Agenda of Grants Allocation Subcommittee (Waste Levy) Meeting

Grants Allocation Subcommittee (Waste Levy) Meeting Agenda

18 February 2021

7 Reports

7.1 Recommendations on Waste Levy Grant Applications 2020/21

Author: Eilish Andrews, Waste Minimisation Advisor

Authoriser: Sean Mallon, Group Manager Infrastructure Services

Purpose of Report

1 This report seeks approval for the allocation of funding from the Waste Levy Grants contestable fund for 2020/21.

Delegation

2 The Grants Allocation Committee may make a decision under Section C.4 of the Governance Structure and Delegations:

“The Committee will consider and allocate grant moneys in accordance with the meeting cycles and criteria of five granting programmes.”

Background

3 The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 requires operators of waste disposal facilities to pay a levy of $10 per tonne of residual waste disposed of to landfill. Approximately half this levy money is allocated by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) to local authorities and must be spent on implementing their waste management and minimisation plans. The other half is allocated by MfE through the national Waste Minimisation Fund.

4 The updated Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020 (Appendix A), approved by the Council on 27 August 2020^{^[1]}, sets out how the Kāpiti Coast District Council (Council) will allocate part of the waste levy funding received from MfE for waste minimisation projects in the Kāpiti district via a contestable grants scheme.

5 The overall objective of the updated Policy is:

To increase the range, scale and number of waste minimisation activities on the Kāpiti Coast through effective use of the waste levy fund.

To ensure optimal and transparent allocation of waste levy funding to waste minimisation projects.

To support the implementation of the Wellington Region Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.

6 Category 1 of the Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy: Community Projects seeks to support practical waste minimisation projects that encourage community participation and education and/or are of benefit to the community of Kāpiti and lead to long term waste minimisation action and behaviour change. A total of $30,000 is available for allocation in this round.

7 Category 2 of the Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020 has two sub-categories.

· Category 2A: Seed Funding seeks to encourage the establishment of waste minimisation businesses or initiatives on the Kāpiti Coast and create opportunities for waste minimisation and economic development.

· Category 2B: Business Waste Reduction seeks to support existing businesses to implement measures that will lead to long term and measurable minimisation of the waste resulting from the businesses’ operations.

A total of $20,000 is available for allocation between Category 2A and 2B in this round.

8 Any unspent monies will be kept within the waste minimisation fund and used to fund future grants, resource recovery infrastructure or other projects that strongly align with our strategic goals as set out in the Long Term Plan 2021.

Issues and Options

Applications for Category 1 – Community Projects

9 Applications for Category 1 were called for in September 2020. Six (6) application were received, requesting a total amount of $30,015. This means that the fund is oversubscribed by $15. All full applications are attached to this report (Appendix B).

10 The applications were assessed against the criteria in the Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020. Some applicants were contacted by a Council staff member to clarify or request further information. All additional information received in these communications are attached to each application, where applicable. All applications were discussed by a panel of Council officers from the Sustainability & Resilience and Connected Communities teams. Following that process, two (2) applications are recommended for full funding, three (3) for part funding and one (1) to be declined. Refer to Table 1 and Sections 11 to 16 for further detail.

Table 1: Funding Recommendations for Category 1 Applications

APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR FULL FUNDING
No	Applicant	Requested	Recommended
1	Kāpiti Waldorf Trust	$4,800	$4,800
2	Paekākāriki School and Garden Group	$4,000	$4,000
APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR PART FUNDING
No	Applicant	Requested	Recommended
3	Paraparaumu College SEAR Group	$2,335	$1,700
4	Māoriland Charitable Trust	$3,000	$1,240
5	Ōtaki College	$8,600	$3,100
APPLCAITIONS RECOMMENDED TO BE DECLINED
No	Applicant	Requested	Recommended
6	Birthright Kāpiti Trust	$7,280	$0
Total		$30,015	$14,840

Applications recommended for full funding

11 Kāpiti Waldorf Trust has applied for $4,800 to upgrade Te Ra Waldorf School’s current onsite composting system with two CarbonCycle bins. These bins will be used to compost food scrapes from the school and kindergarten onsite, and the two hundred school/kindy families will also be invited to bring their food scraps from home. The new bins will be used to educate the students and form life-long habits. Composting workshops will also be organised for the wider community. This project meets all the Category 1 criteria and it is strongly aligned with the WMMP goal and Waste Minimisation Taskforce 2019 recommendation to increase diversion of Organic Waste. It is recommended to fund this project in full.

