Waste minimisation funds

The purpose of the Small Waste Minimisation Project Grant is to help fund any idea, project, initiative, or event that encourages, promotes, or administers waste minimisation activities in Dunedin. This grant is available for activities such as:

• Waste minimisation projects, like making reusable bags from discarded materials.
• Setting up a recycling or composting system in your school/community group venue.
• Waste minimisation educational programmes e.g., teaching community workshops on how to make reusable sandwich wraps to avoid cling film use.
• Waste minimisation promotional activities e.g., reducing the use of single use coffee cups and water bottles in favour of reusable options.

The DCC allocates up to $10,000 per year for the Small Waste Minimisation Project Grants fund. The funds are generated from the waste levy which is determined by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE).

Who can apply?

Schools, not-for-profits, charitable and voluntary community groups or organisations can apply for this grant. To be eligible to apply for this grant, your group will need to be registered with Incorporated Societies or Charities Services. Processing time for a Charitable Services or Incorporated Societies registration application can sometimes take up to three months, so please take this into consideration before applying for a grant. Individuals cannot apply for this grant.

Please note, a group can only apply for a Small Waste Minimisation Project Grant or Waste Minimisation Community Grant once in each funding year (1 July – 30 June).

How much can I apply for?

The maximum amount of funding you can apply for is $500.

When can I apply?

Applications for the Small Waste Minimisation Project Grant are open all year round but are only considered during the funding period of 1 February – 11 December in each calendar year. Applications received from 12 December to 31 January must wait to be considered during the funding period.

Are there any project timeframe requirements?

Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant. If your project is not completed within this time frame, you may have to pay back some or all of the grant. Grants are not awarded retrospectively, so get cracking on your application now!

What type of applications are likely to receive a grant?

You are most likely to receive funding if your application is for a project or initiative that:

• Aligns with the top of the waste hierarchy by enabling residents or businesses to avoid waste, or reuse, or repair items.
• Aligns with the waste streams in the material diversion targets in the WMMP and the Zero Carbon Plan 2030 (organics – food, garden, timber, paper, and textiles).
• Demonstrates a strong ability to deliver the project, expand local capability, and achieve strong waste minimisation outcomes.
• Can expand opportunities for diversion by increasing the variety of sustainable waste minimisation solutions available and develop new capabilities in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
• Demonstrates potential for impact through the quantity and volume of material that will be minimised from reaching landfill by an applicant’s project.
• Aligns with the vision, actions, and objectives in the WMMP.

Other considerations:

• Collaborative and joint applications i.e., between community organisations.
• Creates equity for Māori, Pacifica, and new migrant communities.
• Contributes towards social, economic, environmental, and cultural outcomes.
• Local organisation.

What types of activities or expenses can I get funding for?

This depends on your project. Some examples include:

• Creating materials such as beeswax, or ingredients to make household cleaners.
• Reusable serviceware for events and parties.
• Venue or equipment hire.
• Promotion and publicity of your event.

What types of activities or expenses can’t be applied for?

• Subsidising the cost of waste to landfill.
• Individuals working on private projects.
• Debt servicing.
• Activities which take place outside of Dunedin.
• Travel (including transportation), food and/or accommodation.

Please note you will also need to meet the DCC grants funding general criteria (opens in new window).

Are there any required supporting documents?

You must provide quotes to show the estimated costs of any equipment, venue hire, bulk materials, expert facilitation, or services etc.

Health and safety planning will be required where appropriate e.g., public events.

How to apply

Small Waste Minimisation Project Grant applications must be submitted using the online form. Please complete an online form and attach the required supporting documents.

Small Waste Minimisation Project Grant application form (opens in new window).

We strongly recommend you contact our Waste Minimisation Officer before you start your application as they can provide you with advice. Please contact us for further information on 03 477 4000.

How are decisions made?

Applications are assessed on their merits by the DCC staff who administer the fund and then the Grants Sub-committee allocate the fund as appropriate.

