2026 Recycling and Waste Diversion

The Recycling and Waste Diversion (RWD) Grant is administered by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) under the Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF) Grant Program. Its purpose is to reduce solid waste in Georgia, recover valuable materials, support manufacturing, and encourage innovation. Funding supports projects that meet the requirements outlined in the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act and the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia. Eligible projects must focus on increasing recycling, reducing waste, or diverting recoverable materials from the solid waste stream. Funds may cover up to 100 percent of project costs for approved proposals, provided they adhere to proposed budgets. Projects can be at various stages of development, but costs incurred before execution of the RWD Grant Agreement are not reimbursable. The funded portion of the project must be completed within 24 months. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, and combinations thereof, collectively referred to as local governments, as well as public authorities, agencies, commissions, or institutions. Local governments must have Qualified Local Government status with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs at the time of application. Entities with unresolved EPD enforcement actions, or those that have failed to successfully administer prior awards, are ineligible. Nonprofit or private organizations cannot apply directly but may partner with eligible entities. Additional ineligibility applies to projects primarily focused on education, landfill improvements without recycling components, or reimbursement for activities completed before grant execution. Examples of eligible projects include development or enhancement of recycling and waste diversion infrastructure, hub and spoke collection systems, hard-to-recycle material facilities, recovery of new material streams, waste reduction programs, and innovative approaches to waste diversion or use of recycled products. Specific project types funded in the past include procurement of recycling equipment, expansion of recycling capabilities, household hazardous waste collection events, creation of drop-off locations, curbside recycling expansions, and pilot programs testing new waste diversion methods. Projects that primarily address operational efficiency without measurable recycling or diversion outcomes, or that lack cost-effectiveness, typically score lower. The FY26 RWD Grant application period opens August 11, 2025, and closes September 30, 2025. Applications must be submitted through the SWTF Grant Program Administration Portal. EPD hosted an informational webinar on August 4, 2025, to review the schedule, project examples, and eligibility requirements. Review and scoring of applications will occur from October to December 2025, with award notifications issued January to February 2026. Applicants should plan project timelines assuming an award execution date in March 2026. The grant may be awarded in multiple rounds per year, depending on available funding, and may provide partial awards. Grant funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis, though advance funding may be considered with justification. Applications must include a narrative addressing project need and purpose, specific objectives with measurable goals, quantifiable metrics for diversion or recycling impact, an explanation of metric selection, an estimate of the potential diversion results, a detailed budget aligned with the narrative, and a description of sustainability after the grant period. Applicants should provide supporting materials such as vendor quotes, W9 forms, contractor affidavits, and documentation for any match contributions. Matching funds are not required but can strengthen the application; volunteer time may be valued at $34.79 per hour. Projects that involve partnerships with other eligible applicants or use Georgia-based suppliers can earn bonus points. Evaluation criteria weight heavily on demonstrating community need, defining realistic goals, identifying measurable metrics, and providing a clear budget and timeline. Cost-effectiveness, sustainability beyond the grant term, and potential for long-term impact also influence scoring. Awardees are required to submit quarterly progress reports, reimbursement requests with supporting documentation, and a final report summarizing outcomes, metrics, photos, and future plans. Questions about the grant should be directed to the SWTF Grant Team at swtf.grant@dnr.ga.gov. For general EPD inquiries, applicants may also contact the Land Branch at (404) 362-2537 or visit the EPD office at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 1456, East Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334.

Projects coordinated with other eligible applicants or using Georgia-based suppliers can earn bonus points. Provide clear and specific descriptions and align budget terminology with narrative.