The following organisations can apply for funding under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Grants 2026:

Not-for-profit community organisations and schools

• An organisation that does not operate for the profit or gain of their members, including schools, charities and deductible gift recipients.

Other organisations

• Sole traders, small, medium and large businesses, local governments and local government organisations, state government organisations (including hospitals and tertiary education institutions)

Eligible organisation criteria

Organisations must:

1. be based and operate in the northern Tasmania area as defined by the council boundaries of Break O'Day, George Town, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, Dorset, West Tamar and Flinders Island.
2. be seeking to minimise waste to landfill from their operations, by implementing circular economy initiatives or community activities in the northern Tasmanian community.

A total of $45,000 is available, which is split between schools, not-for-profit and other organisations.

Eligible organisations can apply for a grant of up to $10,000 (ex-GST) for eligible project costs associated with improving resource recovery, waste minimisation or circular economy initiatives.

The maximum grant amount for an individual project application is $10,000, however, larger projects may be eligible for a higher amount in the event the grants program is undersubscribed.

Not-for-profit community organisations and schools.

The following can be funded by the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Grants 2026:

1. Procurement of ‘recycling hubs’: it should be noted that agreements with Circular North regarding monitoring and collection of recycled materials must be entered into with prospective grant recipients.
2. Projects involving litter management, awareness and prevention.
3. Programs that raise community awareness of recycling and waste management in migrant and international student communities and/or the broader community.
4. Projects that value-add or up-cycle materials otherwise destined for landfill, e.g. hand dryers to replace paper towel or water refill stations to replace single use water bottles.
5. Infrastructure to promote waste separation including: recycling and organics bin systems or worm farms.

All eligible organisations

The following can be funded by the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Grants 2026:

1. Procurement of ‘recycling hubs’, it should be noted that agreements with Circular North regarding monitoring and collection of recycled materials must be entered into with the prospective grant recipient.
2. Innovative recycling infrastructure that demonstrates best practice, including systems to increase resource recovery of commercial and industrial (C&I) and/or construction and demolition (C&D) wastes. (This does not include infrastructure that is a compliance requirement, or part of the applying organisation's usual business operations)
3. Projects involving litter management, awareness and prevention e.g. waste separation or reduction infrastructure.
4. Circular economy projects or infrastructure that value-add or up-cycle materials otherwise destined for landfill.
5. Programs that raise community awareness of recycling and waste management in migrant and international student communities and/or in the broader community.

Applications will be assessed by an independent assessment panel convened by Circular North, and funding recommendations will be endorsed by the Circular North Steering Committee. The assessment panel may request input from relevant subject matter experts for technical aspects where the assessment panel does not hold the requisite expertise.

Additionally, as part of the assessment process, commercial or private operators may be asked to provide financial information to the satisfaction of Circular North that allows financial viability to be verified.

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Community benefit – how the project benefits the northern Tasmanian community.
2. Project duration – how long the project provides a benefit to the northern Tasmanian community.
3. Commitment – the applicant's commitment to improving waste management, recycling and transitioning to a circular economy.
4. Landfill diversion – how the project leads to an improvement in resource recovery or waste minimisation.
5. Value for money – the financial value of the project compared to the expected benefits.
6. Cash contributions to the project.
7. Where bin infrastructure is to be installed, assessment that the bins meet the Australian Standards for bin colours.

• A cash co-contribution equal to 50% of the total eligible project cost is required for the project, except if the applicant is a school or not-for-profit community organisations. See the Application Guidelines for more information about in-kind contributions.
• A total funding pool of $45,000 is available to all applicants.
• The maximum grant amount available for any one application is $10,000, however, larger projects may be eligible for a higher amount in the event the grants program is undersubscribed.
• Funding will be provided to successful applicants in two payments. Successful grant applicants will receive an upfront payment of 50% of the approved grant amount once relevant paperwork is signed and returned. Final payment to the applicant will be made once all expenditure has been incurred and evidence of expenditure provided to Circular North in the form of a correctly rendered tax invoice.
• Successful projects MUST be completed within 12 months of signing the funding agreement.

