Recycling Infrastructure Grant

The Recycling Infrastructure Grant is administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, a state agency responsible for safeguarding environmental quality and public health through the management of air, water, land, and energy resources. The program is funded through the Renew Michigan Fund and aligns with statewide priorities focused on climate change mitigation, environmental sustainability, and equitable access to recycling services. The initiative supports the state’s broader objective of increasing recycling rates and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving recycling infrastructure and accessibility across Michigan communities. The primary purpose of the grant is to provide financial support for projects that expand and enhance recycling infrastructure. This includes increasing the capacity for collection and processing of recyclable materials, improving access to recycling services, and encouraging higher participation rates in recycling programs. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate measurable environmental outcomes, particularly reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and those that contribute to equitable service distribution across underserved or environmental justice communities. Applicants are expected to design projects that align with clearly defined program objectives and priorities, including collaboration with partners and sustainable funding strategies. Funding under this program is structured as a reimbursement-based grant, meaning recipients must incur and pay for eligible costs before receiving reimbursement. A total of 6000000 dollars is expected to be available, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of 5000 dollars to a maximum of 1000000 dollars. All applicants are required to provide a minimum match of 20 percent of the requested grant amount, which must be in monetary form. Eligible uses of funds include the purchase, installation, and deployment of recycling infrastructure such as collection vehicles, curbside carts, drop-off facilities, processing equipment, and multi-family recycling systems. However, several costs are explicitly prohibited, including staff salaries, administrative expenses, pre-construction costs, and indirect costs. Eligibility for the grant is limited to entities located within the state of Michigan. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, public school districts, colleges and universities, local health departments, regional planning agencies, municipalities, and resource recovery authorities. Projects must be shovel-ready, meaning they are fully planned and can be implemented immediately upon funding. Additionally, projects must demonstrate feasibility, long-term sustainability, and the ability to track and report outcomes such as material volumes and environmental impacts. Certain project types, including hazardous waste programs and one-day collection events, are explicitly excluded from funding consideration. The application process requires submission through an online portal using the official application form provided by the agency. Applicants must include a detailed project narrative, itemized budget, and supporting documentation such as letters of commitment, partnership agreements, and financial records. Proposals must address the program’s objectives, priorities, and required tasks, including infrastructure acquisition, installation, and impact reporting. Evaluation criteria emphasize the scale of impact, collaboration, sustainability, and alignment with program goals. Applications undergo an initial eligibility screening followed by a formal review process, and applicants may be contacted for clarifications or revisions. The grant cycle opened on October 24, 2025, with a submission deadline of January 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The anticipated grant period is scheduled to begin in September 2026 and conclude by September 30, 2028. Selected applicants will enter into a formal grant agreement outlining responsibilities, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations. Awardees must also provide ongoing data reporting for up to five years following project completion. Questions regarding the program are directed to the designated contact at the issuing office, and all official updates or clarifications are published through the agency’s website.

Emphasize measurable environmental impact; demonstrate partnerships; ensure project is shovel ready; align with climate and equity priorities