The NSW Government has marked National Recycling Week by doubling a recycling rebate for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to purchase small-scale recycling equipment. 

 National Recycling Week, which kicks off today, started 20 years ago to promote recycling and to educate people on ways to reduce waste.

 Environment Minister Mark Speakman said up to $50,000 (instead of $25,000) was now available through the Bin Trim rebate for each SME in NSW which wanted to improve its recycling rates.

 “On average, those SMEs that receive a Bin Trim waste assessment increase their recycling rates from 36 to 49 per cent,” Mr Speakman said.

 “This not only has the environmental benefit of reducing the estimated 800,000 tonnes of SME waste from landfill every year, it also helps those SMEs that receive a waste assessment to reduce waste management costs by an average of $3,000 per year.”

 Minister for Small Business John Barilaro said the Bin Trim rebate would encourage businesses to become more cost effective and environmentally aware.

 “There are around 680,000 small businesses in NSW which is approximately 96 per cent of all NSW businesses, which clearly shows how integral small business is to the community and the economy,” Mr Barilaro said.

 To be eligible for the rebate, an SME must undertake a free waste assessment by an approved Environment Protection Authority assessor and develop a waste-reduction action plan. If the assessment concludes that recycling equipment will help divert more waste from landfill, the SME can then apply for a rebate to cover half its capital costs of acquiring the small scale recycling equipment.

 The program, which is funded through the $35 million allocated to the Business Recycling Program, was established under the government’s Waste Less, Recycling More initiative. For more information visit: epa.nsw.gov.au/bintrim.