Community Litter Cleanup Program

The Community Litter Cleanup Program (CLCP) is a state-administered grant program managed by the Washington State Department of Ecology through its Solid Waste Management Program. The program was established under the Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Model Litter Control Act to support a permanent and continuous statewide effort to reduce litter and illegal dumping. Funding for the program is derived from the Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Litter Control Account, which is supported by taxes on certain industries such as retail, food service, and packaging sectors. The Department of Ecology is responsible for administering the program, setting guidelines, evaluating applications, and overseeing grant agreements. The primary purpose of the CLCP is to assist local governments with the costs associated with litter pickup, illegal dump cleanup, and public education and outreach aimed at preventing littering and illegal dumping. The program supports both direct cleanup activities and preventative measures, including community engagement and behavior change initiatives. Eligible uses of funds include labor for cleanup crews, disposal costs for collected waste, equipment and tools necessary for operations, and education campaigns designed to reduce litter generation. Administrative costs are permitted but are capped at 10 percent of total eligible expenditures, and education and outreach activities are limited to 20 percent of the total budget excluding certain capital expenditures. Funding under the CLCP is distributed using a formula-based allocation rather than a competitive scoring process. Allocations are determined based on a combination of equal base funding for all counties, geographic and demographic factors such as population and road mileage, and performance-based efficiency and effectiveness metrics. For the 2025–2027 biennium, approximately $4.8 million is allocated for cleanup and prevention activities, with an additional portion reserved for equipment purchases under the Tools and Trucks component. Individual award amounts vary by county and are not fixed caps but are determined through the allocation formula. Eligibility for the CLCP is limited to county solid waste planning authorities or other local government agencies that have been approved by the county planning authority. These entities are responsible for developing and implementing local solid waste management plans and coordinating cleanup efforts within their jurisdictions. While local governments may partner with community organizations, volunteer groups, or contractors to carry out program activities, the primary applicant and grant recipient must be an eligible governmental entity. Projects must focus on public lands or areas with public access, and certain activities such as cleanup on private land without public access are not eligible. The application process for the CLCP requires submission through the Department of Ecology’s Ecology Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) system. For the 2025–2027 funding cycle, the application period opened on February 4, 2025, and closed on March 4, 2025. Applicants were required to submit a complete application including proposed project scopes, budgets, and any required coordination documentation. Ecology conducts an initial screening for eligibility and completeness, followed by a detailed evaluation of project feasibility, expected outcomes, and alignment with program goals. Successful applicants enter into a formal grant agreement outlining deliverables, reporting requirements, and reimbursement procedures. Grants are administered on a cost-reimbursement basis, requiring recipients to incur eligible expenses and submit documentation for reimbursement through periodic progress reports. Recipients must comply with strict reporting, documentation, and audit requirements, including quarterly progress reports and a final closeout report at the end of the grant period. The performance period for the 2025–2027 cycle runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. Recipients are expected to track outcomes such as miles cleaned, tons of litter collected, and community engagement metrics. The application period for the 2025–2027 funding cycle has closed, and applications were no longer being accepted after March 4, 2025. The program operates on a biennial cycle and is expected to recur in future funding periods, although specific dates for the next cycle have not been formally announced. Applicants seeking future funding should monitor the Department of Ecology’s grant announcements and prepare to apply during the next anticipated cycle based on similar timing patterns. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact program staff within the Department of Ecology, including regional grant managers who provide technical support and guidance throughout the grant lifecycle.

Ensure alignment with cleanup and prevention goals, provide realistic scope and measurable outcomes, and demonstrate readiness to implement