Fund details
Key dates: Under $2000: Open 01 February and closes 31 May 2025
Contact: Funding Team: Funding@wcc.govt.nz
Value: Up to $100,000 available each year. See past allocations (246KB PDF)
How it works
We want to target priority waste streams, reduce harm to the environment and improve efficiency of resource use. We will do this by supporting new initiatives that complement and enhance existing programmes or address gaps or opportunities.
There is up to $100,000 available every year, with two types of grant:
- funding for small projects – $2000 and under
- funding for medium/large projects – over $2000.
If funds are not fully allocated in a year they will roll over into the following year.
Find out if your project is eligible
Where the funds come from
When rubbish goes into a New Zealand landfill, a levy of $60 per tonne is collected by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE). A portion of the money is allocated to Wellington City Council from the MfE waste levy, based on population. This money must be spent on promoting or achieving waste minimisation as set out in our Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.
How to apply
Check the funding calendar to find out when we accept applications. The Waste Minimisation team may ask you for more information when they assess fund applications. We aim to complete all assessments within one to two weeks of the fund closing date.
Criteria and the application process
Funding will be allocated in order of priority according to the waste hierarchy:
- Minimisation / avoidance / reduction of waste creation
- Reuse of waste materials
- Recycling of waste materials
- Recovery of waste resource (the selective extraction of disposed materials for a specific next use, such as recycling, composting or generating energy)
And priority waste streams and sectors:
- Organic waste
- Commercial and industrial waste
- Community action and behaviour change
Adherence to the principles of the Circular Economy:
- A circular economy is one where the lifecycle of materials maximised, usage optimised and at the end of life all materials are reutilised. It is restorative by design and underpinned by the use of renewable energy.
For more information, visit the Ellen Macarthur Foundation website.
For grants $2000 and under
A Council Officer panel will consider applications at the end of each month during the opening period and will respond by the third week of the following month.
Event waste management costs will not be given priority, as this has been funded in previous rounds.
For grants between $2000 and $10,000
For grants over $2000, Council Officers will recommend funding to the Pītau Pūmanawa | Grants Subcommittee.
For grants over $10,000
These applicants need to attach extra information to their online application through the Funding Portal. The maximum amount that can be funded is $25,000 per project for large projects.
Waste Minimisation Seed Fund grants over $10,000
The Pītau Pūmanawa | Grants Subcommittee meets and reviews the results about 4 to 6 weeks after the fund closing date. We advise you of the Committee's decision by email within 1 week of the Committee meeting.
Apply for funding
You can apply for the fund through our Funding Portal. If you're a first-time applicant, you will also need to register in the portal. You can also check your application status if you've already applied for funding. If you receive an error message when trying to access the funding portal on a mobile device, please use these instructions or contact the Funding Team.
Go to Funding Portal
If your application is successful
If you have been allocated funding, you will receive a link to read the terms and conditions and electronically sign a DocuSign agreement.
You need to complete the funding agreement within 14 days of receiving the email, or contact the Funding Team to discuss your situation.