Round 2 of the Major Resource Recovery Infrastructure program is now open for applications from local councils, industry and not-for profit organisations in areas covered by the waste levy. Grants of up to $10 million are available to build new facilities to process recyclables from household and business waste.
The program is being delivered through a partnership between the EPA and the Environmental Trust.
EPA Waste and Recycling Infrastructure Manager Mark Jackson said the aim of the program is to improve the infrastructure capabilities in NSW to sustainably manage both household and business waste.
Ambitious target
"We are calling on councils, industry and not for profit organisations to explore ways to increase recycling processing capacity to help meet the ambitious NSW 2021 target to divert 75 per cent of all waste from landfill," said Jackson.
Recycling does not only reduce the impacts of waste disposal in the environment, but also generates significant employment opportunities. It is estimated that there are 9.2 full time equivalent employees for every 10,000 tonnes recycled compared to only 2.8 jobs for landfilling activities.
Environmental Trust Senior Manager Grants Peter Dixon said applications are open for Round 2 until 2 December 2014.
"The Trust is providing grants of up to $10 million to cover up to half the cost of building new facilities such as council transfer stations and processing plants for recyclables like plastics, timber, packaging and paper," Dixon said.
To assist applicants a workshop is being held on Wednesday 8 October in Sydney which will cover information on how to apply, FAQs, changes to the guidelines and forms from Round 1 and tips on writing a good application. For those unable to make the workshop the EPA and Environmental Trust will be hosting a webinar on Friday 10 October that will recap on information about how to apply for a grant.
Online registration for both sessions
