£50k grants for SMEs to boost reuse

Small businesses (SMEs), social enterprises and local authorities are being offered grants of up to £50,000 to improve recovery and reuse

Wrap has launched a second round of its “reuse and repair” competition, which offers SMEs the chance to apply for funds to buy new equipment or systems that will help them to collect, sort, repair and remanufacture waste electrical and electronic (WEEE) goods, textiles or furniture.

Eligible organisations can apply for up to 50% of the costs of investing in new equipment or to make changes to workshops or shops, up to a ceiling of £50,000, as long as they can prove their business case and show that the change will bring value for money, in terms of carbon emissions savings and job creation. They also have to demonstrate a commitment to the environment.

“There are not just big environmental benefits … re-use and repair, particularly of textiles, furniture and WEEE can generate jobs and social benefits too,” said Mervyn Jones, head of products and materials at Wrap, in launching the new round of funding.

“We’re aiming to support businesses that have commercially robust plans to increase re-use and repair of products. The small-scale grant will help get them over the initial hurdle of reconfiguring or acquiring new assets to facilitate reuse and repair.”

Wrap is currently working with the 11 organisations that successfully applied for funding in the first round of the competition. Their initiatives have the potential to save 18,000 tonnes of carbon, says Wrap.

SMEs interested in applying for a grant under the second round of funding have until 10 January to apply. More information and an application form is available on Wrap’s website.