$3m up for grabs for innovative waste projects

The NSW Government has made up to $3 million in funding available for innovative waste and recycling projects.

The third round of the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund is inviting applications for transformative initiatives that will drive waste reduction and foster a circular economy.

Individual councils can apply for up to $200,000, while groups of two or more eligible councils can apply for up to $400,000.

The government is keen to see a level of creativity in the initiatives, which could focus on cutting landfill waste or reprocessing valuable materials.

“We’re thrilled with the innovative and collaborative approaches brought forward so far, from extending the life cycle of materials to engaging communities in meaningful ways,” said NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Executive Director Alexandra Geddes.

“We’re calling for more forward-thinking solutions; whether through community engagement or new recovery techniques, these grants give councils the tools to make a lasting impact on our environment.”

Almost $1.9 million was recently awarded under round two to support 10 projects across 25 local government areas. These initiatives tackled the elimination of waste in construction and council operations, as well as helping apartment blocks to improve their bin infrastructure.

Applications for round three opened on 30 September 2024 and will run to 12 December 2024, with projects reviewed by a panel of industry experts across areas such as collaboration, innovation and scalability.

For more details and how to apply, visit https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants/councils/local-government-waste-solutions-fund.

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