Collegiate Recycling Grant

The South Carolina Collegiate Recycling Grant is a competitive funding program established by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) through its Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling. Designed to promote sustainable materials management across higher education institutions, this program provides direct support for projects focused on recycling, waste reduction, composting, reuse, and educational outreach. Available to both public and private institutions—including universities, colleges, and technical colleges—the grant program aims to foster innovation in environmental sustainability on South Carolina campuses. The funding originates from state fee funds and is administered by the Office to enhance institutional capacity for sustainable waste practices. Eligible institutions can apply for up to $10,000 in funding per project. Of this amount, a maximum of $2,500 may be designated for professional development activities such as attending conferences or workshops that directly support recycling or waste reduction efforts. Permitted uses of grant funds include purchasing recycling equipment and supplies, developing and distributing educational materials (pending Office preapproval), and supporting travel and registration for sustainability-related training. While first-year recurring costs for contracted services or leases are eligible, permanent staffing and indirect administrative costs are not allowable. Notably, grant funds may not be distributed to private-sector recycling programs unless the expenditure is specifically tied to contracted services. The program emphasizes equity and access. Any qualifying institution in South Carolina may apply, although preference is given to applicants that have not received Collegiate Recycling Grant funds in the past two academic years. Institutions are limited to submitting one application per cycle, and applications must be submitted electronically in Word or PDF format to the Office’s designated grant email by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, May 29, 2026. Applications that are incomplete, late, faxed, or duplicated will be disqualified. Moreover, the primary contact on the application must be a current staff or faculty member, ensuring institutional accountability and project oversight. The application itself requires a detailed proposal, including a breakdown of the intended budget, project description, implementation timeline, partner roles (if any), and expected environmental benefits such as increases in tonnage recycled or operational cost savings. Submissions must also outline outreach strategies, including how the grant project will be promoted on campus and how its success may influence similar efforts at other institutions. Quarterly progress reports are required, with reporting deadlines on the 15th of the month following the close of each quarter. Applications will be reviewed by the Office, with final decisions potentially subject to appeal via the Solid Waste Advisory Council (SWAC). If an appeal is submitted, it must occur within 30 days of notification, and a final decision will be rendered within 60 days. Award notifications and payment structures are determined by SCDES, with most awards disbursed on a reimbursement basis unless an alternative method is approved in advance. The Department also reserves the right to adjust awards based on available funding or to modify the awarded scope to align with programmatic goals. While the grant is not a recurring entitlement, the structure and language of the offering suggest annual issuance. Projects funded under the program must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Institutions should also take note that, per legislative changes, all contractual rights under this program will transfer to the successor agencies of SCDES beginning July 1, 2024. However, this transition does not alter the validity or terms of awarded grants. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office via [email protected] or call 1-800-768-7348 for questions or alternative submission arrangements.