ADEQ Recycling Grant Program

The ADEQ Recycling Grant Program is administered by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Recycling Program, which was established through the Arizona Solid Waste Recycling Act of 1990. The Recycling Program provides public education to encourage recycling and source reduction and provides information about proper solid waste disposal. Program funding is derived from landfill disposal fees. For the current fiscal year 2027 grant cycle, ADEQ is making up to $1 million available through three grant types: Waste Reduction Assistance, Waste Reduction Initiative Through Education, and Recycling Research and Development. Waste Reduction Assistance grants support projects that provide recycling opportunities to Arizona residents and divert significant amounts of material from the solid waste stream. Eligible examples include recycling collection programs, construction and demolition debris programs, green waste and wasted food composting, material recovery facilities, public venue recycling, household hazardous waste or prescription drug collection, electronic equipment recycling, and end market development. Standard WRA applications may request up to $250,000, while an eligible organization may request up to $500,000 to establish a new end market for processing materials. WRA funds may support supplies, equipment, vehicles, construction related costs, and new or existing personnel. Waste Reduction Initiative Through Education grants provide information and education concerning solid waste reduction and disposal, source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and related practices. WRITE applicants may request up to $100,000. Recycling Research and Development grants support development of tools, ideas, products, research, and knowledge that can contribute to future solid waste diversion and a circular economy. RR&D applicants may request up to $100,000. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions and Tribal Governments, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and private enterprises. Organizations must have goals consistent with the interests of the State of Arizona. More than one project application may be submitted by an applicant, and eligible entities may collaborate on proposed projects. There is no required match for this grant cycle. Applicants that voluntarily plan to use matching funds should identify the match amount and type in the budget form and budget narrative, after which match reporting requirements apply. Payments to awardees are made on a cost reimbursement basis, supported by receipts, invoices, and assurance that the applicable work was completed. All goods and services must be received and grant funding spent by June 30, 2027, and personnel charges are payable only through that date. Projects must be completed within one year of award. Applications opened August 4, 2026, and are due September 29, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. MST. Applicants must email a complete grant application package to recycling@azdeq.gov. The package must be combined into one PDF and submitted in the sequence requested with page numbers. The narrative must be single spaced, use type no smaller than 10 point, and contain no more than four typed pages, excluding the signed Recycling Program Grant Application Form, Disclosure Form, and Budget Form with its narrative budget description. The budget narrative may not exceed two pages. The application must include a signature from a person legally authorized to enter into an agreement for the applicant. Additional materials such as magazines, articles, and product samples should not be submitted, and late applications will not be accepted. The application outline addresses Strategy and Approach; Environmental Results, Measurement and Reporting; Programmatic Capability; Timeline; and Budget Description. Applicants must explain the proposed project and technical approach, consistency with development of a circular economy in Arizona, effectiveness and sustainability, long term goals, and use of partner and stakeholder resources. Letters of support must accompany the application. Applicants must describe expected impacts on the solid waste stream, community, local economy, and circular economy and provide measurable outputs and expected outcomes. Organizational and staff capability must be documented, including resumes of key personnel. The timeline must identify project steps, milestones, outputs, four quarterly reports, and a separate final report within 30 days after the performance period. The budget must be accurate, reasonable, justified, and accompanied by the required budget narrative. Applications are initially reviewed for compliance with eligibility and grant manual requirements. Applications that fail to meet requirements may be rejected. Eligible applications are evaluated by the Arizona Recycling Advisory Committee according to the applicable funding program criteria and the ordered application criteria. Applicants may be asked for additional information, revisions, or an oral presentation. ADEQ may conduct discussions and negotiations, suggest application changes, negotiate project price adjustments, and award less than the amount requested. Awarded applicants receive a Grant Agreement and must return the signed agreement within 30 days, submit a Certificate of Insurance, establish appropriate project records, and wait for an ADEQ Notice to Proceed before beginning work. Quarterly narrative and budget reporting is required, and grant records must be retained for five years after submission of the final report. ADEQ strongly encourages applicants to read the Recycling Program Grants Manual and Terms and Conditions and attend one of the grant workshops. Questions may be directed to Recycling Coordinator Joseph Shaw at recycling@azdeq.gov or 602-771-5613. The current application period runs from August 4, 2026, through September 29, 2026. The program has identifiable fiscal year grant cycles, including FY26 awards and the current FY27 competition, supporting treatment as a recurring annual opportunity. Based on the current August opening month, the next cycle is anticipated around August 2027, although ADEQ has not provided an official FY28 opening date. Awardees may perform project work for up to one year after award, subject to the current cycle requirement that funding be spent and goods and services received by June 30, 2027.

Follow the required application sequence and respond clearly to every requested element. Demonstrate how the project contributes to a circular economy in Arizona and, where applicable, diverts material from the solid waste stream. Provide a logical technical approach, measurable outputs and expected outcomes, current applicable data, a realistic timeline, evidence of organizational and staff capability, and justified project costs. Leverage partner and stakeholder expertise and include required letters of support. Submit one complete PDF by the deadline because late applications are not accepted and missing requested information may cause rejection or negatively affect evaluation.