Municipal Solid Waste Grants

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), through funding provided by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), administers the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Grant Program to support solid waste management initiatives across its 14-county service area. This annual grant opportunity is available to cities, counties, school districts, and special districts that are members of ETCOG and operate within the defined region. The program’s goal is to support regional waste minimization efforts through eligible project categories that address various aspects of waste management. These include local enforcement to prevent illegal dumping, community cleanup efforts, source reduction and recycling initiatives, the development or update of local solid waste management plans, citizen collection stations and small registered transfer stations, household hazardous waste management, technical studies, and educational or training projects related to solid waste. Entities interested in applying for funding must submit a complete application during the designated open period, which begins on August 18, 2025. Attendance at the Solid Waste Grant Application Workshop is mandatory for all applicants. The workshop will be held on September 3, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, Texas. Applications must be submitted by 4:00 PM on September 29, 2025. Following submission, there is a review phase from October 2–15, 2025, during which public and private industry stakeholders are notified and invited to review applications. Applicants will present their proposed projects on November 18, 2025, after which recommendations will be made by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). Final recommendations are submitted to ETCOG’s Executive Committee for approval on December 4, 2025. Approved projects are then submitted to TCEQ for final authorization in December 2025. The start of the grant contract period is anticipated in January 2026. Each grant is awarded for a one-year term, and applicants must submit a separate application for each year they seek funding. The administrative guide outlines detailed criteria, allowable expenses, and project selection processes, and applicants are encouraged to review all related documentation to ensure eligibility and compliance. Projects must serve residents within ETCOG’s region and demonstrate a clear environmental benefit. Grant recipients are required to adhere to Texas Grant Management Standards and ETCOG's regional policies, including performance reporting and financial accountability. Eligible special districts include those created by state law with responsibility for municipal solid waste management or water quality protection, including river authorities. Entities are encouraged to download the full application packet, selection criteria, and program guidance from ETCOG’s website. All submissions are subject to rigorous screening, and funding determinations are made based on project relevance, impact, and alignment with regional solid waste objectives.

Attendance at the application workshop is mandatory. Use ETCOG's provided checklist and guidance documents to avoid disqualification. Applications must be submitted on time and must follow all Texas Grant Management Standards.