Recycling

NYS SMM Stewards Engage Communities through Social Media, Interactive Presentations, in 2024 Project Roundup

The Spring 2024 cohort of the New York State Sustainable Materials Management (NYS SMM) Stewardship Program has concluded with another successful round of creative engagement projects aimed at fostering curiosity and greater understanding of SMM in local communities and beyond. 

The NYS SMM Stewardship Program is a long running, student-centered program   developed by the Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS) and administered in partnership with the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) at SUNY ESF. This annual opportunity provides college/university students from across the state with a unique chance to explore and deepen their knowledge of the concepts of “sustainable materials management” — a term that reflects a holistic approach to the use and reuse of society’s materials throughout their entire life cycles, with a focus on environmental impact and conservation of resources. 

Topics studied through the program include traditional recycling, composting, single-use plastics, reuse/repair, textiles, and effective community engagement, as well as current issues and challenges in the industry including resource extraction, overconsumption, “waste” as a concept, and environmental pollution. 

This virtual paid learning experience currently occurs in the Spring semester each year. Students receive training, mentoring, and guidance to engage local communities through hands-on, experiential SMM projects that work to address waste challenges they are currently facing. 

This unique remote opportunity has helped future SMM leaders launch their careers. Many stewards have transitioned directly into SMM-related jobs after graduation from their respective colleges, leveraging the valuable skills and professional experience gained through the program.

The Projects

In Spring 2024, 19 stewards from 12 NYS colleges/universities (including SUNY New Paltz, SUNY-ESF, Binghamton University, and St. Lawrence University) completed the program, resulting in a variety of community engagement projects, such as compost bin building, podcast interviews with SMM industry leaders, and in-class interactive presentations at local K-12 schools. 

Please see below for samples and a list of our stewards’ Spring 2024 projects!

Interested in becoming a steward?
Do you know someone who is interested in applying to the NYS SMM Stewardship Program? Applications for Spring 2025 will open in September 2024 and can be found on the NYS SMM Stewardship webpage.

Interested in supporting a steward?
If you have a project that a steward could help with, or are interested in working with a future SMM steward, please contact CSCS Program Associate Morgan Ingraham at meingrah@syr.edu for more information.

Isabela Fraguada, Stony Brook University

Topic: Animation & Social Media Outreach

Isabela Fraguada created an animated character named Turkeybacon, a veteran of the Marine wars against plastic pollution and advocate for SMM. Through a series of Instagram outreach posts, Turkeybacon explains and demonstrates concepts of SMM such as reuse, repair, and composting. Follow the QR code to see Turkeybacon in action, or follow him on @turkeybaconturtle on Instagram!

Richard Correa-Lampasona, St. John’s University

Topic: Extended Producer Responsibility Podcast – Interview with Product Stewardship Institute

Richard Correa-Lampasona hosted a podcast interview with Scott Cassel, CEO and Founder of the Product Stewardship Institute. This educational podcast gives a background on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, as well as an insight into what PSI is all about. Follow the QR code or go to tinyurl.com/SMMStewardEPR to listen to the podcast!

Wren Kingsley, SUNY New Paltz

Topic: SMM Education & Advocacy Campaign at Local Middle School

Wren Kingsley worked with New Paltz Middle School’s Climate Club in a series of SMM-related workshops. The first workshop, Recycling 101, consisted of an in-class game where New Paltz Middle School students sorted items to learn about what was recyclable or not. Then, students were taken on a tour of the New Paltz Recycling and Reuse Center. Back in the classroom again, students built a worm bin to learn about composting. Finally, students engaged in a letter-writing campaign to local government officials to express their concerns about climate change.

Other Projects

Litter Cleanup Composition and Outreach: Lauren Hamilton Musso, SUNY-ESF

Waste in Small Business: Willow Mercer, Stony Brook University

Repair Day Pop-Up Event: Shawna Stevenson, Binghamton University

Waste in Local School: Brady Hartnett, Syracuse University

How University Students View Single-Use Plastic Waste on Campus: Elizabeth Vool, Stony Brook University

Upcycling Materials for Less Waste:  Kimberly Bravo, St. Lawrence University

Middle School Recycling Education: Maggie Saville, SUNY Binghamton

Compost for Community: Brianna Rodriguez, SUNY New Paltz

College Campus Clothing Swap: Kade DeMarle, SUNY Albany

Waste Tracking in Elementary Schools: Janice Yohannan, Stony Brook University

Increasing the Engagement of the Campus Thrift Store: Valeria Obregon, St. Lawrence University

Pop-Up Thrift Shop & Clothing Swap: Jessie Mazzeo, SUNY Geneseo

Campus Litter Analysis: Dolphins Collect:  Meghan Walton, Le Moyne College

Climate Smart Communities Waste Reduction Education Campaign: Caitlyn Davey, Binghamton University

Feasible SMM Campaign: A Digestible Approach to Zero-Waste: Jordan Winkelman, Syracuse University

Thank you to our partners

The NYS SMM Stewardship Program is administered in partnership with NYSAR3 and with grant funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and CSMM. 

