The AFR reported yesterday that the government is “ramping up a push” on plastic recycling.  This may not have been all that newsy news to Karen Andrews

Back in May the minister for industry, science and technology announced $20m for applied research on the pestilence of plastic waste, through Round Eight of the excellent Cooperative Research Centre P scheme. “We want to see improved plastic collection and sorting systems in recycling plants and better quality of products made using these recycled plastics in areas like manufacturing and construction,” Ms Andrews said.

Tony Peacock from the CRC Association suggests the funding announcement is expected “in a few weeks.”  And none too soon – the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Programme presently funds just one project which has potential for recycling plastics.