A fund of £240,000 has been created in Northern Ireland to help third sector organisations increase their recycling capability.
The Rethink Waste Capital Fund, provided by the Department of the Environment, is available exclusively to voluntary and community sector organisations.
It aims to increase the amount of waste diverted from landfills, boost resource recovery, reduce waste arisings, and improve material quality. It is also hoped that the fund will improve business growth in the sector, and provide jobs and training opportunities
Funding of between £5,000 and £50,000 will be made available to projects that will be completed in 2014-15 and can demonstrate that any funding secured will be spent by 31 March 2015.
Collaborative partnerships between third sector and private and/or public are also welcome to apply as long as the third sector organisation is the lead partner.
The closing date for applications is 30 November 2014 and more details about the application process are available online.
‘A real boost for the voluntary and community sector’
The Environment Minister for Northern Ireland, Mark H Durkan, said: “This is a real boost for the voluntary and community sector, rate payers and the job market. The third sector is an important part of society and the social enterprise economy. Over the last decade it has been a leader in promoting a green economy ethos for resource efficiency and sustainability.
“The third sector has been particularly proactive in the reuse and recycling of materials otherwise destined for landfill such as furniture, bicycles, paint and electrical appliances. Their projects not only contribute to meeting European targets and improving the environment, but also create local employment, deliver new skills and provide training opportunities.”
He added: “Recent figures show that recycling is on the increase and for the first time less than half of household waste is going to landfill. As a society we must maintain this momentum and continue on a ‘Road to Zero Waste’; where waste does arise, we must use it as a valuable resource and not dump it in the ground.”
Read about Northern Ireland’s Rethink Waste Revenue Fund.
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.