After a successful relaunch in 2023, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) announces that its Recycling Grant Program is returning for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026). With $1 million in funding available, ADEQ encourages Arizona businesses, nonprofits, schools, and local governments to apply for grants that support recycling efforts, reduce landfill waste, and help build a circular economy in our state.
鈥淭he momentum we鈥檝e seen from the return of this program has been incredible,鈥� said ADEQ Recycling Program Coordinator, J.B. Shaw. 鈥淭hese grants empower communities to develop innovative solutions, grow jobs, and keep valuable resources circulating right here in Arizona.鈥�
In the previous grant cycle, ADEQ awarded nearly $1 million to 12 organizations, resulting in impressive outcomes:
- 20 new jobs created
- Nearly 5,000 tons of material diverted from landfills
- Tens of thousands of reusable items washed, sorted, or redistributed
- Thousands of Arizona students reached through education and engagement
One of the 12 ADEQ Recycling Grant recipients is Arizona-based nonprofit, Let鈥檚 Go Compost. Founded by Lauren Click, Let鈥檚 Go Compost began as a small-scale initiative to introduce students to the basics of composting. With the support of a $45,000 ADEQ Recycling Grant, the program has grown dramatically, expanding to 79 additional schools and engaging thousands of students across the state.
鈥淭hanks to ADEQ鈥檚 grant, we were able to take Let鈥檚 Go Compost from a small pilot to a statewide program,鈥� said Lauren Click, founder of Let鈥檚 Go Compost. 鈥淭ogether, we鈥檝e brought hands-on composting education and infrastructure to schools across Arizona. This investment helps strengthen our state鈥檚 circular economy, empowers the next generation of environmental leaders, and builds long-term resilience through local, school-based solutions. By bringing STEM-based composting programs into classrooms, students see science in action and gain the skills to help build a stronger, more sustainable future for everyone.鈥