Unique waste diversion concepts funded

Nine innovative projects encapsulating the very essence of sustainable living will share $60,000 of funding under Circular North’s latest round of Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Grants.

Initially, $45,000 was set aside for the current round, however, the high calibre of applicants secured further funding for the projects that will see 350 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill every year. That’s over 130 tonnes more than projects supported in the previous year.

From furniture creation to cardboard-eating insects, Circular North Chair John Marik said the 2026 grant recipients take waste diversion concepts to the next level.

“The creative thinking behind some of projects in this year’s round is really impressive … the ideas go beyond traditional methods of recycling and reuse and incorporate really original ways to promote sustainability.”

One of three successful recipients from the Furneaux Group, Flinders Island Harvest, has proposed to feed cardboard and food waste from landfill to insects, that in turn produce feed for poultry, which is then used to enrich food-growing soils.

In the Kanamaluka/Tamar Valley, Evenfall Wines, also the home of Bellebonne, estimate the annual landfill diversion rate will exceed 300 tonnes by creating nutrient-rich compost for the vineyard from organic waste from the on-site restaurant and winemaking facility.