Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils and partners are working collaboratively to better understand and address the barriers to using circular products and solutions in councils.
This project aims to help councils reduce the impact of the materials they consume as an organisation, by working with suppliers and looking at lower impact alternatives. The 10 member councils of the Hunter JO intend to reduce the need for new materials and instead look at innovative ways to re-use and reduce their environmental footprint.
This project continues from phase one which built a strong foundation where all councils of the Hunter region worked together to understand what circular procurement is, and the opportunities that could exist to reduce their material consumption. The funding received from EPA for phase two is critical to assist councils to implement circular practices in their day-to-day business operations.
The funding is part of a second round of grants awarded for the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund (LGWS), that provides support for NSW councils and regional waste groups delivering innovative recycling projects.
The funding was available for new projects aimed at improving the way we reuse and recycle products to minimise waste.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has awarded almost $1.9 million worth of grants in the latest round to help fund 10 projects across 25 local government areas.
The project will run between August 2024 and March 2026.
Round 3 of the LGWS fund is scheduled to open in September 2024.
Individual councils, council groups and regional waste groups in the waste levy paying area are eligible to apply. Individual councils can apply for up to $200,000 in funding, and groups of two or more councils can apply for up to $400,000 in funding.
For more information on Round 2 grantees and how to apply for Round 3 visit: Local Government Waste Solutions Fund (nsw.gov.au)
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:
"This is an exciting, innovative new project that will give councils across the Hunter more tools and processes to help reduce waste and strengthen our circular economy.
"I'd like to thank the Hunter Joint Organisation for their ongoing advocacy and action within our region.
"The Hunter is one of the most beautiful regions in this state. It's projects like these that will ultimately help preserve that natural beauty for decades to come."
Chair of the Hunter Joint Organisation and Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said:
"The combined value for products and services purchased by the ten Hunter JO member councils is in excess of $500 million per year, much of which has significant potential to be circularised in some way.
"That collective buying power has the potential to be used to create local markets for circular products and lower the environmental impacts of material usage by councils in the region.
"By enabling councils and suppliers to better understand each other's needs, the project aims to identify and address the current barriers to better uptake of circular and sustainable alternatives.
"These barriers are sometimes difficult to solve, but by working collaboratively we can attempt to break down those barriers."
Mayor of Lake Macquarie, and Chair of the Hunter JO Circular Economy Sub-Committee, Cr Kay Fraser said:
"The success we're seeing at Soft Landing in Lake Macquarie, where thousands of mattresses each year are dismantled and recycled, demonstrates what can be done when local government joins forces with companies and organisations that have circular economy principles entrenched in their day-to-day operations.
"There is enormous potential to expand this concept through a wide range of applications, whether it's using recycled glass and rubber in pavement, fly ash in bricks or green waste for compost.
"We must continue to be brave and innovate to minimise waste and maximise the value of the products we buy and use."