DOE Re-X Before Recycling Prize

The Re-X Before Recycling Prize will award up to $5.6 million in federal funding and technical assistance from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories. The prize is designed to stimulate innovation and private investment in circular economy approaches that can transform waste streams into diverse, integrated circular supply networks and contribute to a robust, environmentally sustainable economy.

Eligible Recipients

Can include winner and nonwinners from Phase 1: Identify! as well as new competitors.

  • Must be private entities or nonfederal government entities. Individuals or groups of individuals are not eligible to compete.
  • Must form a legal entity to participate in Phase 2: Prepare! if they were an individual winner from Phase 1: Identify!

Funding Source

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Funding Amount

The Re-X Before Recycling Prize will award up to $5.6 million in federal funding and technical assistance from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories.

Deadline

The anticipated submission deadline for Phase 2: Prepare! is Oct. 16, 2024, 5 p.m. ET.

Contact

If you want to receive updates on the prize or have any questions, please subscribe by using the follow feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at Before.Recycling@nrel.gov.

More Information

https://www.herox.com/ReXBeforeRecycling.

The Recycling Partnership Polypropylene Recycling Grant Program

The purpose of the Polypropylene Recycling Grant Program is to facilitate Material Recovery Facility (MRF) processing, sortation and marketing of polypropylene packaging to ensure the widest possible access to polypropylene recycling in community recycling collection programs in the United States. This program focuses on equipment and process investments that establish polypropylene as an automatically MRF-accepted material. Those investments must lead to inclusion of polypropylene as an accepted material in collection programs supplying the MRF, either as a separate grade or as part of a mixed grade of plastics (e.g., a #3 – 7 resin grade). The projects must result in the successful ongoing return of polypropylene to manufacturing use.

Eligible Recipients:

Publicly, privately and non-profit owned and operated MRFs in the United States are eligible for
funding under this grant program. Local recycling collection programs, post-MRF processors of polypropylene or mixed resin grades, or any other parties not directly involved in MRF processing are not eligible for funding.

Eligible Projects:

Grant funding is available for equipment or process investments that establish permanent and
sustainable MRF acceptance and recycling of polypropylene packaging.

Funding Source:
The Recycling Partnership

Funding Amount:
Funding is available through competitive responses to this Request for Proposals under the auspices of the Polypropylene Coalition. Ultimate decisions on proposal funding is subject to allocation of Coalition contributions to grant-making and to the goals and objectives of the Coalition.

Deadline:

Grant applications under this program will be accepted on an ongoing basis, and there is
no due date for proposals.

Contact:
Rich Simon
rsimon@recyclingpartnership.org

More Information:
https://recyclingpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/The-Recycling-Partnerships-Polypropylene-MRF-Grant-RFP-Final.pdf

Closed Loop Circular Plastics Fund

The Closed Loop Circular Plastics Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis and provides flexible financing for circular economy infrastructure, technologies and companies that advance the recovery and recycling of plastics in the U.S. and Canada.

Eligible Recipients:

TBA

Eligible Projects:

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Project must be based in the U.S. or Canada
  • Greenhouse gas emissions reduced/avoided
  • Mass of materials impacted (e.g., diverted from disposal, recovered for recycling, incorporated into new products, etc.)
  • Applicant’s ability to repay (for debt financing)
  • Replicability and scalability of the project or model
  • Amount of increase in access to or participation in recycling
  • Ability for the applicant and/or project to leverage additional sources of capital

Funding Source:
Closed Loop Partners

Funding Amount:
We provide catalytic financing to municipalities, private companies and non-profit organizations. As an impact-first investor, we offer a diverse range of financing alternatives. Our financial product offering includes:

  • Debt-based
    • Bridge loans
    • Secured loans
    • Unsecured loans
    • Revolving credit facilities
    • Asset based loans
    • Venture debt
  • Hybrid
    • Mezzanine debt
  • Equity, as a follow-on to a lead equity investor
  • Average investment period: 3 to 5 years (excluding bridge loans)
  • Minimum investment size: $1 million

Funding Deadline:
Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Contact:
Apply on website

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

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/

The Recycling Partnership Recycling Inclusion Fund

What does a world look like where all people feel like valued members within their communities? How can we as a global, national, and local industry do our part to apply shared experiences, knowledge, and resources to catalyze a sustainable life for everyone?

