Ecosurety launch £1million fund to accelerate waste-reduction innovation and research

The Ecosurety Exploration Fund is an industry-first initiative to fund projects that offer solutions to the negative impact of packaging, WEEE and batteries on the environment.

Today Ecosurety have launched a £1million innovation and research fund for UK-based projects that seek to reduce the negative impact of packaging, batteries and WEEE on the environment.

The first ever such fund to be launched by a UK compliance scheme, the Ecosurety Exploration Fund builds on Ecosurety’s experience in supporting innovative projects and new technologies across the waste and recycling sector by providing a visible funding route for companies, charities, not-for-profits and academic institutions.

The £1million fund will be spread across three years, with individual grant applications of up to £150,000 being accepted each year and judged by an independent panel of experts. Projects must be completed within 12 months and offer measurable impacts and tangible solutions.

Considering the full life-cycle

While Ecosurety recognises that innovation and investment into recycling technologies for packaging, batteries and WEEE is the best direct route to increase UK recycling capacity, it is also aware of the need for reduction and re-use strategies to minimise the negative impact these products have on the environment.

On this basis, the Ecosurety Exploration Fund will be open to projects that tackle packaging, battery or electronic waste across the full life-cycle of the products - from production, use and collection through to their end-of-life treatment or reuse.

Successful applicants to the Ecosurety Exploration Fund could include innovative technologies, awareness campaigns, processes, materials or research into improving existing behaviours or systems.

Judged by leading independent experts

All entries will be carefully considered before a long-list is compiled by Ecosurety, which will then be judged by a high profile panel of five major producers and five independent experts from industry, non-governmental organisations and businesses.

So far this includes Peter Maddox, Director at WRAP, Libby Peake, Senior Policy Advisor at Green Alliance and Mike Barry, Sustainable Change Maker and former Director of Sustainable Business (Plan A) at Marks and Spencer.