Organics Collections

This program supports the collection of food and garden organic waste from households.

The Organics Collections (Household stream) grants program is now open, closing 5pm Thursday, 28 October 2021.

Purpose

This program aims to divert food and garden waste from landfill and redirect it to organics processing facilities. It complements the Organics Infrastructure – Processing grant program, which funds the establishment of processing facilities.

Organics Collections (Household stream) grants provide funding to implement new garden only, food only or combined food and garden organics kerbside collection services. The funding supports audits, community education and the purchase of infrastructure such as bins and kitchen caddies.

The Organics Collections (Household stream) grants program's objectives are to:

  • increase the diversion of source separated food and garden waste from landfill
  • support councils to transition from Alternative Waste Treatment (AWT) processing to source separated organics services
  • increase expertise and experience in delivering organics collections in multi-unit dwellings (MUDs).

This program is being delivered by the NSW Environmental Trust in partnership with the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Additional information can be found on the EPA website.

Before 2017, this program was called the Local Government Organics Collection Systems (LGOCS) grants program.

Funding available

Household stream

Grants of up to $1.3 million per project are available for:

  • Introduction of a kerbside organics bin collection service for households that do not currently have a kerbside organics bin.
  • Introduction of an enhanced kerbside organics service, i.e. households which currently have a kerbside organics bin for garden waste will now be able to recycle food waste.
  • Expansion of kerbside organics collection services to include multi-unit dwellings (MUDs).
  • Minimum 8-month trials of organics collection services in multi-unit dwellings (MUDs).

Applications may include both single-unit dwellings (SUDs) and MUDs, or separate applications may be submitted for each.

New or enhanced kerbside organics collection services for SUDs must be operational within 2 years of being awarded grant funding. MUD trials must be underway within 6 months.

Who can apply?

The following organisations are eligible to apply:

  • individual NSW councils (as defined in the Local Government Act 1993)
  • regional waste groups, regional organisations of councils and joint organisations of councils (these groups can apply for grants themselves or coordinate projects on behalf of one or more of their member councils, noting that each council must nominate a contact person for the project).

When can applications be made?

The Organics Collections (Household stream) program is now open. All applications for the 2021 round of the program must be made via the Trust's online Grants Management System (GMS). Please refer to the section below for more information.

It is recommended that you read the application guidelines and the GMS online portal user manual before beginning an online application.

The Grants Management System (GMS) manages the whole of the grant process online, from application submission through to grant acquittal and project evaluation.

If your funding application is successful, you will use the GMS to lodge documents related to the project, such as work plans, variations, progress reports and final reports.

Log in or register for the GMS

The GMS will collect some information about your organisation. The Privacy Policy outlines how this information will be managed.

For further guidance, download the Grants Management System Online Portal User Manual.

In addition to the GMS online application form, you will also need to complete and upload the project expenditure breakdown spreadsheet and a timeline Gantt chart or similar format as part of your application. Please refer to the sample templates below when preparing your application.

It is recommended you read the guidelines before completing your application.

If you are successful in obtaining funding for your project, you will need to provide regular reports on your progress.

Project measures table

A project measures table will be provided to you with your grant agreement. The project measures table will assist with setting the project baseline, creating targets, recording progress and project achievements.

An updated project measures table will need to be submitted with each progress report.

Progress reports and final report

As you move through your project, you'll have to submit milestone (progress) reports. These will outline what you've achieved and what you'll do next.

Milestone reports are reviewed by technical experts who ensure you're on the right track and give you feedback or advice. After your report is reviewed and accepted, we'll pay your next grant instalment.

When your project finishes, you'll have to submit a final report that says what it has achieved.

Please use milestone report form (DOCX 75KB) and final reporting form (DOCX 75KB) for these reports.

Financial reports

You must submit a statement of expenditure with each milestone report. A certified financial report will be required as part of the final report.

Other documents

You may be required to submit other documents or evidence as listed in your grant agreement.

Where to send reports

Please email reports and other documents to waste.recycling@environmentaltrust.nsw.gov.au (50MB limit).

Acknowledgement requirement

You are required to acknowledge the funding you have received from the Trust in all publications and materials related to your project. Please use the wording below:

This project is supported by the Environmental Trust as part of the NSW Environment Protection Authority's Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.

You also need to use the NSW Government logo. See Funding acknowledgement and logos for details.

  • In 2020 a total of $2,669,314 was awarded to 8 projects under the Household Stream.
  • In 2019 a total of $780,043 was awarded to 3 projects under the Business Stream.
  • In 2019 a total of $1,219,882 was awarded to 2 councils under the Household Stream.
  • In 2018 a total of $369,420 was awarded to 3 projects under the Business Stream.
  • In 2018 a total of $4,562,966 was awarded to 7 councils under the Household Stream.
  • In 2017 a total of $2,011,127 was awarded to 7 councils.
  • In 2016 a total of $1,656,231 was awarded to 4 councils.
  • In 2015 a total of $3,514,306 was awarded to 7 councils.
  • In 2014 a total of $5,805,566 was awarded to 10 councils.
  • In 2013 a total of $6,519,811 was awarded to 21 councils.

Project summaries