Funding for resource efficiency projects available to the food and drink sector

26/01/2010

CO2Sense Yorkshire is offering funding to SME’s in Yorkshire and Humber that want to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by reducing waste, saving water or saving energy.

The food and drink sector is one of CO2Sense Yorkshire’s priorities and food waste producers, collectors and processors can bid for funds to deliver waste reduction initiatives, recycling services, or re-use projects. They can also bid for funds to achieve energy and water savings.

The Greenhouse Gas Savings Capital Investment Fund is designed to increase the capacity of the resource efficiency sector in Yorkshire and Humber. Funded projects are expected to hit targets for CO2 emissions reductions, tonnage of waste diverted from landfill, business growth and cost saving.

Commenting on the funding announcement, Andy Lowe, food and drink project manager for CO2Sense Yorkshire said: “Our key aim is to help businesses to realise the benefits of resource efficiency and to increase the competitiveness, capacity, quality and scale of companies in Yorkshire and Humber’s food waste sector. These funding packages will help businesses to grow and prosper, increasing regional competitiveness, and generating the expertise to transform Yorkshire and Humber into a low carbon economy.”

Andrew Hartley, operations director for CO2Sense Yorkshire, said: “Cutting the Yorkshire and Humber food and drink sector’s CO2 emissions is a priority. With increasing landfill tax and a potential ban on sending food waste to landfill, now is the time for food and drink waste collection and waste processing businesses to look at expanding into this market opportunity.”

Businesses and projects that were successful in the last round of Greenhouse Gas Savings Capital Investment funding received between £8,000 and £75,000 of support.

Examples of funded projects include:

  • Bradford Environmental Action Trust: now  working with Associated Waste Management, the region’s largest independent waste management company, to set up a new segregated food waste collection for businesses around Bradford and Halifax.
  • Allensway Recycling: received capital funding for a new depackaging and wash plant to divert an additional 10,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill per year.

Greenhouse Gas Savings Capital Investment Fund bids can be submitted by individual SMEs or from groups or consortiums, if a project is large or regionally significant. CO2Sense Yorkshire will also help businesses access additional funding from other sources such as national partners or research and development grants for larger bids.

For further information about the Greenhouse Gas Savings Capital Investment Fund, including submission deadlines, visit the “latest news” section of the www.CO2Sense.org.uk homepage. Full application packs are available along with case studies of projects funded in previous rounds. Alternatively email jan.phillips@co2sense.org.uk or contact Andy Lowe on 0113 237 8493.

Companies interested in renewable energy in the sector can also approach the CO2Sense Renewable Energy Fund. This fund provides help with the capital costs of renewable energy projects such as Anaerobic Digestion, which processes food waste into bio-gas, a source of renewable energy. Funding is available on commercial terms and grant basis, depending on circumstances. Bids can be made for amounts between £20,000 and up to £750,000. 

For more information about the Renewable Energy Fund contact Jemma Benson on 0113 237 8422 or jemma.benson@co2sense.org.uk.

CO2Sense Yorkshire is a not-for-profit company funded by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund. It has set up a Greenhouse Gas Savings Capital Investment Fund to help SMEs in Yorkshire and Humber to save money and compete in a low carbon economy. 

Notes to editors

CO2Sense Yorkshire

  • CO2Sense Yorkshire is a not-for-profit business development programme, which helps businesses in Yorkshire and Humber to succeed in the low carbon economy
  • It is a fully-owned subsidiary of the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward
  • It is funded by Yorkshire Forward and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

It has five areas of work:

  • Resource Efficiency, which helps businesses to use fewer resources and helps businesses in the resource efficiency sector to grow
  • Carbon Reduction, which helps the region’s largest businesses to develop and adapt their business plans to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to a changing climate.
  • Renewable Energy, which helps and funds renewable energy projects.
  • Wood fuel, which helps and funds businesses to collect and process forestry and waste wood, and supports and funds businesses to use wood fuel through new installations and conversions
  • Carbon Capture and Storage, which encourages industry and investors to develop CCS infrastructure in the region