County Recycling Coordinator Grant

The County Recycling Coordinator Grant, administered under Section 903 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101 of 1988), provides a reimbursement opportunity to Pennsylvania counties for the partial funding of designated recycling coordinators. The program is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), specifically the Bureau of Waste Management, Division of Waste Minimization and Planning. Through this initiative, the DEP aims to enhance local recycling efforts by ensuring each county has a dedicated coordinator to manage, implement, and improve recycling and waste reduction programs. The grant offers reimbursement of 50 percent of the approved salary and associated expenses of a county recycling coordinator (CRC) employed by a county government. The eligibility is strictly limited to county-level entities in Pennsylvania. The CRC must be a single designated individual, and if the role is fulfilled through a contractor, a formal agreement or memorandum of understanding must be included in the application detailing expectations, compensation structure, and terms of engagement. Funds are contingent upon availability in the state’s Recycling Fund and depend on county compliance with Act 101, including accurate and timely reporting via the Re-TRAC system and maintenance of municipal compliance records. Eligible expenses for reimbursement include a wide array of activities directly related to waste reduction, recycling program implementation, education, market development, data reporting, and technical support to municipal and non-residential entities. CRCs are also expected to assist in grant applications for other programs (e.g., Sections 902 and 904), provide education and outreach, coordinate special collection events, support commercial recycling compliance, and develop local recycling infrastructure and policy. Reimbursable training and travel expenses are also covered under certain conditions, with prior approval required for activities over 300 miles from the CRC’s residence or those totaling $300 or more. Applications must be submitted electronically via Pennsylvania's Single Application for Assistance portal (https://grants.pa.gov/Login.aspx) during the specified window. For the 2025 calendar year activities, the application opens on January 3, 2026, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2026. Required documents include a completed Section A–F Form, 903 Application Spreadsheet (including activities and expense logs), proof of payments, Worker Protection & Investment Certification (for awards $10,000+), and any contractor agreements. Applications submitted after the deadline are not considered. The grant does not allow for paper or fax submissions. Special consideration is provided for counties with Environmental Justice (EJ) Areas, as identified by DEP’s PennEnviroScreen tool. EJ Areas are defined as locations with significant minority populations and/or poverty levels. Additionally, applicants must be enrolled in the Pennsylvania Electronic Payment Program (PEPP) to receive funding via direct deposit. Counties are expected to retain supporting documentation for up to four years and be prepared for audits by the Auditor General or DEP. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may lead to reduced or denied reimbursement. The evaluation process includes a compliance check with Act 101, a potential documentation audit with a 30-day notice period, and eligibility verification for both the coordinator and the submitted expenses. Grant contacts include John Nantz, available at [email protected] or 717-787-0120, and technical support for the application platform via [email protected]. Counties are strongly encouraged to maintain accurate and detailed records and to ensure CRCs are actively performing the duties beyond administrative work, including community education and performance monitoring.

Submit complete applications by April 30; follow all instructions; maintain documentation for 4 years; ensure Re-TRAC data compliance.