12 Paekākāriki School and Garden Group has applied for $4,100 to cover material and labour costs to upgrade their aging compost pallet bins and to develop a compost educational programme for students, staff and the community. This project meets all the Category 1 criteria and it is strongly aligned with the WMMP goal and Waste Minimisation Taskforce 2019 recommendation to increase diversion of Organic Waste. It is recommended to fund this project in full.

Applications recommended for part funding

13 The Paraparaumu College Societal, Environmental & Animal Rights (SEAR) Group has applied for $2,335 to establish aluminium can recycling throughout Paraparaumu College. Due to high contamination found in a recycling trial, the college is unable to provide plastic recycling for students but wants to pursue can recycling as it is a major waste stream for the college and has simpler recycling criteria. The funding request is for a 1-year trial made up of $1,600 for student wages to empty and sort the bins two hours a week, $635 for bin hire and collection costs, and $100 for promotional material to increase student awareness. If the trial is successful, the project can become self-funding as the SEAR Group can apply to the Paraparaumu College Board of Trustees to fund it going forward.

It is recommended to allocate $1,700 of funding towards this project to cover the student wages and promotional material. It is not recommended to fund the bin hire and collection costs as ‘waste disposal, treatment or recycling costs’ are listed as ineligible purposes in the Community Projects Fund Criteria & Application Guidelines. Disposal and collection costs are considered to be part of the usual operational costs of any school or business.

14 Māoriland Charitable Trust has applied for $3,000 for community and business education and engagement surrounding the Māoriland Film Festival 2021. The funding is to cover three screenings / speaker events, one Waste Minimisation Workshop, the facilitation of the Parakore (zero waste) space throughout the festival, the publication of a post-event waste minimisation report, and to lobby local businesses to use compostable packaging.

The Trust will contribute $5,500 to this initiative, which is estimated to cost $8,500. The event received $3,000 of waste levy funding in 2019/20 to purchase recycling bins, employ a zero waste coordinator and to set up a compost bin.

It is recommended to allocate $1,240 of funding towards this project to support the lobbying activity ($800) and to cover part of the Waste Minimisation Workshop costs ($440). Lobbying local businesses to use compostable packaging is a new activity within the festival and has the potential to make a significant impact on the amount of waste produced during and long after the event. The Waste Minimisation Workshop is a good opportunity for the community to engage in activities and learn new waste minimising skills. It is not recommended to fund the estimated ‘light catering’ portion of the Waste Minimisation Workshop costs as ‘catering costs’ are listed as ineligible purposes in the guidelines, as linked above.

While it is recognised that the screenings / speaker events and the waste report document are elements which add a sustainable focus to the festival, these elements of the project were assessed as less likely to contribute further to actual waste diversion. Therefore, it is recommended to not fund these elements of the application. Furthermore, as per the recommendations of the 2019/20 funding round report, this report also recommends that facilitation of the Parakore space are factored into the general event running costs by the Trust.

15 Ōtaki College has applied for $8,600 to set up a ‘recycling station’ in their technology class. The amount applied for will provide a shredder, extruder, a sheet press, fittings for moulding, and furniture. The goal is to teach students about the plastic recycling process as they create projects from plastic waste generated within the school and maybe some from the student’s homes. Ōtaki College has a 3D printer and intends to explore using recycled plastic as filament in addition to producing recycled feedstock for technology projects. While this project will lead to some virgin material being replaced by recycled material, its primary outcome will be an educational opportunity for students to learn about the realities of recycling plastic and the fundamentals behind it.

The original amount applied for as been reduced by $1,000 as a second-hand shredder has been locally sourced.

Although this project will likely become self-sustaining and the scale of community involvement is clear, it has been assessed that this project has a small impact on waste reduction, in comparison to its cost. While funds are available, officers have also considered ‘value for money’ in relation to the goals of the Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020. It is therefore recommended to part fund this project with $3,100 to cover the modification costs needed to upgrade the second-hand shredder ($200) and the cost to purchase of an extruder ($2900). With a shredder and an extruder, the project can get up and running. In future, if the college wishes to, the range of fabrication machinery available can be extended at their cost.

