As the concept of recycling continues to grow with the United States, grants and other funding options can become imperative to help allow these programs to flourish further. Much like grants that can be found in Canada, these grants vary based off of your location and program that you wish to implement. These funding options are provided primarily by governmental organizations with the intent to assist both through the physical implementation as well as providing educational assistance with regards to recycling. With options ranging from a dollar amount per item to a large sum of funding, the ability to assist your recycling program within the United States is available and accessible! Below are just a small amount of funding options that we have found.
USA – FEDERAL GRANTS
The Recycling Partnership – Residential Curbside Recycling Cart Grant
Funding is provided to communities for technical assistance and the design of outreach and educational materials to help advance and improve recycling for US residents. Communities interested in implementing a new cart-based curbside program, convert existing bin or bag-based program, and/or expand their service area to improve access and equity are encouraged to apply.
Funding is dependent on program type; the more recycling access that is provided, the higher the funding. Cart funding ranges from $5-$15 per cart, as well as $1 per household for education.
CALIFORNIA
Beverage Container Recycling Grants
This program puts focus into reaching and maintaining an 80% recycling rate in the state of California for all beverage containers. This grant is to assist market development and expansion into beverage container recycling through establishing recycling and litter reducing projects.
Funding ranges from $75K-$275K
Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program
This program funds recycling projects for beverage containers implemented by counties and cities to assist in reaching the state’s 80% recycling rate goal. Cities and counties in California as identified by the California Department of Finance or CalRecycle are considered eligible.
Funding varies – areas classified as cities are eligible for a minimum of $5K whereas areas classified as counties are eligible for a minimum of $10K.
NORTH CAROLINA
Multifamily Recycling Grant Program
This grant is to assist in the implementation, expansion, and improvement of multifamily recycling programs in North Carolina. The intent is to fund projects that help create a lasting capacity to recycle traditional materials such as paper, cardboard, cans, glass, plastic bottles, and containers from multifamilty residences.
Up to $250K in funding is available with no minimum funding requirement.
NEVADA
Nevada Recycling Grant Program
Various grants available annually from private and governmental organizations in order to assist with efforts for recycling and waste reduction programs/projects that divert materials from Nevada landfills and increasing access to recycling as well as improving the quality of collected materials.
Funding of up to $75K annually
OHIO
Community Waste Reduction Grant
This program provides funding for projects that reduce waste and/or increase the diversion rate of recoverable materials that would be sent to landfill. Those eligible include local governments and non-for-profits, public and private schools, post-secondary institutions, hospitals, and churches; this program is not offered to private sector entities.
Funding can be as low as $500 up to a maximum of $35K.
NatureWorks Grant Program
This grant has funded over 2300 public park projects in all 88 Ohio counties. This program provides assistance for local government subdivisions for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas.
Grant provides up to 75% of reimbursement funding.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Collegiate Recycling Grant
This program allocates funds to South Carolina public and private post-secondary institutions in order to promote sustainability through recycling, reuse, composting, and waste reduction efforts. Funding is classified as state fee funds and is provided by the South Carolina Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling.
Funding amount N/A – Those interested are to reach out via email.
Grants for Local Governments
These various local government grants are to assist counties, cities, towns, and/or regions in South Carolina regarding general recycling or waste reduction projects, motor oil disposal, and/or the collection and/or recycling of waste tires.
Funding for programs provided at the retail level via $2 fee on appliances and lead-acid batteries, two cents per quart of collected motor oil, and $2 fee per tire.
VIRGINIA
Virginia Department of Environmental Equality Grant Programs
The non-competitive grant program provides funding for litter prevention and recycling program implementation, continuation, and/or expansion to localities in Virginia. The competitive grant program is eligible to those already receiving a grant through the non-competitive program via application to further improve their litter prevention and recycling programs.
Funding disbursement varies – The non-competitive program provided $3.9M disbursed among 177 applicants whereas the competitive program provided an addition $218K disbursed among 22 localities.
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Grant Opportunities
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection provide three separate grants. Their Recycling Assistance Grant Program is eligible to any county, municipality, public, and/or private sector in West Virginia interested in planning and implementing a recycling program as well as any related educational program. Funding varies for this program with the maximum amount for a private entity being $75K, the maximum for a public entity is $150K.
The Litter Control Grant Program assists municipalities and government agencies with cleanup and litter enforcement projects. The maximum funding available is $5K with the annual cycle running July 1 to June 30.
The Covered Electronic Devics Grant Program is eligible to municipalities and counties that are working to divert collected electronic devices from waste streams. The maximum amount of funding available is $40K.
Additional Recycling Grants Available in the USA
These options are just grazing the surface of what is available. If you happen to know of any other recycling grant or funding options that may be available in the United States that should be added to this list, please email them to tbaillie@buschsystems.com
If you are looking for assistance for how to best use your recycling grant money for Busch Systems recycling containers, our Sustainability Advisors might be able to assist you! For more information, click here.
