Municipality

DEC Municipal Funding for Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives

The goal of this funding program is to assist municipalities in starting or expanding municipal food scraps recycling programs. To ensure equitable access and development of food scraps recycling opportunities for all New Yorkers, this year’s opportunity will prioritize the first half of available funds for eligible projects serving Environmental Justice and Disadvantaged communities.

Eligible Recipients:

Under this grant program, a municipality is defined as a:
* County, city, town or village 

* Local public authority 

* Local public benefit corporation (as established by New York State law) 

* School district, supervisory district, and improvement district 

* Native American tribe or Nation residing in New York State 

* Combination of the above 


Private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and State agencies are NOT eligible to receive this funding. However, eligible municipalities may partner with these types of organizations on an application if the municipality is the lead applicant.

Eligible Projects:

The following types of projects are included in this opportunity:

  • Creating or expanding programs to increase residential food scraps recycling
  • Creating or expanding food scraps recycling programs and facilities

Funding Source:
NYSDEC

Funding Amount:
Approximately $2 million is available for Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives Grants. Funding for this grant opportunity was outlined in the 2021/22 NYS Budget, making funds available through the Environmental Protection Fund (which provides funds dedicated to environmental projects including those to help municipalities meet environmental goals and mandates). The first $1,000,000 will prioritize eligible projects that dedicate at least 50% of the total requested funding to serving environmental justice communities.

 NEW in 2023: Approximately $750,000.00 has been allocated to this grant program to fund additional applicants. This funding was included in the 2023/24 New York State Budget, making funds available through the Environmental Protection Fund.

Deadline:
Awards will be given to applications receiving a pass score in the order they are submitted in Grants Gateway, until DEC withdraws this request for applications, funds are exhausted, or October 4, 2023, 3:00 PM EST, whichever comes first.

Contact:
Sally Rowland
organicsgrants@dec.ny.gov

More Information:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/97456.html#Funding_Opportunities

NYSDEC Grants for Waste Reduction/Prevention Projects (MWR&R)

The NYSDEC is authorized to provide State assistance for projects that further the primary strategy of the NYS solid waste management hierarchy. A waste reduction/prevention project reduces the volume or toxicity of materials entering the MSW stream at the point of generation.

Eligible Recipients:
The following entities within New York State are eligible to apply for these grants:

  • Counties, Cities, Towns or Villages
  • Local Public Authorities
  • Local Public Benefit Corporations (organizations established by State Law)
  • School Districts, Supervisory Districts & Improvement Districts
  • Native American Tribes or Nations residing in New York State

Eligible Projects:

  • educational efforts that prevent the generation of waste
  • materials reuse
  • promotion or use of refillable or reusable packaging
  • audits of procedures and practices, resulting in the elimination or reduction of materials disposed
  • increasing awareness of non-toxic household product substitutes
  • promotion of backyard or on-site composting
  • promotion of product stewardship initiatives.

Funding Source:
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Funding Amount:
Funding is provided on a 50% reimbursement rate for eligible costs.

Deadline:

Proposals for projects are accepted on an ongoing first-come-first-served basis.

Effective November 4, 2017, ALL applications must be submitted using the NYS Grants Gateway 

Contact:

Grants Gateway Help Desk
Primary Help Desk:
For assistance with registration, prequalification, applications, contracts, payments, etc.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Phone: (518) 474-5595

Email: grantsgateway@its.ny.gov

After Hours Support:
For assistance with account lockouts, lost user IDs, or basic information.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Phone: (800) 820-1890

Email: helpdesk@agatesoftware.com

Policy/Registration Questions:
Email: grantsreform@budget.ny.gov

More Information:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/105608.html

NYSDEC Grants for Municipal Landfill Gas Management Projects (MWR&R)

The NYSDEC is authorized to provide grants to Municipal Landfill Gas Management projects that promote improved air quality at solid waste landfills, capture greenhouse gases, and encourage energy recovery from landfill gas.

Eligible Recipients:

Application eligibility. A municipality which owns or operates a landfill within the State of New York may apply for State assistance for a landfill gas management system at that landfill if the project meets the following requirements:

(a) The site must be municipally owned or operated and the municipality will remain liable for the continued operation and maintenance of the landfill gas management system for its useful life.

(b) The active landfill gas collection and treatment system must be in compliance with the design requirements of 6 NYCRR Part 208, if applicable, and must use a landfill gas management system approved by the Department that conforms to the requirements for new facilities set forth in 6 NYCRR Part 360 that are in effect six months prior to the date the application is received and is designed to maximize the capture of air emissions from the landfill.

Eligible Projects:
For a complete description and criteria of the Landfill Gas Management Program, visit DEC Policy DSHM-SW-04-16 – Landfill Gas Collection and Treatment Systems.

Funding Source:
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Funding Amount:
Awards are made once a year to as many projects as can be reached with available funds. Unfunded projects will remain on a DEC waiting list until additional funds become available.

