Queensland Circular Economy (Industry-Research) Innovation Grant
The Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) is thrilled to announce the six successful applicants of the Circular Economy Grants program. Grants of up to $50,000 were awarded to each of the exciting and diverse projects offering practical and innovative circular economy solutions to benefit Greater Whitsunday Region businesses, local environment, and community.
The Selection Panel was impressed by the high number of quality applications from across the region. Each applicant showed how they were working to address waste issues, and developing alternative, fit-for-region circular solutions. Apart of the grant funding received, recipients will be assisted by Circular experts in identifying and nurturing their ambitions.
The RCOE’s grant initiative is part of the State Government’s Circular Economy (Industry-Research) Program managed by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
The circular economy program supports industry-driven research and innovation, for the purpose of assisting industry to transition away from the mainstream take-make-waste linear model to a circular economy model that designs out waste and pollution, circulates products and materials at their highest value, and regenerates natural systems.
RCOE in Mackay is one of three regional centres involved in this pilot program intended to encourage the development of new circular economy solutions in different regions of Queensland.
“The innovation grant was oversubscribed, with six (6) successful applicants receiving funding to take their projects forward over the next nine months.
The quality of projects underscores the potential for our region to lead the way in circular economy practices, realising more value from Queensland’s resources and setting a new standard for sustainability.”
Successful projects
Incorporating Crumbed Rubber for Brick Manufacturing
Integrating crumbed off the road (OTR) and commercial tyres into brick manufacturing, accelerating a local market for recycled building products and reducing use of virgin clay and sand.
Principal lead: Dr Jay Sul, Dr Kumaran Suntharavadivel, A/Prof Preethichandra, Dr Sarkar Noor Khuda (Central Queensland University)
Food Waste to Feed Supplement
Creating a new food waste-derived mineral and vitamin livestock feed supplements, which can reduce cost to local livestock producers while substantially reducing wasted food in the region.
Principal lead:John Lockhart (NUTRICQ)
Whitsunday Glass Roads
Substituting fine aggregates with crushed glass in road base, reducing high impact raw material inputs in asphalt production and waste of a precious finite resource, glass.
Principal lead: Dr Farzeneh Tahmoorian, Dr Muhammad Qureshi, (Central Queensland University)
Ocean Trash Recycle Shack
Turning the 7 tonnes of marine debris collected annually by dedicated volunteers into valuable, saleable products such as furniture and art pieces, cleaning the ocean while providing opportunities for skills development in upcycling.
Principal lead: Libby Edge, (Eco Barge Clean Seas)
Targeting Waste Capsicum
Creating an export-quality dried capsicum powder product for the food manufacturing and healthcare sectors, reducing food waste to landfill and displacing harmful use of antibiotics in livestock production.
Principal lead: John Lockhart (NUTRICQ)
Sustainable concrete with locally available materials
Using red mud and bagasse ash as supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) in concrete production. Red mud and bagasse ash offer great potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional cementitious materials, such as fly ash.
Principal lead: Dr Farzaneh Tahmoorian, Dr Hassan Baji, (Central Queensland University)
“The Miles Government is committed to fostering innovation that drives the transition to a circular economy.
“The Circular Economy (Industry-Research) Program Grants are an essential part of this mission, empowering local businesses, researchers and communities to develop practical solutions that reduce waste and benefit our environment.
The high calibre of applications reflects the growing momentum and creativity within the Greater Whitsunday Region.
We look forward to seeing these projects come to life and contribute to a more sustainable future for Queensland.
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