Indiana Community Recycling Grant Program

The Indiana Community Recycling Grant Program is administered by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management through its Office of Program Support and is authorized under state statute IC 13-20-22. The program is funded by the State Solid Waste Management Fund, which collects revenue through a surcharge on waste disposed at final disposal facilities across Indiana. This funding mechanism supports statewide efforts to reduce waste, increase recycling, and promote sustainable materials management practices. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to local entities and organizations working to improve recycling systems and reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills. The primary purpose of the program is to support projects that advance recycling, source reduction, organics management, and household hazardous waste collection and disposal. Eligible projects may include educational campaigns to promote recycling behaviors, the establishment or expansion of composting and yard waste programs, and initiatives to improve collection and processing of recyclable materials. The program also funds equipment purchases such as recycling trucks, compactors, and organics management machinery, as well as public education materials that encourage waste reduction and proper disposal practices. Grant awards range from 1,000 to 100,000 dollars, and all applicants are required to provide a 25 percent cash match for each project cost item. Matching funds must be cash contributions incurred during the grant period and cannot come from state funding sources. This requirement ensures local investment and commitment to the success and sustainability of funded projects. The program operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning that awarded funds are disbursed after eligible expenses are incurred and documented, with partial reimbursements available throughout the project period. Eligible applicants include solid waste management districts, counties, municipalities, schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations located within Indiana. Businesses, for-profit entities, and state agencies are not eligible to apply directly, although state agencies may participate as project partners. Repeat applicants must be in good standing with no unresolved compliance issues and must not have any open grants under the program at the time of application submission. Applications must be submitted through the designated online grants portal during the official application window. For the upcoming funding cycle, applications will be accepted beginning May 18, 2026, and must be submitted by June 26, 2026. The application package requires detailed narrative responses outlining project goals, environmental and economic impacts, evaluation methods, and long-term sustainability, along with supporting documentation such as budget sheets, cost quotes, proof of funding, and organizational financial records. A project task timeline and documentation of matching funds are also required components. Applications undergo a multi-step evaluation process, including completeness review, compliance checks, and scoring by a review committee using a structured rubric. Evaluation criteria assess project quality, organizational capacity, environmental impact, community benefits, and long-term sustainability. Following review, award notifications are expected in early December 2026, with grant agreements finalized shortly thereafter. Projects operate under an 18-month performance period, and funds cannot be expended until agreements are fully executed, typically beginning in early 2027.

Focus on measurable waste diversion outcomes demonstrate sustainability beyond grant funding provide detailed project timelines and ensure all required documentation is complete