$1 million grants available for Victorian recycling solutions

Sustainability Victoria is inviting manufacturing businesses to apply for up to $1 million in funding under Round 6 of the Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund (CERMF).

The CERMF combines Australian and Victorian Government investment to support projects that strengthen the state’s recycling capability, build capacity and improve the resilience of Victoria’s resource recovery system.

Victorian businesses can apply for grants from $50,000 up to $1 million to buy or upgrade recycling, reprocessing and remanufacturing equipment that enables the recovery of recycled materials including soft plastics, e-waste, tyres (crumb rubber), liquid paperboard and textiles.

The fund aims to diversify and attract new investment to increase the quality of materials recovered for recycling, improve the circularity of materials, and to support innovative technology and processes that provide new or improved recycling and manufacturing solutions.

Sustainability Victoria’s CEO Matt Genever said, “By investing in new or improved recycling and manufacturing solutions we can increase circularity, so more materials can be recovered, reused and made into new products locally.

“Victoria has the technology, talent and drive to lead the nation in circular innovation. This fund is a chance to scale promising ideas, build new infrastructure and create new, circular jobs.”

CERMF Round 6 will build on more than $67 million in joint Australian and Victorian Government funding already awarded to 24 infrastructure projects across Victoria.

Previous rounds have seen funding for processing hard-to-recycle products like coat hangers and bumper bars, creating concrete slab foundations from 100% recycled plastic and building and expanding recycling facilities.

Applications close on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 and will be assessed on a rolling basis. Applications may close earlier if funding is fully allocated. For full guidelines and application details, visit the Sustainability Victoria website.

The Australian Government is contributing funding as part of its $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund. The Victorian Government’s funding is a part of its $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector, including $380 million under the government’s circular economy policy Recycling Victoria: a new economy.

Image supplied by Sustainability Victoria.