics recovery and processing, with grant recipients expected to deliver site tours and take part in the development of case studies.

Applications close on 21 March 2016. For more information, visit http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/adorganicsgrants.