The following costs and activities will not be funded: 

1. Projects with a heavy bias on research and development or software applications.
2. Infrastructure not directly related to the project e.g. sheds, cement slabs, bunds.
3. Compliance requirements and business as usual operations including standard infrastructure upgrades at council transfer stations.
4. Projects for organisations that are based and operate outside of the northern Tasmanian area as defined by the council boundaries of Break O'Day, George Town, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, Dorset, West Tamar and Flinders Island.
5. Projects relating to hazardous waste (with the exception of projects that are educational such as sharps or asbestos disposal awareness programs).
6. Project management costs or staff salaries.
7. Costs of equipment not dedicated to the project purpose (e.g. vehicles).
8. Security or surveillance equipment.
9. Contingency costs.
10. Projects that commenced prior to notification of successful applicants, or projects that seek retrospective funding for work already completed at the time of application.
11. Ongoing costs such as bin bags, collection, transportation and processing services.
12. Staff training for training not directly related to this project.
13. In-kind costs are an ineligible contribution towards the total eligible project costs, except if the applicant is a not-for-profit community groups or school.

All applicants should ensure they have read and understood the Application Guidelines prior to submitting an application. To apply, applicants must complete the following steps:

STEP 1

Ensure your organisation is eligible to apply.

STEP 2

Check your project against the funding criteria and what the grants will fund.

STEP 3

Read the grant application conditions in accordance with application guidelines in the application form to ensure they are met.

STEP 4

Complete the application form available at www.circularnorth.org.au

STEP 5

Attach the following documents where applicable:

1. Supporting documents that respond to the required information.
2. Two current quotes.

(Prior approval must be sought from Circular North if the applicant is unable to provide two valid quotes).

STEP 6

Email the application form and additional documents to circularnorth@nrmnorth.org.au

You will also receive an acknowledgment email on successful submission of your application.

OPTION

Alternative application submission If you are unable to submit your application electronically, contact Circular North to arrange an alternative method for submission. Alternative arrangements must be made at least five business days prior to the application closing date.

If after reading the application guidelines you wish to find out more about the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Grants, or discuss your application please contact:

Steve Jordan

Program Manager - Circular North

Email: circularnorth@nrmnorth.org.au

Phone: 03 6333 7777

Grant funding has allowed Bridport Primary School to reduce paper waste and improve sustainability within the school by installing hand dryers in all bathroom facilities to replace the current use of pre-folded hand towels, and a recycling bin in the outdoor eating area. This was the only location in the school where students did not have the option to sort their waste, leading to unnecessary landfill contributions. The project will not only improve sustainability within the school but will also instil lifelong habits in their students, encouraging them to be more conscious of their environmental impact.

The Exeter High School Agriculture Program promotes sustainability and resilience in agricultural systems. With grant funding, a biochar kiln has been purchased, turning pruned branches and dry garden waste (biomass) from the school grounds and farm into a valuable resource that's no longer destined for landfill or burning. The biochar sequesters carbon, and will be used by the school to improve soil structure and water retention.

Golden Brown supports the local circular economy by collecting discarded organic waste from local hospitality businesses, offices and florists and composting the organic material on an urban farm and vineyard in Norwood, Launceston. Grant funds have supported the organisation's hot composting, vermicomposting and pyrolysis (bio char) systems, by funding the addition of worm farms to scale-up the operation.

Grant funding replaced ten paper towel dispensers in the school toilet blocks with energy-efficient hand dryers, significantly reducing paper waste. An awareness campaign educated students and staff about the benefits of using hand dryers over paper towels and promoted a more sustainable environment within the school community. The project will reduce paper waste, conserve natural resources, decrease landfill contributions, lower ongoing costs associated with purchasing and disposing of paper towels, and provide a more hygienic hand-drying solution.

Following the Tasmanian Government’s announcement of a Container Refund Scheme (CRS), Scouts Tasmanian developed a plan so all scout groups could participate equitably in the CRS, regardless of group size. Scouts branded blue wheelie bins were purchased with grant funding for halls in northern Tasmania to place as donation points at workplaces, and an event kit for the northern groups was created to support the collection of containers at events in the region.

