Local Government Waste Tire Cleanup Grant Program (TCU21)

The Local Government Waste Tire Cleanup Grant Program is administered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), a state agency responsible for promoting waste reduction, recycling, and reuse of resources throughout California. CalRecycle operates various funding programs that align with California’s sustainability goals, particularly focusing on managing solid waste and used tires. This specific grant program is structured as a competitive opportunity that aims to support local entities in the collection, transportation, recycling, and disposal of waste tires. These waste tires often accumulate in unauthorized dumpsites or along public rights-of-way, posing environmental, health, and aesthetic challenges. The program’s primary objective is to assist eligible applicants in mitigating the problems associated with illegal tire disposal. Funds are strictly designated for the removal of waste tires located on private properties and public rights-of-way. By offering financial resources to local governments and associated eligible entities, the grant plays a pivotal role in preventing the proliferation of illegal dumping and encourages proper waste management practices at the community level. The removal and cleanup efforts reduce potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents, help prevent fires, and improve the safety and cleanliness of local environments. Eligible expenses under the grant include contract costs for tire haulers, equipment rental for the cleanup effort, necessary materials, and staff time allocated to managing the cleanup process. The program operates on a two-year grant term and is offered in even-numbered fiscal years. As a result, its availability follows a biennial cycle, allowing applicants to plan and prepare their applications in advance with predictable frequency. The exact amount of funding available is contingent upon allocations defined in the Governor’s Budget and CalRecycle’s Five-Year Tire Plan. Although this structure provides flexibility, it also requires applicants to remain up-to-date with budget announcements and planning updates. Eligible applicants include local government entities such as cities, counties, or joint powers authorities comprised of otherwise eligible members. Special districts and qualifying Native American tribes are also permitted to apply. CalRecycle emphasizes that all participants in joint applications must independently meet eligibility requirements. There is no matching fund requirement mentioned in the program documentation, indicating that applicants do not need to contribute their own funds or secure cost share commitments to qualify for this grant. Applications must be submitted online through CalRecycle’s Grants Management System (GMS). Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor both the CalRecycle Funding page and the California Grants Portal for the official Notice of Funds Available (NOFA). For the fiscal year 2026–27 cycle, applications are due by April 14, 2026. There are no pre-application requirements or gating deadlines such as letters of intent or concept papers indicated in the current information. Evaluation criteria and scoring guidance are not specified in the provided source, though standard compliance with state grant management protocols can be assumed. For further assistance, applicants may contact CalRecycle via email at [email protected]. While no specific contact person is named, this centralized inbox serves as the primary channel for inquiries. Past award cycles include the 2024–25 (Cycle 20), 2022–23 (Cycle 19), and 2020–21 (Cycle 18), providing a history of consistent program issuance. Given the biennial nature of the program and its long-standing presence, the next anticipated cycle would be for fiscal year 2028–29. However, no additional information is currently available about future cycles.