Our application got accepted! What are our obligations?

We look forward to hearing how things went, both good and bad.

Are there any project timeframe requirements?

Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant. If your project is not completed within this time frame, you may have to pay back some or all of the grant. Grants are not awarded retrospectively, i.e. your project must not have already commenced or be started prior to successful application funding provision.

You will need to fill in an Accountability Form (opens in new window) and return it to the Waste and Environmental Solutions team the within 12 months of receiving the grant money or within three months of completing your project, whichever comes first.

If you have received a Waste Minimisation Grant before and have not completed an Accountability Form for it, you will not be able to apply for another grant from us.

Please keep your receipts as you go, so these can be included with the form. If you have photos you wish to share, please make sure you have permission from any people in them as the DCC may use the photos on social media.

The purpose of the Waste Minimisation Community Grant is to help fund any idea, project, initiative, or event that encourages, promotes or administers waste minimisation activities in Dunedin. This grant is available for activities such as:

• Waste minimisation projects like setting up a community tool library.
• Waste minimisation activities at events, such as offering reusable serviceware or having waste educators positioned by the waste bins to help people use the right one.
• Setting up a composting system or e-waste collection service in your school or community group venue.
• Waste and material diversion for reuse, recycling or recovery. For example, repairing damaged or unwanted electrical equipment.
• Running a waste minimisation educational programme such as a low waste living workshop.
• Waste minimisation promotional activities such as reducing the use of single use coffee cups and water bottles in favour of reusable options.

The Dunedin City Council (DCC) allocates up to $60,000 per year for community projects or initiatives from the Waste Minimisation Contestable Grants Fund. The funds are generated from the waste levy which is determined by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE).

Who can apply?

Schools, not-for profits, charitable and voluntary community groups or organisations can apply for this grant. To be eligible, your group will need to be registered with Incorporated Societies or Charities Services. Processing time for a Charitable Services or Incorporated Societies registration application can sometimes take up to three months, so please take this into consideration before applying for a grant. Individuals cannot apply for this grant.

Please note, a group can only apply for a Waste Minimisation Community Grant or Small Waste Minimisation Project Grant once in each funding year (1 July – 30 June).

How much can I apply for?

The maximum you can apply for is $5,000. Please note, a minimum 20% contribution is required from the applicant towards the total cost of the project, initiative, or event. Contributions can include volunteer hours (at living wage), donated materials and/or waged staff working on the project.

When can I apply?

Applications for the Waste Minimisation Community Grant are open during the March and September funding rounds. The deadline for applications is 5pm on the last Friday in March and 5pm Sunday 28 September.

Are there any project timeframe requirements?

Your project start date needs to be after 1 June for each year’s March funding round, or after 1 December for each year’s September funding round, as this is when funding is paid. Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant. If your project is not completed within this timeframe, you may have to pay back some or all of the grant. Grants are not awarded retrospectively, so get cracking on your application now!

What type of applications are likely to receive a grant?

You are most likely to receive funding if your application is for a project or initiative that:

• Aligns with the top of the waste hierarchy by enabling residents or businesses to avoid waste, or reuse or repair items.
• Aligns with the waste streams in the material diversion targets in the WMMP and the Zero Carbon Plan 2030 (organics – food, garden, timber, paper, and textiles).
• Demonstrates a strong ability to deliver the project, expand local capability, and achieve strong waste minimisation outcomes.
• Can expand opportunities for diversion by increasing the variety of sustainable waste minimisation solutions available and develop new capabilities in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
• Demonstrates the potential for impact through the quantity and volume of material that will be minimised from reaching landfill by an applicant’s project.
• Aligns with the vision, actions, and objectives in the WMMP.

Other considerations:

• Collaborative and joint applications i.e., between community organisations.
• Creates equity for Māori, Pacifica, and new migrant communities.
• Contributes towards social, economic, environmental, and cultural outcomes.
• Local organisation.

