Are you thinking of kick-starting a recycling program but don’t have the budget? Recycling Grants help organizations across multiple industries offset the costs of recycling. Keep reading to learn more about some grants available across Canada.
What is a Recycling Grant?
A recycling grant is funding (typically from a non-profit, large corporation, or government organization) that helps offset the costs of your recycling program. There is an array of recycling grants available based on your geographic location as well as what industry your organization is in. There are larger grants that are available to applicants across the entire country vs. smaller, local grants available in your city or province. Some grants fund recycling infrastructure (bins) directly, while others fund recycling education and outreach projects, composting programs, and more. Here we’ve provided a list of some of the grants that are available in Canada.
Canadian Grants
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant
The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is a charity founded by TD Bank that funds environmental projects across the country, primarily focused on funding green space programs and environmental education. Eligible applicants include registered Canadian charities, educational institutions, municipalities and Indigenous communities!
- Potential Grant Amount: $2,000-$8,000
EcoAction Community Funding Program
The EcoAction Community Funding Program provides funding to non-profit and non-government organizations for local action-based projects that produce measurable, positive effects on the environment. Each year, the government chooses a new environmental priority to provide funding for.
- Potential Grant Amount: $25,000-$100,000
British Columbia
Columbia Basin Trust Environmental Grants
(No longer available as of August 2024)
Columbia Basin Trust provides funding for environmental projects that take place within the Columbia Basin Trust region. Eligible applicants include non-profits, First Nation communities, municipalities and regional districts. Businesses may be considered depending on the project and its broad community impact.
- Potential Grant Amount: $5,000+ dependent on project size
Bullitt Foundation
(No longer available as of August 2024)
The Bullitt Foundation provides funding to non-profit organizations that are working to safeguard the natural environment by promoting responsible human activities and sustainable communities in the Pacific Northwest, with a priority on projects taking place in Vancouver, Portland and Seattle.
- Potential Grant Amount: Dependent on project size/budget
Alberta
Community Champions
(No longer available as of August 2024)
The Community Champions Program (CCP) is an infrastructure grant program that is specially designed for not-for-profit organizations and municipalities in Alberta. The program provides funding for specialized recycling bins (indoor and outdoor) that make out-of-home opportunities for recycling more convenient for and accessible to the public.
- Potential Grant Amount: Up to $20,000
Alberta EcoTrust Environmental Grant Program
(No longer available as of August 2024)
Alberta EcoTrust funds non-profit organizations and first nations communities in Alberta to tackle Alberta’s most pressing environmental issues. They have a total of 4 grants streams.
- Potential Grant Amount: $7,500-$30,000
Edmonton Community Foundation
(No longer available as of August 2024)
The Edmontom Community Foundation funds multiple charities in the Edmonton area, including non-profits in the environmental sector.
- Potential Grant Amount: $50,000-$80,000
Saskatchewan
EcoFriendly Sask
(No longer available as of August 2024)
Ecofriendly Sask supports projects that protect, preserve, or repair the natural environment. Eligible applicants include individuals, schools, or community groups and institutions in Saskatchewan.
- Potential Grant Amount: $500
The City of Saskatoon implemented the Environmental Grant to fund projects that support their strategic goal of environmental leadership. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations in Saskatchewan.
- Potential Grant Amount: Up to $10,000
Manitoba
Waste Reduction and Recycling Support
(No longer available as of August 2024)
The Waste Reduction and Recycling Support (WRARS) program supports sustainable waste management efforts and prevention practices in Manitoba. Eligible applicants include organizations, businesses, local governments, educational institutions, and Indigenous communities in Manitoba.
Ontario
Waste Reduction Community Grants
(No longer available as of August 2024)
This grant supports innovative community-based efforts to reduce residential waste and increase participation in the City of Toronto’s waste diversion programs. Eligible applicants include resident, tenant, and neighbourhood associations, service clubs, ethnic community organizations, registered charitable organizations, environmental organizations, school groups, clubs, and councils.
- Potential Grant Amount: $5,000 – $25,000
Newfoundland and Labrador
Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund
MMSB’s Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund (SWMIF) provides financial support to innovators who are advancing sustainable waste management by finding creative ways to turn trash into treasure in Newfoundland and Labrador. Eligible applicants include businesses, industry associations and non-profits.
- Potential Grant Amount: Up to $15,000
Community Waste Diversion Fund
The Community Waste Diversion Fund provides financial support to communities across Newfoundland and Labrador that are finding exciting new ways to reduce, reuse or recycle more waste. Eligible applicants include municipalities and local service districts.
- Potential Grant Amount: Up to $10,000
Nova Scotia
Municipal Funding for Waste Diversion
Divert NS provides funding for municipalities to encourage their waste diversion efforts. This funding supports their waste management infrastructure and the delivery of waste management programs.
Prince Edward Island
Infrastructure Funding Programs
Government of PEI is providing funding to municipalities for infrastructure, including “green” infrastructure for recycling and waste programs.
Northwest Territories
Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative Funding
The Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative (WRRI) provides financial assistance to projects tackling some waste reduction initiatives. Eligible applicants include NWT-based municipalities, Indigenous governments, schools, organizations, businesses and individuals.
- Potential Grant Amount: Up to $50,000
Yukon
Environmental Awareness Funding
(No longer available as of August 2024)
The Environmental Awareness Fund (EAF) supports the efforts of grassroots organizations to educate, engage and connect Yukon communities with the territory’s natural environment to promote conservation, biodiversity, sustainability and stewardship.
- Potential Grant Amount: Up to $30,000
Environmental Grant
(No longer available as of August 2024)
The City of Whitehorse Environmental Grant encourages community groups to pursue the goals of the Whitehorse Sustainability Plan. Eligible applicants include societies, schools and commercial organizations in Whitehorse.
- Potential Grant Amount: $1000
Know of any grants we missed? Send us an email at mackenzieb@buschsystems.com with the grant and we’ll add it to the list!
