Funding available for Nottinghamshire community projects that reduce waste and promote recycling

Veolia and Nottinghamshire County Council’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund is back for its 16th year to provide grants of up to £1,000 to community groups, schools, and charities across Nottinghamshire's seven boroughs and districts: Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Gedling, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, and Rushcliffe. The Fund has previously supported a diverse range of projects and activities, including swap shop events, repair workshops, community gardens utilising reused, reclaimed or recycled materials, food waste reduction initiatives and composting schemes.

Applications for the Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund can be made online at nottinghamshire.veolia.co.uk/reduce-reuse-recycling-fund or application forms can be requested by calling 0203 567 4391. For any questions relating to applications, please email nottsenquiries@veolia.co.uk. The closing date for applications is 14 September 2026.

Veolia, which delivers essential waste treatment services on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, is looking for applications that detail innovative and creative ways to promote reducing, reusing and recycling waste, to inspire the community and generate change across Nottinghamshire.

Examples of previously successful applicants include:

● Broxtowe Women’s Project, a charity that provides support and advice for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse, received a £750 grant in 2025. The funding it received enabled the group to purchase resources for a new Gather and Grow project, which focused on teaching families about growing and cooking food, centering on sustainability and recycling in a practical way.

● Majestic Theatre in Retford also received £882 of funding in 2025. The theatre, which is run entirely by volunteers, used the grant to invest in a robust recycling system which has allowed them to take real, practical action to reduce their environmental impact.

● St Mary Magdalene in Newark-on-Trent used its funding of £761 to launch its Repair Cafe. As an Eco Church, the funding enabled the group to provide a free repair service for the local community, which encourages residents in Newark and the surrounding area to reduce, reuse and recycle.

● Sam’s Workplace based in Rainworth received £667 to fund its beekeeping equipment. Sam's Workplace offers work placements to adults with learning disabilities, which provide them with skills to help their independence, ability to travel, and opportunities to work.

Dean Ford, Director of Treatment East, said: “We’re excited to be supporting even more local projects in Nottinghamshire through the Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund, which is now in its sixteenth year. I’m looking forward to reviewing all the fantastic applications and seeing how people across Nottinghamshire get engaged with driving change and making a positive impact on their local environments, paving the way for a more sustainable future in the area.”

Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It’s clear that Nottinghamshire residents are passionate about making a positive impact in their local communities while also protecting the environment. We are delighted to be running the Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund again this year as it is a great way to support local groups with their efforts. If you are a school, community group, or charity with an innovative idea to challenge how we think about waste then I encourage you to apply. Projects that can help increase everyone’s desire to cut waste will be a benefit to us all.”

Brady Mould, Artistic Director of Majestic Theatre, stated, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have received support from the Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund. As a busy community theatre, we generate a surprising amount of waste – so being able to invest in a proper recycling system is a huge step forward. This funding has allowed us to take real, practical action to reduce our environmental impact. It’s not just about bins – it’s about setting an example for our performers, volunteers and audiences, and showing that even small changes can lead to big improvements. We’re really proud to be making the Majestic a greener place to be.”