GRANTS are up for grabs in Hampshire.

The county council is offering grants of up to £5,000 to help kick start or expand projects, products and services which prevent waste at home.

Cllr Rob Humby, executive member for environment and transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “Dealing with waste is a costly business for everyone and reducing the amount of household waste produced in the first place can make a big difference.

“We know that some of the best work in waste reduction goes on at a local level with groups sharing knowledge or providing facilities. We want to encourage these initiatives and inspire more.” There is some great work going on, but I know that limited funding can sometimes prevent good work expanding, so I hope that community groups and other eligible organisations will be encouraged to apply to the grant fund to help them.”

Community, neighbourhood or voluntary groups, registered charities, schools, colleges and universities, not-for-profit organisations, businesses with fewer than 250 employees, faith groups delivering community work and parish councils are all invited to apply.

The total grant fund available for the year is £65,000.

“We’re looking for projects that reduce or prevent ‘household waste’– this is different to recycling as it involves taking action before a product or material becomes waste, so we mean the rubbish you might put in your waste bin at home or take to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for disposal,” Cllr Humby added.

Interested groups are encouraged to discuss potential projects with the county council’s team prior to applying and email waste.prevention@hants.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion.