Indiana to award $2M in recycling grants

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has announced the availability of $2 million in grant funding for recycling projects.

According to a news release from IDEM, public and private businesses, local governments, schools and nonprofit organizations located and doing business in Indiana are eligible to submit proposals for recycling grants ranging from $10,000 up to $500,000. Proposals are currently being expected from now through May 29, 2020.

“This grant funding supports environmental sustainability by helping organizations promote, create and develop recycling and waste-reduction efforts, while expanding Indiana’s recycling markets through economic development,” says IDEM Commissioner Bruno Pigott. “IDEM and the Recycling Market Development Board are happy to make this opportunity available again in 2020 and hope to award $2 million to organizations across the state.”

Grants are funded through IDEM’s Recycling Market Development Program, which operates under the Recycling Market Development Board. The grant money for the program comes from the Recycling Promotion and Assistance Fund, an account generated by a per-ton fee on solid waste disposed at Indiana landfills. The fund supports source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting to prevent solid waste from permanent disposal.

Eligible projects must focus on reuse, reduction and recycling methods of municipal solid waste, and a 50 percent match is required. IDEM states that proposals should demonstrate an understanding of the changing economy for recyclers and look at where monies can be used most effectively by businesses and communities to increase statewide recycling goals.

In addition, sustainability of the project is key and proposals must show a need, an increase in recyclable material collection or consumption, a reduction in municipal solid waste shipped for final disposal, or improved partnerships with communities, including economic impacts and increased public awareness of recycling opportunities through tangible outreach and education efforts.

The Recycling Market Development board will make final funding determinations by the fall of 2020. To apply, visit IDEM’s website. For additional information about the program, individuals can call 800-988-7901.