The Recycling Partnership has been working since 2014 to expand and improve recycling in the United States. Through their Residential Curbside Recycling Cart Grant, they provide financial and technical assistance for the creation of publicly sponsored, cart-based recycling programs.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and applicants should receive a decision within 90 days. Award amounts vary by program strategy. There isn’t a mandatory cash match, but applicants will be responsible for any program costs above the grant amount.
Eligibility
This grant is open to:
- Local governments
- Solid waste authorities
- Federally recognized Native American tribes
Under certain conditions, for-profit businesses or non-profit organizations may be eligible. Contact Vincent Leray at vleray@recyclingpartnership.org to see if you meet those conditions.
Allowable Expenses
Grant funds may be used for:
- Purchasing recycling carts
- Educational outreach
Program Requirements
Approved programs must:
- Provide recycling carts to the public without any costs added to solid waste or recycling fees.
- Provide carts of 60 or more gallons for weekly pick up programs.
- Provide carts of 90 or more gallons for pick up every other week.
- Use The Recycling Partnership’s outreach materials to educate the public about the program.
- Commit to implementing a data tracking system. Grantees will be required to report tonnage of trash and recyclables on a monthly and annual basis.
Program Strategies
Funding is available at five levels for five different program strategies. Funding for education and outreach is available at a rate of $1 per household served.
Universal
All households eligible for municipal garbage services automatically receive a recycling cart.
Funding Per Cart: $15
Cart Funding Cap: $750,000
Education Funding Cap: $75,000
Phased In
All households eligible for municipal garbage services automatically receive a recycling cart, but they are distributed gradually. Distribution must be completed within four years.
Funding Per Cart: $12
Cart Funding Cap: $600,000
Education Funding Cap: $50,000
Opt Out
All households eligible for municipal garbage services automatically receive a recycling cart except those that have explicitly chosen not to.
Funding Per Cart: $10
Cart Funding Cap: $500,000
Education Funding Cap: $50,000
Partial
All households within a designated sector of the community receive a recycling cart. Applicants must demonstrate the method by which this sector was chosen and show that this method does not disenfranchise or discriminate against any minority populations.
If partial implementation of the recycling program is successful, applicants may seek an additional grant of up to $200,000 to expand it.
Funding Per Cart: $8
Cart Funding Cap: $400,000
Education Funding Cap: $50,000
Opt In
Only those households which specifically request a recycling cart will receive one. The program must be widely advertised and the households that opt in recorded.
Funding Per Cart: $5
Cart Funding Cap: $250,000
Education Funding Cap: $50,000
Selection Criteria
- Ability to carry out all required parts of the program
- The amount of additional recyclable materials expected to be collected
- The number of households that will receive new or expanded recycling services
- Ability to leverage financial support from other sources to support the program
Priority will be given to projects that can be rolled out in their entirety within 18 months of signing the grant agreement.
Application Requirements
- All applicants must create an account with the Municipal Measurement Program before submitting their application.
- Applications must include letters of support from (A) The highest elected or appointed official in the community, (B) the Materials Recovery Facility responsible for handling recyclables, (C) the state recycling office.
