The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has announced up to $300,000 in grants will be available to eligible non-profit organizations with projects that focus on sustainable waste diversion.
The main focus of the Zero Waste Recycling Funding (ZWRF) program is to support projects that align with the RDN’s goal of 90 per cent diversion of waste from the landfill by 2029, according to a media release from the regional district. Proposals can include:
- Research and recycling hubs for hard to recycle items
- Reduction and redesign of materials
- Re-using, repairing and reprocessing of materials
- Investigating barriers to recycling
“The ZWRF program has shown governments play an important role in helping organizations develop effective waste-reduction initiatives as part of building a circular economy,” said Tyler Brown, RDN chair. “There are many benefits to a circular economy including healthier and more sustainable communities and a lighter environmental footprint, both of which are strategic priorities for the RDN.”
A circular economy retains and recovers as much value as possible from resources by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, repurposing or recycling products and materials, according to the Canadian government.
The ZWRF program is an initiative of the RDN’s Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). The SWMP reflects a long-term vision for how the regional district manages its solid waste, including diversion and disposal. The RDN said grant applications will be evaluated using several criteria aligned with the SWMP and funding award preference will be given to applications from non-profit organizations operating in the RDN that meet the following objectives:
• Maximize waste diversion
• Sustainable projects that do not rely on ongoing funding
• Improved convenience for repurposing and recycling of end-of-life materials
• Innovation in developing markets or processes
• Collaboration and partnerships that leverage the funding to maximize community benefit
Organizations have until 12 p.m. on Oct. 11 to apply for funding, according to the RDN.
