Thirteen community initiatives to reduce waste are set to benefit from about $122,000 of funding from the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

Projects to receive funding include a bank of reusable nappies to be used by families in the Glenorchy area, and a pilot scheme by Wastebusters to rebrand and sell surplus uniforms.

The Wānaka Community Workshop Trust will receive money to buy another piece of machinery for its MenShed, as well as to set up the new Fabricate space where people can learn to repair, remake and create clothing and basic soft furnishings.

A past recipient, Wao, won a grant to continue its work encouraging a shift in behaviour in the construction and building sector towards a circular economy design and build model.

The money comes from the QLDC Waste Minimisation Community Fund, which was established in 2019 to increase the level of support for community-led waste minimisation initiatives that move us towards achieving our ambition to be a sustainable, zero-waste district.

“These are all community-led projects that meet the fund’s objectives to reduce waste at source or to reuse resources, thereby diverting waste from landfill,” QLDC General Manager Property and Infrastructure Pete Hansby said.

QLDC is delighted to also support a range of initiatives involving children and schools. The Wanda Foundation has been funded to stage 14 shows for children across the district featuring Waste Free Wanda. Other grants will be used for composting and recycling programmes in schools.

“It’s fantastic to see young people helping to drive positive change and taking that into their homes,” Mr Hansby said.

The Council received 21 applications totalling $250,971.27 and the total amount allocated was $122,069.60.

“Deciding where to allocate the money was tough this year, but it is inspiring to see so many great ideas for cutting waste coming from the community,” Mr Hansby said.

The successful applicants are:

• Glenorchy Reusable Nappy Bank
• Hāwea Flat School
• Lake Hayes A&P Society
• Mount Aspiring College
• Pinnacles Early Learning Centre, Wānaka
• Queenstown Harvest Community Gardens
• Wānaka Community Workshop Trust
• Wānaka Primary School
• Wanda Foundation
• Wao
• Wastebusters

Another funding round will be launched early in 2023.

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