Maine seeking grant applicants for landfill diversion projects

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is soliciting grant proposals to support the development, implementation or improvement of programs, initiatives or activities designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal. 

This past spring, during its first round of the year, the DEP awarded a total of $111,364 to fund three waste diversion projects across Maine. These grants are supporting efforts to increase food scrap recovery and composting activities in the Central Aroostook area, to allow a small Maine business to develop technologies to refurbish outdated personal computer and laptop operation systems and to improve operational efficiencies at a small community’s transfer station in western Maine. 
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All interested municipalities, regional associations and Maine businesses are encouraged to apply. 

The DEP will provide awards for accepted proposals ranging from $1,000 to $40,000 ($125,000 total) for proposals that:

• take advantage of regional economies of scale;
• specify reuse and repair infrastructure and program development;
• increase organics management and recycling infrastructure in underserved areas of the state;
• promote waste reduction through reuse, repair and sharing economy initiatives;
• address a statewide need; or
• expand the types of materials managed through composting and recycling.

In addition, in accordance with Maine Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program, the department shall prioritize funding for programs, projects, initiatives or activities proposed by municipal or regional association applicants.

Application details for the Waste Diversion Grants Program are available at Request for Proposals, Maine DEP. Written questions on the RFP must be submitted by Oct. 2, (using the form included in the RFP), and proposals must be submitted electronically by 4 p.m. Oct. 18.

A copy of the RFP, as well as the question and answer summary and all amendments related to this RFP, can be obtained here.