What types of activities or expenses can I get funding for?

This depends on your project, some examples include:

• Materials
• Facilitator fees
• Wages
• Operational costs e.g., utilities and rent
• Venue or equipment hire
• Promotion and publicity of your event
• Catering for workshops, up to 5% maximum of the applied amount.

What types of activities or expenses can’t be applied for?

• Subsidising the cost of waste to landfill.
• Individuals working on private projects.
• Debt servicing.
• Activities which take place outside of Dunedin.
• Activities which duplicate other pilot projects.
• Travel (including transportation), food and/or accommodation.

Please note you will also need to meet the DCC grants funding general criteria (opens in new window).

Are there any required supporting documents?

• You must provide quotes to show the estimated costs of any equipment, venue hire, bulk materials, expert facilitation and, as appropriate, apportioned general running costs for the project (e.g. typical monthly power bill or rent).
• Please check that your project complies with regulations e.g. consent for large scale composting, and that you have included the information and evidence in your application.
• Health and safety planning will be required where appropriate e.g., public events.

What can I do to help my application succeed?

Rally the troops in your community and get them to write letters of support for the project or initiative.

How to apply

Waste Minimisation Community Grant applications must be submitted using the online form. Please complete an online form and attach the required supporting documents, these include quotes and/or job descriptions. Late and/or incomplete application may not be accepted.

Waste Minimisation Community Grant application form (opens in new window).

We strongly recommend you contact our Waste Minimisation Officer before you start your application as they can provide you with advice. Please contact us for further information on 03 477 4000.

How are decisions made?

Applications are assessed on their merits by the DCC staff who administer the fund, and then the Grants Sub-Committee allocate the fund as appropriate.

My application got accepted! What are our obligations?

We look forward to hearing how things went, both good and bad.

Are there any project timeframe requirements?

Your project start date needs to be after 1 June for each year’s March funding round, or after 1 December for each year’s September funding round, as this is when funding is paid. Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant. If your project is not completed within this timeframe, you may have to pay back some or all of the grant. Grants are not awarded retrospectively, i.e. your project must not have already commenced or be started prior to successful application funding provision being either 1 June or 1 December depending on grants round.

You will need to fill in an Accountability Form (opens in new window) and return it to the Waste and Environmental Solutions team within 12 months of receiving the grant money or within three months of completing your project, whichever comes first. If you have received a Waste Minimisation Grant before and have not completed an Accountability Form for it, you will not be able to apply for another grant from us. Please keep your receipts as you go, so these can be included with the form. If you have photos you wish to share, please make sure you have permission from any people in them as the DCC may use the photos on social media.

The purpose of the Waste Minimisation Commercial Grant is to build local capability in the resource recovery sector. It is intended to support local economic benefit and employment opportunities, innovation, and design which retains material and value from diverted material and/or minimises waste. This may take the form of infrastructure, services, new products, research and development, education and promotional activities. Collaborative projects are encouraged.

The Dunedin City Council (DCC) allocates up to $70,000 per year from the Waste Minimisation Contestable Grants Fund. Applications are open to any idea, project, initiative, or event that encourages, promotes, or administers waste minimisation activities in Ōtepoti Dunedin. The funds are generated from the waste levy which is determined by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE).

Who can apply?

These grants are available for Dunedin-based businesses and organisations for commercial activities taking place within the Dunedin region. Businesses and organisations who are wanting to establish themselves in Dunedin and offer employment will also be considered. Apps or similar digital platforms that serve to enable waste minimisation and provide employment in Dunedin but might be administered in another part of New Zealand, would be considered.

Please note, a group can only receive one Waste Minimisation Commercial Grant in each funding year (1 July - 30 June).

How much can I apply for?

The maximum you can apply for is $70,000. Please note a minimum 30% contribution is required from the applicant towards the total project cost of the project, initiative, or event. Contributions can include materials and wages of staff working on the project.

When can I apply?

