Investing in Australia's waste and recycling infrastructure

The Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) is a national initiative that is expanding Australia’s capacity to sort, process and remanufacture glass, plastic, tyres, paper and cardboard.

The additional recycling capacity funded by the RMF supports Australia to regulate the export of waste glass, plastic, tyres, paper and cardboard. Increased recycling capacity supports the circular economy, by allowing more products to be reused, recycled or remanufactured when they are no longer useful or required for their initial purpose.

The Australian Government is investing $250 million in new and upgraded recycling infrastructure through the RMF. The Fund will see over $1 billion of investment in recycling infrastructure, with contributions from the states and territories and industry. RMF projects already announced will increase Australia's annual processing capacity by over one million tonnes.

How the RMF works

Australian Government funding is provided to the states and territories under the Federation Funding Agreement – Environment, and the National Partnership on Recycling Infrastructure.

The signed National Partnership on Recycling Infrastructure, and state and territory Schedules are published on the Council on Federal Financial Relations website.

The Plastics Technology stream

Applications for grants under the RMF Plastics Technology stream opened on 18 July 2023.

The RMF Plastics Technology stream supports advanced recycling solutions for plastics that are hard to recycle. This funding will help improve our low plastics recycling rates and support the shift towards a safe circular economy.

Find more information on the Plastics Technology stream, including the program Guidelines and information on how to apply at The RMF Plastics Technology stream.

Mainstream RMF grants

Under the RMF grant stream, the allocation of funding to projects is decided by state and territory governments, based on the gaps they identify in recycling capacity.

A national solution for paper recycling

Targeted funding for projects under the RMF National Paper Solution stream is improving Australia’s domestic paper and cardboard processing capacity.

This funding addresses specific challenges including the high costs of paper and cardboard recycling infrastructure projects.

An independent panel, with advice from industry experts, assessed projects proposed by the states and territories.

Supporting waste infrastructure in regional and remote Australia

Through the RMF Regional and Remote stream, governments and industry are investing in projects to build recycling infrastructure capacity in regional and remote Australia.

There are a range of challenges to managing waste in regional and remote locations. These challenges mean that regional and remote areas often do not have kerbside waste collection or access to recycling and remanufacturing centres.

The Australian Government co-funded 2 rounds of RMF grants between $10,000 and $1 million to provide greater access to recycling infrastructure for regional and remote communities.

Small organisations, such as small and medium businesses, not-for-profits, local government, community groups and First Nations people were encouraged to apply for the funding.

RMF project details

Details on projects funded through the RMF can be found on the RMF Data Viewer. Information will be updated as outcomes of new grant rounds are announced and deeds are signed between state or territory governments and proponents.

Further information

• RMF Data Viewer
• Waste exports

State and territory contacts

For further information about the RMF in your state or territory, including rounds currently open for application, please contact your local authority.