Event Waste Reduction Grant Program in Ohio

The Event Waste Reduction Grant (EWRG), offered by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), aims to significantly reduce event-generated waste and increase material diversion from the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill. This initiative directly aligns with SWACO's mission to promote sustainable waste management practices within its jurisdiction. The grant provides reimbursement funding for activities that enhance waste reduction, reuse, recycling, food scrap composting, and food donation at public events. It also supports outreach and education to raise public awareness about these critical activities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are local event organizers in Franklin County, Ohio, who host public events with a projected attendance of 2,000 people or more. The impact goals are to not only reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills but also to build the necessary infrastructure to sustain these diversion efforts beyond the initial grant funding year. By supporting a wide range of waste reduction and diversion activities, SWACO seeks to foster a more environmentally responsible community and encourage long-term sustainable practices for event management. The EWRG prioritizes funding for activities that establish, improve, or expand waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, or food donation at eligible events. Events must occur in Franklin County, Ohio, during 2024, and be open to the public. Funding tiers are based on projected attendance: up to $2,000 for events with 2,000 to 10,000 attendees, up to $4,000 for events with 10,000 to 30,000 attendees, and up to $6,000 for events with 30,000 to 60,000 attendees or greater. Recipients are required to provide a 20% cash contribution toward the project, emphasizing a shared commitment to the environmental goals. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in waste diversion rates at events, a reduction in the volume of waste sent to the landfill, and enhanced public awareness regarding waste reduction and recycling. The grant's focus on building sustainable infrastructure ensures that the positive impacts extend beyond the grant period, fostering lasting changes in event waste management. SWACO's strategic priorities are clearly centered on promoting a circular economy, and the EWRG serves as a practical application of this theory of change by directly investing in and incentivizing tangible waste reduction efforts at the community level.