Recycle Ohio Grant

The Recycle Ohio Grant program is administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) and is designed to support a broad range of recycling, waste reduction, and environmental sustainability initiatives across the state of Ohio. The program reflects Ohio EPA’s mission to improve environmental quality while promoting economic growth and responsible resource management. Through this program, the agency provides funding to communities, nonprofits, academic institutions, and businesses to initiate or expand recycling programs, reduce waste, and support litter prevention efforts. The program is structured into five primary grant types, each targeting different aspects of recycling infrastructure, education, and market development. The purpose of the Recycle Ohio Grant program is to encourage sustainable materials management practices and strengthen the state’s recycling ecosystem. Funding supports activities such as purchasing recycling equipment, developing recycling markets, conducting outreach and education, and implementing reuse initiatives. Specific grant categories include Community and Litter, Academic Institution, Source Reduction, Market Development, and Scrap Tire grants. Each category has defined allowable uses. For example, Source Reduction grants fund equipment that promotes reuse, while Market Development grants support equipment used to remanufacture recyclable materials into finished goods. Certain costs, such as installation and labor for some grant types, are not eligible and must be covered by the applicant. Funding amounts vary depending on the grant type, with awards ranging up to 300,000 dollars. Matching requirements differ by category and must be provided as cash or credit, with in-kind contributions and other grant funds explicitly prohibited. Some grant categories require substantial matching contributions, including 100 percent matches for Market Development and Scrap Tire grants, while others, such as Source Reduction grants, do not require a match. Businesses applying for funding must secure a government sponsor, and reimbursement-based funding structures apply in some cases, particularly for business-related grants. Eligibility for the program is broad but restricted to entities located within Ohio and in good standing with the state. Eligible applicants include schools, counties, health departments, municipal corporations, nonprofits, park districts, private sector businesses, solid waste management authorities and districts, state agencies, townships, and villages. All applicants must demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations and financial accountability. Additionally, private businesses must partner with a qualifying government sponsor to participate in the program. The application process is conducted entirely online through the Ohio EPA Resource Center. Applicants must create or log into an account and complete a structured application that includes detailed project descriptions, budgets, timelines, and supporting documentation. Required components include an executive summary, budget narrative, project timeline, demonstration of financial need, and evidence of project readiness. Applicants must also describe anticipated environmental and economic impacts, outline outreach plans, and provide any necessary permits or licenses. Business applicants must submit financial documentation such as projections and income statements. Applications for the 2026 cycle open on October 6, 2025, and close on December 5, 2025, with an additional deadline of December 12, 2025, for submissions requiring financial documentation. A draft review deadline is offered on November 6, 2025, to allow applicants to receive feedback prior to final submission. Awards are made annually, with grant decisions announced on April 1, 2026. Funded projects begin on that date, with performance periods lasting either one year or two years depending on the grant type. The program is highly competitive and evaluated based on several criteria, including alignment with state and local solid waste management plans, financial need, project readiness, and anticipated environmental and economic impact. Additional evaluation factors include program priorities and the absence of compliance issues. Applicants are encouraged to contact program staff for assistance during the application process. General inquiries can be directed to the Ohio EPA through its official contact channels, including email and phone support, to ensure applicants fully understand requirements and improve the quality of submissions.

Ensure alignment with state and local solid waste management plans; demonstrate clear environmental and economic impact; provide strong evidence of project readiness and financial need; ensure all compliance and financial documentation is complete