Environment Minister Alex Attwood has announced a substantial funding boost for projects that will divert waste from landfill, and has called for eligible applicants to apply.
£500,000 in total has been set aside, with £250,000 allocated in 2013/14 and the same amount for 2014/15. The Rethink Waste revenue grants are aimed at projects that will contribute to the reduction of waste to landfill through recycling or reuse. Applications are invited from community and voluntary groups, the private sector, councils and the three waste management groups. Applicants can apply in their own right or in conjunction with a council.
Mr Attwood said, "Diverting waste from landfill is a real win-win. It benefits the environment and assists the economy by easing the burden on ratepayers, businesses and councils who ultimately pay for increasing landfill taxes. These funds also provide much needed employment, training and volunteering opportunities in communities. I am genuinely impressed with the highly effective work of the community and voluntary sector, businesses and councils in seeking ways to minimise waste and boost recycling and reuse across Northern Ireland, and i encourage all relevant organisations to apply."
This is the fourth year of funding from the Department of Rethink Waste revenue funds, and over the past three years 27 grants have been awarded for projects aimed at targeting behavioural change to encourage the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste.
Further details on the application process are available from: http://cedr.ec/qm.
