People with ideas for sustainability projects that could transform their neighbourhood can bid for grants to help make them a reality.

Watford Borough Council’s waste collection contractor Veolia is asking for bids for its £60,000 Sustainability Fund.

Past successful bids include projects to put solar panels on the roofs of community centres, encourage shops to use reusable lunchboxes instead of disposable packaging and transform disused land around roads and railways into communal gardens.

Applications will open on World Environment Day on Saturday June 5 and Watford’s Elected Mayor Peter Taylor is urging people to apply.

Watford Observer: Applications open on Saturday June 5Applications open on Saturday June 5

He said: “I’m sure there are residents out there who have some great ideas for their local community.

“The council is always keen to support Veolia’s initiatives, and the Sustainability Fund is a great way for people to get involved and really bring an idea to life that will benefit the environment.

“I hope to see some of the successful applications transform the local community.”

All applications will be considered, but projects should aim to do at least one of the following: enhance biodiversity, promote waste reduction, reuse or recycling, protect or preserve resources and the environment and use recycled, reused or reclaimed materials.

Watford Observer: Peter Taylor says: "The Sustainability Fund is a great way for people to get involved and really bring an idea to life that will benefit the environment.”Peter Taylor says: "The Sustainability Fund is a great way for people to get involved and really bring an idea to life that will benefit the environment.”

Veolia UK and Ireland communities manager Rachel Jay said: “At Veolia we are always looking at ways to give back to the communities we serve.

“I look forward to seeing all the fantastic projects that pitch to the fund and supporting successful applicants.”

Check out @VeoliaUK to discover projects you could replicate, get involved with or inspire you to create your own.

Applications can be made via Veolia’s website Veolia.co.uk/Sustainability-Fund