The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 places responsibility on local government (territorial authorities) to promote effective and efficient waste management and minimisation within their districts.

Apply for the Waste Minimisation Grant

Applications close at midnight on 31 May 2024.

Please check the eligibility(external link) of your request before filling out an application form.

For assistance email cwjc@ccc.govt.nz.

The Canterbury Waste Joint Committee is responsible for advancing regional solid waste and hazardous waste minimisation in Canterbury. Regional waste minimisation initiatives actioned by the Committee are in addition to member Councils' responsibilities as required by the Waste Minimisation Act 2008, and as set out in each Councils' respective waste minimisation plan.

For projects that have a local application only, please see your council for funding available. The following Councils are represented on the Committee. For more information on this regional fund, please contact your council and ask to speak to a waste staff member.

Environment Canterbury staff provide ongoing advice relating to minimising hazardous wastes and substances.

The Committee's Constituting Agreement [PDF, 23 KB] and Regional Waste Agreement [PDF, 7 KB] govern its operations. Decisions on grants are made by the elected members of the member Councils meeting as the Canterbury Waste Joint Committee, based on written Staff Group reports.

Projects supported by the Committee aim to link strategically with initiatives run by national organisations including WasteMINZ, Local Government NZ and the Ministry for the Environment. Government procurement can and should be used to support wider social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes.

Contact details

Email questions and applications to cwjc@ccc.govt.nz

Proposals invited

The Committee annually invites proposals for suitable waste minimisation project proposals within the Canterbury region.

Proposals assessed to be of sufficient potential value and meeting the criteria set out below will be presented to the Committee. The total annual budget for all projects is $112,000.

Eligibility criteria

  • Only waste minimisation projects with broad regional application in Canterbury will be considered. 
  • Individual grants will be limited to no more than $50,000 (excluding internal staff time).
  • Co-funding from other sources of a minimum of 40% of total project costs will be preferred. Where possible projects should demonstrate cross-sector support/participation and/or ongoing viability.
  • The applicant must be a legal entity.

Assessment criteria

  • Contribute towards one or more of: Waste avoidance; Reduction of waste to landfill; Recovery of resources.
  • Demonstrated ability by the applicant to deliver the project and relevant track record of applicant. 
  • Clearly identified measurability of outcomes.
  • Circular economy principles should be considered, where relevant (e.g. the whole lifecycle of a product is accounted for).
  • Projects fostering innovation are preferred.
  • Details of self-funding and co-funding contributions for the proposed project must be provided.

Process timeline

  • Online applications(external link) must be received by no later than 31 May 2024.
  • In June the Committee's Staff Group will assess applications to shortlist proposals. The Staff Group may request additional information or clarification.
  • The Staff Group will submit all applications received and evaluated to the Committee, plus a shortlist of proposed projects for consideration by the Committee.
  • In August the Committee will consider and select successful projects. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email of the outcome shortly thereafter.

Other funds

Previously funded projects

Project Year Applicant Description Funding
Event Waste Reduction Planning 2022 A and P Show(external link) Waste reduction feasibility study for a large event that can be shared with other large agricultural events. $10,000
Repair Café project 2022 Te Puna Auaha Lyttelton Trust (external link)
Board(external link)
Items to set up a repair café for the community to have assistance fixing broken items. $15,600
Second-hand bike repairs 2022  Rad bikes(external link) Recycling and repairing bikes using second-hand parts. $16,500
Repair and reuse of medical items 2022  Medsalv(external link) Repair and certified sanitisation of single-use medical devices for safe reuse. $14,999
PVC pipe recycling 2022  Rx Plastics(external link) Project to allow for PVC pipes to be recycled rather than landfilled. $16,200
Food waste reduction app 2022  Foodprint(external link) App for cafes and the public to connect to reduce waste of highly perishable and difficult-to-donate food goods. $42,200
School lunches waste reduction 2022  Waipara School(external link) Provision of a system to reduce single-use packaging and food waste. $2,500
School lunches waste reduction 2022  Leithfield School(external link) Provision of a system to reduce single-use packaging and food waste. $4,000
Bike repair skills 2021 Waimakariri District Council(external link) Support for employment and skills taught in bike repairs on second hand bikes and parts. $10,000
Case Study for Linen Use Reduction 2021 Canterbury Linen Services(external link) Investigation into the reduction of fabrics going to landfill. $21,000
School Food Waste Reduction Project   2021 Nourish Oraka Ltd(external link) Food Waste Reduction – Durable Lunch Boxes. $3,186
Workshops to Reduce Textile Waste 2021 Stitch O Mat Community workshops to provide sewing machines and lessons to teach repair skills reducing clothing disposed of. $6,000
School Reusable Lunch and Food Scrap Containers 2021 Kai for Kids(external link) Education to students parents and teachers on the reduction of waste from school lunches.  $979
Food Rescue Project 2021 Satisfy Food Rescue(external link) Chilled container hire to store rescued food to take to community organisations for distribution. $12,454
Waste Free Periods Education 2021 Timaru District Council(external link) Education provided to school students on reusable sanitary products. $30,842