Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant

The Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant is administered by the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) within the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. This program is designed to support local governments in North Carolina in building long-term capacity for waste diversion and enhancing public awareness around recycling. The grant serves to advance environmental objectives by promoting infrastructure development and outreach efforts that reduce the volume of waste entering landfills. Grants are categorized into two types: Priority Project Grants and Standard Project Grants. Priority Projects, which may receive up to $50,000, are those deemed critical to advancing statewide recycling efforts. These include the implementation or expansion of curbside recycling with cart-based systems, household hazardous waste programs, and electronics recycling programs for items such as lithium-ion batteries and solar panels. Standard Projects, eligible for up to $40,000, encompass other recycling or waste reduction initiatives like drop-off centers, collection vehicles, and education campaigns. A 20% cash match from applicants is mandatory and must be derived from local funds. In-kind contributions are not accepted in place of the required match. All grant funds are provided on a reimbursement basis, with 10% withheld until a final report is submitted and approved. Eligible expenditures include infrastructure, equipment, site development, and public education materials, while costs such as salaries, overhead, and contracted services are not permitted. The grant period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and only one proposal per local government will be considered. Joint applications between municipalities are encouraged but must be submitted as a single, collaborative proposal. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, councils of governments, and solid waste authorities in North Carolina. Public schools and nonprofit organizations are not directly eligible but may benefit through applications submitted by eligible local governments. Applicants with open grants from prior CWRAR cycles (before 2025) are ineligible, and those with 2025 grants must have drawn at least 90% of funds by the application deadline. Proposals must certify compliance with state recycling requirements, including services for public buildings and mercury product recycling. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 13, 2026, and must be submitted electronically via email to alex.miller@deq.nc.gov. Submissions should include project descriptions, timelines, budgets, and statements of compliance with solid waste and recycling mandates. Grant proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as demonstration of need, project planning, cost-effectiveness, impact on waste reduction, and alignment with program priorities. Funding announcements are expected by April 2026. Final reports are required by June 30, 2027, and reimbursement cannot be requested until purchases are complete and paid. For more information, applicants are encouraged to contact Alex Miller at 919-707-8190.

Proposals to replace existing equipment are scored lower. Priority is given to well-planned projects that expand or implement new recycling services.