NSW RMF - Plastics Technology stream

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Funding to to support projects that will significantly increase recycling and recovery rates of hard-to-recycle plastics.

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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: From $1,000,000 to $20,000,000
  • Application opened: 18 July 2023
  • Application closed: 12 September 2023, 11:59 pm

Program objective

The aims of the NSW Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) - Plastics Technology are to:

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

The Commonwealth Government is partnering with states and territories to deliver the funding. States and territories are working towards program timelines set by the Commonwealth Government for the opening and assessment of projects.

This program is administered by Environment Protection Authority.

Eligibility

Who can apply

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. This 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 (that complies 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.

Who can’t apply

  • individuals or groups of individuals

  • unincorporated organisations.

Types of projects funded under this grant

NSW will support proposals targeting all polymer types, except for polystyrene, bioplastics or PVC packaging as they are not in alignment with NSW policy directions.

If your proposal is targeting one of these materials, contact the Waste and Recycling Unit by email at infrastructure.grants@epa.nsw.gov.au

Eligible activities include:

  • advanced recycling projects targeting hard-to-recycle plastics
  • commercialisation or scaling-up of emerging and trial technology
  • technology to extract plastics from products (such as e-waste) to make high value products
  • equipment for existing or new material or plastic recovery facilities
  • end-to-end solutions for our plastics supply chain.

Proposals must be for:

  • new infrastructure, technology, processes, machinery or equipment
  • an improvement or expansion of existing infrastructure, technology, processes, machinery and/or equipment
  • commercialisation or scaling up to build or increase existing capacity.

For the full list of eligibility and application requirements, see section 3.1 of the program guidelines. 

What your application needs to include

To see all sections that need to be addressed in the applications portal, download the grant guidelines.

 

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

Proposals must include:

  • 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 demonstrating 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
  • details of any planning or regulatory requirements for the project
  • 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.
2

Address the eligibility criteria

Proposals must:

  • relate to eligible activities listed under paragraph 4.1 of the grant guidelines that is one or more of:
    • new infrastructure, technology, processes, machinery and/or equipment to recycle hard-to-recycle plastics
    • an improvement or expansion of existing infrastructure, technology, processes, machinery and/or equipment to recycle hard-to-recycle plastics
    • 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.

We cannot waive the eligibility criteria under any circumstances.

3

Address the assessment criteria

Assessment Criteria

Information requirements

Weighting (points)

Alignment of the project with program objectives and intended outcomes

Demonstrate this by describing:

  • 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.

30

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

Demonstrate this by identifying:

  • 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.

25

Capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project

Demonstrate this by identifying:

  • 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.

20

Managing environmental impacts, and contribution to traceability of waste materials

Demonstrate this by identifying:

  • 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.

10

Access to finance and investment

Demonstrate this by identifying:

  • 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.

15

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water.

Once you submit your application, the department will review it against the eligibility criteria. Only eligible applications will proceed to the assessment stage.

Applications will be assessed by an independent expert panel with relevant technical and commercial expertise, and a departmental panel comprised of Australian Government representatives.

Applicants will then be advised of the outcome of their application in writing.

Support and contact

Email: infrastructure.grants@epa.nsw.gov.au

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