Applications are now open for Round 4 of the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund (LGWS), with up to $2 million available to help councils and regional waste groups deliver innovative waste and recycling projects.
Grants of up to $200,000 for individual councils in the NSW waste levy area and up to $400,000 for collaborative projects are available in Round 4, open until 10 October 2025. This will be the final round of the $10 million program, delivered as part of the NSW Government's $356 million Waste and Sustainable Materials (WaSM) Strategy.
With a growing waste crisis in Greater Sydney putting pressure on landfill capacity and recycling systems, this opportunity will implement practical projects that recover more resources, cut waste and transition to a circular economy.
Since 2023, the program has invested $6.8 million in 34 projects, helping to pilot, scale and embed new circular economy solutions that cut waste, recover resources, and keep valuable materials in use.
NSW EPA Executive Director Programs and Innovation Alexandra Geddes said Round 4 will give local government the opportunity to build on this strong track record of innovation and impact.
"Councils are on the frontline of delivering real change in the way we manage waste and recover resources," Ms Geddes said.
"The program is supporting projects that will divert hundreds of tonnes of materials from landfill, from recycling child car seats and construction materials, to reducing single-use plastics and revitalising old bikes and textiles.
"This next round will provide $2 million to back the next wave of inspiring solutions that help transition NSW towards a circular economy."
Previous success stories include:
- Georges River Council: Awarded $43,815 under Round 1 to collect 3.7 tonnes of hard plastics, 29 cubic metres of polystyrene, 2.4 tonnes of cardboard and 296 child car seats through community drop-off events, paving the way for child car seat recycling.
- North East Waste: Given $166,400 under Round 1 to support better construction and demolition resource recovery systems, diverting 38 tonnes of gyprock and recovering 7.32 tonnes of reusable timber. A further $254,550 under Round 3 is targeting local businesses to shift their reliance on single-use plastic items and transition to reusable alternatives.
- Penrith Council: Provided $115,000 under Round 2 aims to keep bicycles and textiles out of landfill, by upskilling the community through events and workshops to give these items a new lease on life.
- Central Coast Council: Granted $199,724 under Round 3 to help make recycling unwanted textiles convenient and simple for the community by integrating a kerbside 'Bag-in-Bin' program for the yellow lid bin.
Projects funded in this round will be delivered between April 2026 – April 2027.
