Waste Reduction & Innovation Grant

Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E) offers the Waste Reduction & Innovation Grant (WRIG) as part of its broader mission to improve solid waste recovery and management in Minnesota's Ramsey and Washington counties. R&E, a joint powers board for the two counties, helps meet Minnesota’s 75% recycling goal by supporting businesses and organizations that create innovative solutions for reducing solid waste. This grant is designed to help businesses reduce the generation of waste through strategic operational changes that eliminate unnecessary materials in production or sales. The WRIG supports a broad range of activities including purchasing industry-specific equipment and supplies, infrastructure improvements, research and development, and educational materials that directly lead to a measurable reduction in solid waste. Funding is allocated on a one-time basis, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per business. Applicants are generally required to provide a 10% cash match; however, waivers may be granted based on financial hardship. The grant operates on a rolling basis and remains open until all allocated funds are distributed. Eligible applicants include for-profit and nonprofit organizations, private colleges and universities, places of worship, and select K–12 schools. Eligibility is geographically limited to businesses with permanent physical locations in Ramsey or Washington County. Certain public entities, public schools in Ramsey County, and residential buildings are excluded. Applications must be submitted through a process involving a site visit and project plan developed in collaboration with a BizRecycling Recycling Expert. Without this consultation, applications will not be considered. Projects are evaluated on a competitive basis, with emphasis on the potential for significant waste reduction, innovation, and alignment with the EPA’s Waste Management Hierarchy. Additional review criteria include project feasibility, sustainability, community engagement, and budget alignment. All awardees must agree to an 18-month performance period, during which they are required to host site visits and submit mid-term and final reports. A portion of the grant award is withheld until final reporting is complete. The WRIG funds a wide range of allowable costs, including waste elimination equipment, reusable systems, infrastructure enhancements, research consulting, and community engagement strategies. Some items, such as waste hauling or compostable food service ware, are explicitly excluded. R&E maintains discretion to deny or request substitutions for high-cost items. Disbursement of funds is split, with an initial 50% issued at contract execution and the remaining balance paid via reimbursement after required documentation is submitted. Applicants must initiate the grant process by scheduling a site assessment with a BizRecycling expert. This requirement ensures that projects are grounded in operational reality and contribute to R&E’s long-term waste reduction goals. Through this structured and impactful program, R&E promotes sustainable business practices, innovative problem-solving, and long-term environmental stewardship within the local business community.

Strong proposals clearly link activities to measurable waste reduction; proposals must be realistic, innovative, and feasible; budgets should support stated outcomes.