NSW Bin Trim program cuts business waste

$4.9 million in grant funding is available to help businesses in NSW slash waste, boost recycling rates and improve their bottom line via the latest round of the Bin Trim program.

Through the NSW Government’s Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, the program funds eligible organisations to deliver waste assessments to NSW businesses. Waste experts undertake free assessments with these businesses and use Bin Trim to develop a tailored action plan and provide support and advice.

Participating businesses are also eligible for the Bin Trim rebate of up to $50,000 to cover up to 50% of the cost of recycling equipment.

Round 4 of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s (DPIE) program is now open for applications, which are available to waste and recycling service providers, equipment providers, consultants, councils and not-for-profit organisations.

With grants ranging from $50,000 to $300,000, recipients can roll out the Bin Trim program to track their waste, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and improve recycling.

DPIE Executive Director Circular Economy and Resource Management Sanjay Sridher said reducing waste sent to landfill has environmental and economic benefits for everyone.

“Reducing waste costs may help businesses save money,” Sridher said.

“NSW businesses send more than 1.8 million tonnes of waste to landfill each year — from cardboard, paper and plastic through to food waste. So much of this ends up in the general waste bin, when in fact more than 70% could be re-used or recycled.

“The Bin Trim program has so far helped over 29,000 businesses and diverted waste from landfill that amounts to more than the weight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

“Businesses taking part in the program — such as the Escarpment Group, which runs four hotels in the Blue Mountains — are helping the environment, with 94% of Bin Trim participants implementing actions to reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill,” Sridher said.

The first two rounds of the program have seen 70,000 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill. Businesses also increased their recycling by an average of 15%.

Applications for Round 4 close on Friday, 28 February 2020.

For more information, visit www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants/business-recycling/bin-trim-grants.