EPA funds $250k for regional circular waste solutions

A NEW reuse initiative in the Northern Rivers has received more than $250,000 in EPA funding to help local businesses move away from single-use packaging.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has awarded NE Waste and its seven Northern Rivers member councils $254,550 under the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund.

The project, titled Transitioning regional NSW to reusables one plate at a time, will support trials of reusable systems in businesses, schools, and community settings across the region.

Certified ‘compostable’ single-use containers — including burger boxes, bamboo plates and coffee cups — are not accepted at commercial compost facilities due to their chemical coatings. Containers with food scraps also cannot be recycled, contributing to high landfill volumes at events and venues.

NE Waste Education Coordinator Linda Tohver said that more than 50 per cent of event waste could be diverted from landfill by switching to reusable plates, bowls, and drink containers.

“The CO₂ savings from reusables far outweigh the convenience of single-use as well,” Tohver said.

“Through this funding, we will have the opportunity to collaborate with business, community and schools, trial and showcase successful reusable systems, improve infrastructure, share learnings across regional NSW and build on work currently being done in Byron Shire Council.”

Member for Lismore and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said the region was on the cusp of a waste crisis.

“We need to be looking for new ways to minimise waste and keep valuable resources out of landfill,” Saffin said.

“NE Waste does great work in education, research and program delivery around the way we manage waste in our region.

“Their research shows that consumers and businesses are confused about recycling when it comes to things like certified ‘compostable’ items.”

Round four of the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund will open in September, with funding of between $200,000 and $400,000 available to individual councils, council groups and regional waste groups in the levy-paying area.

For more information, visit the EPA website.