Background
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has developed the Guideline: Better practice organics recycling to define and benchmark what ‘better practice’ means for organics recycling facilities regulated under Part V Division 3 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA)
The guideline:
- enables better environmental management outcomes in the organics recycling industry by preventing impacts to the environment, water resources, public health and amenity
- provides guidance to operators of organics recycling facilities to achieve the waste strategy target for all waste to be managed and/or disposed to better practice facilities by 2030
- supports the waste strategy vision for Western Australia to become a sustainable, low-waste circular economy in which human health and the environment are protected from the impacts of waste
- increases industry and community understanding of the regulatory process
- supports innovation and growth in the organics recycling industry by providing a benchmark that operators can use to inform the development of alternative approaches to achieve environmental performance objectives.
WasteSorted Grants – Organics Infrastructure Program 2022–23 (WSGOI)
The WasteSorted Grants – Organics Infrastructure Program is a State Government initiative to help fast-track existing organics handling and processing operators to transition to better practice aligned with the Guideline: Better practice organics recycling. The Program is administered by the Waste Authority and funded through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account (WARR Account).
The program has a total of $1,000,000 available for projects to be funded in 2022-23.
A maximum $200,000 grant limit applies per operating site.
Program objectives
The objective of this program is to deliver better practice operations rather than simply increasing output. Delivering better practice operations is expected to support improved product quality, which will in turn support markets for recycled organics.
Projects must demonstrate they meet one or more of the following objectives:
- addresses priority aspects and environmental performance objectives listed below
- supports a higher benchmark of environmental management, beyond the existing regulatory controls and outcomes
- supports ongoing outcomes of improved protection of the environment, public health and/or amenity beyond the life of the funding
|
Priority |
Aspect |
Environmental performance objective |
|---|---|---|
|
High |
Odour |
Protect the environment by preventing and, where that is not possible, minimising odour emissions that may cause pollution or environmental harm. |
|
Medium |
Emissions to land and water |
Protect the environment by preventing and, where that is not possible, minimising emissions to land and water that may cause pollution or environmental harm |
|
Lower |
Point source emissions to air |
Protect the environment by preventing and, where that is not possible, minimising point source emissions to air that may cause pollution or environmental harm. |
|
Dust |
Protect the environment by preventing and, where that is not possible, minimising dust emissions that may cause pollution or environmental harm. |
|
|
Noise |
Protect the environment by preventing emissions of unreasonable noise and maintaining compliance with the assigned levels in the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 to prevent pollution and environmental harm. |
|
|
Emissions of litter and debris |
Protect the environment by preventing and, where that is not possible, minimising emissions of litter and debris that may cause pollution or environmental harm. |
|
|
Fire prevention and management |
Protect the environment by minimising the risk of fires and be sufficiently prepared in the event of a fire to prevent and, where that is not possible, minimise pollution and environmental harm. |
|
|
Vectors |
Protect the environment by minimising the risk of attraction, refuge, growth and spread of vermin and pests to prevent pollution and environmental harm. |
Who can apply
Applicants who hold a licence or works approval for food organics and garden organics (FOGO) handling and processing at a prescribed premises regulated under the following categories:
- Category 61A/62: solid waste facilities or depots (waste transfer stations), premises on which FOGO is stored, sorted and/or processed; or
- Category 67A: compost manufacturing and soil blending, premises on which FOGO is stored pending processing, mixing, drying or composting to produce commercial quantities of compost or blended soils.
Applications for prescribed premises handling and processing other organic feedstocks such as garden organics only and regulated under the above categories will also be eligible, although will be considered at a lower priority in the assessment process.
What can be funded
Funding is available for projects implemented in Western Australia, handling or processing waste wholly or primarily sourced in Western Australia.
Examples of infrastructure that may be funded by the program include:
- air extraction systems or aeration systems
- odour treatment systems (e.g. biofilters)
- enclosures (e.g. sheds)
- hardstands
- leachate and storm water management infrastructure
- relevant monitoring equipment
- other equipment/infrastructure that addresses focus aspects.
How to apply
Before starting, applicants should read the WasteSorted Grants – Organics Infrastructure Program guidelines, located here.
Applications must be completed and submitted through the DWER grants portal (SmartyGrants) which provides an easy-to-use online application form. Please read the SmartyGrants help guide for applicants and the frequently asked questions prior to starting your application. You must register (or login if you have registered for SmartyGrants previously) before you can make an application. We recommend previewing online or downloading the application form to review the information required before starting your application.
Applicants can contact the program coordinator prior to commencing an application to confirm details such as:
- the application process
- funding availability (noting that funding is capped at $200,000 per operating site).
Contact details
For further information about the WasteSorted Grants – Organics Infrastructure Program, please contact the program coordinator on 6364 6945 or by email to wsgoi@dwer.wa.gov.au.