Auckland Council Offers Zero-Waste Grants for Great Ideas
Zero-waste grants on offer for great ideas
Grants of up to $50,000 are available for great ideas to reduce waste from Auckland Council’s ‘zero-waste’ fund, open 1-30 September 2017.
The fund rewards innovation, and over $2.6 million has been allocated to more than 280 projects since it started in April 2013.
Councillor Penny Hulse, Chair of the Environment and Community Committee, says the Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund is open to Aucklanders who have projects that are innovative, impactful and sustainable.
“Through the fund, we’re committed to supporting projects and empowering people who are passionate about finding new ways to help achieve Auckland’s ambition to become zero waste by 2040.
“No idea is too big or too small. We’ve seen every day Aucklanders and startup initiatives use their zero-waste grant as a springboard to achieve great things for their local community.“
Previous successful applicants include Sylvia Park in Mt Wellington, which has diverted over 150 tonnes of food waste from landfill since September 2016 – reducing its overall waste by 44%. And Samoan language immersion school A'oga Fa'a Samoa in Grey Lynn has reduced its annual waste by 75% by using a grant to ditch disposable nappies. This simple idea has had results that are far reaching.
Jan Taouma, A'oga Fa'a Samoa Centre Manager, says they are now teaching families and others in their industry how to do the same.
“I often get phone calls and requests to share our knowledge, and our staff have presented at lots of national early childhood education conferences,” says Jan.
Anyone with a great idea can apply at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/wmif or contact the Waste Minimisation team by emailing aucklandwastefund@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
ENDS
About
Auckland Council’s Waste Minimisation Fund
(WMIF):
The WMIF is funded through a levy of $10 per tonne on all waste sent to landfill.
Auckland Council’s zero-waste fund provides up to $500,000 a year to seed innovative waste ideas from businesses, iwi/Maori, education and community groups that inspire and encourage community participation to reduce waste.
Grants of up to $50,000 are available this round, which is open 1-30 September 2017.