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Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

Waste Minimisation Fund

The Waste Minimisation Fund seeks to inspire and support waste minimisation projects that involve the community and promote education while benefiting our communities.

Our goal is to encourage long-term waste minimisation action and behaviour change, ultimately reducing waste to landfill. By working together and supporting one another, we can achieve our vision, goals, and objectives for waste minimization.

We welcome applications for a wide range of projects, including:

  • Reducing food waste
  • Reuse and repair initiatives
  • Community education or behaviour change programmes
  • Waste reduction pilots or trials

If your idea helps reduce waste and benefits the community, we want to hear about it.

 Applications are open to organisations based in the district, including:

  • Local businesses, big or small
  • Daycare, kindergartens, Kura Kaupapa Maaori, schools and adult educators
  • Community-based groups or organisations
  • Marae

Please note: Individuals are not eligible to apply.

We have a budget of $100,000 from the Waste Minimisation Fund which is funded by the Ministry of the Environment to distribute annually and one funding round per year.

The Fund is contestable, and each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by an Application Assessment Panel based on its merits.

Applications open Wednesday 22 April and close Friday 22 May 2026.

Waste Minimisation Fund Guidelines

pdf,  185 KB Download

When filling in the application please ensure you:

  • Answer all questions on the application form to avoid delays in processing.
  • Include all requested attachments and identify any additional material.
  • Provide the organization's bank account and financial stability proof through annual or audited accounts.
  • Provide evidence of all costs, including details, that you're applying for. Example, quotations, product advertisements, reports, and budgets. Verbal quotes are not accepted.
  • If applicants are GST registered, GST must not be included in the breakdown of project costs. If applicants are not GST registered, the Council will make the necessary adjustments to the funding application.
  • Complete the checklist at the end of the form to make sure you have included all the necessary information.

Your application will then be assessed by a panel comprising of three members, one Council staff member, and two external community members.

The panel will submit a report to Council senior management with recommendations for successful applicants and award amounts.

All applicants will be advised in writing with the outcome of their application by the end of July 2026. 

Successful applicants will be required to complete:

  • A grant agreement form.
  • An accountability report, to be completed 12 months after the grant was received. This report must include a financial breakdown of all payments made.

Council will provide the applicant with further information and requirements for both forms directly.

Apply now

Applications close on Friday 22 May 2026.

Questions?

If you have any questions please email waste.services@waidc.govt.nz

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