Waste Reduction Grants are now open

Our annual Waste Reduction Grants are now open! There are two different types of grants:

• Waste Reduction Grants for Community Projects
• Waste Reduction Grants for New Technologies and Seed Funding

The Community Projects category is open to community groups, businesses, Iwi/Maori organisations, educational institutions, neighbourhood groups of at least five households, and other community-based organisations. The purpose of the grants is to support practical on-the-ground waste minimisation projects which encourage community participation and education and/or are of benefit to the community of Kāpiti.

Amongst last years’ successful applicants was Kāpiti Primary School, who received a grant to build a worm farm, an initiative which led to a complete overhaul of the school’s waste management system. Principal Martin Hett writes:

“The grant helped us get a worm farm built and has allowed us to reduce waste significantly. Every classroom has a worm bin and our monitors collect the food scraps each day. This new system has allowed the school to reduce the amount of bins in the playground and classrooms. The reduction of bins throughout the school is a clear sign that we have reduced waste significantly. We now have separate paper/cardboard, general and plastic waste which has been put in place due to the worm farm initiative. Prior to this all rubbish was sent to a skip and no recycling was taking place. It is fantastic that the installation of the worm farm has had an impact on our other rubbish systems that has also seen a reduced amount.

The benefits overall for the school and students are

•             Reduced waste

•             Reduced rubbish costs

•             Student awareness of waste reduction

•             Student responsibility through the monitor system

•             Leadership opportunities for students.

•             A more environmentally friendly Kāpiti Primary School

•             Teacher awareness of a more sustainable environment

•             Education around worms and how they operate

Overall the grant has been a huge help on our step to be more environmentally aware here at Kāpiti Primary School.”

   Kāpiti Primary School's new worm farm                 

The New Technologies and Seed Funding category is open to businesses, organisations and individuals. The fund seeks to encourage the establishment of waste minimisation businesses on the Kāpiti Coast and to create opportunities for waste minimisation and economic development through innovative processes and technologies.

Last year, New Technologies and Seed Funding Grants were awarded to the Kāpiti Biodiesel Cooperative to produce biodiesel from used fish and chip oil, to Nufuels Ltd to test processing plastic bags with tyres to make fuels and other products, and to consultancy Organic Wealth to offer their waste reduction consultancy services to Kāpiti businesses at a reduced rate.

For more information on Waste Reduction Grants and to apply please visit:

http://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Waste-Reduction-Grants/