AS the cost of dealing with Hampshire’s household waste regularly tops the £100 million per year mark, the county council says it is now striving to help prevent rubbish at home.

Hampshire County Council is offering grants of up to £5,000 to help kickstart or expand projects, products and services which prevent waste at home.

Councillor Rob Humby, executive member for Environment and Transport, said: “Dealing with waste is a costly business for everyone, and reducing the amount of household waste produced in the first place can make a big difference.

“We know that some of the best work in waste reduction goes on at a local level with groups sharing knowledge or providing facilities. We want to encourage these initiatives and inspire more.”

This is the second year of the scheme. Grants awarded last year went to a furniture repair café in Bordon, a community fridge in Gosport and a children’s book distributed to all Hampshire’s libraries and primary schools.

The county council is inviting applications from local organisations for up to £5,000 to support them in delivering projects, products and services which prevent household waste or encourage re-use.