Statewide Recycling Market Development Grant

The Statewide Recycling Market Development Grant is administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), a state agency dedicated to protecting and improving Minnesota’s environment and public health. This grant program supports strategic investments that strengthen recycling infrastructure and promote sustainable economic growth throughout the state. By enhancing the capacity of businesses and organizations to process and utilize recyclable materials, the MPCA aims to foster resilient markets that drive environmental stewardship, reduce waste, and stimulate economic development. The purpose of this grant is to build lasting capacity to support recycling markets in Minnesota by increasing the demand for recyclable materials and encouraging their use in manufacturing and production. Funding is intended to assist Minnesota businesses and other entities in incorporating recyclable materials into their products or processing recyclables into higher-value materials. These efforts help create stable end markets for recyclables, ensuring that recycling systems remain effective, economically viable, and environmentally beneficial. Approximately $800,000 in total funding is available through this competitive solicitation. Individual grant awards range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $300,000. Grantees are required to provide a 20 percent match of the grant award, which may consist of cash or in-kind contributions. Eligible expenses include expanding production capacity for recycled-content products, improving processing methods that add value to recyclable materials, purchasing equipment for handling and processing materials, conducting research and development related to recycled materials, and implementing facility modifications necessary to support recycling market expansion. Projects may also include developing markets for compost derived from source-separated organics. Eligible applicants include new or existing businesses located in Minnesota or operating facilities within the state that manufacture products from recyclable materials. Additional eligible entities include intermediary processors of recyclable materials, economic development districts financing recycling-related manufacturing projects, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, local governmental units, Tribal governments, and state agencies. These diverse eligibility categories ensure broad participation across public, private, and nonprofit sectors while advancing the state’s recycling and sustainability objectives. Applications must be submitted electronically through the State of Minnesota’s SWIFT Supplier Portal, where the Request for Proposals is listed as an event. Applicants may view the bid package without logging in by navigating to the Bidding Opportunities section and searching for the MPCA Statewide Recycling Market Development Grant or its designated event identification number. Organizations must register as bidders within the SWIFT system to submit proposals. Detailed instructions and application materials are provided within the portal. The application deadline is May 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency hosted a virtual informational meeting on April 14, 2026, to provide guidance on the opportunity and the SWIFT application process. Applicants sre required to submit questions via email by May 13, 2026, with responses posted regularly in the SWIFT system. MPCA personnel are prohibited from discussing the solicitation outside of the official question-and-answer process to ensure fairness and transparency. Through this program, the MPCA seeks to expand recycling markets, strengthen Minnesota’s circular economy, and support long-term environmental and economic benefits statewide.

Demonstrate strong market impact, technical feasibility, and measurable outcomes that increase demand for recyclable materials in Minnesota.