Cllr Natasha Davie, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change
West Sussex County Council is celebrating the success of its Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund, delivered in partnership with Biffa and ten local community partners.
Launched in 2025, the fund supports community groups, charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs), residents' associations and social enterprises to reduce household waste and develop solutions that keep useful items in circulation for longer.
A total of £50,000 was awarded to ten groups across West Sussex to deliver innovative repair, reuse and waste prevention projects. Initiatives ranged from bicycle refurbishment and repair cafés to schemes that provide furniture for residents in need.
Together, the projects helped reduce waste from a range of household sources, including food, electricals, textiles and general waste.
The projects delivered significant environmental benefits:
- Almost 94 tonnes of material diverted from disposal, including electrical items, textiles, food and furniture.
- Energy savings equivalent to powering 5,640 televisions for a year.
- 208 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions prevented, equivalent to taking around 45 cars off the road for a year.
Cllr Natasha Davie, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, said:
“The Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund demonstrates how local organisations can make a real difference to both people and the environment. The projects we have supported are helping residents when they need it most, encouraging community connections, developing valuable skills and reducing the amount of waste produced across West Sussex."
The impact of the fund extends beyond waste reduction. Across West Sussex, funded projects created more than 560,000 engagement opportunities for residents to volunteer, learn new skills, take part in community activities and support local repair and reuse initiatives.
The programme has also supported vulnerable and disadvantaged residents, helping to reduce social isolation, improve wellbeing and increase access to affordable goods and services. By bringing people together and building practical skills and confidence, the funded projects have strengthened communities and helped residents become more resilient.
The success of the programme has helped secure funding for a new round of the Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund. Planning is now underway and further updates will be shared when it is ready to launch in late summer 2026.
Cllr Davie is pleased with the results: "It's fantastic to see the lasting impact these projects are having and I'm delighted that many of them will be able to continue their work beyond the initial funding. I look forward to seeing what they achieve in the future."
Susie Chasmar, Biffa West Sussex Contracts Director, added: “We are incredibly proud to have partnered with West Sussex County Council on the Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund and to see the positive impact it has delivered across local communities. The projects supported through the fund have demonstrated how community-led initiatives can reduce waste, extend the life of valuable materials and create meaningful social value. We are delighted to continue supporting initiatives that help build a more sustainable and resilient West Sussex.”
Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund – 2025 Recipients:
- Barnham and Eastergate Community Trust
- Bognor Makerspace Repair Café
- Chichester Bike Project
- Selsey Community Forum
- Estcots Parents & Friends Association
- Grandads Front Room
- Resourceful Community Scrapstore
- Sussex Green Living
- Tamil Learning Centre Crawley
- West Sussex Federation of Women's Institutes
More information on the Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund can be found here: www.westsussex.gov.uk/wastepreventionfund
