Innovative local solutions to accelerate recycling rates and reward people for doing the right thing will be given a Dragon’s Den-style kick start under plans outlined by Lord Henley today.
As announced in the Government’s waste review, published last week, Defra will provide up to £2 million over the next three years to help fund the best new local projects that look into fresh ways to help people recycle more and produce less waste.
Lord Henley said:
“People want to do the right thing and recycle more - and local communities know what’s best to make this happen.
“I want to tap into the ideas from the best and brightest local entrepreneurs and organisations to develop exciting and innovative new ways to boost our recycling rates even further.”
Community groups, charities and local authorities can bid for a share of the first £500,000 of funding until 26 July 2011, and Defra will begin advising successful applicants from 16 August.
Funding will only be allocated to genuinely innovative projects that reward or recognise individuals or communities, and are tailored to local situations and different collection systems and housing types.
Rewards are not limited to financial incentives and could include vouchers, redemption points for local facilities, discounts on goods and services and donations to charities.
This could help councils and charities to achieve a win-win situation where people are encouraged to do their bit, less waste is sent to landfill and councils and charities can benefit financially.
Note to editors
Details on how to apply for Defra’s Reward and Recognition scheme can be found here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/consumer/reward-scheme/.
Defra published the Government’s Review of Waste policy on 14 June 2011: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/06/14/waste-review-published/.