Do you have an idea for reducing waste in your community, school or business?
Auckland Council is encouraging Aucklanders to take action on waste with the return of the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund (WMIF), opening for applications from 1 October to 31 October.
The fund supports creative and practical initiatives that help reduce waste going to landfill and promote recycling and reuse across the region. There is a total funding pool of $500,000 with grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.
Past WMIF recipient Legasea and its Kai Ika Project.
To make the fund more accessible, Auckland Council has simplified the application process for small grants (under $5,000) and for schools. The shorter application form and more flexible criteria are the result of past applicants’ feedback and make the fund easier to apply for.
Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says smaller projects often have an impact beyond their size.
“Community-led initiatives and school projects to reduce waste can lead to behaviour changes that have a positive ripple effect across households and communities to help achieve Auckland’s goal of zero waste by 2040,” says Ms Haves.
Previous successful projects for small grants include installing hot composting systems, kai resilience projects, setting up zero waste programmes for school students, and supporting community education and behaviour change initiatives.
The WMIF provides seed funding to enable creative reuse and recovery of resources and generate economic opportunities.
“There is still plenty of scope for innovation when it comes to developing a circular economy. For example, construction and demolition waste, which makes up at least one third of all waste to landfill is the waste stream with the most potential for diversion. Previous recipients have used funds to develop business opportunities with diverted materials,” says Ms Haves.
Past WMIF recipient Repair and Share Café, a collaboration between Auckland Library of Tools and Repair Café Aotearoa New Zealand.
The fund is open to community groups, businesses, mana whenua, mataawaka, schools, early childhood centres, tertiary institutions, and other organisations in the Auckland region. Applicants must be a legal entity.
Recent past grant recipients include:
- Ara Education Charitable Trust, which gives school leavers practical experience restoring homes using salvaged materials
- Clevaco, creators of the CLEVA Pod system that replaces polystyrene in house foundations
- Ae Ka Taea e Koe trialled a pickup and drop off service for reusable nappies
- Digital Future Aotearoa refurbishes unwanted devices to reduce e-waste
- Auckland Library of Tools and Repair Café Aotearoa - for establishing a permanent weekly repair café
- Nukumea Primary School, which launched a zero-waste programme for students and installed composting stations
- Sikh Women’s Association Trust - a Green Warrior initiative to promote sustainability and waste education.
Any organisations ready to make a difference can visit Auckland Council website and search "WMIF" to learn more and apply from 1 October 2025.
