Victoria investing in turning recycled materials for railway sleepers

The Andrews Labor Government has announced that it is investing in innovative ways to use recycled materials, such as turning recycled plastics into railway sleepers, to help Victoria reach its sustainability goals.

Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, visited an Integrated Recycling facility in Mildura where Duratrack railway sleepers made from 85 per cent recycled plastic will be produced. Integrated Recycling received $1.6 million to install a new production line that will process the sleepers as part of Recycling Modernisation Fund. The project will allow Integrated Recycling to process 1,600 more tonnes of plastic and produce up to 35,000 Duratrack railway sleepers each year while creating 18 new full-time jobs.

Integrated Recycling combines plastics previously used for agricultural and industrial purposes and other polyethylene-based plastics with other waste materials to make their products. Duratrack railway sleepers are used across Victoria’s railways, including Richmond Station, Wyndham Vale stabling yard and Tottenham Station.

Monash University’s Institute of Rail Technology have also previously received $299,200 through the Victorian Government’s Research, Development and Demonstration Grants to undertake field research to ensure plastic sleeper mix designs meets the specifications of rail operators.

The Recycling Victoria, a recycling modernisation fund, is part of the Victorian Government’s $515 million investment to deliver the transformation of the state’s waste and recycling industry. The Victorian Government and Australian Government have co-funded $71.9 million towards the Recycling Modernisation Fund.

“Transforming plastic waste into railway sleepers is a great example of the innovation we are encouraging in our waste and recycling industries.” Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, said. “Through our investment in recycling infrastructure we are creating a better environment for all Victorians by reducing waste, creating jobs in new industries, and deriving more value from resources.”