Recycling Grants available for Businesses, Local Government, and Nonprofit Organizations

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) today announced the availability of grant funding for recycling projects. 

Public and private businesses, local government and nonprofit organizations located and doing business in Indiana are eligible to submit proposals for recycling grants ranging from $1,000 up to $250,000. Proposals will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on June 21, 2019. 

Grants are funded through IDEM’s Recycling Market Development Program. Eligible projects focus on reuse, reduction, and recycling methods of municipal solid waste. A 50 percent match is required. 

“IDEM is pleased to aid both Indiana’s economic development and the environment through recycling efforts,” said IDEM Commissioner Bruno Pigott. “The Recycling Market Development Program funding can add greater efficiency in manufacturing, increase education and outreach efforts to reduce waste, and contribute to environmental sustainability.”  

Proposals should demonstrate an understanding of the changing economy for recyclers and look at where monies can be used most effectively by businesses and communities to increase statewide recycling goals.  

Sustainability of the project is key; proposals must show a need, an increase in recyclable material collection and/or consumption, a reduction in municipal solid waste shipped for final disposal, and/or improved partnerships with communities through increased public awareness of recycling opportunities.

The Recycling Market Development Board will make final funding determinations by the end of 2019. 

For additional information about the Recycling Market Development Program, and how to apply, please call (800) 988-7901 or visit IDEM's website at www.in.gov/idem/recycle/2358.htm.

About the Recycling Market Development Program
The Recycling Market Development Program was established in the early 1990s to better manage solid waste by developing markets for recycling. The Program is supported by the Recycling Promotion and Assistance Fund (RPAF) established under IC 4-23-5.5-14. Funding is fifty percent of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Fee (IC 13-20-22-1).

The RMDP is administered by IDEM and operates under the Recycling Market Development Board as established by IC 4-23-5.5. The Board may promote, fund, and encourage programs facilitating the development and implementation of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling in Indiana. They determine all final funding for eligible projects.

About IDEM 
(www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids citizens, government, businesses and other organizations to protect Hoosiers and the environment

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"As a member of the Indiana Recycling Market Development Board (RMBD), I’m excited to share this great news! RMBD just announced this year’s grant opportunities, and applications are now being accepted. We were able to double our available funding from $1M to $2M this year, so there are more chances for folks to get funding for innovative recycling projects." - Kelly Weger, Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Lead Service Manager Sustainability

Writer: Barry Sneed, 317-232-8596, Media@idem.IN.gov