Get Funding to Help Reduce Waste

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will begin accepting applications for the 2024 Waste Reduction Initiatives Program (WRIP).

Launched in 2015, WRIP was introduced to support waste reduction and recycling priorities identified in the SCRD’s Solid Waste Management Plan.

The program has a total of $7,500 available for financial assistance to Sunshine Coast based community groups and associations, non-profit societies, registered charitable organizations, school groups from school districts 46 and 93 for projects that will reduce waste in the region. Project applications must include a plan for measuring and reporting the amount of waste diverted from the landfill.

Project categories considered for the program include:

• Community reuse and repair
• Composting
• Construction and demolition waste reduction, reuse and recycling
• Food waste reduction
• Green waste reduction
• Recycling initiatives

Applications are now open and must be received by midnight on October 28, 2024.

Projects must be completed, including a final report, by June 30, 2025. Interim reporting, project guidelines and restrictions can be found at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/wrip. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the SCRD in advance of submitting their application to ensure that their project is eligible for funding.

Successful past projects include:

• Davis Bay Community Hall that reduced the need for single use items like plastic cutlery, cups and plates thanks to the Davis Bay Wilson Creek Selma Park Community Association.
• Roberts Creek Community Hall expanded the recycling collection system and improved on the overall sustainability and waste reduction for events at the hall.
• Opening events and monthly exhibits are closer to being zero waste at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery. The implementation of reusable serving ware and improved waste sorting has reduced the resistance to reducing waste my making it easier to serve food at events.
• Davis Bay Elementary is serving up hot lunches with reusable dishware and cutlery, so single use items are no longer needed with this easy switch.
• The Sunshine Coast Resource Centre is reducing e-waste with their kindness corner by redistributing electronics like phones and computers that would have otherwise been recycled to new homes.

If you have questions about the Waste Reduction Initiatives Program, or are interested in submitting an application, please visit https://letstalk.scrd.ca/wrip email infrastructure@scrd.ca or call 604-885-6806.