Today (5 February), WRAP Cymru announced the opening of a new round of its Large Scale Infrastructure & Reprocessing Facilities in Wales Fund for small and medium (SME) Welsh businesses.
The fund, first launched in September 2012, forms part of WRAP Cymru’s ARID (Accelerating Reprocessing Infrastructure Development) programme and aims to invest in ‘innovative waste reprocessing facilities’ to create roughly 100 new jobs in the most economically deprived areas of Wales and divert over 270,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.
Grants of between £250,000 and £500,000 – or up to 40 per cent match funding for infrastructure that provides ‘high-quality recyclate’ – are available to reprocessors that employ fewer than 250 people and have of turnover of less than €50 million and are situated in Wales's Convergence Region (comprised of West and North West Wales and the South Wales Valleys).
WRAP is particularly targeting commercial and industrial waste reprocessors that work with organics (excluding paper and card), plastics, treated or contaminated wood, WEEE, textiles, flooring, tiles, insulation and composites.
Bettina Gilbert, WRAP Cymru’s European Projects Manager, commented: “WRAP Cymru is serious about supporting small and medium reprocessors in Wales. We recognise that many small businesses find it difficult to secure capital, and hope that this grant will help encourage greater investment in this important sector.
“Investing in reprocessing infrastructure can deliver social and economic as well as environmental benefits, which is why this funding targets those regions of the country most in need of an economic boost. In addition our funding for recycling collections and manufacturers means new sources of recyclate for reprocessors and a larger domestic market for recycled materials.”
WRAP Cymru will be holding two events – one in Abercynon on 1 March and another in Conwy on 7 March – for businesses interested in applying to the fund to attend. These will provide information about the ‘new streamlined application process’ and the opportunity to talk to a WRAP Cymru Business Account Manager.
Businesses have until 30 April 2013 to apply.
Read more about the Large Scale Infrastructure and Reprocessing Facilities in Wales Fund.
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