Grab some cash for waste action
Residents across the city are being offered the chance to get serious about reducing, reusing and recycling with a Waste Action Grant from the Council
Grants of up to £2,500 are available for resident and community groups to support projects that help to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
So far, 21 community groups have shared more than £35,000 worth of grants.
They’ve used funds to support successful projects which are thriving and self-sustaining, from a local scrap store to a furniture renovation project.
Ronnie Murphy of Leith Links Allotment Association received a grant which he used to buy a wood chipper and got local schools involved in composting on the allotment.
He said: “The money was invaluable in helping to increase composting on the allotment. All the effort was worthwhile as so many people can learn about environmental issues.”
You could use a grant to set up a bag for life scheme, promote home composting or get people involved in bike reuse in your community.
Visit the website (see below) and find out how community groups have used their grants.
There’s also a Waste Action Group Toolkit to help you.
Community groups, groups of residents, not-for-profit organisations and youth groups can all apply for grants.
One-off Grants of £50 to £200 are now available to help fund community events that will promote waste reduction.
Whether helping to raise awareness for an existing project or a completely independent event, a grant could help your idea become reality.
Why not start thinking now about how you could use this money to create the change in your community?
More to know
South Leith Baptist Church on Casselbank Street used their grant for a toy library, where residents can donate toys for use in the community and avoid them being sent to landfill.
Elizabeth Gillies, from the church, had no experience of setting up a project like this, but used her background in teaching and running toddler groups.
She said: “The toy library is now a pleasure to organise each week.
“I have had help from other people in organising the database of toys, and producing posters which we display in local shops.
“There are always new parents coming to join because of recommendation and it was invaluable having the help of the Waste Action Grant to pay for set up costs.”
The toy library is held every second and fourth Thursday each month from 9.30 until 11.30am.
Need to know
Visit the Waste Action Grant Programme web ages at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/waste e-mail wasteaction@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 469 5070.