The Western Australian government is backing community-led projects that help Western Australians reduce waste and protect and restore the environment, with grants of up to $25,000 now available.
The WasteSorted Community Education Grants have supported WA communities for more than 20 years, with the program expanding over time to support a broader range of organisations and projects, including local governments, community and not-for-profit organisations, charities, and research and educational institutions.
Projects that received grants in the last round included a mobile clothes swap, repair initiatives across WA, tailored waste education packs for Girl Guides, and programs to improve recycling in South West holiday homes through targeted surveys, kits and bin inspections.
Community organisations, local governments, charities, businesses, peak industry bodies, and research and educational institutions are all encouraged to apply.
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the grants continued to make a tangible difference in communities across the state.
“Community-based waste reduction projects drive real change, and the Cook Labor Government is proud to back action that contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said Swinbourn said.
“The WasteSorted Community Education grants have seen millions of dollars of grants delivered to many grassroots organisations over the last 20 years.
“Those projects have prompted communities to consider practical steps to reduce waste, which is an important step to diverting waste from landfill and creating a state where it is truly a last resort.”
The program’s longevity reflects its role in supporting grassroots efforts to shift community attitudes and behaviours around waste, with previous grant recipients using the funding to design and deliver initiatives tailored to the needs of their local area.
The mobile clothes swap and repair initiatives, for example, gave residents in various parts of the state practical alternatives to discarding used clothing and household items, while the Girl Guides education packs were designed to build waste awareness among young people.
In the South West, the recycling program combined surveys, education kits and bin inspections to help holiday homeowners and visitors better understand how to recycle correctly, addressing a challenge often faced in areas with high numbers of short-term and seasonal residents.
Organisations interested in applying for the current round of funding are encouraged to consider projects that align with the program’s focus on practical, community-driven approaches to waste reduction and environmental protection.
Applications are now open for the WasteSorted Community Education Grants and close at noon on Monday, 17 August 2026.
Eligible applicants include community organisations, local governments, charities, businesses, peak industry bodies, and research and educational institutions, reflecting the program’s broad reach across the sector.
More information on the WasteSorted Community Education Grants program, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, is available on the Waste Authority website.
The grants form part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to reduce waste sent to landfill and support the transition toward a more circular economy in Western Australia, with community organisations playing a central role in driving change at the local level.
