NPDC Zero Waste Fund

Applicants can be individuals, organisations businesses, schools/education providers or community groups, but they must be based in and delivering to the New Plymouth District.  

Projects must promote or achieve new (can't be existing activities) waste minimisation activities within New Plymouth District. Consideration will be given to activities that:

• Fall in the upper two levels of the waste hierarchy - reduce, rethink, redesign, reuse. We're looking for projects that reduce resources being used, redesign products and processes to avoid waste, or keep things in use for as long as possible without significant reprocessing
  
• Are educational or research projects that align with these categories are also eligible.

• Promote or achieve a new waste minimisation activity, either by implementing new initiatives within New Plymouth District, or by significantly expanding the scope or coverage of existing activities*.
• Provide benefits to the wider community or a specific target group, e.g. school community, multiple businesses, mana whenua, community organisations.
• Should be for a discrete timeframe, with results achieved within one year. 
• *Funding will not be awarded for existing activities or the running costs of existing activities of organisations, but will be considered for the costs associated with the significant expansion or scaling-up of an existing project.

Examples of projects that will be considered include,, but are not limited to: 

• Reusable container schemes, promotion of reusable alternatives to single-use items, finding new ways to repurpose waste streams, and other circular economy solutions that achieve waste minimisation.
• Events, workshops and peer-to-peer learning projects that promote personal and community waste minimisation actions to the public or particular target audience.
• Construction or procurement of infrastructure that helps divert resources from landfill.
• Design of product stewardship schemes or other circular economy solutions that promote and achieve waste minimisation.
• Other initiatives that contribute to the actions and strategic priorities of NPDC and the NPDC Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.

Some examples of past recipients of the NPDC Zero Waste Fund:

• Stitch Up Society - encouraging people to make lifelong skills to fix, alter or upcycle textile items
• Zero Waste Solutions - waste audits for businesses in NP District
• New Plymouth City Band - instrument repair project
• Te Rau o Rongo Charitable Trust - He mahi Puwairakau - diverting organic waste from landfill, running composting workshops for Māori whānau
• The Seaside Market - Wash Against Waste trailer
• Mitre 10 - Polystyrene Recycling Programme trial
• Rua Timber Solutions: diverting treated wood into usable products.
• KAItiaki Composting: food scraps diversion trial working with local business and community groups to collect food scraps and produce compost.

• Funding can be for operational or capital expenditure necessary to deliver a successful project.
• Applications for all projects should be for a maximum of $15,000 (ex GST). For projects that may exceed this limit, please contact the Team before applying.
• Applicants must secure funding and/or resources from other sources such as other grants or through in-kind contributions, as we will not cover the entire cost of the project.
  • Note: An in-kind contribution is a contribution of goods or a service other than money. Some examples include: voluntary labour (e.g. painting work or installation), donated goods (e.g. wood or printing) or donated services (e.g. professional advice, graphic design).
• Please note that further evidence to support your applications may be requested throughout the Zero Waste funding process.

The level of reporting required will depend on the amount of funding NPDC approves. For project proposals greater than $5,000, reporting will be required at key milestones, as well as a final outcomes report. For projects seeking less than $5,000, a final one-off report will be required

When you apply through Smarty Grants you will be required to provide the following:

• A project plan, including an outline of the project its objectives, and how it meets the funding and assessment criteria.
• Measurable waste diversion potential.
• Your target audience and how you will promote your project. Please include how you will publicise the outcomes and community benefits that the funding provided to your project.
• An evaluation plan, including your proposed key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Budget, including a breakdown of estimated costs and secondary funding (such as in-kind funding). Include quotes where applicable.
• If your application is successful you will need to provide required financial information, e.g. proof of bank account, quotes and invoices.
• A commitment to report on progress and final outcomes of the project (as required).

All applications for funding will be assessed by a panel to ensure they align with the purpose of the and meet the funding requirements as outlined above.  Your project proposal should also demonstrate how the project meets the following criteria:

Alignment with the upper two levels (reduce, redesign, rethink, reuse, repair, repurpose) of the waste hierarchy, NPDC Waste Management and Minimisation Plan strategic priorities, and wider environmental benefits:

• Proposals must outline where they fall on the the waste hierarchy and demonstrate how they lead to either: 1) the elimination or measurable reduction of waste being disposed of to landfill; 2) new research about waste minimisation; or 3) waste-related education within the district.  
• Proposals should demonstrate how the projects aligns with one or more of the priorities set out in the NPDC Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.

New Waste Minimisation Activity:

• Proposals must demonstrate how the project will promote or achieve a new* waste minimisation activity, either by implementing new initiatives within New Plymouth District, or a significant expansion in the scope or coverage of existing activities within New Plymouth District.

*NB: funding will not be awarded for existing activities or the running costs of existing activities of organisations, individuals or groups.

Benefits within New Plymouth District 

• Proposals must demonstrate that the project will be delivered within New Plymouth District.
• Project proposals should outline the environmental, social, economic, and/or cultural benefits the project will provide to the wider New Plymouth District community and/or specific target group, e.g., school community, multiple businesses, community organisation. Examples of benefits include but are not limited to:
• The long-term behaviour change of the target group as it applies to waste minimisation.
• The upgrade or creation of new infrastructure or processes that will help divert waste from landfills.
• Socioeconomic benefits including considerations for how the project can benefit target audiences.
• Any benefits this project will achieve for Māori, or iwi, hapū or Māori organisations.

Project Planning and Evaluation

• Proposals should outline how the project will be completed within a discrete timeframe, with results achieved within one year* and include a project timeline listing key activities milestones.
• Proposals should outline how the effectiveness of the project will be monitored, evaluated and reported. Please include how you will measure all planned benefits by suggesting your key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Proposals should outline how the project will be sustained in the long term, especially if the funding is for the establishment phase of a longer-term project.

*NB: In some cases, multi-year funding may be awarded, with milestones and reporting requirements throughout the funded period.

Budget Requirements

• The proposal must include a comprehensive and accurate budget that outlines all estimated project costs (e.g., materials, labour, promotion, etc.) and must include any in-kind contributions* or funding from other sources required to successfully carry out the project.
• Proposals must show that the funding requested is not for ongoing financial support of existing activities or running costs and does not cover the entire cost of the project.

*NB: An in-kind contribution is a contribution of goods or a service other than money. Some examples include: voluntary labour (e.g. painting work or installation), donated goods (e.g. wood or printing) or donated services (e.g. professional advice, graphic design).

Ability to Deliver

• Proposals should provide a clear outline of your ability to successfully deliver the project including an explanation outlining the individual or project team’s relevant skills and experience required to successfully deliver the project.

Sorry, but we can't fund:

• Waste disposal or clean up events
• Existing activities or ongoing financial support of current activities
• Recycling or waste services (including event waste management) and rubbish / recycling bins
• Work that has already been completed