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The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has announced that the Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program is open to applications. The purpose of the grant is to issue up to $1.5 million annually in the form of grants for beverage container recycling and litter reduction programs to promote increased recycling of beverage containers throughout California and reduce beverage container litter in the waste stream. Individual grants ranging from $75,000 to $275,000 are available to help eligible applicants implement new programs or enhance existing programs to provide convenient recycling opportunities in various locations statewide.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• California cities, counties, state agencies, and other local government entities
• Special districts (e.g., recreational park districts)
• Public colleges and universities and public K-12 school districts
• Non-profit organizations (except private K-12 schools) registered with the federal government under 501(c)3, (c)6, or (c)10 of the Internal Revenue Code
• Qualifying Tribal Entities
• Joint Powers Authorities

What projects are eligible for funding?

CalRecycle is seeking projects that implement new programs or enhance existing programs to provide convenient beverage container recycling opportunities in various locations statewide. Eligible projects include:

• Multi-family residential dwellings (five units or more).
• Public colleges/universities, non-profit colleges/universities, and public K–12 school districts.
• Curbside Residential Program locations excluding single stream.
• Community events including, but not limited to, those sponsored by local jurisdictions.
• Parks/recreational areas.
• Purchase of water refill stations, including installation, replacement of current infrastructure, plumbing, maintenance, additional attachments or modifications, or related educational and outreach activities/materials as eligible expenditures.  
• Litter reduction and cleanup activities along the United States-Mexico border where the waste stream includes beverage containers that will be recycled. (Out of State beverage containers collected as part of the litter abatement and cleanup projects cannot be funded under this grant program.)

Ongoing collection programs may include the following activities as a component of the grant project:

• Temporary Community Events (i.e., recycling or collection events sponsored by local jurisdictions, Earth Day events).
• Drop-off, collection program, or community service program.
• Education and outreach related to beverage container recycling.

Note: Educational activities or materials (signage, flyers, curriculum, etc.) related to the beverage container recycling project are capped at 25 percent of the total grant award. Funding must be directly related to the collection or recycling of California Redemption Value (CRV) beverage containers and the overall program. If non-CRV materials are included in the grant, they are subject to proportional cost. For example: a request to purchase a three-bin system for composting, paper and CRV recycling, can only be funded at one third of the cost. A mixed recycling bin will be funded proportionately based on the CRV content of materials collected.

What funding is available?

The current solicitation covers two fiscal years and is subject to funding availability. Fiscal years (FY) 2026-27 and 2027-28 are each projected to have $1.5 million available. Individual grant applications can range from $75,000 to $275,000. No matching funds are required.

When are applications due?

Application materials for both fiscal years are due August 11, 2026. Award announcements are likely to be issued in January 2027 for FY 2026-27 and September 2027 for FY 2027-28.

The application guidelines can be found here.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.