Recycling Innovation

The Recycling Innovation grants program targets innovative solutions for priority problem wastes.

This program is now open to applications. Applications close 3pm Thursday, 27 June 2019.

Recycling Innovation combines 2 previous programs:

  • Innovation in Priority Problem Waste Management
  • Innovation in Shredder Floc Management.

Purpose

This $16.5 million program is aimed at innovative projects that will:

  • provide new recycling infrastructure solutions
  • establish (or expand) recycled material markets through research and development
  • improve and introduce new approaches and technologies to increase the efficiency of recycling facilities for the wastes listed in the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) priority problem wastes list.

The program focuses on these priority problem wastes:

  • plastic film and other plastics
  • copper chrome arsenic (CCA) timber and other treated timbers
  • tyres and rubber
  • nappies and incontinence pads
  • electronic waste (e-waste)
  • shredder floc.

However, we’ll consider strong and compelling proposals for other wastes such as:

  • materials that lack established recycled material markets in NSW
  • residue wastes generated from recycling processes
  • contaminants that if removed could increase the recovery of a waste stream
  • streams of low volume but highly toxic waste that pose significant risk of harm to the environment and human health.

We prefer projects that incorporate research, development and investment in technology or infrastructure with demonstrated commercial application.

We’re delivering this program in partnership with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) under the EPA’s Waste Less, Recycle More program.

Streams

The program has 2 streams.

Stream 1 supports innovative infrastructure projects that demonstrate new and emerging technologies. We prefer projects that have reached at least the early stage of commercialisation.

Stream 2 supports research and development that can help establish markets for recycled materials from priority problem wastes. Projects can include:

  • design and development of new commercial products that use recycled materials
  • development of new markets for existing products (e.g. through field trials and product testing).

Funding available

We offer grants to cover up to 50% of project costs to the following amounts:

  • Stream 1 – from $100,000 to $1 million
  • Stream 2 – from $20,000 to $200,000.

Who can apply?

We preferred projects that:

  • involved partnerships between industry and tertiary/research organisations
  • incorporated research, development and investment in technology or infrastructure with demonstrated commercial application.

When can applications be made?

This program is currently closed for applications.

 

Project measures table

Use the project measures table – Stream 1 (XLSX 59KB) or project measures table – Stream 2 (XLSX 64KB) to help you set the baseline for your project (its starting point), create targets and record progress, so that you can quickly check how you’re tracking and record your achievements.

You’ll need to update and submit the project measures table every time you report on your project’s progress.

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.

Use the milestone report form (DOCX 75KB) and final reporting form (DOCX 75KB) for these reports.

Financial reports

You must submit a statement of expenditure – stream 1 (XLSX 16KB) or statement of expenditure – stream 2 (XLSX 16KB) with all your milestone reports. You also need to submit a certified financial report as part of your final report.

Other documents

You may also have to submit some other documents or evidence. They’ll be listed in the grant agreement we send you.

Acknowledgement requirement

Please acknowledge the funding you’ve received from the Trust in all publications and materials related to your project. We ask that you say:

This project was supported by the Environmental Trust as part of the NSW EPA’s Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, funded from the waste levy.

You also need to use the logos of the NSW Government and the NSW Environment Protection Authority. See Funding acknowledgement and logos for details.

In 2016 (round 2)
  • Stream 1 allocated $1,503,969 to 3 projects
  • Stream 2 allocated $457,700 to 3 projects
In 2015 (round 1)
  • Stream 1 allocated $6,404,468 to 13 projects
  • Stream 2 allocated $488,560 to 7 projects

Project summaries