ADEQ Recycling Grant Program

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) administers the ADEQ Recycling Grant Program as part of its Waste Programs Division under the legislative authority of the Arizona Solid Waste Recycling Act of 1990. The primary mission of this program is to promote solid waste reduction, increase recycling participation, and support the development of technologies and outreach strategies that advance the circular economy in Arizona. The program is funded through landfill disposal fees and provides financial assistance to qualifying organizations for various waste reduction and recycling initiatives. The Recycling Program encourages applications from a broad range of eligible entities including political subdivisions of the state, nonprofit organizations, private enterprises, and Arizona’s Tribal Governments. There are three primary types of grants available under this program: Waste Reduction Assistance (WRA), Waste Reduction Initiative Through Education (WRITE), and Recycling Research & Development (RR&D). WRA grants support activities like curbside recycling and household hazardous waste collections to significantly reduce waste streams. WRITE grants focus on public education efforts, including school and community campaigns to raise awareness about proper disposal and recycling methods. RR&D grants aim to fund research and development of tools, products, and technologies that divert materials from landfills by creating new products or enhancing existing recycling processes. The program emphasizes environmental impact, educational value, and technological innovation. Applications for the FY2026 cycle opened on July 15, 2025, and will close on September 9, 2025. A total of up to $1 million will be awarded during this cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend scheduled grant writing workshops or view the recorded versions available on the ADEQ website to ensure they understand the submission process and funding guidelines. The grant application must adhere to ADEQ's terms and conditions, including budgetary caps such as a 10% limit on administrative expenses, reporting requirements, and equipment use restrictions. Grant funds are reimbursed for project costs upon submission of quarterly narrative and financial reports, and final payments are contingent upon satisfactory completion of all requirements. To ensure program quality and equitable distribution of funds, all applications are reviewed by the Arizona Recycling Advisory Committee (ARAC), a multi-sector panel including representatives from the recycling industry, private waste businesses, tribal and municipal entities, and the general public. The ARAC evaluates applications based on project feasibility, anticipated impact, alignment with recycling goals, and budget appropriateness. Grant recipients must also comply with ADEQ’s stipulations regarding insurance, use of recycled materials, procurement procedures, and nondiscrimination policies. All awarded projects must begin within three months of signing the grant agreement, and any capital equipment purchased must remain in service for at least three years. ADEQ retains the right to inspect project sites, audit financial records for five years after the project, and recover improperly used funds. Grantees are also required to acknowledge ADEQ’s support in all public-facing materials. For questions or assistance, applicants can reach ADEQ's Phoenix office at 602-771-2300 or the Tucson office at 520-628-6733. Additional application resources, grant manuals, and contact details are available on the ADEQ Recycling Program webpage. The Recycling Grant Program is not offered on a rolling basis but is recurring annually. Based on the current deadline of September 9, 2025, and the program’s historical structure, the next anticipated opening for FY2027 is July 2026. Interested applicants should monitor ADEQ’s updates around May 2026 to prepare for the next cycle.

Attend a grant workshop or view the recorded version to improve your application quality.