Edinburgh: A new Capital Grant Programme aimed at increasing capacity for reclaiming and recycling the non-inert fractions of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in Scotland, was launched this morning.
Launched by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and supported by the Scottish Government, the funding programme is in direct response to feedback from construction contractors who say that the waste management industry does not have sufficient capacity to recycle their waste.
The WRAP Construction and Demolition Capital Grant Programme for Scotland covers a wide range of materials, including off-cuts and waste timber, plastics, packaging waste and soils. It is open to companies wanting to develop new or existing waste processing of non-inert materials and recycling facilities and provides up to 30% of the total costs of plant, equipment and infrastructure.
To qualify, applicants must be based in Scotland and able to demonstrate that projects can provide additional capacity for reprocessing construction and demolition waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill. The project must be dependent on WRAP support for viability and be commercially sustainable in the medium and long term, resulting in an auditable annual output for a minimum of five years. Applicants must also demonstrate that there is a clearly defined end market for the outputs of their project.
Iain Gulland, WRAP Director for Scotland explains:
“This Capital Grant Programme provides grants to help companies develop the capacity that Scotland needs to recycle more of its construction and demolition waste. We are specifically interested in proposals that will significantly increase the quantity and quality of non-inert fractions of construction and demolition waste materials recovered, separated and recycled from construction sites.
“There is already a similar programme running in England and one proposed for Wales, both of which are targeting the same waste stream.”
The deadline for applications is 12.30pm on Thursday 18th December 2008. Successful applicants will be informed by the end of February. The outcome of the capital investment must be operational by 31st December 2010.
Further information
Full eligibility criteria and an application form are available online at www.wrap.org.uk or by contacting WRAP on 01295 819900. If you have any questions about the programme, your eligibility, or the application process, contact the WRAP Capital Grants Team on the same phone number, or by email at capital.support@wrap.org.uk.
WRAP will also be hosting two free workshop events in Aberdeen and Glasgow during November to advise companies of the application process. The events will help to explain the scope of the programme and the type of projects it can support, how to apply and the range of other services that WRAP offers to C&D waste recycling businesses. To secure a place contact Sonia Simpson on 01295 819612 or email sonia.simpson@wrap.org.uk.
Working in seven key areas (Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Organics, Business Growth, Behavioural Change, and Local Authority Support), WRAP’s work focuses on market development and support to drive forward recycling and materials resource efficiency within these sectors, as well as wider communications and awareness activities including the multi-media national Recycle Now campaign for England.
More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found on www.wrap.org.uk