Grants up to $750,000 supporting NSW manufacturers develop new designs and processes that overcome barriers and improve circularity at the ‘make’ phase of plastics production.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
- An overview of Circular Plastics Program
- Every detail you will need to know
- Resources and help to get the grant
What is the CPP?
The Circular Plastics Program (CPP) is delivered under the Circular Materials Fund (CMF), which aims to support businesses transition to better plastic products and to increase plastic recycling in NSW.
The CPP aims to reduce barriers and maximise opportunities for improved circularity at the ‘make’ phase of the plastic product life cycle. It offers two funding streams:
- Stream 1 – Sole applicant
Small to medium manufacturing businesses who are developing new product design and/or processes in the ‘make’ phase of a plastic product
- Stream 2 – Collaborative partnership
Three or more organisations, with the manufacturer as lead, that collaborate and interact across the plastic product lifecycle
The grants are part of a suite of programs being rolled out by the NSW EPA to support the NSW Waste and Sustainability Materials Strategy 2041 and the NSW Plastics Action Plan. See the Resources section below for a link to the EPA grants calendar with current and forthcoming funding opportunities.
CPP level of support
Grant
Stream 1 – Sole applicant
- $100,000 to $500,000 per project
- Up to 50% of total projects costs
Stream 2 – Collaborative partnership
- $250,000 to $750,000 per project
- Up to 50% of total projects costs
Co-contribution
- Minimum 50% of total project costs
- Minimum 50% cash co-contribution, with balance as in-kind contribution
- Excludes funding from other government grants
CPP important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
CPP important details that you will need to know
CPP objectives
The key objective of the CPP is to reduce barriers and maximise opportunities for improved circularity at the ‘make’ phase of the plastic product life cycle.
To achieve this, funded projects must undertake at least one of the following:
- reduce the amount of virgin plastic used
- increase the amount of recycled plastic in products
- reduce the amount of hard-to-recycle plastics used
- catalyse partnerships between producers, end users and the resource recovery sector
See the guidelines for a visual representation of the phases of the circular economy
Organisations eligible for CPP support
The lead applicant must hold an ABN and be either:
- an Australian entity or partnership incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or
- a non-government/not-for-profit organisation (ATO definition)
The applicant must also:
- have fewer than 200 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees at time of submitting the EOI
- operate at the ‘make’ phase of a product life cycle (e.g. product manufacturing and design)
- hold the required insurance and public liability coverage, including:
- public liability insurance to the value of at least $20 million
- workers compensation insurance as required by all relevant laws
Partnerships must include a lead applicant at the ‘make’ phase with fewer than 200 FTE, plus a minimum of two other organisations. Project partners may be businesses of any size, including large businesses (>200 FTE), and could include, for example, product designers, recyclers/re-use facilities, waste collectors, end users, and tertiary/research organisations. The lead applicant will be responsible for receiving and distributing funding to partners and for the overall delivery of the project.
See the guidelines for full details of eligible organisations.
Projects eligible for CPP support
Stream 1 – Sole applicant
Funding for projects targeting the ‘make’ phase of the product life cycle, which may include projects that:
- alter or adopt innovative product design (e.g. new designs, moulds, forms, products)
- improve manufacturing processes (e.g. through new equipment, material inputs)
- increase recycled content manufacturing capacity
- generate additional demand for recycled content
- reduce the use/manufacture of virgin or hard-to-recycle plastics
- reduce the generation of plastic waste
Projects must, as far as practicable, demonstrate viable end-markets for project outputs and benefits to NSW, including employment, infrastructure investment, environmental and social benefits.
Stream 2 – Collaborative partnership
As for Stream 1, with an expectation of strong and collaborative partnerships and an emphasis on end-to-end supply chain collaboration.
See the guidelines for full details of eligible projects.
Activities and Costs eligible for CPP support
Funding can be used for project items including, but not limited to:
- purchasing of new or modified equipment to increase the use of recycled plastic in the manufacture of products or sustainable alternatives
- redesign of products, services or systems to use less plastic or eliminate waste
- redesign of plastic products to be more recyclable
- creating products that are durable and can be more easily repaired or re-used
- adopting a re-use model to replace single-use packaging
- commercialisation of new technologies
- replacing hard-to-recycle plastics, such as soft plastics or multi-layer products, with sustainable alternatives
- implementing innovative circular-economy business models and practices to develop or expand end-markets for recycled plastics
Under Stream 2, funding could also be used to fund eligible partnership projects, including but not limited to:
- product design, recycling, reprocessing, collection and other activities directly related to the manufacturing activities (up to 50% of funding)
- coordinating the delivery of the project across project partners (up to 15% of funding)
Ineligible activities and costs include:
- any activities not directly contributing to the ‘make’ phase (except when included in a partnership project)
- products covered by the NSW single-use plastics bans
- transporting components offshore for processing
- facilities that produce fuels from waste or use waste material as an energy source
- purchase of plant or equipment that has been previously owned by the applicant, any project partner or any associated entity
- land acquisition
- ongoing operational costs
- project activities or equipment that have received funding or support from other sources
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible costs
Information to prepare for the CPP application
Stage 1 – EOI
A high-level project overview demonstrating capacity and capability to address the program’s objectives, including:
- an overview of project and activities
- project partner details and roles, if applicable
- an outline of the project’s commercial viability
- information on end-markets for recovered materials
- information about how the project addresses program priorities
Stage 2 – Detailed application
A more detailed demonstration of the proposal’s merits, including:
- a detailed budget and cost-benefit/financial analysis
- a detailed project design
- formalised partnerships via letters of support, if applicable
See the preview guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for CPP
Applications are submitted via SmartyGrants.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to increase your chances of success.
CPP assessment criteria
| Ref | Criteria | Weighting |
| 1 | The project will improve plastics circularity in NSW by overcoming market and other barriers – contributes to program objectives – clear pathways for improved plastic circularity, overcoming barriers and increased recyclability/reusability | 25% |
| 2 | The lead organisation and any project partners have shown an ability to deliver the project to a high standard – project team has capacity and capability to deliver – risks identified robust processes for monitoring, evaluation and reporting – sound project planning and methodology | 20% |
| 3 | The project proposes suitable suppliers, technologies and end-markets – suitable technology and processes – access to end-markets – viable supply of project materials – compliance with environmental law – viable and credible pricing and service | 20% |
| 4 | The project has potential to become business as usual for the applicant/participating organisations – credible and commercially viable business case – demonstrated strategy for overcoming barriers – long-term viability | 20% |
| 5 | The project provides economic, environmental and/or social benefits for the community of NSW, including job creation and economic value | 15% |
See the guidelines for full details of assessment criteria.
CPP resources
- Source
- Guidelines
- Apply
- EPA grants calendar
- NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041
- NSW Plastics Action
How do I get CPP?
You should read and understand the guidelines.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- a sound project design that lays out a clear pathway for overcoming barriers at the plastic ‘make’ phase and improving plastics circularity
- a commercially sound business case that provides for the long-term viability of the project
- a clear understanding of and access to necessary suppliers, technologies and end-markets, as well as compatible partners across the plastic product lifecycle (for Stream 2)
- the economic, environmental and social benefits of the project for NSW
- a project team with the necessary capacity and capability to support successful completion of the project within the agreed timeline
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