Applications recommended to be declined

16 Birthright Kāpiti Trust is a charity that supports one-parent families. To support families and the services that Birthright are able to offer, they also run a second-hand Opportunities Shop. They have applied for $7,280 for seven hours’ salary per week for one year in the Opportunity Shop to focus on finding alternative uses / homes for donated items they cannot sell. While this report recognises the work that Birthright does for the wider community, it recommended to not fund this project as it does not satisfy a number of key criteria in the policy. The project is unlikely of becoming self-sustaining after the funding period ends, the scale of community involvement is small, and it will not lead to behaviour change from goods donators.

17 Of the $30,000 available under Category 1 it is recommended that $14,840 is allocated as outlined above.

Applications for Category 2 – Seed Funding and Business Waste Reduction

18 Applications for Category 2 were called for in September 2020.

19 No applications for Category 2A: Seed Funding were received this year. Two (2) applications for Category 2B: Business Waste Reduction were received, requesting a total amount of $7,596. Full applications are attached to this report (Appendix C).

20 The applications were assessed against the criteria in the Waste Levy Grant Allocation Policy. Some applicants were contacted by a Council staff member to clarify or request further information. All additional information received in these communications are attached to each application, where applicable. Both applications were discussed by a panel of Council officers from the Sustainability & Resilience and Economic Development teams. Following that process, both applications to Category 2B are recommended for full funding. Refer to Table 2 and Sections 21 to 22 for further detail.

Table 2 – Funding Recommendations for Category 2 Applications

APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR FULL FUNDING
No	Applicant	Requested	Recommended
1	Koakoa	$4,596	$4,596
2	Māoriland Charitable Trust	$3,000	$3,000
Total		$7,596	$7,596

Applications recommended for full funding

21 Koakoa are a local handcrafted liquor distillery based in Paraparaumu. They have applied for $4,596 towards sourcing 400 reusable crates to extend their bottle return scheme. By collecting and refilling their used spirit bottles from their hospitality customers, they reuse their bottles 10 times before recycling, and, by delivering orders to bottle stores in reusable crates, they eliminate the need for cardboard boxes. This project addresses the top of the waste hierarchy: Reduce & Reuse, and will lead to long-term and measurable waste prevention through the application of circular economy principles in resource use. It is recommended to fund this project in full.

22 Māoriland Charitable Trust has applied for $3,000 towards adding 2 additional NZBox composters to the Māoriland Hub maara (garden) to increase capacity to process organic waste from local businesses and the local community as an extension of the current and ongoing project. This project meets the Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020 priority funding area and Waste Minimisation Taskforce 2019 recommendation of Organic Waste diversion, and the project fills a gap within current waste services. It will also lead to long-term measurable waste minimisation and community engagement. It is recommended to fund this project in full.

23 Of the $20,000 available under Category 2 it is recommended that $7,596 is allocated as outlined above.

Considerations

Policy considerations

The applications have been assessed against the criteria in the Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020 and the relevant Fund Criteria & Application Guidelines. Please refer to Appendix A for the objectives and requirements of projects under the policy.

Legal considerations

24 There are no legal considerations for the Council. The applicants themselves are responsible for ensuring their activities comply with all relevant laws and regulation. The allocation and use of the funding will be subject to audit for the Ministry for the Environment.

Financial considerations

25 The funding will be allocated as outlined above totalling $14,840 in Category 1 – Community Projects and $7,596 in Category 2B – Business Waste Reduction. There is no impact on rates funding as these grants are funded from Waste Levy income.

26 Successful applicants will be required to provide a bank account number before funds are released. This enables them to purchase goods directly. All successful applicants will be required to make their purchases within twelve months of receiving the grant and submit proof of purchase. Unspent funds would be returned to the Council.

Tāngata whenua considerations

27 Tāngata whenua were consulted as part of the consultation process for the current WMMP, under which, contestable grants are an action. The Waste Minimisation Taskforce (taskforce) also included three iwi representatives appointed through Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti. The Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020 is considered to be well aligned with the actions under the WMMP as well as the recommendations of the taskforce.

Strategic considerations

28 The allocation of waste reduction grants to community and business projects is in line with the objectives and actions set out in the current Wellington Region Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2017-2023.

29 The relationship between waste and climate change is tightly linked. By rethinking the way we use things, minimising what we dispose of, and changing how we dispose of things, we make a positive impact on the environment and climate change. Therefore, the allocation of waste reduction grants to community and business projects contributes to the effective response to climate change in Kāpiti (reducing emissions of waste to landfill), as per Council’s ten-year outcomes plan.

