Community Composting Grant

We offer funds to support the development and operations of community composting hubs, where businesses, schools, groups and households can bring food scraps and garden waste for composting, and the hubs then use the compost for food gardens. We broker connections between these groups to complete the regeneration cycle.

ELIGIBILITY

Anyone in the Auckland region can apply for the Community Composting Grant, which provides up to $800 per composting hub each financial year for approved expenses; however, funding is only available for community-focused systems and not for private use.

Please note:
This grant can be applied for in tandem with Auckland Council’s WMIF (Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund).
The grant is also available to social enterprise model drop-offs.
If the Living Compost app is funded for you, we also ask for your hub’s diversion data to be shared with us.

SET UP A COMPOSTING HUB

The Community Composting Grant can be used for the following expenses only:

Systems

• *DIY worm farms  – $35.00 
• *DIY compost bins – $35.00 
• *DIY bath tub worm farm – $500
• New worm farm 
• New compost bin
• New bokashi
• Bokashi zing (5kg)
• Worms (250g)
• Replacement parts

Tools

• Wheelbarrows
• Thermometers
• Weighing scales
• Compost aerators
• Long handled fork

Hub Marketing & Promo

• Signage
• Subscription to Living Compost Hub App.

• Hosting skillshare events with the community (Funds available for koha for hub space $100 and kai)
• Professional development for hub coordinators (Fees paid or subsidies to advanced workshops and courses)
• Hosting community workshops (Fees paid to speaker)

Note

• Travel costs are not eligible
• Professional development funds are limited

*These costs are for converted systems. If you receive funding for already converted systems, we will organise for these to be made for you, and the money will be paid directly to Masseys Men’s Shed and not reimbursed to you. We will be in touch about collection or delivery options.

Contact [email protected] for DIY resources and replacement parts for DIY systems, including buckets and wheelie bins which are available for free or at low cost. The facilitators also have access to printed factsheets (in many different languages and for each main composting system).

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for the Community Composting Grant, fill in the online application form below. Applications are processed on a weekly basis, so you’ll hear back within seven business days if your grant is approved.

When completing the application form, please give us as much information as you can about your compost hub. This will help us to provide you with the best support for your hub, which might include other free resources.

Note: You must have a process in place for accepting food scraps from the community which includes following all essential health and safety guidance. EcoMatters has developed health and safety risk assessment templates for large scale Bokashi, worm farms, and traditional composting systems.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Once your application is approved, you can go ahead and purchase your items. After you have spent the amount of funding allocated to your hub, you will need to fill in our accountability form and include receipts and photos of your hub. Once we have received and approved your accountability form, we will reimburse up to the agreed amount of funding for any items on the above list.

We will connect you with your local Compost Collective Facilitator, so they can offer you ongoing support and advice.

Use the following support to help you get started:
Free composting workshops, fact sheets and other resources, and information about composting in schools

Looking for an existing community composting hub in your neighbourhood to drop off your food scraps?