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Projects to tackle plastic pollution worldwide awarded grants

The Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund has awarded NOK 20 million to reduce plastic pollution around the world. During the announcement between the 15th of October and the 1st of December 2019 the Fund received 133 applications from 6 continents amounting to NOK 263 million.

Published: 13.February, 2020
Last updated: 29.August, 2020

Clean beach

- The collective engagement to reduce plastic pollution worldwide is undoubtedly high. Tackling plastic pollution and its associated environmental problems is expensive. The Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund is pleased to award grants to countries where the challenges and needs are the greatest. These grants will make a huge difference in the countries where these projects will be implemented, says Rasmus Hansson, CEO in the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund.

From America and Asia
The Fund has concluded which projects will be awarded a grant in our first international announcement. The successful projects will be implemented all over the world, from South America to Asia. These projects involve cleanups, collection of plastic waste, managing and recycling plastic waste, as well as preventative measures. The vast problem of plastic pollution requires actions to be taken in all these areas.

- Countries with major plastic pollution challenges and limited resources need better waste collection and management. The Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund will continue to contribute to this end, granting money from Norwegian consumers. Supporting international work will be more important moving forward, says Hansson.

Examples of projects that have been awarded a grant:

  • Ocean Conservancy are awarded a grant to mobilise and arrange beach cleanups particularly in the Caribbean and West-Africa
  • Preventative measures in church communities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) is developing small scale pyrolysis for low quality plastics in the refugee camp Melkadida, Ethiopia.
  • Strømme Foundation and Norsk Gjenvinning are awarded a grant to increase collection and recycling of plastic waste and creating work for youth and women

The next announcement and opportunity to apply will be autumn 2020. The Fund is continuously working to develop national and international strategic projects tackling environmental issues due to plastics.