OSS Joint Solid Waste District Grant Program

The OSS Solid Waste District, formally known as the Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Joint Solid Waste Management District, was established following Ohio’s HB 592 legislation passed in 1988. This legislative framework mandated counties in Ohio to develop and implement solid waste management plans. As a result, the OSS District was formed through a joint resolution by the Boards of County Commissioners of Ottawa, Sandusky, and Seneca counties in 1989. The District is financially supported through tonnage fees assessed at local landfills and contractual agreements with external landfills that accept waste from within the District. This operational structure ensures continued funding for a range of initiatives designed to promote responsible waste management, public education, and the handling of special waste categories. The Competitive Funding Program is one of the OSS District’s key grant offerings, specifically designed to support local governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions in advancing sustainable solid waste programs. The program excludes privately-owned businesses from eligibility due to legal restrictions. It focuses on advancing community and environmental goals through strategic funding of projects that promote recycling, composting, and public education. Only entities located within the OSS District—specifically Ottawa, Sandusky, and Seneca counties—are eligible to apply. The District conducts two competitive funding rounds annually, with deadlines of January 31 and June 30, ensuring a regular cycle of support for initiatives that align with its mission. Grants under this program are capped at $10,000, exclusive of match contributions, and must be used for forward-looking projects. Retroactive funding is not allowed, and labor costs are only permissible as part of the required 25% match—capped at $10 per hour. Projects eligible for funding include public education programs to increase recycling participation, backyard composting initiatives, and waste reduction or recycling expansion efforts. The District also encourages projects that purchase products made with at least 25% recycled content, such as playground surfaces, furniture, or containers. Projects that handle hard-to-recycle materials or promote waste reduction through innovative means may also be considered under an “Other Projects” category. The evaluation process for submitted applications is rigorous. A Financial Review Committee examines all submissions and forwards recommendations to the District’s Board of Directors. Key selection criteria include the alignment of proposed projects with the District's solid waste management plan, the inclusion of recycled content in purchased materials, overall application clarity, local vendor utilization, and the self-sufficiency of the proposed project post-funding. Projects that can serve as models for other communities or that use local (District or in-state) vendors are given preferential consideration. In contrast, applications proposing equipment purchases where services could be contracted may receive lower priority. Once a grant is awarded, the project must be completed within 12 months. Funding is administered through two reimbursement methods: either the grantee pays all upfront costs and later seeks reimbursement, or the District is invoiced directly by the vendor. Regardless of the method, the grantee must coordinate with the District in advance to ensure proper paperwork is completed. Full documentation of expenditures—including receipts and proof of payment—is mandatory to maintain an auditable trail. Applicants must provide evidence of nonprofit or tax-exempt status, if applicable, and certify that funds will be used solely for non-sectarian purposes. Contact for the program is Gary Baty, Executive Director of OSS Solid Waste District, available via email at gbaty@recycleoss.org. Applications should be typewritten, free of errors, and clearly describe the public outreach component of the project. Award announcements typically occur within 30 to 60 days of each deadline. Due to the recurring nature of the funding rounds, prospective applicants who miss the current cycle are encouraged to prepare for the next round in advance.

Use local vendors when possible; submit a clear, concise, and typo-free application