From school composts to innovative products in construction, your idea could be worth up to $50,000 if it helps keep waste out of landfill.
During August, Auckland businesses and community organisations can apply for grants up to $50,000 for projects that help prevent or reduce waste.
Auckland Council’s annual Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund / Te pūtea Whakamōkito Para me te Auahatanga is open to applications until August 31, 2023.
The fund supports projects that help reduce waste and reuse or recover resources as part of the council’s goal of sending zero-waste to landfill by 2040.
Now in its tenth year, WMIF has so far approved more than $5 million for over 500 projects that support or achieve waste minimisation activities in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Auckland Council’s General Manager Waste Solutions Parul Sood says she is always impressed by the ingenuity of the projects and their wide range of benefits.
"In reducing waste, these initiatives protect the environment, and many provide economic and social benefits. Some have the potential to change the way industries operate."
Two recent grant recipients worked on products to replace wasteful practices in the construction industry:
- Bracedon creates reusable temporary bracing which replaces the need for timber during house construction. Timber struts are often not used again and end up in landfill.
- CLEVA Pod system replaces polystyrene used as a space saver in house foundations. Polystyrene bonds with the concrete and other materials making it unusable at the end of the foundation’s life. CLEVA Pod has multiple environmental advantages over polystyrene.
This year for the first time, organisations applying for grants under $5000 can opt to provide part of their application in the form of a video.
“This gives applicants the flexibility to tell their story in creative ways. The application form is 23 pages long which can seem onerous if you are only applying for a small and simple project. The video portion effectively replaces half of the application form and can be created using your phone,” says Parul.
Community groups, schools and businesses within the Auckland region are eligible to apply for grants between $1,000 and $50,000. The funds must be spent in the 2024 calendar year.
For more information go to the Auckland Council website and search 'WMIF'.
