Tennessee accepting solid waste management grant applications

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is accepting applications for this year’s first round of recycling and solid waste reduction grants for communities and other eligible entities across the state with a total of $2.45 million available.

Applications for education and outreach grants and organics management grants are open now through March 15.

According to TDEC, the grant program, which is administered by TDEC’s Division of Solid Waste Management, aims to encourage and support local communities and other eligible entities to meet their solid waste and recycling goals.

Grant applications for the other five categories will open later this year, including grants for convenience centers, used automotive oil, recycling equipment, household hazardous waste and recycling rebates.

All grant applications are to be submitted online via the department’s Grants Management System. More information about the grant program can be found here, and the calendar for grant application openings can be found here.

Waste reduction grants are authorized by the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 and are supported by the Tennessee Solid Waste Management Fund, which is administered by TDEC. The fund receives revenues from a state surcharge on each ton of solid waste disposed in landfills. Used oil grants are authorized under the Used Oil Collection Act of 1993 and are funded by the Used Oil Collection Fund, which receives its revenue from a fee collected against every quart of oil sold.

TDEC will host the first grant workshop Friday, March 8 at Montgomery Bell State Park, with more workshops scheduled for April and May.