Auckland Council is offering grants of up to $50,000 as part of the $500,000 Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund / Te pūtea Whakamōkito Para me te Auahatanga. Applications are open from 1-31 August 2021.

The fund brings ideas for reducing waste to life and supports the target of zero waste to landfill by 2040. WMIF projects are open to community groups, businesses, mana whenua, mataawaka, early childhood centres, schools, tertiary organisations and other community-based organisations operating in the Auckland region.

Councillor Richard Hills, chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, says funding last year was given to significant projects focussing on reducing construction waste, contributing to the circular economy, rescuing food and diverting food scraps from landfill.

Auckland Council’s general manager of Waste Solutions, Parul Sood, says 425 projects have been funded by WMIF since 2013, allocating approximately $4.5 million to assist our wonderful zero waste champions.

“We have a strong track record of funding projects which have a real difference. We want to keep encouraging and developing great ideas, and ensure all our diverse communities, including Māori and Pasifika groups, have access to the grants.”

If you are interested in applying for WMIF funding, further information is available online, including lists of previous award recipients.