Through the years, the District has provided grant funding to local communities to support residential solid waste reduction programs. Grants have included: the Residential Recycling Grant; the Capital Equipment and Projects Grant; and the Buy Recycled Grant. Currently, the only grant funding available is the Residential Recycling Per Capita Incentive Grant.
Residential Recycling Grant
- Every local government entity, along with Bowling Green State University (BGSU), is eligible to receive support for an ongoing residential recycling collection program. The amount of funds awarded is based on the current federal census for the respective jurisdictions and the on-campus student population for BGSU. The District currently provides $1.00 per person for drop-off programs and $1.50 per person for curbside programs (non-subscription).
- Local governments may combine their funds to pay for services (example: A village and two or three townships may combine to pay a group to collect recyclables at a central drop-off point).
- To receive funding, collection of as many residential recyclables as possible must be done at least once per month (or more). Collection can be at a central drop-off point or curbside. In addition, the governmental entity must also submit an official resolution whereby the local government agrees or disagrees with the current solid waste management plan.
- Ongoing funding requires the collection to be maintained and all annual reports to be submitted by March 31 as required by the Solid Waste Management District. This includes a report on the items and volumes recycled from the residential recycling program as well as other information that may be required by the Solid Waste Management District. If these reports are not filed by the deadline, the jurisdiction will not qualify for current year funding.
- The District may revise the amount of the payments based on availability of funds.
Ohio EPA Litter Prevention & Recycling Grants
Since 1995, the District has worked closely with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention to secure nearly $3,000,000.00 in state level grant funding in support of local recycling and waste reduction programs. Beginning in 2012, oversight of this program shifted to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Ohio EPA’s Recycling and Litter Prevention program supports communities, nonprofits, businesses and academic institutions that initiate or expand recycling programs, encourage sustainable practices, stimulate economic growth and support litter prevention efforts through four different grants.
Grants are awarded on an annual basis. Applications open the first Monday in November and close the first Friday in February the following year. The 2022 grant cycle begins Monday, November 7th, 2022 and closes Friday, February 3rd, 2023. For more information about the program and the application process, visit: https://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/41/grants/ROG.pdf
Community Recycling Grant: Local governments and nonprofits can receive funding to purchase equipment for the collection and processing of recyclables and construction and demolition debris. These organizations can also receive funding to implement litter collection events, outreach, and education. Tire amnesty programs, with a minimum $0.50/tire collection fee, are an eligible activity for local governments. Grantees have 12 months to complete the project. (25% match)
Market Development Grant: This grant provides businesses (e.g. manufacturers, recyclers, material processors, etc.) opportunities to create or expand recycling processing capacity and recycled material production. This includes funding for equipment specifically needed to remanufacture recyclable materials into bulk raw material or finished product. This grant requires the business to have a government sponsor. Grant funds are reimbursed only after project completion through the government sponsor. Grantees have 24 months to complete the project. (100% match – government sponsor required)
Academic Institution Grant: Public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities may receive funding for recycling efforts as well as outreach and education, recycling equipment and conference sponsorships. Grantees have 12 months to complete the project. (25% match)
Scrap Tire Grant: This grant program offers businesses (e.g. manufacturers, scrap tire recovery facilities, material processors) funding to create or expand scrap tire processing capacity and product manufacturing. Funds are also available for local governments and nonprofits to complete beneficial use projects that incorporate the use of ground tire rubber. Business applicants must have a government sponsor. Grant funds for business applicants are reimbursed only after project completion through the government sponsor. Grantees have 24 months to complete the project. (100% match)
The 2020 Recycling and Litter Prevention grants program was suspended due to COVID-related financial constraints.
2019 Grant Award
In 2018, Wood County SWMD sponsored Rosenboom Custom Crafted Cylinders in Bowling Green to apply for the OEPA Market and Development Grant. They were awarded funding from this program to purchase a baler to increase their recycling efforts. The new baler will allow them to process and recycle paperboard rod covers. Congrats and thank you for improving the industrial recycling rate!
On the right is the first paperboard bale of the year! Rosenboom is utilizing their baler, purchased through the OEPA Market and Development Grant, to divert 30 tons of paperboard from the landfill and recycle it locally.