5/1/01
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the Bayswater company MacDonald Johnston Engineering had been given a $73,175 grant to develop procedures to reduce glass breakage during recyclable collection.
The grant was just one of 56 Waste Management and Recycling Fund approved projects worth over $1.4 million announced by Mrs Edwardes.
She said the Waste Management and Recycling Fund was making a significant contribution to reducing the State’s waste, with the latest round of funding bringing the total of grants approved under the fund to nearly $5.9 million.
“The fund was introduced in July, 1998 and has since proved to be an invaluable incentive to local government, industry and community groups dedicated to recycling and waste reduction,” Mrs Edwardes said.
“By sponsoring innovative recycling and waste reduction projects, the fund will help to reduce waste significantly and minimise environmental impact.
“MacDonald Johnston Engineering Company are developing procedures and adaptations to reduce glass breakage levels during kerbside recyclable collection.
“Glass is a major recoverable item from the recycling process, however broken glass reduces the recycling value and can contaminate other recyclable materials.
“This project has the potential to prevent recycled glass breakage by 10 per cent, which will significantly improve the economics of collection.”
Mrs Edwardes said the Waste Management and Recycling Fund was raised through a landfill levy introduced on July 1, 1998. The levy applied to all landfill sites in the Perth metropolitan area.
Each year, about $4.5 million is raised from the levy and paid into the fund. The fund supports direct grants to the community, local government kerbside recycling schemes, public education programs, regional waste recycling, cleaner production, recycling industry development, and recycling and waste auditing programs.
Applications are invited every two months for funding under seven program categories. Applications are assessed by the Advisory Council on Waste Management, with grants generally being made on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
“The fund is providing a great opportunity for many applicants to get their recycling or waste management ideas up and running,” Mrs Edwardes said.
The number of funding rounds has now increased from twice yearly to six times each year. The next round will close on Friday, February 23. Inquiries for grants should be directed to the Funded Programs Section of the Department of Environmental Protection on 9222 8608.
Media contact:
Steve Manchee 9421 7777
