Through this support, the EPA aims to boost the critical role local councils play to reduce waste sent to landfill, increase NSW's recycling rates and resource efficiency, and reduce litter and illegal dumping.
Under the Local Government Waste and Resource Recovery Program, the EPA will provide support and funding through 2017-21, including
- $5 million for regional landfill consolidation and environmental improvements, in partnership with the Environmental Trust.
- $39 million for the Better Waste and Recycling Fund.
- $4.5 million for regional coordination and strategy for Sydney, Illawarra and Hunter.
- $8 million for funding voluntary regional waste groups.
- $2.5 million to support local government outside the levy paying area with temporary funding to reduce the impacts of the China National Sword Policy and reduced commodity prices on recycling services.
About regional waste groups and their strategies
The EPA supports regional collaboration between local councils. This collaboration is critical to meet NSW's goals under Waste Less, Recycle More.
Groups of councils in NSW work together on regional strategies to reduce waste, increase recycling, and combat illegal dumping and littering. Collaborating helps these groups of councils to improve service delivery, standardise their research, share skills and resources, and negotiate cost-effective contracts.
