Media Statements - Grant to help reduce home waste

8/1/01

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes has announced a grant of almost $70,000 to local government authorities to produce a waste minimisation video.

The Minister congratulated the Shires of Kalamunda, Waroona, Murray and Mundaring, and the Cities of Belmont, Armadale, Gosnells, Bayswater and South Perth, together with Cleanaway WA and Elephant Productions Council who will receive $69,041.50 from the Waste Management and Recycling Fund to produce the video.

The grant is one of 55 approved projects worth almost $1.4 million announced by Mrs Edwardes.

She said the 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 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,” the Minister said.

“By sponsoring innovative recycling and waste reduction projects the fund helps significantly reduce waste and minimise environmental impact.

“The local councils, Cleanaway and Elephant Productions will distribute this video free of charge to every household in the nine council areas. The video will inform residents about correct techniques and tips for effective waste reduction within the home.

“This project will contribute to increasing community awareness of the importance of waste reduction and recycling for our environment.”

Mrs Edwardes said the Waste Management and Recycling Fund was raised through a landfill levy. 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.”

“I believe the fund is providing a great opportunity for many applicants to get their recycling or waste management ideas up and running,” Mrs Edwardes said.

Application forms and details of the grant scheme can be obtained direct from the Department of Environmental Protection at Level 4, Westralia Square, 141 St George’s Terrace, Perth; by telephone on (08) 9222 8608 or from its web site at http://www.environ.wa.gov.au

Media contact:
Steve Manchee 9421 7777