The Recycling Inclusion Fund directs grant dollars toward investment in recycling infrastructure and education equity, a training and leadership program geared towards communities of color, and research into the challenges that hinder a more equitable circular economy. 

Eligible Recipients:

TBA

Eligible Projects:

  • Research: To identify the state of recycling access and participation, barriers, and needs in BIPOC communities across the U.S.
    • Impact: Improved program efficiency to increase material capture; empowered residents so that they can actively participate in recycling.
  • Access and Education: To reach and empower BIPOC populations with recycling access and education resources that meet their needs.
    • Impact: Expanded range of household populations reached; increased household capture; achievement of equitable access for all.
  • Leadership Training Programs: To create leadership opportunities in the sustainability sector for recent BIPOC college graduates through the “Fellowship Through Partnership” Program, offering experience and training.
    • Impact: Establishment of a diverse talent pipeline with exposure to the full recycling value chain; incorporation of diverse perspectives to deliver strong solutions.

Funding Source:
3M, Arconic Foundation, Coca Cola Foundation, Cox Enterprises, Kroger’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation, Procter & Gamble, and TAZO 

Funding Amount:
 TBA

Funding Deadline:
TBA

Contact:
 E-mail Jessica at jlevine@recyclingpartnership.org

More Information:
https://recyclingpartnership.org/new-recycling-inclusion-fund/

KAB UNIFY & BEAUTIFY COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM

Keep America Beautiful®, (KAB) the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, will soon be announcing the next round of KAB Community Grant Program awards. These grants support communities and our 700-member affiliate network in preventing littering, promoting recycling, and building clean, green, and beautiful neighborhoods.
Through a coalition of corporate sponsors, Keep America Beautiful seeks innovative grant applications for programs that will unify communities as they address their community improvement needs.
Keep America Beautiful encourages applicants to use this grant opportunity to leverage local resources and encourage volunteers to sign up and take action in their community.

Eligible Recipients:
The COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM is designed to support the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) Affiliate network, other nonprofit organizations, and community groups to implement programs or projects designed to build clean, green, and beautiful places for all to thrive and enjoy.

Eligible Projects:

Keep America Beautiful is committed to fostering community diversity, unity, and environmental sustainability. Funding is available independently or collectively to:

  • promote public space recycling collection
  • build strong neighborhoods within and along Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards
  • beautification through tree planting,
  • and prevent littering by addressing cigarette litter and collecting litter from the nation’s waterways.

Funding Amount:
Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to develop a comprehensive PROGRAM approach, rather than project-specific activities by leveraging the funding available through the various grant applications. After completing basic information common to all the applications, applicants will be given the option to apply for one or several of the community improvement grant offerings.

Funding Deadline:
THE KAB COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS IN THE FALL.

Contact:

Jason Smith, jsmith@kab.org

More Information:
https://kab.org/grants/

NYSAR3 Green School Grant Program

NYSAR3 established a grant program for public and private K-12 schools for implementation or expansion of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, and composting programs.

Eligible Recipients:

All public and private, K-12, schools in New York State are eligible to apply for funding. Applicants and programs must:

  • Be a public or private school, Grades K-12, located in New York State
  • Include a goal to increase awareness or minimize waste through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and/or composting
  • Agree to share program information and data with NYSAR3

Eligible Projects:
The Board strongly encourages all applicants to reach out to their Town/County/Authority Recycling Coordinator (list found on http://www.nysar3.org) for help in developing programs and developing strategic partnerships with local businesses, parent organizations, other institutions, etc. to help maintain waste reduction, reuse and recycling programs at schools. Projects must be centered around the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) and composting.

Funding Source:
NYS Association for Reduction, Reuse & Recycling (NYSAR3)

Funding Amount:
Up to $1,000 per school.

Deadline:
Awards will be made annually on a competitive basis. This round of 2023 applications has been awarded.

Contact:
NYSAR3
1971 Western Ave, #1180, Albany, NY 12203
nysar3greenschoolsgrants@gmail.com

More Information:
https://www.nysar3.org/page/green-school-grant-program-16.html

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 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