Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is providing free research and development (R&D) support to businesses working in the plastic and recycling sector, with the goal of ending plastic waste.
The free ten-week program, called Innovate to Grow, targets small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) working on advanced solutions to innovate plastic waste, to building their R&D knowledge.
CSIRO says it has a goal to reduce 80 per cent of plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 2030. The Ending Plastic Waste Mission is intended to support a sustainable plastics circular economy to reduce detrimental impacts to the environment, while delivering economic benefits.
CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Mission lead Dr Deborah Lau said it’s only by bringing science and industry together that we can revolutionise plastic waste.
“Each year, 90 billion tonnes of primary materials are extracted and used globally for plastics, with only 9 per cent recycled. This is commercially unsustainable,” Lau said.
"It’s important we work collaboratively with SMEs and facilitate access to R&D opportunities to help accelerate scientific advancements and cutting-edge technology to address the plastic pollution problem.
“SMEs play a key role in driving Australia’s circular economy and new industries. This program will help facilitate innovation to drive future pathways for managing plastic waste.”
George Feast, deputy director of CSIRO’s SME Connect, encouraged SMEs to get on board by taking advantage of free expertise, to help translate their ideas into viable commercial opportunities.
“R&D can be an expensive undertaking for businesses and risky for those without the right guidance and support,” Feast said.
“To address these challenges, we’re inviting participants to come with a specific plastic or recycling idea they’d like to explore.
“Over 10 weeks CSIRO experts will guide businesses through how to refine their idea, to understand its research viability, and begin the process of engaging a university or research institution to deliver a collaborative R&D project,” he said.
Upon completion of the program, there is also the opportunity for certain eligible participants to access facilitation support, to connect to research expertise nationally, along with dollar-matched R&D funding.
Innovate to Grow: Ending Plastic Waste is open to SMEs working in the following sub-sectors:
- Plastic processor or converter
- Plastic waste collection/sorting
- Plastic recycling
- Packaging
- Agriculture and food
- Manufacturing
The Innovate to Grow: Ending Plastic Waste program, commences 7 September, and is available for up to 20 SMEs. Applications close 14 August 2023. Learn more and apply now here.
