Apply now for Waste Minimisation Fund 2025 (New Zealand)

Their goal is to encourage community participation, education and long-term behaviour change that benefits the District and contributes to sustainable waste minimisation and management.

Funding Priorities

• Priority will be given to projects that:
  • Align with at least one action from the Whangārei District Council’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.
  • Deliver long-term benefits and promote long-term behaviour change.
  • Involve business-community partnerships.
  • Are developed in collaboration with other organisations involved in waste minimisation.
  • Are ongoing and self-sustaining beyond the funding period.

Funding Information

• There are two funding rounds per year, with the following options:
  • standard funding: $1,000 to $5,000
  • special projects: $5,000 to $30,000

Eligible Activities

• As examples, funding may be used for:
  • Waste minimisation education programmes.
  • Materials and equipment for waste reduction projects.
  • Trials and pilot programmes.
  • Workshops focused on waste minimisation.

Eligible Projects

• To be eligible for funding, projects must:
  • Focus on waste reduction – reducing waste at its source.
  • Promote reuse, recycling and recovery of waste and diverted materials.
  • Deliver measurable waste minimisation outcomes.
  • Take place within Whangārei District or provide a clear benefit to the Whangārei community.
  • Use the allocated funds within 12 months of receiving the grant.
  • Be submitted by a legally registered entity or an organisation under an umbrella legal entity.
  • Align with the goals and objectives of Whangārei District Council’s Waste Management
  • and Minimisation Plan.
  • Encourage innovative approaches – while new activities are preferred, expansions of existing projects may also be considered.

Ineligible Projects

• Funding will not be provided for:
  • waste disposal or treatment for disposal/clean-ups
  • projects that do not align with the Council’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2023 and funding priorities
  • general environmental education programmes (only educational projects that specifically promote waste minimisation are eligible)
  • projects outside the Whangārei District
  • retrospective projects, including funding for work already completed or debt repayment
  • activities that duplicate existing demonstration projects or pilot studies
  • rental leases
  • funding deposited into personal bank accounts (only organisational accounts are accepted)
  • waste minimisation projects already receiving Ministry for the Environment funding or Council funding
  • specialist or private recycling programmes, such as:
    • soft plastics recycling
    • bottle cap collections
    • liquid paperboard (e.g. Tetra Pak) recycling.

Eligibility Criteria

• The fund is open to:
  • community groups
  • businesses
  • iwi/Māori organisations
  • educational institutions
  • other community-based organisations operating in or benefiting Whangārei.

Application Requirements

• To ensure a smooth application process, please provide the following:
  • Completed application form: Answer all questions thoroughly. Incomplete applications may result in delays.
  • Required attachments: Include all requested documents and clearly label any additional materials.
  • Financial information: Provide a bank account in the organisation’s name and proof of financial stability (e.g. annual or audited accounts).
• Cost evidence requirements
  • Provide clear evidence of all costs related to your application, such as:
    • quotes
    • product advertisements
    • reports
    • budgets.
    • Verbal quotes will not be accepted.
  • GST considerations:
    • If you are GST-registered, do not include GST in your project cost breakdown.
    • If you are not GST-registered, the Council will adjust the funding application accordingly.

For more information, visit Whangarei District Council.