Final call for local community grant applications to increase beverage container recycling

Tuesday 24 May 2011

Local communities are reminded that applications to receive up to $10,000 funding to implement local beverage container recycling projects close at the end of May.

The Keep Australia Beautiful grants, funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation, are open to all communities across Australia and range from $3,000 to $10,000 for projects that will result in a measurable increase in beverage container recycling in local communities.

Applications are open to community groups, local associations, schools, small to medium enterprises and local government authorities and will be awarded to:

• projects which address the specific issue of beverage container recycling and its by-products; /li>
• practical local solutions that can be used as examples for others and leave a legacy;/li>
• projects that do not duplicate existing recycling activities; and /li>
• projects that result in measurable volumes of recycled materials.

A proven ability to implement suitable projects, such as those who have participated in the Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Communities Awards - incorporating the Tidy Towns, Sustainable Cities and Clean Beaches programs, will also be taken into account.

In larger communities this may mean infrastructure for events, or for special venues such as large retail centres, sporting venues or education centres. In smaller communities, it may mean assistance with transport or processing to overcome remote location or dispersed population.

In 2010 The Coca-Cola Foundation provided $184,162 for the small grants program to encourage away from home recycling with a total of 26 projects, representing all states and territories, chosen to receive grants.

Applications for the 2011 grants funding close May 31st 2011 with successful applicants confirmed in July. Application forms are available from Keep Australia Beautiful State and Territory Offices or from the national website www.kab.org.au (click ‘Get Involved’ ‘Community Grants’).

For media enquiries and details of last year’s projects please contact:

Lara Shannon, Keep Australia Beautiful Publicity, on 0415 076 015 or laras@kab.org.au

Editor’s Notes:

Results from the 2010 Beverage Container Recycling Grants To date, 21 out of 26 projects awarded funding in 2010 have reported results, representing a total of $130,016.03 in grants and resulting in 215,440.08 kilos of recycled material at an average cost of 60c per kilo.

The success of the grants program is not only measured by the recycling figures indicated below, but also takes into account the increased awareness and promotion of away from home recycling and the ongoing recycling outcomes in the long term due to increased infrastructure and facilities for the local area or event.

About Keep Australia Beautiful Keep Australia Beautiful seeks to lead, challenge and inspire all Australians to strive for a sustainable and litter free environment. National programs include the Australian Sustainable Community Awards consisting of Tidy Towns, Sustainable Cities and Clean Beaches; the National Litter Index (results released in August) and Keep Australia Beautiful Week (22-28 August in 2011).

About The Coca-Cola Foundation The Coca-Cola Company is a local business on a global scale. As our business has expanded over the years, so our community support has grown to create and support projects most relevant to local communities around the globe. We are committed to investing our time, expertise and resources to help develop and maintain vibrant, sustainable and local communities. bEstablished in 1984 (and wholly funded by The Coca-Cola Company), The Coca-Cola Foundation helps keep that commitment every day by partnering with organizations around the globe to support initiatives and programs that respond in a meaningful way to community needs and priorities.

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