Foam Recycling Coalition Grant Program

The Foam Recycling Coalition Grant Program is a specialized initiative administered by the Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC), which was established in 2014 under the Foodservice Packaging Institute. The FRC's mission is to increase the recycling of foodservice packaging made from foam polystyrene. In pursuit of this objective, the FRC provides general education on foam recycling, shares technical guidance, and offers direct financial support to programs capable of collecting and processing post-consumer foam materials. Its efforts encompass both foodservice-related items such as cups, clamshells, and cafeteria trays, as well as other foam-based packaging like egg cartons and meat trays. Since the launch of its grant program in 2015, the FRC has awarded funding to numerous municipalities and private operators to enhance foam recycling infrastructure across the United States and Canada. The program targets organizations involved in managing recycling programs and material recovery facilities, supporting them in acquiring equipment and implementing processes that enable the capture, densification, and marketing of foam polystyrene. Each grant award is determined based on the applicant's specific equipment needs, with a maximum of $50,000 per grant. While a cash match is not required, recipients are expected to cover related costs such as site preparation, transportation, and infrastructure upgrades where necessary. Eligible applicants include both public and private entities operating within the U.S. or Canada. These entities must manage a material recovery facility, curbside recycling program, or drop-off site for recyclables. Programs operating in jurisdictions with active foam bans are not eligible. Additionally, applicants must be ready to accept post-consumer foam polystyrene, invest in necessary equipment, incorporate foam into resident education materials, report recycling volumes, and commit to three years of foam recycling operations. Programs already accepting foam polystyrene but seeking to expand their capacity are also considered eligible. The 2026 application cycle opens on March 5 and closes on April 17. Interested applicants must download the application form and submit it along with all required attachments via email to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed by the FRC, and additional information may be requested during the selection process. Evaluations are based on multiple criteria, including population served, quality of planning, strength of outreach strategy, access to end markets, and completeness of the proposed budget and documentation. Selected grantees will be notified in late spring or early summer, with public announcements continuing throughout the year. Awardees must sign a three-year contract outlining the planning, installation, outreach, and performance expectations tied to foam polystyrene recycling. Grantees are expected to begin implementation within six months of receiving their grant commitment. Though the program does not follow a fixed annual schedule, additional funding rounds are expected and announced periodically. Past recipients include municipal and private sector partners from North Carolina, Nebraska, Michigan, and Massachusetts, each receiving $50,000 in funding to support their foam recycling initiatives. Questions about the grant or eligibility requirements can be directed to the official FRC email contact at [email protected].