Media Statements - $10,000 grant to help Meneghello Galvanising reduce waste

11/12/00

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said Meneghello Galvanizing Services has received a grant of $10,000 in the latest round of grants from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund.

The grant funding will go towards a cleaner production audit of Meneghello Galvanizing operations at Landsdale looking for opportunities to prevent, reduce, re-use and recycle resources that are currently disposed to landfill.

In this project acid zinc and related wastes will be reused in Meneghello Galvanizing operations.

Mrs Edwardes said Meneghello Galvanizing Services was one of 41 recipients of grants from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund totalling $1.02 million that were announced today.

Western Australia’s Waste Management and Recycling Fund is raised from a levy on waste disposed to landfill. It is used to sponsor innovative waste reduction and recycling activities throughout the State.

“Each year almost $5 million is raised from the levy,” Mrs Edwardes.

“Under the grants program, financial assistance is given to local communities, industry and local government organisations who have projects which will contribute towards the achievement of the State’s waste reduction targets.

“The grants are generally on a dollar for dollar basis and the preparedness of applicants to be equal partners in the projects demonstrates their commitment.”

Meneghello Galvanizing Services believes this project has the potential to eliminate over 2,500 tonnes of heavy metal waste that are currently landfilled and identify efficiencies that produce savings from waste minimisation.

Mrs Edwardes congratulated all successful recipients of grants in this funding round.

The total amount of grant funding under the program now totals over $6 million. An additional $2.2 million has also been allocated from the fund under the Municipal Recycling Services rebate scheme, which is a performance based incentive to local councils to reward them for their kerbside recycling collection efforts.

Mrs Edwardes reminded potential applicants that these grants will be advertised more frequently in future.

“The number of funding rounds has now increased from twice yearly to six times each year,” she said.

The round that has recently been advertised will close on Friday, December 29. Inquiries for grants should be directed to the Funded Programs section of the Department of Environmental Protection on 9222 8608.

Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9421 7777