Colorado grant opportunities provide funding for recycling projects

Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity program has $2 million in funding available, while a Front Range Waste Diversion program has $2.5 million in funding available.


The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has released two separate solicitations to fund recycling projects.

Colorado’s Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity program has $2 million in Colorado Waste Diversion Grants available and has issued a request for application (RFA). Eligible projects can take place anywhere in Colorado and can focus on waste reduction, recycling, composting, repurposing, reuse or anaerobic digestion, provided they increase waste diversion and create jobs. Projects can request anywhere from $25,001 to $2 million and are anticipated to start Aug. 1. Grant funds received must be spent by June 30, 2022. More information is available in the RFA.

Additionally, funding is available through the Front Range Waste Diversion program, Advancing Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion and Reduction on the Front Range. This RFA is limited to applications for projects that will take place in Colorado’s Front Range counties and that reduce or divert construction and demolition waste from landfills or create end markets. A total of $2.5 million in funding is available, with applications for projects in the range of $25,000 to $700,000 allowed. Projects are anticipated to start Aug. 1, and funds must be spent within two years. This option focuses on reduction and diversion of construction and demolition waste, including gypsum wallboard, treated wood, reclaimed asphalt shingles, carpet tiles and construction plastics. The RFA has more information.

The Front Range Waste Diversion Board of Directors identified priority areas for this RFA, including infrastructure projects that “move the needle” on construction and demolition waste diversion and directly divert material from Front Range landfills; those that develop market opportunities for problematic key materials in the construction and demolition stream; and applications to develop or implement a local policy or ordinance to reduce the generation of unmarketable construction materials, the CDPHE says.

The Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity program’s request for applications closes March 1 at 3 p.m., and the Front Range Waste Diversion program’s request for applications closes March 15 at 3 p.m.

Those interested can access the RFAs, find more information and sign up for program updates at https://cdphe.colorado.gov/sustainability-programs/recycling.


  RREO: Colorado Waste Diversion Grant FRWD: Construction & Demolition Waste Diversion and Reduction on the Front Range
 
Eligible area
 
Colorado - statewide
Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Pueblo, Teller or Weld counties
 
 
Project focus
Opportunities to increase waste diversion and create jobs. Projects may focus on waste reduction, recycling, composting, repurposing, reuse or anaerobic digestion for a wide variety of materials. Focuses on reduction and diversion of construction and demolition waste, including gypsum wallboard, treated wood, reclaimed asphalt shingles, carpet tiles and construction plastics.
 
 
 
 
 
Project types solicited
●     Reduce the use of materials by replacing disposable materials with reusable materials, reducing packaging, and eliminating the creation of waste.
●     Increase program participation, material recovery rate, or hauling capacity or reduce contamination.
●     Install equipment and/or facility retrofits.
●     Expand end markets for recycled products and material reuse.
●     Expand food rescue and food waste reduction programs.
●     Educate the public about waste diversion.
●     Infrastructure projects that “move the needle” on C&D waste diversion and directly divert material from Front Range landfills.
●     Develop market opportunities for problematic key materials in the C&D stream.
●     Develop or implement a local policy or ordinance to reduce the generation of unmarketable construction materials.
Funds available$2 million $2.5 million
Funding limits$25,001 - $2 million $25,000 - $700,000
Project timelineProjects are anticipated to start Aug. 1; funds must be spent by June 30, 2022. Projects are anticipated to start Aug. 1; funds must be spent within two years.
 
 
 
Basic eligibility
●     State and local government.
●     Public or private schools, colleges and universities.
●     Private sector entities (for-profit and nonprofit organizations).
●     Out-of-state companies or organizations that are expanding in or relocating to Colorado.
●     Municipalities, counties and cities and counties.
●     Public or private schools, colleges and universities.
●     Private sector entities (for-profit and nonprofit organizations).
●     Out-of-state companies or organizations located or providing services in the Front Range.
 
Link to access RFA
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/sustainability-programs/recycling-grants-support/recycling-resources-economic-opportunity https://cdphe.colorado.gov/sustainability-programs/recycling-grants-support/front-range-waste-diversion