The Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative provides up to $50,000 in financial assistance to NWT-based municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, schools, non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals to complete projects supporting one or more of the following goals:

• reduce the amount of waste generated in our communities
• reuse materials and products, rather than discard them
• recycle materials that are not already collected through a NWT recycling program
• raise awareness about the importance of reducing waste and encourage environmental stewardship of waste resources
• reclaim (or repurpose) waste

How do I apply?

New updates this year! We have updated the application process to make it even easier to apply. There are now 2 different applications:

1. For funding requests less than $10,000 – use the $0-9,999 Application
2. For funding requests between $10,000 and $50,000 – use the $10K-50K Application

You can apply for 2023 funding from April 13 until May 15.

Please refer to the updated Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative Funding and Application Guidelines for more information. 

• Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative – Funding and Application Guidelines 
• Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative – Project Plan and Budget Template
   

What kind of programs are funded?

2023-2024 marks 10 years that funding has been distributed through WRRI. Over the past decade, over $1 million has been distributed across the Northwest Territories (see below for how it has been distributed).

WRRI Project Ideas

Reduce

• Start a composting program
• Purchase compostable utensils for your community gathering (instead of plastic)
• Start a community fridge/freezer, where food you won't eat (and might throw away) will end up for someone else to eat instead

Reuse

• Host a clothing/book/toy swap
• Purchase reusable dishware for your office
• Build a salvage shed for your community
• Start a tool library in your community
• Host a DIY or repair workshop

Recycle

• Collect batteries for recycling
• Remove tires or scrap metal from your community for recycling
• Transport fridges and freezers from remote communities to recycling markets

Raise awareness

• Teach a cooking class, focusing on reducing food waste
• Deliver a presentation to your school or office about the benefits of composting
• Create posters for your local store, encouraging people to choose eco-friendly options

Repurpose

• Repurpose textiles into blankets/bags/stuffed animals
• Use waste to create art, showing the importance of reducing waste
• Collect paper/cardboard for woodstoves (instead of wood)