Purpose
This $14.35 million program is aimed at establishing a network of community recycling centres for householders across New South Wales to dispose of and recycle problem wastes. The centres will be provided through the upgrade of existing facilities or the construction of new facilities. Where a fixed facility is not feasible, development and trial of innovative solutions may be considered.
This program is being delivered through a partnership between the NSW Environmental Trust and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) as part of the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative. Additional information can be found on the EPA website.
Funding available
The program offered grants of up to $300,000 per project for infrastructure costs to build a new facility or upgrade an existing one.
100% of infrastructure costs may be provided if either:
- the infrastructure is built on publicly owned or leased land and the applicant is a state or local government body
- the applicant is a not-for-profit or non-government organisation.
50% of infrastructure costs may be provided if either:
- the infrastructure is built on privately owned land
- the applicant is a commercial organisation (private industry).
Who can apply?
The following organisations are eligible to apply:
- not-for-profit or non-government organisations (as defined by the Australian Taxation Office) with an established legal status
- not-for-profit or non-government organisations without a legal status that can be administered by another organisation
- NSW local councils (as defined in the Local Government Act 1993) in certain areas (see below)
- other organisations controlled by local government or deemed to have a local government function
- private industry or a partnership as defined by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cwth)
- regional waste groups, regional organisations of councils or joint organisations of councils. These bodies may make applications or coordinate projects on behalf of one or more NSW councils in their regional group, as long as each council nominates a contact person for the project
- state government entities.
Note: All applicants must be legally constituted entities and be organisations, not individuals or sole traders.
At the program outset 3 community recycling centres were established as demonstration sites to inform and support other organisations who might be considering establishing a centre in their area. Case studies can be downloaded from EPA website, which provides helpful tips and suggestions for those considering developing a community recycling centre.