Council has welcomed funding to help Northern Sydney businesses save money and help the environment by reducing food waste.
On 24 July 2024, the NSW Government announced that the Better Business Partnership (BBP) had been successful in securing a Business Food Waste Partnership grant from the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
The BBP is a business sustainability program funded by Ku-ring-gai, North Sydney and Willoughby City councils.
The grant will be used to help 300 selected businesses with free support to reduce food waste to landfill by 40% over the next two years.
North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker said the funding will help local businesses to better manage their waste, contributing to emissions reductions and potentially saving them money in the process.
“This grant is fantastic because it allows Council to work with businesses to reduce food waste going to landfill. This funding will help us to prevent food waste ending up in landfill where it can cause significant methane emissions, which are 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It’s part of our strong commitment to environmental sustainability. As a community, Council, residents and businesses all have a role to play in reducing our environmental footprint,” Mayor Baker said.
“Many businesses organise their own waste collection, rather than using Council’s services. Food waste is heavier and generally costs them more in contracted waste fees, so there is potential for cost savings for businesses who take part too.”
As the BBP has an extensive business network with existing relationships with hundreds of local businesses, it is an ideal recipient to implement this grant.