If you you’ve been pondering about a new idea or project that could help reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill, now is the time to act. Applications for the Resource Wise Community Fund are open from today, and your ideas could be eligible for a financial boost from Tauranga City Council.
Mayor Tenby Powell said now is the time to start doing things differently.
‘The Covid-19 lockdown has further exposed challenges around waste, and specifically recycling in Tauranga. I think we’re all disappointed with the fact that outside of glass, all recycling has had to be sent to landfill during the Covid response phases to date. But let’s not forget that our terrible track-record predates Covid.’
‘Just under 50% of what we send to landfill as a city normally goes there unnecessarily. And when you look at household waste alone, it amounts to a whopping 70%. These are materials that could be reused, recycled or recovered instead – or even better, not produced in the first place,’ said Mayor Powell.
The intention of the fund is to enable the community to find creative ways to reduce waste, as well as inspire and encourage others to reduce their waste. Grants of up to $20,000 are available from the Resource Wise Community Fund, open now until 5 June.
The Resource Wise Community Fund – made possible by the Ministry of the Environment’s Waste Disposal Levy – is open to individuals, community groups, businesses, Iwi and Maori organisations, and education providers who want to deliver waste minimisation projects within Tauranga.
‘This may be the ideal time to work out ideas for reducing or preventing waste,’ said Mayor Powell. ‘People can send in their application form by 5 June 2020 to be considered for grants of up to $20,000 for the coming year.’
The fund aims to empower communities to:
- reduce the generation and consumption of materials
- reuse and repair materials to minimise the generation of waste
- recycle and compost materials to divert waste from landfill
- prevent and reduce instances of littering and illegal dumping while promoting waste minimisation
- enhance the delivery of our Resource Wise™ behaviour change programmes.
- achieve the actions set out in Council’s 2016 Waste Management and Minimisation Plan
Grants range from $1,500 to $20,000 from an annual pool of $50,000. All projects must meet the funding criteria.
For more information, including funding criteria, application guidelines and the online application form, visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/rwcommunityfund