Funding Available For Projects To Increase Recycling And Reduce Litter

Local community groups and organisations have the chance to access funding to assist them make their projects to increase recycling or reduce litter a reality.

The Packaging Forum is calling for applications to its latest funding round which is open to community groups or organisations with a project that aligns with the Forum’s goal of reducing litter and increasing out of home recycling rates. Applications close 31 July 2022, and can be done via Recycle More + Litter Less - The Packaging Forum

Rob Langford, CEO The Packaging Forum, says over the past decade the Forum has directly funded $1,150,000 worth of community projects, research, and programmes to reduce litter and improve recycling outcomes across New Zealand.

Langford says the member-based organisation is dedicated to packaging sustainability and works together with members and industry partners to deliver industry led solutions to deal with the end-of-life recovery for packaging.

“Providing grants for projects or events is just one way in which we can support community groups or organisations that are working hard to help increase recycling and reduce litter in our communities.”

“One of our early projects was working with Bayfair in Tauranga to introduce public place recycling. These relationships continue and this month Bayfair became the first shopping centre in the country to provide soft plastic recycling bins for their shoppers.”

Programmes have included rolling out colour coded “binfrastructure” using national approved signage partnering with iconic community organisation Be a Tidy Kiwi. This was supported by the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund but has continued with ongoing investment from the Packaging Forum with the result that there are now over 230 colour-coded recycling and rubbish bins placed in 27 regions across the country. These include “mobile” binframes which are a practical solution for schools and clubs.

Schools and education programmes such as Tread Lightly and Project Litefoot have accessed funding to educate students on the importance of recycling and litter reduction.

Langford says investment in good “binfrastructure” pays off:

“Standardising the design of the bins, using nationally agreed recycling and waste colours and signage in te reo Maori and other languages as well as English helps reduces contamination. 83% of people say that the colours and signage make it easier to choose the right bin.”

Research undertaken by The Forum shows there has been a decline in community concern about litter. Horizon Research says, in 2018 43 percent of people surveyed said there was somewhat or a significant problem with litter in their neighbourhood. In 2022, this had dropped to 21 percent.

Ms Lyn Mayes, Recycling & Resource Recovery Project Manager says this is attributable to the significant investment in litter abatement during this time through the Waste Minimisation Fund funding support for projects managed by The Packaging Forum, Be A Tidy Kiwi, Keep New Zealand Beautiful, and Sustainable Coastlines.

“The Packaging Forum and Be A Tidy Kiwi focused on investment in ‘binfrastructure’, which saw the colours and style of bins and signage standardised. In the past, bins have been chosen to blend in with the streetscape, when what we have needed are eye-catching bins that use nationally agreed recycling and waste colours.

“We implemented consumer awareness and education campaigns across mainstream and social media with thousands of Kiwis pledging to Be a Tidy Kiwi.

“It’s good to know that building awareness about litter and putting infrastructure in place pays off,” says Ms Mayes.

More information on the grants and the grant application process can be found at www.packagingforum.org.nz and applications can be made here Recycle More + Litter Less - The Packaging Forum

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