Blackpool and Lancashire County councils’ Waste Action Grant funding initiative was relaunched earlier in the month with a £2,000 increase in cash from previous years.
The scheme, which was launched two years back, originally gave out £500 to organisations operating recycling programmes. Now, the councils will give out £2,500 per project for the furthering of reuse, reduce, and recycle schemes.
So far, grants have been given to over 120 groups to promote recycling and minimise waste initiatives. This year, applications will be processed in batches as the year progresses in order to bring a more competitive edge to the grants and ensure that projects with the most promise are selected.
According to Cllr Ian Fowler from Blackpool, The Waste Action Grants Scheme allows local groups to contribute to waste management locally, benefiting the entire community. Mr Fowler also encouraged any organisations with project ideas in the sector to contact the local council office for information regarding funding.
The grants have been relaunched as part of a larger strategy to increase recycling rates and reduce waste production. Applications are also being accepted for individuals who can provide services in partnership with local organisations to increase and better recycling infrastructure within the two councils.
Cllr Albert Atkinson of Lancashire County Council said that in the past two years a lot of small-scale projects were funded, but that now the scheme will look to fund projects with large-scale intentions in mind. The move towards more ambitious funding in projects is, the councils hope, a way for the local area to contribute to the UK’s approaching recycling targets.
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