Have been granted funds to provide financial incentive for community members to invest in more sustainable and environmentally conscious choices of sanitary products (reusable pads, period cups, LBL underwear etc.) and reusable nappies. The council hopes the rebate will help reduce waste, support the needs of the community, and help progress towards the goal of zero waste to landfill.

The Tamar Valley Steiner School is aiming to strengthen their green footprint by adding to existing composting facilities at the school in St Leonards. Grant funding purchased a large compost tumbler and two rodent-proof worm farms that can handle a greater volume of waste. The school also invested in a FOGO bin to dispose of paper towel. With a focus on sustainability, the school is continuously seeking ways to divert and minimise waste going to landfill.

Transporting food by sea and air to Flinders Island can be unreliable. To increase food security and reduce organic waste, in-line with the island's vision for zero-waste, residents are being encouraged to grow their own produce, and utilise worm farms to process organic waste. The Grant funds have contributed to the installation of a trial worm farm, where the three units are capable of processing up to 60 litres of organic waste a day, resulting in nearly 9,000 litres of microbe-rich vermicast available to food growers every year. The units have been installed at the Flinders Council main waste facility at Whitemark.

Grant funds supported the expansion of the grocery store's worm farms from two to seven, and allowed for three composts working on their farm and egg production in Westbury. Increasing the amount of worm farms and composting units will allow a closed loop waste recycling situation for organic waste generated at the store and on-farm.

Have been granted funds to help establish a new student enterprise initiative that is focused on diverting plastic waste from landfill by turning plastic into planters. Bottle lids will primarily be used as a raw material as they are currently unable to be recycled. The College will not just collect, sort and recycle the plastic but close the loop on this recycling stream by creating a sustainable, marketable product in these planters which will be sold in the colleges new retail space “The Cell” and other local small businesses. This project aims to demonstrate the profitability of a sustainable product and the ability of students to design, manufacture, market, and sell 100% recycled products.

Have received waste minimisation grants to construct a recycling hub trailer for the collection of items that are not recyclable through the kerbside recycling collection such as CD’s, bread tags, coffee pods etc. The trailer will be taken to schools and community events to increase awareness of recycling including the new and emerging waste streams and will encourage the community to recycle these items rather than them ending up in landfill.

Have been granted funding to provide their Rotarians with two battery recycling boxes to place in their workplaces and their partner’s workplaces to encourage staff and customers to deposit used batteries for recycling. The boxes will be brought to weekly Rotary meetings in which the batteries will get placed into a bigger collection container to be taken to the local recycling depot. The aim of the project is to increase the awareness about the need to divert used batteries from landfill and the harmful effect on the environment and safety issues they pose to collection contractors and landfill operators.

Have been granted funds to build a trailer to take out to the Lilydale Waste Transfer Station once a week to allow the Lilydale community to bring in their recyclable items for recycling. The initial phase of the project is to offer cardboard, e-waste, commingled and household battery recycling with plans to expand the project and establish a mobile recycling hub if the trailer is the initial phase is successful. When the trailer is not in use at Lilydale there is capacity to utilise the trailer at schools and at events and festivals around the Launceston municipality.

Have been granted funds to purchase a compost tumbler so the school can improve their carbon footprint and recycle the food waste that comes from their commercial kitchen. The first stage of the waste minimisation grants project will be to set up a compost team to lead to the school-wide waste audit in the first term of 2021, the school advisory group will then be charged with educating the school community about composting. This project will also involve teaching the students about the science of composting with a hands on learning opportunity that will be integrated into the school curriculum.

Have been grated funds to establish sustainable waste management receptacles at the Panorama Resort St Helens. The project will involve purchasing recycling bins for glass, paper, plastic and aluminium and produce educational material for the guests on how to recycle.

Have been granted funds to help establish a school orchard and chicken coop for their food and garden waste that they compost onsite. The project involves the purchase of multisort bins for the school and wicking beds for the garden.