Deadline:
Applications are accepted continuously.

Contact:
Application Materials for Municipal Landfill Gas Management grants may be obtained by contacting DEC via e-mail or at 518-402-8678
RecyclingGrants@dec.ny.gov

More Information:
www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/49845.html

Closed Loop Infrastructure Fund

The Closed Loop Infrastructure Fund accepts applications for U.S.-based projects on a rolling basis and provides below-market rate loans to municipalities and companies to improve recycling infrastructure.

Eligible Recipients:

TBA

Eligible Projects:

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Project must be based in the U.S.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions reduced/avoided
  • Materials diversion from disposal
  • Applicant’s ability to repay
  • Replicability and scalability of the project or model
  • Amount of increase in access to or participation in recycling
  • Amount of increase in the recovery and/or reuse of post-consumer commodities (i.e., plastics, paper, glass, or metal)
  • Economic benefit(s) to the community(ies) served by the project or company
  • Ability for the applicant and/or project to leverage additional sources of capital

Funding Source:
Closed Loop Partners

Funding Amount:

  • We provide zero interest loans to municipalities and below market rate loans to private companies.
  • Typical loan size is $3-$5M over a 3-10 year term, with each loan secured by collateral.
  • We invest in best-in-class operators who are leaders in their industry in the United States.

Funding Deadline:
 Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Contact:
Apply on website

More Information:
https://www.closedlooppartners.com/funds/apply-for-funding/closed-loop-infrastructure-fund/

NYSDEC Grants for Recycling Coordination & Education Projects

DEC is authorized to provide State assistance for Recycling Coordinator salaries and for public education programs conducted by municipalities. This funding helps expand local recycling programs and increase participation.

Eligible Recipients:
The following entities within New York State are eligible to apply for these grants:

  • Counties, Cities, Towns or Villages
  • Local Public Authorities
  • Local Public Benefit Corporations (organizations established by State Law)
  • School Districts, Supervisory Districts & Improvement Districts
  • Native American Tribes or Nations residing in New York State

Eligible Projects:

Eligible projects for state assistance under this program include planning, educational and promotional activities to increase public awareness of and participation in waste reduction and recycling. Municipalities may request funding toward costs for recycling coordination, publications, education and outreach for recycling and waste reduction.

Funding Source:
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Funding Amount:
A project application will be reviewed and may be approved, disapproved or modified by DEC. If acceptable, applications will be approved for state assistance for up to 50 percent of eligible costs, not to exceed two million dollars.

Deadline:
The application acceptance period is: August, September and October of each year.

Contact:

Primary Help Desk:
For assistance with registration, prequalification, applications, contracts, payments, etc.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Phone: (518) 474-5595

Email: grantsgateway@its.ny.gov

After Hours Support:
For assistance with account lockouts, lost user IDs, or basic information.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Phone: (800) 820-1890

Email: helpdesk@agatesoftware.com

Policy/Registration Questions:
Email: grantsreform@budget.ny.gov

More Information:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/105613.html

NYSDEC Grants for Municipal Landfill Closure Projects

NYSDEC provides funds to municipalities for the closure of eligible municipal landfills. These projects may also include in assisting municipalities with municipal solid waste landfill gas management systems.

Eligible Recipients:
Municipalities with inactive solid waste landfills or landfills that will be inactive within 18 months of application that have eligible closure costs incurred after April 1, 1993.

  • Counties, Cities, Towns or Villages
  • Local Public Authorities
  • Local Public Benefit Corporations (organizations established by State Law)
  • School Districts, Supervisory Districts & Improvement Districts
  • Native American Tribes or Nations residing in New York State

The municipal applicant must own an inactive (or soon to be inactive) solid waste landfill in New York State.

Eligible Projects:

Eligible projects include landfill closure costs if the landfill closure project meets the following requirements:
(a) the landfill is municipally-owned and the municipality is liable for all closure and post closure activities;
(b) the landfill ceased receiving waste no later than April 9, 1997;
(c) the municipal landfill closure project complies with applicable landfill closure requirements as set forth in Part 363 of this Title;
(d) the municipality waives any right to assistance under section 27 1313 of the ECL; and
(e) the landfill closure site is not classified as a classification 1 or classification 2 site in the Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites.

Funding Source:
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Funding Amount:
Funding is provided on a 50% reimbursement rate for eligible costs.

Deadline:
Continuous

Contact:
Application Materials for Municipal Landfill Closure Grants may be obtained by contacting DEC by e-mail or at 518-402-8678.

