Plastics recycling in Victoria has been boosted thanks to a significant expansion at the facility of a major Geelong recycling business, making it the first in Geelong able to process hard to recycle plastics from the industrial and agricultural sectors.

GT Recycling, a family owned and managed business that has been operating in Geelong for over 20 years, has completed a $5.7 million upgrade, supported by a $3 million investment from the Australian and Victorian Governments.

GT Recycling processes a range of hard-to-recycle plastics, including high-density polyethylene pipes, car bumper bars, carpet underlay, garden pots, plastic drums, wheelie bins, bulka bags and pallet wrap. 

The expansion of its facilities has established a second processing line, boosting capacity to sort and process a broad range of soft plastics such as pallet wrap, grain covers and bulk bags. The expansion will mean the business can process an additional 8,000 tonnes of plastic annually, including 3,000 tonnes of soft plastics.

This expansion will reduce the need for virgin materials and diverts waste from landfill, turning the recycling from our households and industries into new products that our businesses need. 

The project has also created 12 new ongoing jobs within the Geelong area.

This project is one of 28 projects the Victorian and Australian governments have supported in Victoria to boost our capacity to recycle plastics, paper, cardboard glass and tyres. 

This joint investment of over $82 million means an additional 380,000tonnes of materials can be processed here in Victoria and used to create new products. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos

“GT Recycling’s expansion is a significant investment in Victoria’s recycling economy, creating jobs and building a strong local recycling sector and a strong economy for Victoria.   

Quotes attributable to Member for Geelong, Chris Couzens MP

"This exciting project is great for Geelong, creating more local jobs and advancing Victoria's soft plastics recycling capabilities.”

“GT Recycling is a great example of the important work our local businesses and community are doing to protect our precious environment while driving progress towards Victoria's target of diverting 80 per cent of all material away from landfill by 2030."

Quotes attributable to Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP

“This investment in GT Recycling is an investment in jobs for our region, innovative manufacturing, and importantly, less plastics into landfill and our oceans.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“I know Victorians want to do their part to reduce their waste, reuse and recycle household products.

“We’re pleased to partner with the Victorian Government to support new recycling infrastructure and tackle the problem of hard to recycle plastics.