Applications are now open for a community grant of up to $10,000 for local projects that will help increase the recycling of beverage containers.

Applications are now open for a community grant of up to $10,000 for local projects that will help increase the recycling of beverage containers.

The Keep Australia Beautiful grants, funded by Coca-Cola, are open to community groups, local associations, small-to-medium enterprises, schools and local councils, for projects that will result in a measurable increase in beverage-container recycling in local communities.

Grants will be awarded to:

• projects which address the specific issue of beverage-container recycling and its by-products;
• practical local solutions that can be used as examples for others and leave a legacy;
• projects that do not duplicate existing recycling activities;
• projects that result in measurable volumes of recycled materials.

A proven ability to implement, measure and report on suitable projects will be taken into account, while past and present participants in any Keep Australia Beautiful programs will be highly regarded.

In larger communities this may mean infrastructure for events or for special venues such as large retail centres, sporting venues or education centres. In smaller communities, it may mean assistance with transport or processing to overcome remote location or dispersed population.

The 2013 grants program brings the investment by Coca-Cola to $1.2 million, in partnership with the Keep Australia Beautiful network, to encourage public-place recycling. Over 125 organisations have implemented local projects Australia wide through the program to date.

A total of $409,000 in grant funding is available for this year’s program with applications closing on 14 June. Successful applicants will be advised by early July.

To apply, visit www.kab.org.au/beverage-container-recycling-grants/ and fill in the online application form or contact Keep Australia Beautiful National Association.