Scottish environment minister Ross Finnie has set up a 5 million fund to support community projects for recycling and waste reduction over the next two years. He also announced an extra 1 million is to be awarded to the Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) over the next two years.
” The community sector plays a significant role in reducing, reusing and recycling waste and raising awareness.“
– Ross Finnie
The CRNS which supports local groups involved in waste reduction, recycling education and public awareness campaigns will receive an additional 100,000 to recruit a community composting officer and encourage recycling initiatives within minority ethnic communities.
Speaking before a meeting of the European Community Recycling Network in Edinburgh, Mr Finnie said: “The community sector plays a significant role in reducing, reusing and recycling waste and raising awareness.
“Many community recycling groups provide employment and training opportunities for disadvantaged people and provide refurbished goods helping us in our drive to create a safer and more equitable society.”
Community recycling schemes which already receive funding from the Scottish Executive include: – the Edinburgh Furniture Initiative (EFI); the Coach House Trust, Glasgow; Grangemouth Enterprises, Falkirk; Moray Waste Busters and the GRAB Trust in Argyll and Bute.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland community and voluntary sector groups are being offered grants of up to 150,000 a year for innovative waste reduction schemes.
Environment minister Angela Smith has said the new 1 million Community Waste Innovation Fund is designed to encourage sustainable waste management projects that will reduce the demand for landfill in the province.
The fund will replace the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) and its successor, the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme Interim Replacement Fund. Projects will be assessed according to how they best contribute to the implementation of the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy and Waste Management Plans
Mrs Smith praised the role of community groups in developing initiatives in the province but stressed: “The overall strategic objective is still to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
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“The voluntary sector makes an invaluable contribution in the fight against waste in Northern Ireland. This latest scheme that will assist these organisations in the delivery of innovative waste minimisation and diversion projects.”
The maximum grant available is 150,000 per year and the closing date for applications is Thursday 31 March.
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