Indiana Community Recycling Grant Program

The Indiana Community Recycling Grant Program (CRGP), administered by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), is designed to support local initiatives that improve recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability across the state of Indiana. Funded by the State Solid Waste Management Fund, the program is authorized under Indiana Code 13-20-22 and draws its revenue from a fifty-cent surcharge per ton imposed on waste disposed at final disposal facilities in the state. This fund serves as the financial backbone for a range of environmental initiatives, including the CRGP. The CRGP provides financial assistance to local governments, school systems, and nonprofit organizations to implement programs that promote recycling and environmental stewardship. The scope of eligible project types includes public education and promotional efforts around recycling, source reduction programs that aim to reduce waste at its origin, management of organic waste such as composting and yard waste initiatives, and the collection and safe disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW). The grants are awarded competitively and are intended to stimulate new or expand existing recycling programs across Indiana. Grant amounts range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $100,000. A cash match of 25% of the requested amount is required from applicants. This match must be in the form of actual monetary contribution rather than in-kind support. This structure ensures that awarded organizations have a vested interest and financial commitment to the success of their proposed projects. Applications must be submitted via a designated webform link during the open application window. The next application deadline for Fiscal Year 2026 is August 8, 2025. Eligible applicants include solid waste management districts (SWMDs), Indiana counties, municipalities, schools, and nonprofit organizations physically located in Indiana. Ineligible applicants include businesses, commercial operations, for-profit organizations, and state agencies. However, state agencies may participate as project partners in collaboration with eligible applicants. Repeat applicants are allowed to reapply only if they have no unresolved compliance issues, open grants, or outstanding reports or financial obligations with IDEM. The CRGP application process is guided by detailed program guidelines that provide information on eligibility, scoring criteria, funding use restrictions, and match requirements. The application is evaluated based on a scoring matrix, which applicants are encouraged to review in advance. The scoring criteria prioritize impact, feasibility, clarity of the proposed plan, and the project's alignment with the program’s overall goals. No pre-application steps such as a letter of intent or concept paper are required, but applicants should ensure all documentation is complete before submission. Program administration details, annual reports, and historical data on awarded grants are available through IDEM’s Grants Dashboard. This interactive tool provides transparency and insight into previously funded projects by type, location, and entity. Contact information for the IDEM central office includes a dedicated phone line and email address for general inquiries. Grant-related communications should be directed to IDEM via [email protected] or by phone at (317) 232-8603 or toll-free at (800) 451-6027 within Indiana. The application period is projected to recur annually, with the next anticipated cycle expected in Summer 2026.