Composting food waste, repurposing hearing aids and recycling plastics are just some of the projects to receive funding under a new sustainability scheme intended to reduce waste and promote a sustainable economy across Tasmania's North.
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Stillwater Restaurant, Bradys Lookout Cider, The Udderway, Tamar Hearing, Envorinex, Isaac Williams Design Objects and City Mission have all received funds totalling $174,016 as part of a scheme intended to create a circular economy.
The grant scheme will be managed by the Northern Tasmania Development Corporation and Northern Tasmania Waste Management Group, with support from Tasmania's northern councils.
NTDC chief executive Mark Baker said the successful projects were selected because they included principles of a circular economy, and could provide positive social and economic outcomes.
Mr Baker said he was excited by the range of businesses that applied and the variety of projects on offer.
"They're all different and they're all exciting in their own right," he said.
"What I like is the mixture of for-profit business and not-for-profit business, social enterprises and artistic endeavours. I think they're all really interesting."
While traditional linear economies follow a take-make-dispose approach to resources, a circular economy places a higher priority on reuses, repair, remanufacture and recycling to maximise product value and duration.
One of the initiatives to have received funding was a refillable 18-litre milk keg and tap system by The Udder Way which replaces single-use milk containers used in cafes.
Mr Baker said the environmental and monetary benefits of moving to a circular economy were clear.
"It keeps money in businesses by not having to buy new stuff into their supply chain. It keeps carbon going into the atmosphere by not burying it in landfill and keeps water going down the drain and money going out of business," he said.
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Chairman of the NTWMG Shane Power said the grants were intended to provide an economic stimulus across the North in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Power said while driving the economy was important, successful businesses also needed to meet the principles of a circular economy.
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