Environment Minister Mark Speakman has announced $3.19 million in grants for two NSW metal processors to help recycle an estimated 14,000 tonnes of plastics, glass, rubber, fibres and non-ferrous metals each year.

The residual waste these two metal processors will recycle is called shredder floc, which is a by-product of metal processing.

Mr Speakman said this first round of grants and projects would help develop recovery processes that can turn this waste into reusable fuel for energy.

“Increasing our capacity to recycle and reuse our waste is a welcome solution to landfilling and is vital if we are to meet our ambitious NSW 2021 target to divert 75 per cent of all waste from landfill,” Mr Speakman said.

“Shredder floc is a mix of small particles including plastics, glass, rubber, fibres and non-ferrous metals and it accounts for about 118,000 tonnes of waste that ends up in landfill each year.”

Sell & Parker will receive $1.59 million to develop a light shredder residue processing plant in Blacktown and Sims Metal Management in St Marys will receive a $1.6 million grant for a landfill waste diversion project.

The grants program is part of the NSW Government’s $465.7 million Waste Less Recycle More initiative.

The program includes funding for business recycling, market development, managing problem wastes, new waste infrastructure, local councils and programs to tackle illegal dumping and litter.

A full list of grant recipients and more information about the Waste Less, Recycle Moreprogram is available at environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/2014SFM.htm.