This week is National Recycling Week (13-19 November), and ACT-based not-for-profit Lids4Kids Australia has received funding for the second year running from the IMB Bank Community Foundation, to set up and run a Community Recycling Hub and Education Centre, which turns single-use plastic bottle lids into new, sustainable and recyclable products.

Four other ACT organisations have also received funding from the Foundation.

“Lids4Kids ACT is so excited to have received the funding for the second year in a row from the IMB Community Foundation,” Emma Holliday, the organisation’s executive officer, said.

With last year’s funding, Lids4Kids established the ACT’s first small plastic recycling micro-factory which recycles one quarter of a million lids from landfill per week.

Hundreds of Canberra families bring their small plastics recycling to the public drop-off location for Lids4Kids to process, Ms Holliday said.

Volunteers sort 16 different recyclables by type, including bottle lids by colour and plastic (or polymer) type in preparation for shredding and recycling.

Every lid is washed, sorted, and processed into a raw material, and then used by recyclers and micro factories to produce recycled items such as furniture, pens, and plant pots.

In addition, The Hub hosts weekly educational workshops for adults with a disability, and school and college students to learn more about sorting plastics and recycling. They also get hands-on experience, turning lids into new, sustainable products.

“The continued funding and support of IMB Community Foundation ensures that Lids4Kids can continue recycling small plastic items from thousands of Canberrans and expand our capacity dramatically with the investment in new bigger equipment and training,” Ms Holliday said.

“We are honoured to be included in this year’s grant round from the IMB Community Foundation for the second year running. With support from groups such as IMB Community Foundation and the ACT Government, we aim to systemize and simplify small items recycling in the ACT to ensure our region remains beautiful for future generations.”

What began in the ACT has now grown to become a national initiative. Since 2019, when Tim Miller founded Lids4Kids, the organisation has rescued nearly 110,000,000 lids from landfill from all around Australia – enough to fill two Olympic sized swimming pools. The majority of the lids are brought to the ACT for processing.

The latest waste report reveals that while a population rise has increased waste generation (75.8 million tonnes), Australians have upped the ante on the recycling front. More than half (60 per cent) of the nation’s waste is recycled or reused. The country’s resource recovery rate, which includes reuse of waste, recycling, and recovery of waste for use in energy generation, is at 63 per cent. The ACT ranks second highest in Australia in resource receiver rates, at 69 per cent.

Four other ACT organisations have received funding from the IMB Bank Community Foundation.

Adamas Nexus, a post-crisis support group for women who have experienced domestic violence and sexual abuse, will expand its support services into regional Australia .

Canberra Region Junior Rugby League will ensure that every club has a portable defibrillator and trained personnel in case of an emergency to protect players, volunteers, and supporters.

St John Ambulance Australia ACT will run the Little First Aiders program, teaching ACT children basic life-saving skills.

The Weston Creek Men’s Shed will buy materials and equipment to create timber products such as toys, small furniture items, street libraries, and bird and possum nesting boxes, then donate them to local preschools, daycare centres, and primary schools.

The IMB Bank Community Foundation has provided $700,000 for 55 grassroots community groups and projects across NSW, ACT and VIC in 2023. Since its inception in 1999, the Foundation has supported more than 900 community projects with donations of more than $12 million in donated funding.

Robert Ryan, CEO of IMB Bank, said the funding in 2023 could be the boost that many community groups need to deliver effective and meaningful support.

“Australians have faced many challenges in recent years and community organisations are providing the on-the-ground support for people when they need it most,” Mr Ryan said. “It is a privilege to support volunteers and organisations that donate their time, energy, and care to help others.”