Significance and Engagement

Significance policy

30 This matter has a low level of significance under Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

Engagement planning

31 An engagement plan is not needed to implement this decision.

Publicity

32 Selected projects will be publicised by the Council through media releases, social media posts on the Council’s Facebook Page, the Everything Kāpiti newsletter, and other communication avenues.

Other Considerations

Updates from the 2019/20 funding round

33 In the 2019/20 financial year, a total of $20,778.71 of funding was allocated to fourteen (14) projects through the Community Projects Category. Eight (8) of the funded groups have reported the successful completion of their projects. Three (3) groups experienced significant delays due to COVID-19 disruptions but will run / complete their projects in the 2021 calendar year. One (1) group was unable to complete their project and have refunded the grant monies in full. The two (2) remaining groups have not yet submitted their reports. The project reports submitted by funding recipients are summarised in Appendix D.

34 In the 2019/20 financial year, a total of $49,880 of funding was allocated to three (3) projects through the New Technologies and Seed Funding Category.

· Organic Wealth and Earth Starch Waste Solutions: $22,880 to set up a trial-sized Earth Starch Waste Solutions Rapid Treatment Facility at the Composting New Zealand site at Otaihanga. The joint venture was to trial a food waste collection system for local cafes and some residential households to process any organic waste using specific enzymes with a much short time period than traditional composting. The project experienced significant delays shipping the machinery from Asia due to COVID-19. With the help of Council staff, site and power connection issues were resolved at the end of 2020. The trial has established a lease on the closed Otaihanga landfill, a generator will supply power to the site and the machinery arrived on site on 16 December 2020. The site installation commenced 25 January 2021 and the estimated trial commencement date is in early February 2021.

· POG – Paekākāriki Community Orchard and Garden: $12,000 to set up a food waste collection and composting system in Paekākāriki as a social enterprise, modelled on Wellington-based Kaicycle.

POG completed the set-up of the PaeCycle project in October 2020. The enterprise is up and running with staff cycling around Paekākāriki collecting and composting approximately 100kg of food waste every week from 16 subscribers, including 3 businesses.

· Recycling for Charity Ltd: $15,000 to set up shipping containers at both Otaihanga and Ōtaki transfer stations to collect E-waste from resident free of charge.

Recycling for Charity Ltd experienced significant project delays due to COVID-19 disruptions. The customised shipping containers are still with the manufacturers being finalised for security and functional purposes. Exact site locations and logistics of container operation have been finalised between Recycle for Charity, Midwest Disposal, Waste Management, Envirowaste, and Council officers. Signage is underway internally with Council officers. The current estimated commencement timeframe for the collection points is early March 2021.

Recommendations

35 That the Grants Allocation Committee allocates levy funding under Category 1 – Community Projects of the Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020 as set out in Table 1 of this report (Funding Recommendations for Category 1 Applications) totalling $14,840.

36 That the Grants Allocation Committee allocates levy funding under Category 2B – Business Waste Reduction of the Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020 as set out in Table 2 of this report (Funding Recommendations for Category 2 Applications) totalling $7,596.

Appendices

1. Appendix A: Waste Levy Grants Allocation Policy 2020 ⇩

2. Appendix B.1 Kāpiti Waldorf Trust application ⇩

3. Appendix B.2 Paekākāriki School and Garden Group application ⇩

4. Appendix B.3 Paraparaumu College SEAR Group application ⇩

5. Appendix B.4 Māoriland Charitable Trust - Community Projects application ⇩

6. Appendix B.5 Ōtaki College application ⇩

7. Appendix B.6 Birthright Kāpiti Trust application ⇩

8. Appendix C.1 Koakoa application ⇩

9. Appendix C.2 Māoriland Charitable Trust - Business Waste Reduction application ⇩

10. Appendix D: Summary of Reports from Successful Community Projects 2019/20 ⇩


AGENDA Grants Allocation Subcommittee (Waste Levy) Meeting
I hereby give notice that a Meeting of the Grants Allocation Subcommittee (Waste Levy) will be held on:
Date:	Thursday, 18 February 2021
Time:	1.30pm
Location:	Council Chamber Ground Floor, 175 Rimu Road Paraparaumu
Sean Mallon Group Manager Infrastructure Services

Cr Jackie Elliott	Chair
Mayor K Gurunathan	Member
Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow	Member
Cr Robert McCann	Member
Cr Martin Halliday	Member
Ms Margaret Stevenson-Wright	Member
Ms Grace Lindsay	Member