The NSW Government is calling on community groups to apply for a share of $1.6million in grants to tackle litter in their local area.
Both the Community Litter Grant program and the Council Litter Grant program are open to applications. A total of $1.1 million is available under the community program to not-for-profit organisations to implement litter prevention projects. A further $500,000 is available to individual councils under the council program.
“Community groups and councils are a crucial part to tackling and preventing litter. It’s locals who know the litter hotspots and locals who can see practical and effective solutions,” Director Resource Recovery Amanda Kane said.
“Men’s Sheds, Scout groups, sports clubs – all types of not-for-profit organisations can put their hand up and apply for these grants to make a real change in their community when it comes to litter.
“More than 200 projects have already been funded under this grant program with incredible results – some community groups have recorded up to 80 per cent reduction in litter in their targeted hotspot.
“We want to encourage any community group or councils that has been thinking of tackling a litter problem in their area to get in touch and apply for one of these grants.”
The community grants support a range of litter initiatives including community education and engagement, cleaning up, new bins, and promoting the Report to EPA littering from vehicle program.
The council grants will provide councils with support to run local clean-ups, train staff and land managers on how to prevent and manage litter problems and install new infrastructure.
A team of litter experts is on hand to help community grant recipients plan and implement their projects.
“These grants will enable community groups and councils to take action in their suburbs,” Ms Kane said.
The NSW Government is committed to reducing the volume of litter by 40 per cent by the year 2020. NSW is on track to reach that target, having recorded a reduction of 37 per cent so far.
Source: NSW EPA