With the banning of single-use plastics across NSW, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is facilitating a grants program!
Available funding
A total of $5 million is available under Round 1. Funding will be available through two streams:
Aims
The Circular Plastics Program provides new grant funding opportunities under the $10 million Circular Materials Fund (CMF). The CMF was created to support businesses in the transition to better plastic products and increase the recycling rate of plastics in NSW. This transition is a key action of the Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041 and NSW Plastics Action Plan. The objectives of the CMF are to:
- Reduce the amount of virgin plastic used
- Reduce the amount of hard-to-recycle plastics used
- Increase the amount of recycled plastic in products
- Catalyse partnerships between producers, end users and the resource recovery sector.
Application process
Before applying, applicants should review the Guidelines for Applicants to determine whether their proposed project meets project eligibility requirements.
The Circular Plastics Program application process will be conducted in two stages:
Stage 1: Expression of Interest
Applicants will complete an EOI through the SmartyGrants platform outlining the proposed project, including activities to be delivered and outlining the commercial viability of the project. Applications will be assessed by an independent Technical Review Committee (TRC) who will then recommend a shortlist of projects to progress to stage 2.
Stage 2: Detailed applications
Shortlisted applicants from stage 1 will be invited to progress to stage 2. In stage 2, applicants will have eight weeks to develop their final grant application, formalise partnerships, and complete a detailed budget and cost-benefit and financial analysis. The TRC will then assess the final applications and accompanying documents against the program guidelines and assessment criteria, to recommend projects to the EPA to be funded.
Download the Guidelines for Applicants here.
Read more on the official grants page here.
More information
Contact the Waste and Recycling Infrastructure Unit:
Email: infrastructure.grants@epa.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9995 6920 or (02) 8837 6315.
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