WLRM Product Improvement Program Grants Now Open

/ June 7, 2019

By Emma Yuen, MRA Consulting Group

The NSW EPA has opened round 2 of its Product Improvement Program grants under the $48M Waste and Recycling Infrastructure Fund of the NSW Government Waste Less Recycle More initiative (WLRM).

EPA logo 2017

The grants provide funding to support the NSW resource recovery sector, respond to changes in recycling markets and meet NSW resource recovery targets. Following an independent review, three EPA grant programs (the Product Improvement Program, the Recycling Innovation Fund and the Resource Recovery Facility Expansion and Enhancement Program) have been combined into round 2 of the Product Improvement Program.

Applications close July 26, 2018.

This round has a budget of $6.3M and offers funding in two streams:

  1. Stream 1 – Infrastructure projects
  2. Stream 2 – Research and development projects

Further eligibility criteria and other grant funding details are summarised in the table below:

Grant & stream Applicant type
 Project requirements  Funding per applicant Closing date

Product Improvement Program

Stream 1 (Infrastructure projects)
  • MRFs (must be licensed or in the process of obtaining a license);
  • Reprocessing and secondary reprocessing facilities;
  • Manufacturers that use post-consumer products
  • Councils;
  • NGOs/NFPs;
  • The private sector; and
  • State Government entities.

Projects are to:

  • Increase the capacity of MRFs; and/or
  • Improve the quality of outputs/reduce contamination from MRFs or reprocessors; and/or
  • Increase manufacturer capacity to use recycled materials in their products; and/or
  • Remove priority waste material from feedstock or increase recovery rates for priority waste materials.
  • $50,000 to $1,000,000, up to 50% of eligible items for the private sector, up to 75% of capital eligible items for councils.
  • What will be funded?
    • Equipment upgrades or process improvements;
    • Capital expenditure including shredding, flaking, washing, sorting, granulating, pelletising equipment, storage or permanent cover infrastructure.
  • What will not be funded?
    • New MRFs or organics processing facilities
    • Projects where contracts or commitments to construct infrastructure/buy equipment have been entered into;
    • Waste to energy projects;
    • Ongoing costs;
    • Land acquisition.

Friday

26 July 2019

Product Improvement Program

Stream 2 (Research and Development)
  • Councils;
  • NGOs/NFPs; and
  • The private sector.

Projects are to:

  • Improve the management of priority wastes (including but not limited to mattresses, plastic film and other plastics, treated timber, tyres and rubber, nappies and incontinence pads, e-waste).
  • $20,000 to $150,000, up to 50% of eligible costs
  • What will not be funded?
    • Advertising and education;
    • Feasibility studies or consulting fees;
    • Project management or grant administration costs;
    • Retrospective costs;
    • Projects that fund devolved grants.

 

MRA has submitted more than 200 WLRM grant applications to date, winning more than $60m in funding for our clients.

If your organisation is interested in any of the above grant programs, please contact Emma Yuen at emma@mraconsulting.com.au or on 0416 474 642.

MRA can provide a one-stop shop to maximise your chances of success. Alternatively, email info@mraconsulting.com.au or call (02) 8541 6169.

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