Get Funding to Help Reduce Waste

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has begun accepting applications for the 2025 Waste Reduction Initiatives Program (WRIP).

Launched in 2015, WRIP was introduced to support waste reduction and recycling priorities identified in the SCRD’s Solid Waste Management Plan.

The program has a total of $7,500 available for financial assistance to Sunshine Coast based community groups and associations, non-profit societies, registered charitable organizations, school groups from school districts 46 and 93. for projects that will reduce waste in the region. Project applications must include a plan for measuring and reporting the amount of waste diverted from the landfill.

Project categories considered for the program include:

• Community reuse and repair
• Composting
• Construction and demolition waste reduction, reuse and recycling
• Food waste reduction
• Green waste reduction
• Recycling initiatives

Applications are now open and must be received by midnight on October 24, 2025.

Projects must be completed, including a final report, by June 30, 2026. Interim reporting, project guidelines and restrictions can be found at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/wrip. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the SCRD in advance of submitting their application to ensure that their project is eligible for funding.

Successful past projects include:

• The xwesám–Roberts Creek Community Association utilized their funding to enhance recycling sorting efforts within the community—improvements that may have already been noticed. Pictured below at the Earth Day event, the team successfully diverted at least 25 kg of recyclable materials from landfill. With the addition of new recycling bins, the Association continues to make meaningful progress toward its zero-waste goals.
• Chatelech Community School allocated their funding to support barrier-free breakfast, lunch, and snack programs for students at Chatelech Secondary School. Through their efforts to reduce waste, they successfully prevented the use of at least 2,500 paper plates—demonstrating a strong commitment to both student well-being and environmental sustainability.
• Cedar Grove Elementary School has enhanced classroom access to composting, resulting in reduced waste across the school. Both students and staff are actively engaging in learning what materials are recyclable and compostable. New bins and clear signage have been introduced to support ongoing waste-sorting education and environmental responsibility.

If you have questions about the Waste Reduction Initiatives Program, or are interested in submitting an application, please visit https://letstalk.scrd.ca/wrip email infrastructure@scrd.ca or call 604-885-6806.