State

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

NYSAR3 & NYSP2I Grants for NYS Colleges & Universities

NYSAR3’s College Council grants, supported by the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I), are offered to New York State Universities and colleges who are members of the College Council. This year, NYSAR3 and NYSP2I are pleased to offer up to $10,000 for projects focused on source reduction, reuse or recycling. Each member institution is eligible to apply for project funding up to $5,000. Project proposals that can creatively incorporate pollution prevention along with reduction, reuse or recycling, will be given preference during evaluation.

Eligible Recipients:
New York State Universities and Colleges

Eligible Projects:
Project proposals that can creatively incorporate pollution prevention along with reduction, reuse or recycling, will be given preference during evaluation.

Funding Source:
NYS Association for Reduction, Reuse & Recycling (NYSAR3) and NYS Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I)

Funding Amount:
Each member institution is eligible to apply for project funding up to $5,000.

Deadline:
The grant submission period runs from 2/16 to 4/22/22. 2023 Grant Applications are now closed

Contact:
NYSAR3/NYSP2I
College Council Grant Coordinator
Melissa Cadwell
macadwel@syr.edu

More Information:
https://www.nysar3.org/page/grant-program-for-ny-colleges-28.html

NYSP2I Food Waste Reduction & Diversion Reimbursement Program

The Food Waste Reduction and Diversion Reimbursement Program is an innovative partnership between New York State and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) focused on incentivizing the reduction of food waste in the state. The program provides reimbursement to New York State businesses or not-for-profits that generate, haul or recycle large amounts of food waste to offset the cost of select technologies and equipment that promise to reduce or divert that food waste from landfill or incineration.

Eligible Recipients:

  • NYS not-for-profit organizations established under Sections 501(c), 501(e), 501(f), 501(k), 501(n) or 521(a) of the Federal Tax Code
  • For-profit businesses that are registered to conduct business in New York pursuant to New York Business Corporation Law section 1304, and are large food waste generators, haulers or recyclers (greater than 1 ton/week)

Eligible Projects:

  • Will result in an increase of food waste diversion from landfill or incineration through the use of equipment or technologies.
    Note: Purchases that improve existing food waste diversion methods but do not result in increased amount of food waste diverted are not eligible.
  • Are led by New York State businesses, not-for-profits, or municipalities that produce, haul, or recycle greater than one ton of food waste per week
  • Implemented between June 1, 2017 and April 1, 2023

Funding Source:
NYS Pollution Prevention Institute & New York State Department of Economic Development

Funding Amount:
Reimbursement will cover:

  • The purchase and installation of eligible equipment and technologies
  • Up to 44% of eligible project costs, in most cases not to exceed $100,000

Deadline:
The application period is now closed. Please note that this is a rolling application.

Contact:
Once complete, please email your application to: Ava Labuzetta, Sr Pollution Prevention Engineer allp2i@rit.edu

More Information:
https://www.rit.edu/affiliate/nysp2i/collaborations

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

NYSP2I Community Grants Program

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) was established to give businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and communities across the Empire State the resources and expertise they need to realize the benefits of sustainability.

Eligible Recipients:

NYSP2I Community Grants are a funding opportunity for community organizations and local government agencies based and operating in New York State.

Eligible Projects: 

Preference will be given to projects that:

  • Utilize partnerships and collaborations with other organizations
  • Demonstrate a broad community impact
  • Address populations and communities affected by, experiencing, or susceptible to environmental harms and risk
  • Are replicable and transferrable to other organizations
  • Are located in Environmental Justice (EJ) communities

Funding Source:
Funding allocation through NYSP2I is made possible through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) as administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Funding Amount:
TBD

Deadline:
The application period for the 2023-2024 Community Grants Program is now closed.

Contact:
NYSP2I
111 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623
nysp2i@rit.edu
(585) 475-2512

More Information:
https://www.rit.edu/affiliate/nysp2i/funding

Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Industrial Finance Program (IFP)

The Industrial Finance Program (IFP) provides low-cost financings to businesses for projects related to waste management, pollution control, drinking water, wastewater and solid waste facility improvements, and environmental regulation compliance.

Eligible Recipients:
Public and private entities.

Eligible Projects:

The Industrial Finance Program projects that have a public benefit may quality as tax exempt if 95% or more of the net proceeds are used to fund these following types of facilities:

  • Solid waste facilities and equipment for the handling, disposal, transportation, and recycling of solid waste such as municipal solid waste landfills, construction and demolition landfills, ash-fills, hauling/transport equipment and transfer stations, resource recovery facilities, and recycling facilities and equipment. Bond Counsel options as to eligibility are usually required.
  • Sewage treatment facilities for privately owned wastewater treatment facilities serving the public, including sewers, piping, force mains, pumps, clarifiers, and sludge handling facilities that fall below D.O.B. limits.
  • Drinking water supply and management facilities such as mains, piping, wells, treatment works, finished water reservoirs, and other storage facilities for public use.
  • Industrial hazardous waste disposal facilities for landfill and incineration of hazardous waste, and capital costs associated with Brownfields site remediation.

Other types of environmental facilities may be financed with taxable IFP bonds. In certain cases, the most economical way to finance a particular project may be to use funding from both the IFP and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs.

Funding Source:
Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC)

Funding Amount:
The minimum amount of an IFP financing is approximately $10 million. There is usually no maximum limit. The financing is subject to certain federal and state law requirements and approvals, including obtaining a state tax-exempt bond volume cap. IFP bonds may be amortized for a term of up to 40 years, depending on the useful life of the facilities that are financed and other factors.

Deadline:
Ongoing

Contact:
Brian McClintock
Finance Manager
(518) 402-7085
finance@efc.ny.gov

More Information:
https://www.efc.ny.gov/IFP

NYSDEC Climate Smart Communities Grant Program

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program was established in 2016 to provide 50/50 matching grants to cities, towns, villages, and counties of the State of New York for eligible climate change mitigation, adaptation, and planning and assessment projects.

Eligible Recipients:
All municipalities, defined as a county, city, town, village, or borough (referring only to Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island) within the State of New York are eligible to apply to the CSC Grant program. Political subdivisions such as municipal corporations, school districts, district corporations, boards of cooperative educational services, fire districts, public benefit corporations, industrial development authorities, and similar organizations are not eligible to apply, however, may apply in partnership with an eligible lead municipality. See request for application for details.

Eligible Projects:

Funds are available for two broad project categories – implementation and certification. The first project category supports implementation projects related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (mainly outside the power sector) and climate change adaptation. The second supports planning and assessment projects aligned with Climate Smart Communities certification actions

Funding Source:

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Funding Amount:
Provide 50/50 matching grants for:
Implementation Projects where up to $12 million is available in 2022 for implementation grants of between $50,000 and $2,000,000 for mitigation and adaptation projects;
Certification Projects where up to $2,000,000 is available in 2022 for grants of between $10,000 and $200,000 to complete certain CSC certification actions.

Deadline:
The deadline for the 2023 round is July 28, 2023. Applications are accepted only through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)

Contact:
NYSDEC | Office of Climate Change
625 Broadway, 9th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-1030
(518) 402-8448
cscgrants@dec.ny.gov

More Information:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/109181.html#CSC

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