NSW businesses are being supported to reduce their waste, reduce emissions and transition to a circular economy, with $6 million available in grants through the new Bin Trim Networks Program.
Minister for Environment James Griffin said the Bin Trim small and medium business funding is the largest business recycling program in the country.
"Reducing waste can be challenging for small and medium businesses, which is why we're helping with grants of between $150,000 and $500,000," Mr Griffin said.
"This funding will support businesses to develop new partnerships, eliminate unnecessary packaging and reduce the amount of plastic, organics and other waste that currently goes to landfill.
"Already, our Bin Trim grants have supported more than 38,000 businesses divert more than 260,000 tonnes of waste from landfill, and this new $6 million expansion will go even further.
"This is all part of our massive push in NSW to transition to a circular economy, and reach our target of recovering 80 per cent of all waste streams by 2030."
The expanded Bin Trim Networks program is part of the NSW Government's ambitious $356 million Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, which aims to kick-start the circular economy, tackle plastic waste, boost waste infrastructure investment and reduce carbon emissions.
In a recent Bin Trim project, Edge Environment used its funding to help the surfing wholesaler Surf Hardware International design out plastics and replace packaging with almost 100 per cent recyclable cardboard and paper.
Edge Environment's Mike Twemlow said the project transformed the packaging of top selling surf brand products, including leg ropes, surf fins and surfboard grips, preventing more than 211 tonnes of unnecessary packaging from going to landfill, and avoiding future plastic waste.
"Customers and surf shop managers across NSW told us they'd much prefer to buy products with less packaging, or packaged in cardboard or paper rather than plastic, so we worked with Surf Hardware International along its supply chains to achieve that across brands and items," Mr Twemlow said.
"This is a great outcome for the surf community, which really values sustainability."
Other successful Bin Trim projects include local cafes working together to divert food waste into compost, and a coffee producer recovering coffee husks and packaging for recycling.
Under the Bin Trim Networks program, businesses across different sectors, precincts or supply chains are being encouraged to collaborate to address problem waste materials.
Applications for Intake 1 are open from 12 December 2022 and close on 24 March 2023. Information sessions will be held to assist applicants.
The Bin Trim Networks program is part of the Circular Business Program. They are part of the NSW Government's Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy backed by $356 million over five years.
Find out more about Bin Trim Networks Program grants.
