The applications window for Round 4 of the NSW Local Government Organics Collection Systems grants is now open for councils to seek funding to reduce and recycle food waste.
Up to $1.3 million is available through the Waste Less, Recycle More program for local councils to introduce new or enhanced collection services for food and organic waste.
The Local Government Organics Collections Systems grants program is part of a comprehensive strategy to transform organics waste collections across NSW.
“Each year in NSW, 800,000 tonnes of food waste ends up in landfill from households while businesses contribute 170,000 tonnes. This is why these grants that support collection services are so important,” said EPA Chair and CEO Barry Buffier.
“Already in the first three rounds we have awarded $15.8 million to 38 councils to collect an estimated 144,000 tonnes more food and garden waste a year. We have also provided 552,669 new green lid bins and kitchen caddies to more than 230,000 homes.
“Now in this fourth and final round, I encourage councils with projects that can be completed by June next year to put in an application, if they have not done so already.”
Mr Buffier added that the NSW Government has been working steadily towards its target of providing 70 per cent of the state’s homes with kerbside organics collections services by 2017.
Applications close on Thursday 19 May. More information about the grants and how to apply is available through the EPA NSW website.