Municipal Recycling and Storage Equipment Grants

New Hampshire the Beautiful, Inc., a private nonprofit organization, is offering Municipal Recycling and Storage Equipment Grants to support the enhancement of recycling efforts across New Hampshire communities. The initiative aims to promote the orderly expansion of recycling within the state by subsidizing the acquisition of essential recycling equipment. The organization provides funding assistance to municipalities and solid waste districts seeking to purchase items such as balers, crushers, and roll-off containers, which directly aid in achieving higher material diversion rates. The grants cover up to 20% of the purchase cost of approved recycling equipment, with a maximum award of $5,000 per grant. These funds are strictly limited to capital equipment and cannot be used for land, buildings, planning, administration, vehicles, or other non-equipment-related expenses. All awarded funds are provided as reimbursements after the purchase is completed and verified. Applicants must demonstrate that they possess at least 50% of the purchase cost independently, without relying on other grant funding to meet this threshold. Equipment acquired through this program must be used exclusively for recycling purposes for at least five years, and any change in ownership during this period requires repayment or equipment transfer. Eligible applicants include municipalities and solid waste districts within New Hampshire. Private enterprises are not eligible to apply. Each municipality is typically limited to one grant per fiscal year, defined as November 1 through October 31. Applications must relate to current or upcoming projects, and the applicant must have submitted the current year’s Annual Facility Report to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Grants are awarded based on need, the potential impact of the funding, and whether the applicant has previously received support. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and evaluated bi-monthly, with formal deadlines set for January 23, April 24, July 24, and September 25, 2025. Board meetings follow approximately two weeks after each deadline to consider the submissions. Applications must be received at least 14 days before the corresponding board meeting. Grant-funded projects must be completed within six months of notification, with a possible three-month extension upon request. Final funds are disbursed following successful documentation and inspection. To apply, applicants must submit a completed form with an addendum outlining their current operations, proposed improvements, collection methods, expected community impact, financial rationale, and any relevant recycling ordinances. Applications must also include detailed supplier information, specification sheets, and price quotes for the requested equipment. One year after the award, recipients are expected to submit a report evaluating the grant's impact on recycling outcomes. For further assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact New Hampshire the Beautiful, Inc.