Applications for the Waste Minimisation Commercial Grant are only open during the September funding round. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 28 September.

Are there any project timeframe requirements?

Funding is paid on 1 December each year, so your project needs to start after this date. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the grant start date. If your project is not completed within this timeframe, you may have to pay back some or all of the grant. Grants are not awarded retrospectively, so get cracking on your application now!

What types of applications are likely to receive a grant?

You are most likely to receive funding if your application is for a project or initiative that:

• Aligns with the top of the waste hierarchy by enabling residents or businesses to avoid waste, or reuse or repair items.
• Aligns with the waste streams in the material diversion targets in the WMMP and the Zero Carbon Plan 2030 (organics – food, garden, timber, paper, and textiles).
• Demonstrates a strong ability to deliver the project, expand local capability, and achieve strong waste minimisation outcomes.
• Can expand opportunities for diversion by increasing the variety of sustainable waste minimisation solutions available and developing new capabilities in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
• Demonstrates the potential for impact through the quantity and volume of material that will be minimised from reaching landfill by an applicant’s project.
• Aligns with the vision, actions, and objectives in the WMMP.

Other considerations:

• Collaborative and joint applications i.e., between community organisations.
• Creates equity for Māori, Pacifica, and new migrant communities.
• Contributes towards social, economic, environmental, and cultural outcomes.
• Local organisation.

What types of activities or expenses can I get funding for?

This depends on your project. Some examples include:

• Viability studies.
• Business case development outlining the purpose and scope of an innovation/idea.
• Design and development of a product or service.
• Materials and equipment.
• Pilot programmes and trials.
• Educational programmes.
• Research and development that is not aimed at supporting the attainment of a qualification.
• Waste and material diversion for reuse, recycling, or recovery.

Successful projects that have received waste minimisation commercial grant funding include Dunedin Craft Distillers. A Case Study - Dunedin Craft Distillers (opens in new window).

What types of activities or expenses can’t be applied for?

• Subsidising the cost of waste to landfill.
• Individuals working on private projects (must be a registered business).
• Debt servicing.
• Activities which take place outside of Dunedin.
• Activities which duplicate other demonstration projects or pilot projects.
• Research and development in support of gaining a qualification.
  Travel (including transportation), food and/or accommodation.

Are there any required supporting documents?

• You must provide at least two quotes for every cost to show the estimated expenditure of the project.
• Please check that your project complies with regulations e.g. consent for the particular operation, and that you have included the information and evidence in your application.
• Health and safety planning will be required where appropriate e.g., public events.

How to apply

Waste Minimisation Commercial Grant applications must be submitted using the online form. Please complete an online form and attach the required supporting documents, these include quotes and/or job descriptions. Late and/or incomplete applications may not be accepted.

Waste Minimisation Commercial Grant application form (opens in new window).

We strongly recommend you contact our Waste Minimisation Officer before you start your application as they can provide you with advice. Please contact us for further information on 03 477 4000.

How are decisions made?

Applications are assessed on their merits by the DCC staff who administer the fund and then the Grants Sub-Committee allocate the fund as appropriate

Our application got accepted! What are our obligations?

We look forward to hearing how things went, both good and bad.

Are there any project timeframe requirements?

Funding is paid on 1 December each year, so your project needs to start after this date. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the grant start date. If your project is not completed within this timeframe, you may have to pay back some or all of the grant. Grants are not awarded retrospectively, , i.e. your project must not have already commenced or be started prior to successful application funding provision being 1 December.

You will need to fill in an Accountability Form (opens in new window) and return it to the Waste and Environmental Solutions team within 12 months of receiving the grant money or within three months of completing your project, whichever comes first. If you have received a Waste Minimisation Grant before and have not completed an Accountability Form for it, you will not be able to apply for another grant from us. Please keep your receipts as you go, so these can be included with the form. If you have photos you wish to share, please make sure you have permission from any people in them as the DCC may use the photos on social media.