FAQs

Please find below a list of Frequently Asked Questions in relation to The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust and where we fit in with the Landfill Communities Fund and associated organisations.

What is Landfill Tax?

Landfill Tax is an environmental tax paid on top of normal landfill rates by any company, local authority or other organisation that wishes to dispose of waste in landfill. It is intended to encourage alternative means of waste disposal, such as recycling, by reflecting the environmental costs of landfill use more accurately in its price. Click here for more information about the Landfill Tax.

What is the Landfill Communities Fund?

The Landfill Communities Fund was introduced to counteract the effects of landfill operations on local communities. Under the scheme, Landfill Operators are encouraged to financially support local environmental projects through the provision of a tax credit against their contributions to the Government. This tax credit is monitored by ENTRUST. Click here for more information about the Landfill Communities Fund.

What is ENTRUST?

ENTRUST is the regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund. ENTRUST regulates the Environmental Bodies' activities and the works they undertake. It assesses all projects before any fund money is spent to ensure the project is clearly going to deliver an approved objective. Click here for more information about ENTRUST.

What are Environmental Bodies?

Environmental Bodies are organisations that have registered with ENTRUST in order to receive Landfill Communities Fund money from Landfill Operators or other Environmental Bodies. Environmental Bodies don't have to be charities but any surplus they make must be used to further their organisation's objectives; surplus must not be used to pay dividends or other rewards. Environmental Bodies carry out projects that comply with the six objectives set out in The Landfill Tax Regulations 1996. Click here to view the six objectives of the Landfill Tax Regulations.

What is Enovert?

Enovert (formerly Cory Environmental) is one of the UK's leading resource management, recycling and energy recovery companies. Since the introduction of the Landfill Communities Fund, Enovert has provided millions of pounds in funding for worthwhile community and environmental projects across the UK. In Gloucestershire, Enovert has provided the funding for the Landfill Communities Fund Programme operated by The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust since 1997.

What is the role of The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust?

The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust is registered with ENTRUST as a Distributive Environmental Body. This means that the Trust can provide grants from funds generated by the Landfill Communities Fund for the benefit of Gloucestershire, its people and its environment. The Trust can give grants to other Environmental Bodies registered with ENTRUST or can register projects under its own Environmental Body Number for smaller organisations who do not wish to register themselves as an Environmental Body.

Do you have to be registered as an Environmental Body to apply for Landfill Communities Fund money?

You do not need to be registered as an Environmental Body to apply for Landfill Communities Fund money or to receive a grant.

Dependent on your project, your organisation structure and size, The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust may ask you to register with ENTRUST as an Environmental Body. We can advise you if this is necessary and guide you through the process. Please read our How To Apply section.

Can I apply for a grant from more than one Distributive Environmental Body like Gloucestershire Environmental Trust?

Yes you can and in this case, The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust will ask you to register as an Environmental Body with ENTRUST and also register your project with them too. The Trust must be informed if you intend to apply to more than one Landfill Communities Fund giver.

My organisation is registered as a Community Interest Company(CIC). Can I apply for funding on its behalf?

That will depend upon your Articles of Association and the wording of the Articles in relation to distribution of profits. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust will only fund 'not for profit' organisations. If you are in doubt, please send us a copy of your Articles of Association and we will advise you.

I work for a Local Authority in Gloucestershire. Can I apply for funding on its behalf?

The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust has funded projects supported by Local Authorities, at County, District and Parish Council level. These projects have always been registered through the Trust's Environmental Body Number and have not been associated with statutory service provision and have also provided local community benefits.

What can Landfill Communities Fund money be used for?

Environmental Bodies use this funding for a wide range of community and environmental projects in the vicinity of landfill sites.

What does the Trust not fund?

The Trust does not fund anything that cannot be regarded as a securely fixed asset.

Short term use/ benefit, moveable = NO
Long term benefit to community, fixed asset = YES

The following are examples of what the Trust does not fund: