11/12/00
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said Ecosus Pty Ltd in Mt Pleasant has received a grant of $40,000 in the latest round of grants from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund.
The grant will go towards producing an innovative prototype that will recover hydrochloric acid and convert waste battery acid and zinc wastes into valuable by-products.
This project will involve developing the prototype and determining the economic viability of the process. This invention utilizes waste heat energy from the galvanizing stack to drive a unique distillation process, whereby zinc acid wastes are combined with waste battery acids and hydrochloric acid is distilled and recovered from the reaction. The zinc and iron wastes are recovered as sulphate salts that are ideal for agricultural application.
Mrs Edwardes said Ecosus was one of 41 recipients of grants from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund totalling $1.02 million that were announced today.
Western Australia’s Waste Management and Recycling Fund is raised from a levy on waste disposed to landfill. It is used to sponsor innovative waste reduction and recycling activities throughout the State.
“Each year almost $5 million is raised from the levy,” Mrs Edwardes said.
“Under the grants program, financial assistance is given to local communities, industry and local government organisations who have projects which will contribute towards the achievement of the State’s waste reduction targets.
“The grant is generally on a dollar for dollar basis and the preparedness of applicants to be equal partners in the projects demonstrates their commitment.”
Ecosus believes they could eliminate over 4,000 tonnes of heavy metal waste sludges currently landfilled that may have a substantial environmental impact.
Mrs Edwardes congratulated all successful recipients of grants in this funding round.
The total amount of grant funding under the program now totals over $6 million. An additional $2.2 million has also been allocated from the fund under the Municipal Recycling Services rebate scheme, which is a performance based incentive to local councils to reward them for their kerbside recycling collection efforts.
Mrs Edwardes reminded potential applicants that these grants would be advertised more frequently in future.
“The number of funding rounds has now increased from twice yearly to six times each year,” she said
The round that has recently been advertised will close on Friday, December 29. Inquiries for grants should be directed to the Funded Programs section of the Department of Environmental Protection on 9222 8608.
Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9421 7777
