Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres MP today announced that local government, community groups and industry in the Penrith area can now apply to share in $40.6 million of funding over the next four years to improve recycling, combat illegal dumping and reduce waste going to landfill.
The first round of grants for local councils, industry and community organisations are now available as part of the State’s largest ever commitment to waste reduction – the $465.7 million Waste Less, Recycle More initiative managed by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The grants are being jointly managed by the EPA and the NSW Environmental Trust and tackle a range of recycling and waste issues including problem wastes such as paints, lead acid batteries, and asbestos.
“This funding program has been designed to support councils, industry and community organisations to reduce waste and increase recycling in line with the state waste targets,” Mr Ayres said.
“Applications are now open for the first round of funding for five separate grants, totalling $40.6 million over four years, to facilitate improvements in infrastructure, food waste avoidance, organics collection and illegal dumping.”
Environment Minister Robyn Parker said that the EPA will also spend $3 million trialling a new Householders’ Asbestos Disposal Scheme from next year that will waive the waste levy on asbestos and reduce tip fees in selected council areas for 12 months.
“Asbestos disposal is an increasing community concern as more home renovators undertake works on pre-1990 homes, so this trial will pilot innovative approaches to increase the lawful disposal of asbestos and discourage illegal operators by reducing the financial advantage,” Ms Parker said.
“As well as removing the waste levy on asbestos in participating areas, the EPA will contribute $50 per tonne towards the costs of removing and transporting wrapped bonded asbestos that is disposed of as part of the scheme.”
Ms Parker said the trial will run at selected councils and businesses across the waste levy and non- levy paying areas and results will be evaluated by independent experts to inform the EPA’s decisions on asbestos disposal into the future.
“It is important that we continue to explore new opportunities to better manage our waste now and into the future and that is what Waste Less, Recycle More enables us to do,” Ms Parker said.
“More than six million tonnes of waste goes to landfill in NSW each year and much of this waste can be re-used and recycled.
“This funding will ensure NSW continues to improve recycling targets by providing an integrated approach that encompasses community education; funding for improved infrastructure and services to make it easier for households and businesses to better manage their wastes.
“I encourage all eligible parties to explore the available grants and lodge an application to help reduce waste and increase resource recovery in their area.”
Waste Less, Recycle More Grants include:
- $16.22 million Local Government Organics Collection Systems Program – to help councils implement new or enhance existing household kerbside collection services for organic waste.
- $1.4 million Love Food, Hate Waste program – to support food avoidance education and awareness projects with Love Food Hate Waste partners.
- $11.35 million for Community Recycling Centres – to establish infrastructure for community recycling centres in the levy paying council areas by upgrading existing facilities, constructing new facilities, or trialling innovative solutions where a fixed facility is not practicable.
- $9.65 million Resource Recovery Facility Expansion and Enhancement Program (waste-levy regulated area) – to stimulate and accelerate investment to enhance existing recycling facilities.
- $2 million Combating Illegal Dumping: Clean-Up and Prevention program – to identify local dumping sites and implement prevention and clean-up action.
The Combating Illegal Dumping: Clean-Up and Prevention program and the Householders’ Asbestos Disposal Scheme are managed by the EPA.
All other grants are being jointly managed by the EPA and the NSW Environmental Trust.
The EPA and Environmental Trust will be holding a series of grant information sessions in November. For information visit: http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/wasteless.htm
Application closing dates:
All grants are open until 3 February 2014 except for the Love Food Hate Waste program which is open until 28 February 2014 and the Householders’ Asbestos Disposal Scheme which is open until 9 December 2013.
For more information or to apply visit: http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/wasteless.htm
Waste Less, Recycle More is a five year $465.7 million initiative to reduce waste and increase resource recovery by supporting councils, industry and the community to provide a comprehensive approach to improve the management of waste materials in NSW. More information can be found on the EPA website: www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/wasteless
