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CalRecycle announced funding for the pilot cycle of their Reuse Grant Program which seeks to lower overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by expanding and improving landfill diversion and recycling through source reduction (i.e., reuse). Grant awards range from $300,000 – $500,000 with an anticipated $2 million available in funding for fiscal year 2019-2020. Projects must be completed by February 28, 2023.

Who is eligible to apply? Eligible applicants for this program include: local governments; state agencies; nonprofit organizations; private, for-profit organizations; and, qualifying Indian tribes.

What projects are eligible for the Reuse Grant Program? Projects must be located in California and facilitate reductions in GHG emissions and landfill disposal within the grant performance period. Projects must fall into one of the following project types:

• Replacement of single-use containers with refillables, including, but not limited to beverage, food, or personal care product containers.
• Replacement of single-use food service ware (plates, cups, utensils) with durable alternatives that can be reused.
• Replacement of single-use packaging with reusable packaging used to transport or distribute goods (e.g., crates, pallets).
• Recovery of lumber, wood flooring, or wood furniture from landfills or through deconstruction projects for reuse. 

Projects that do not fit into one of the four categories listed above, including, but not limited to projects reusing or replacing the following products are ineligible: food, carpet, paint, mattresses, tires, electronic waste, household hazardous waste, materials that are not legally landfilled, and beverage containers that are subject to the Beverage Container Recycling Program.

What costs are eligible for the program?

1. Costs necessary to directly implement a project such as equipment, shelter, and materials. Eligible costs include:

• Supplies and materials.
• Shelters or receiving stations at landfills and transfer stations to protect recovered lumber from weather damage.
• Construction improvements on owned or long term leased (minimum lease term through Grant Term) properties directly related to program.
• Equipment and tools used to transport or minimally process lumber for resale or reuse (examples include, but are not limited to, de-nailers, saws, mills).
• Specialized vehicles used to transport recovered lumber or reusables such as forklifts, trucks, and trailers.

 2. Costs necessary to replace single-use items with reusable alternatives. Eligible costs include: 

• Dishwashers, dishwashing racks, materials related to dishwashing (excluding consumables).
• Personnel directly related to the project (maximum of 25 percent of the requested grant amount).
• Education and outreach directly related to the project (maximum of 25 percent of the requested grant amount) on how to reuse the product and the benefits of reuse.
• Design fees directly related to installation, design, construction.
• Collection bins for reusable items with an associated program, incentive, or deposit.
• Shelving, racks, storage for reusable items.
• Products that replace single-use items.

What are the funding levels for this program? The minimum per individual grant award is $300,000 and the maximum is $500,000. There is a total of $2 million available for fiscal year 2019-2020. Funding is contingent upon and subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this grant.

Is there a cost-sharing/match requirement? There is no cost-sharing requirement for this program.

When are applications due? Proposals must be received by September 10, 2020. CalRecycle anticipates announcing grant awards in December 2020.

CalRecycle’s Reuse Grant Application Guidelines and Instructions 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.