Thirteen community initiatives to reduce waste will benefit from more than $120,000 in funding from the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

Projects to receive funding include a repair and reuse project at Hāwea Flat School and a pilot scheme by Wastebusters to rebrand and sell surplus uniforms.

The Wānaka Community Workshop Trust will receive money to buy another piece of machinery for its MenShed, as well as to set up the new Fabricate space where people can learn to repair, remake and create clothing and basic soft furnishings.

The funding comes from the QLDC Waste Minimisation Community Fund, which was established in 2019 to increase the level of support for community-led waste minimisation initiatives that move us towards achieving our ambition to be a sustainable, zero-waste district.

Mount Aspiring College was one of three Upper Clutha schools to receive support for new environmental projects.

“These are all community-led projects that meet the fund’s objectives to reduce waste at source or to reuse resources, thereby diverting waste from landfill,” QLDC general manager property and infrastructure Pete Hansby said.

The council received 21 applications totalling $250,971.27 and the total amount allocated was $122,069.60.

“Deciding where to allocate the money was tough this year, but it is inspiring to see so many great ideas for cutting waste coming from the community,” Pete said.

Other Wānaka recipients included community non-profit Wao, which will receive a grant to continue its work encouraging a shift in behaviour in the construction and building sector to reduce waste, and Mount Aspiring College and Wānaka Primary School, which will both receive support to create on-site composting systems.

Pinnacles Early Learning Centre will receive support for waste minimisation education and the Wanda Foundation will receive funding to deliver its Waste Free Wanda show across the district’s schools.

Pete said it was great to see young people “helping to drive positive change”.

The next waste minimisation funding round will be launched early in 2023.

PHOTOS: Supplied