Materials Management Infrastructure Grant

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced the availability of $15 million in Materials Management Infrastructure (MMI) grant funding. This initiative aims to assist Connecticut municipalities, councils of government, and regional waste authorities in addressing the state’s growing solid waste disposal crisis. Applications are due by December 6, 2024, with a virtual information session scheduled for September 16, 2024. Grant awards will be announced by January 17, 2025. Connecticut is experiencing a critical shortage of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal options, driven by aging in-state waste-to-energy facilities and rising costs for out-of-state landfilling. The MMI grant program is designed to promote the development of small- to medium-scale waste management infrastructure projects. These projects will focus on waste reduction and diversion, helping municipalities regain self-sufficiency in managing MSW and addressing the increasing costs associated with waste disposal. The MMI grant program builds on DEEP’s Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Grant Program, which funded pilot projects in 15 municipalities over the past two years. These projects, emphasizing food scrap separation from MSW, have demonstrated notable success, achieving a 14% reduction in overall waste and diverting over 20% of food waste. These pilot results highlight the potential for significant cost savings and environmental benefits when combined with upgraded waste management infrastructure and regional collaboration. Eligible applicants for the MMI grants include individual municipalities, groups of municipalities, councils of governments, regional planning agencies, and other regional entities representing Connecticut communities. Proposals must detail a clear strategy, timeline, and evidence-based assumptions for the proposed projects, supported by letters of commitment from participating entities. Regional approaches to waste management will be prioritized during the evaluation process. Interested applicants must submit a completed application that adheres to the requirements outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA) available on DEEP’s Municipal and Regional Grants and Technical Assistance webpage. DEEP will evaluate applications on a rolling basis, focusing on how the proposed projects align with the state’s 60% waste diversion goal as defined in Section 22a-241a of the Connecticut General Statutes. Successful proposals should demonstrate their capacity to alleviate the solid waste disposal crisis and contribute to environmental sustainability and fiscal predictability. A virtual information session will be held on September 16, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., providing an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the grant program. Registration for the session is available online, and additional questions regarding the RFA can be directed to Michael.Looney@ct.gov. For more information, interested parties can contact DEEP Communications at DEEP.communications@ct.gov or call 860-424-3110. Updates and news about the grant program can also be followed on DEEP’s social media channels.