The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is now accepting applications for recycling and waste reduction grants totaling $4,500,000.
鈥淪ince 2015, TDEC has had a renewed focus on supporting local communities in a broader goal to reduce waste across the state while increasing recycling rates,鈥� said TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau.
鈥淭hese grants aim to involve the public in targeted ways to reduce dependence on landfills in their own neighborhoods.鈥�
Grant funding can be used toward purchasing recycling equipment, recycling rebates, the management of used oil/automotive fluids, convenience centers, education and outreach, and recycling measurement. All grants will support local governments鈥� efforts toward achieving their waste reduction and recycling goals. The application process is open until聽Oct. 2, 2017.
Statewide waste reduction and recycling goals stem from TDEC鈥檚聽2015-2025 , which contains eight Objectives to further communities waste reduction efforts and boost local economic activity.
Recycling Equipment Grant
TDEC has allocated $500,000 for these offerings – $200,000 for rural counties with populations of 50,000 or less, and $300,000 for suburban and urban counties with greater population density. Those eligible to apply include cities, solid waste authorities and non-profit organizations. No grant may exceed $50,000 and a local match of 10-50 percent is required.
Successful proposals will demonstrate how the requested equipment will improve operating efficiencies or:
- Increase material tonnages (Objective 1);
- Increase recycling access and/or participation (Objective 2);
- Promote material processing and end use (Objective 3); or
- Support new waste reduction and recycling technologies (Objective 5)
Used Oil Grant
TDEC has allocated $1,500,000 for grants for the collection of used oil and other automotive fluids. The purpose of the used oil grant is to reduce the amount of improperly disposed used oil by providing incentives to increase the number of collection facilities for used oil generated by do-it-yourselfers.
Successful proposals will demonstrate how the requested grant will:
- Increase material collection volumes (Objective 1);
- Increase recycling access and/or participation (Objective 2);
- Promote material end use (Objective 3); or
- Support education and outreach efforts (Objective 6)
Convenience Center Grant
TDEC has allocated $1,000,000 to provide funding assistance to eligible counties that need to enhance their collection assurance requirements through upgrades of existing sites, establishment of new sites or elimination and replacement of unmanned county collection systems known as 鈥淕reen Boxes鈥�.
Successful proposals will demonstrate how the requested funding will improve collection assurance or:
- Increase recycling access and participation (Objective 2) or
- Ensure sufficient and environmentally sound disposal (Objective 7)
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