Recycling Modernisation Fund – Plastics Technology Stream

The objectives of the Plastics Technology stream are to:

• Significantly increase Australia’s recycling and recovery rates of hard-to-recycle plastics
• Support a safe circular economy for plastics in Australia to transform waste plastic into valuable new products, such as food-grade plastic packaging
• Build domestic and international confidence to invest in recycling infrastructure in Australia
• Support long-term job creation and a more highly skilled workforce in the Australian recycling industry
• Protect our environment through reduced plastic pollution.

Eligible project proponents (or in the case of a consortium, lead project proponents) are:

• an Australian entity or partnership incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
• an entity or partnership under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
• an Australian research institution (can be a tertiary education institution, a government agency established for research, a cooperative research centre, an institute or centre of research or a privately owned and accredited research facility). Consultancies are not considered to be research institutions
• a council, regional organisation of councils or other local government-controlled organisation
• a non-government/not-for-profit organisation (must comply with the Australian Taxation Office’s definition) with an established legal status, or those without legal status that can have grant funds administered by another organisation with legal status
• an Aboriginal Land Council.

Applications must:

• relate to eligible activities that is one or more of:

1. new infrastructure, technology, processes, machinery and/or equipment to recycle hard-to-recycle plastics
2. an improvement or expansion of existing infrastructure, technology, processes, machinery and/or equipment to recycle hard-to-recycle plastics
3. commercialisation or scaling up to build or increase existing capacity for recovering and recycling hard-to-recycle plastics.

• demonstrate avoidance, mitigation and management measures for potential environmental impacts resulting from the project including carbon emissions
• demonstrate that the project is economically viable over its operational life
• demonstrate at least a 50% financial contribution towards eligible project costs from the project proponent, or in the case of a consortium proposal, the consortium members
• have written confirmation of state or territory support

Project proponents and lead project proponents are not eligible to participate if the:

• project does not meet the project eligibility criteria
• have failed to adequately address any statutory environmental or safety breach notice issued within the last three years, or cannot demonstrate they are working effectively to resolve the breach
• have been subject to prosecution or a statutory notice from the Fair Work Ombudsman for industrial relations enforcement action in the last three years, and have failed to rectify the non-compliance.

See the guidelines for full details of projects eligible and ineligible for RMF-PTS support.

Eligible activities are activities such as:

• Advanced recycling projects targeting hard-to-recycle plastics, such as mixed, multi-layer, flexible or contaminated plastics
• Commercialisation or scaling-up of emerging and trial technology targeting circularity of hard-to-recycle plastics
• Infrastructure upgrades and technology to extract and process plastics contained within products, such as e-waste, into higher-value products
• Proposals to equip existing or new material recovery facilities or plastic recovery facilities with sorting, separation and de-contamination technology such as optical or robotic machinery to increase the diversion of plastics from landfill
• Proposals put forward by a consortium proposing end-to-end solutions and circularity in our plastics supply chain. For example, this may include supply chain collaboration between a collection and sorting facility of plastic waste, an advanced recycling facility, and manufacturers.

See the guidelines for full details of eligible activities.

Expenditure items that are not eligible are:

• the purchase of land
• pre-construction activities such as site clearing or earthworks
• business case development and/or feasibility studies
• capital expenditure for the purchase of assets such as office furniture and equipment, motor vehicles, computers, printers or photocopiers and the construction, renovation, or extension of facilities such as buildings and laboratories not directly related to the project
• business as usual expenses, or maintenance costs
• routine operational expenses such as communications, postage, printing and stationery
• accommodation
• legal and accounting fees and bank charges, not directly related to the project
• non-project related costs, or costs associated with ineligible activities.

1. Alignment of the project with program objectives and intended outcomes (30%)

• the increase in Australia’s recycling and recovery rates of hard-to-recycle plastics that will be delivered by the project
• the strategic benefit of the project for Australia, and for the jurisdiction
• how the project will achieve the objectives and intended outcomes of the Plastics Technology stream
• the material targeted by the project and why it is a hard-to-recycle plastic
• the nature, extent and timeliness of anticipated outcomes and the benefits of the project
• why the Australian Government should invest in the project, including how the project represents value for money.

2. Benefits to Australia’s safe plastic circular economy, or contribution to managing plastics where circularity is not an option (25%)

• the extent to which the project clearly identifies and provides evidence of reliable feedstock and an end market that retains resources in the economy
• if applicable, the extent to which the feedstock for the project will be sourced from regional and remote locations, including from other states and territories
• if applicable, how the project will develop and contribute to ongoing and sustained collaborations to build a safe circular economy for plastics
• the extent that the project will maximise Australian employment outcomes, such as increased jobs and/or a more highly skilled workforce over the life of the project and into the future
• the extent to which infrastructure funded through the program is designed and delivered to reduce environmental impact, such as through minimised carbon emissions, the use of recycled materials, and sound waste management practices
• how the project will create and retain other benefits for Australia, including IP or new skills.

3. Capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project (20%)

• the plan to manage and deliver the project
• track record and experience of project proponents in managing projects of a similar nature or scale
• where the application relates to a consortium, the arrangements to ensure each proponent delivers on its commitments throughout the life of the project
• access, or plan to ensure future access, to any required infrastructure, equipment, technology, commercial agreements, IP etc
• risks identified and proposed mitigation strategies
• clear process for monitoring and reporting on the project.

4. Managing environmental impacts, and contribution to traceability of waste materials (10%)

• management and reporting of any environmental impacts that may result from the project, including the adoption of measures to minimise carbon emissions of operations and other environmental release of materials
• how the project will achieve and report on end-to-end traceability (from source/aggregation point to final use) of the targeted plastic feedstock.

5. Access to finance and investment (15%)

• the private sector investment the funding will leverage
• the state / territory government investment the funding will leverage
• the project proponents’ access, or future access, to the required finance and investment to fund their share of eligible project costs
• if applicable, intended funding arrangements to support ongoing collaborative activities.

You should read and understand the guidelines.

You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• clear project details including any associated activities
• expected outcomes and benefits of the project and how it supports the objectives of the Plastics Technology stream and national priorities
• timetable and tangible milestones
• a clear, comprehensive budget and financial management strategy including (where relevant) state or territory and industry co-investment
• evidence of the economic viability of the project over its operational life
• avoidance, mitigation and management measures to minimise adverse environmental impacts from the project including but not limited to climate change and pollution
• clear details of any planning or regulatory requirements for the project
• a consultation plan with relevant stakeholders including traditional custodians and communities
• if applicable – an outline of the relevant experience and/or expertise the project proponent will bring.

As the eligible applicant (the state or territory government) is required to submit the following documents:

• A complete and signed application form
• A letter of support from the responsible state or territory Minister, or delegated senior executive from the state or territory government applicant, confirming
  1. that the applicant supports the project
  2. that the applicant will administer the contractual arrangements with the project proponent
  3. the amount of funding to be contributed by the state or territory government applicant towards the project

Note: this may be a single letter that covers each of the applications submitted by the applicant

• Letter/s of support from all project proponent(s)
• Project Budget
• Project Plan
• Cost-Benefit and Financial Analysis
• Any additional supporting information or attachments
• Any additional information required by the application form.

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Project proponents should contact their relevant state or territory government department for more information about how to apply. See below table.

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.

State and territory government websites and contacts.