25 March 2013

Funding for ‘Zero Waste’ ideas and projects

Help is at hand for organisations with great ideas and projects for reducing waste to landfill.

Auckland Council’s Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund (WMIF) opens on 1 April 2014, the first of two funding rounds to disburse an annual fund of $500,000.

The April round is for small grants of up to $5000, with a funding pool of around $25,000 available. Larger grants will be considered in October.

The fund was set up as part of council’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan and creates opportunities to have an impact on waste in the Auckland region, says Ian Stupple, Solid Waste Manager.

“The small grants are for organisations with projects that can be up and running sooner rather than later, and make a difference in local communities. The large grants go up to $50,000 for more complex and regional projects, but not everyone is working at that scale, so the April round offers flexibility,” he says.

Projects that have already received small grants from WMIF include; reusable nappies schemes, waste systems in schools to separate organic waste, rubbish and recycling, and a project to make furniture out of wood pallets.

Businesses, community-based groups, iwi/Maori groups and educational organisations can apply, and must meet at least half the cost of their project.
The April funding round closes at 4pm on 30 April 2013.

For further information: visit www.auckland.council.govt.nz keyword ‘WMIF’ or email aucklandwastefund@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or call 09 301 0101.

ENDS

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