Sustainable Materials Management

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

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

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Puerto Rico

This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

Eligible Recipients:
This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include:

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Private nonprofits
  • Federally-recognized tribes

Areas that may be served include:

  • Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less — check eligible addresses
  • Tribal lands in rural areas
  • Colonias

Eligible Projects:

Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

  • Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
  • Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
  • Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
  • Storm water collection, transmission and disposal

In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

  • Legal and engineering fees
  • Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
  • Start-up operations and maintenance
  • Interest incurred during construction
  • Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
  • Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
  • See 7 CFR Part 1780.7 and 1780.9 for a complete list

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Funding Amount:
Long-term, low-interest loans. If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.

Funding Deadline:
Applications are accepted year round.

Contact:
Brian Murray, Acting State Director
The Galleries of Syracuse
441 South Salina Street, Suite 357
Syracuse, NY  13202-2541
Voice: (315) 477-6400
www.rd.usda.gov/pr

More Information:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-loan-grant-program/pr