A total of $4.9 million in grant funding is now available to help NSW businesses cut waste, increase recycling and improve their bottom line, thanks to the latest round of the popular Bin
Trim program.
Round 4 of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s (DPIE) Bin Trim program is now open for applications.
Waste and recycling service providers, equipment providers, consultants, councils and not-for-profit organisations can all apply for the grants, which range from $50,000 to $300,000.
Successful recipients use the grants to rollout the proven Bin Trim program to help businesses track their waste, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and improve recycling.
DPIE Executive Director Circular Economy and Resource Management Sanjay Sridher said reducing waste sent to landfill has environmental and economic benefits for everyone.
“Reducing waste costs may help businesses save money,” Mr Sridher said.
“NSW businesses send more than 1.8 million tonnes of waste to landfill each year. From cardboard, paper and plastic through to food waste. So much of this ends up in the general waste bin, when in fact more than 70% could be re-used or recycled.
“The Bin Trim program has so far helped over 29,000 businesses and diverted waste from landfill that amounts to more than the weight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“Businesses taking part in the program, such as the Escarpment Group which runs four hotels in the Blue Mountains, are helping the environment, with 94% of Bin Trim participants implementing actions to reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill.”
The first two rounds of the program have so far seen 70,000 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill. Businesses also increased their recycling by an average of 15%.
Through the NSW Government’s Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, the Bin Trim grants program funds eligible organisations to deliver waste assessments to NSW businesses with up to 400 full time equivalent employees.
Waste experts undertake free assessments with these businesses and use Bin Trim to develop a tailored Action Plan and provide support and advice.
Participating businesses are also eligible for the Bin Trim rebate of up to $50,000 to cover up to 50% of the cost of recycling equipment.
Applications for Round 4 close on Friday, 28 February 2020.
