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The Auckland Council says it’s inviting applications for the 2026 Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund (WMIF) which has $500,000 available to support projects reducing waste and increasing recycling and reuse to help achieve the city’s goal of zero waste by 2040.
Applications open today and close on August 31, with grants ranging from $1000 to $50,000.
A simpler funding process introduced last year for schools and small grants is helping more organisations access support, says the council.
Developed in response to applicants’ feedback, the streamlined application process contributed to an increase in school projects and smaller community initiatives, with more than half of grants awarded in the last funding round valued at $5000 or less.
Councillor Richard Hills, the chair of the council’s policy, planning and development committee, says the fund is helping to unlock potential innovation.
“Reducing waste is one of the biggest opportunities we have to lower emissions, protect our environment and make better use of valuable resources.
“Through the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund, we’re investing in the people, organisations and businesses leading practical solutions that will help accelerate Auckland’s transition to a circular economy.”
The council’s waste solutions general manager, Justine Haves, says the fund helps communities and organisations turn innovative ideas into action.
“We know some of the best solutions come from people working directly in their communities.
“The Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund supports projects that reduce waste, create learning opportunities and inspire lasting behaviour change as we work towards Auckland’s goal of zero waste by 2040.”
The council says previous WMIF recipients have delivered measurable environmental and community benefits across Auckland:
- Ae Ka Taea e Koe worked with three kōhanga reo to adopt reusable nappies, helping keep an estimated 2836 disposable nappies out of landfill during the two-month pilot period.
Two of the kōhanga reo have continued using cloth nappies full-time following the project.
- Community Threads, delivered by MPHS Community Trust, engaged more than 1200 participants in textile repair, sewing, mending and upcycling activities, diverting an estimated 867kg of textiles from landfill while helping people build practical reuse skills.
- The Para Kore Marae He Mana tō te Kai programme achieved a 38 per cent reduction in household food waste among participating whānau and supported the installation of a community composting system at Manurewa Marae.
- Another project under way is E Tū Rākau Charitable Trust’s Resource Lab, a mobile education hub that helps communities rethink waste as a valuable resource.
The Māori-led initiative has already supported waste diversion at large-scale events while creating opportunities for rangatahi and sharing mātauranga Māori-based approaches to environmental action.
The WMIF fund is also supporting the development of a child-safe composting system for Auckland schools, led by the University of Auckland in partnership with community organisations, says the council.
The project aims to make composting easier and safer for students while helping schools divert food and organic waste from landfill and learn about circular economy principles through hands-on learning.
For this year’s funding round, applicants are encouraged to develop projects that divert the following priority waste streams from landfill: Organic waste, plastics, packaging, textiles, construction and demolition waste.
The fund is open to community groups, businesses, mana whenua, mataawaka, schools, early childhood centres, tertiary institutions and other organisations based in the Auckland region. Applicants must be a legal entity, and successful ones will be notified in November.
- For more information and to apply, visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/wastefund.
