Municipal Waste Reduction Recycling Coordination

The Municipal Waste Reduction Recycling Coordination grant program is administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, a state agency responsible for protecting environmental quality, managing natural resources, and overseeing waste management systems. This program is part of the state’s broader efforts to reduce waste, increase recycling participation, and support municipalities in implementing sustainable materials management practices. Through this funding opportunity, the agency seeks to strengthen local recycling infrastructure by supporting coordination, education, and outreach activities that improve public awareness and operational efficiency. The purpose of the grant is to provide financial assistance to municipalities for projects that enhance waste reduction and recycling efforts through planning, education, and promotional activities. Eligible initiatives include the development of recycling guides, public outreach campaigns across media platforms, signage and displays, and educational programming such as community events or school-based activities. The program also supports coordination activities such as planning and monitoring recycling programs, developing outreach strategies, improving recyclable material tracking and reporting, and fostering intergovernmental collaboration. Funding under this program is structured as a reimbursement model, where the Department may fund up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, subject to a maximum award of two million dollars per municipality. Eligible expenditures include salary and fringe benefits for a recycling coordinator, provided the individual is an employee of the applicant and dedicates at least 50 percent of their work time to the project. However, several costs are explicitly ineligible, including general operating expenses such as office supplies, utilities, travel, and indirect or overhead costs. The program emphasizes direct investment in activities that demonstrably increase recycling participation and awareness. Eligibility for the program is limited to governmental entities, including municipalities and tribal organizations. Applicants must submit proposals detailing their planned activities, budget, and expected outcomes through the New York State SFS Vendor Portal. All applications submitted within the designated window are treated as simultaneously received and are evaluated based on their alignment with program goals and eligibility requirements. The Department retains the authority to approve, modify, or deny applications and may adjust reimbursement percentages if available funding is insufficient to support all qualified applicants. The application process follows a structured timeline. For the current cycle, applications are due by October 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, with questions accepted until October 23, 2026. Responses to submitted questions are posted publicly in the Grants Management System. The anticipated award date is January 30, 2027, and funded projects are expected to have an initial contract period of twelve months. The program operates on an annual cycle, with applications typically accepted during the months of August, September, and October each year. Applicants seeking assistance or clarification may contact the Recycling Grants Program via email or phone for general inquiries, while technical questions related to the submission system can be directed to the NYS SFS Grants Management helpdesk. This structured support system ensures that applicants have access to both programmatic and technical guidance throughout the application process. Overall, the grant program represents a recurring funding opportunity designed to support local governments in advancing sustainable waste management practices across New York State.

6-10 hours