More Information:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/23702.html

NYSDEC Grants for Recycling Capital Projects

NYSDEC is authorized to provide State assistance for projects that enhance municipal recycling infrastructure through

  • construction materials recycling facilities
  • construction of composting facilities
  • purchasing of recyclables processing equipment
  • purchasing of recycling containers, and
  • purchasing of new recyclables collection vehicles

Eligible Recipients:

  • Counties, Cities, Towns or Villages
  • Local Public Authorities
  • Local Public Benefit Corporations (organizations established by State Law)
  • School Districts, Supervisory Districts & Improvement Districts
  • Native American Tribes or Nations residing in New York State

Funding Source:
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Funding Amount:
Funding is provided on a 50% reimbursement rate for eligible costs.

Deadline:
Proposals for projects are accepted on an ongoing first-come-first-served basis. The current Grant Opportunity is open from July 1, 2021 – May 1, 2025.

Contact:

Grants Gateway Help Desk
Primary Help Desk:
For assistance with registration, prequalification, applications, contracts, payments, etc.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Phone: (518) 474-5595

Email: grantsgateway@its.ny.gov

After Hours Support:
For assistance with account lockouts, lost user IDs, or basic information.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Phone: (800) 820-1890

Email: helpdesk@agatesoftware.com

Policy/Registration Questions:
Email: grantsreform@budget.ny.gov

More Information:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/4776.html

NYSDEC Grants for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Programs

The NYSDEC is authorized to provide grants for HHW collection programs in order to provide a safe alternative for recycling or disposal of household hazardous materials.

Eligible Recipients:
The following entities within New York State are eligible to apply for these grants:

  • Counties, Cities, Towns or Villages
  • Local Public Authorities
  • Local Public Benefit Corporations (organizations established by State Law)
  • School Districts, Supervisory Districts & Improvement Districts
  • Native American Tribes or Nations residing in New York State

Eligible Projects:
Can include reasonable municipal costs, as determined by the department, related to operating household hazardous waste collection programs or operating a household hazardous waste collection and storage facility or mobile collection facility, and associated educational and promotional expenses. It is not necessary that all types of household hazardous waste be collected for the collection program to be eligible.

Funding Source:
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Funding Amount:
Funding is provided on a 50% reimbursement rate for eligible costs.

Deadline:

Applications will be accepted by DEC during the months of January and February of each calendar year for all eligible household hazardous waste collection and disposal costs incurred during the previous calendar year.

Effective January 1, 2018, all HHW State Assistance applications must be submitted through the NYS Grants Gateway.

Contact:

Grants Gateway Help Desk
Primary Help Desk:
For assistance with registration, prequalification, applications, contracts, payments, etc.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Phone: (518) 474-5595

Email: grantsgateway@its.ny.gov

After Hours Support:
For assistance with account lockouts, lost user IDs, or basic information.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Phone: (800) 820-1890

Email: helpdesk@agatesoftware.com

Policy/Registration Questions:
Email: grantsreform@budget.ny.gov

More Information:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8778.html

EPA Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Funding Opportunity

EPA supports diversion of food waste and other organic materials from landfills. Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is an alternative to landfilling that results in environmental benefits in the form of renewable energy (biogas) and a product that can improve soil health (digestate). The goal of this funding opportunity was to accelerate the development of new or enhance/increase existing anaerobic digestion capacity and infrastructure in the United States.

Eligible Recipients:

  • State (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands), local, Tribal, interstate, and intrastate government agencies and instrumentalities, and;
  • Non-profit organizations (as defined by 2 CFR Part 200) including non-profit educational institutions and non-profit hospitals. Organizations that fall under 501(c)(4) that lobby are not applicable.

Additionally, up to approximately $800,000 of the estimated total will be set aside specifically for awards to the following organizations:

  • U.S. territories
  • Tribal governments
  • Tribal colleges and universities; or
  • Eligible organizations located in persistent poverty counties.

Eligible Projects: Along with other requirements that are noted in the Request for Applications (RFA), applications must address one of the following objectives to merit further review.

  • Develop new or expand existing AD capacity for processing food waste.
  • Demonstrate solutions and/or approaches for increasing food waste AD utilization that can be replicated by other communities, governments, or other entities.
  • Support state, Tribal, and/or local government programs that seek to use AD to increase their food waste diversion rates.
  • Projects are awarded under the general authority of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, Subchapter VIII, Section 6981, which must include in the project conducting and promoting the coordination of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, public education programs, and studies relating to solid waste.

Funding Source:
US Environmental Protection Agency

Funding Amount:
The total amount of funding for this program is $2,000,000. Individual grant awards may potentially be in the range of $50,000-$200,000 for the funding period. Up to $800,000 of the estimated total will be set-aside specifically for underserved communities and/or Tribal projects. Please refer to RFA for complete information.

Deadline:
The FY21 Request for Applications (RFA) is now closed.

Contact:
If you have questions about the 2020 or 2021 Anaerobic Digestion Funding Opportunity, please contact ADGrant@epa.gov.

More Information:
https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/sustainable-materials-management-2021-anaerobic-digestion-funding