Residential Curbside Recycling Cart Grant
Through The Recycling Partnership’s Residential Curbside Recycling Cart Grant, communities are provided grant funding, technical assistance, as well as the design of education and outreach materials to help advance recycling and improve recycling access and capacity for U.S. residents. Communities considering any of the following three system improvements are encouraged to apply:
- Implementing a new cart-based curbside recycling program
- Converting existing bin or bag-based program to carts
- Expanding service area to improve access and equity
Why carts?
Recycling carts are the most efficient way to increase and sustain higher recycling rates. It increases collection efficiency, provides residents with more room to store recyclables, helps prevent materials from blowing away and becoming litter, and is safer for collection crews with decreased workers’ compensation claims.
Who is eligible to apply?
Local governments, solid waste authorities, or federally recognized tribes.
What requirements do communities have to meet?
- Education and Outreach – At minimum, a mailer or brochure needs to be sent to residents giving advance notice of program changes and an informational cart packet that accompanies a delivered cart are required, in addition to updates to a community’s website.
- Carts – There are several specifications that need to be met to ensure carts are eligible for reimbursement including cart size, collection frequency, RFID, and residential post-consumer recycled content.
- Data – Reporting monthly solid waste and recycling tonnages for the year preceding and following cart distribution is required to assess program impact.
Please refer to the RFP for full details on requirements.
How much funding is available?
Cart funding is tied to program type – the more recycling access you provide to residents, the higher tier of grant funding you unlock. Cart funding typically ranges from $5 to $15 per cart and funding is also available to support the education and outreach expenses associated with a cart project, typically at $1 per household. Please refer to the RFP for full details.
When do I need to apply?
RFPs are accepted year-round.
What happens after I apply?
The Recycling Partnership will evaluate the proposal and within roughly 90 days of receiving a complete application, The Partnership will notify the applicant of the grant decision.
Ready to apply?
Click below to access the Residential Curbside Recycling Cart Grant RFP. The Partnership looks forward to hearing from you, receiving your application for grant funding, and working with you to grow residential recycling.