Tire-Derived Aggregate Grant

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, known as CalRecycle, administers the Tire-Derived Aggregate Grant Program to divert waste tires from landfill disposal, prevent illegal tire dumping, and promote markets for recycled-content tire products. The program supports the use of tire-derived aggregate, or TDA, to address engineering challenges. TDA is produced from shredded tires and is described by CalRecycle as lightweight, free-draining, and a less expensive alternative to conventional lightweight aggregates. The program supports projects located in California that use California-generated waste tires processed in California. Eligible projects generally fall within five categories. These are mechanically stabilized TDA for retaining walls; Low Impact Development for storm water mitigation, including infiltration galleries; lightweight fill for applications such as slope stabilization, embankment fill, landslide repair, and retaining walls; vibration mitigation under rail lines; and landfill applications involving aggregate replacement, including leachate and gas collection systems, drainage layers, and leachate injection. Landfill projects currently underway or completed at the same location within the same facility within three years of application are not eligible. Alternative daily cover and alternative intermediate cover are also excluded from the landfill application category. Landfill projects will not be reimbursed for use exceeding 0.75 cubic yards, or 0.5 tons, of TDA per lineal foot of landfill gas collection or leachate injection line. Projects must use a combined minimum of 500 tons of TDA, except Low Impact Development projects, which require at least 200 tons. Project design plans must be uploaded through the Grants Management System, or GMS, at a minimum of 50 percent completion when the application is submitted and must be 100 percent complete before the project starts. Plans must identify preliminary project costs, the project location and TDA placement, the type and estimated quantity of TDA, and analysis necessary to validate the design. Plans and specifications are subject to review by CalRecycle staff and or its contractors before work begins. The owner representative, construction management engineer responsible for quality assurance and quality control, and construction company project supervisor must receive CalRecycle-sponsored technical training before project implementation. Construction of the TDA portion may not begin before the date specified in CalRecycle's written Notice to Proceed and must be completed by April 1, 2029. Eligible applicants include California local government entities such as cities and counties; special districts, including transportation districts; Joint Powers Authorities whose members are otherwise eligible; public school districts; California state agencies; University of California campuses, California State University campuses, and California Community Colleges; qualifying private for-profit entities; qualifying nonprofit organizations; and qualifying Tribal Entities. Private for-profit applicants must be California-based or domiciled elsewhere with an existing operational presence in California, subject to additional program limitations. Eligible nonprofits may be registered under Internal Revenue Code sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(10), except private elementary and secondary schools. Qualifying Tribal Entities must reside within California and satisfy the stated federal recognition or government-entity criteria. The applicant, or an eligible member of an applicant JPA, must own the real property where the project will occur. Necessary written access rights must be secured before grant-eligible costs are incurred when ownership does not provide complete and clear site access. CalRecycle states that 750000 is available for the program and identifies 375000 per grant award. Reimbursement cannot exceed the amount stated on the Grant Agreement Cover Sheet. The provided source does not state a required cost share or matching contribution. Applications are submitted through CalRecycle's GMS. The current upcoming application deadline is October 15, 2026 for Cycle 29, followed by a secondary deadline of November 17, 2026 for required authorization documents not submitted with the application and for adoption of an EPPP Policy when the applicant did not have one at application submission. Cycle 29 awards are tentatively scheduled for December 2026. A further Cycle 30 application deadline is January 13, 2027, with a February 11, 2027 secondary deadline and tentative awards in March 2027. Submission of an application constitutes acknowledgment that the applicant has read the applicable Terms and Conditions and understands that they will become part of the Grant Agreement if funding is awarded. The Procedures and Requirements are currently identified as draft and become final when the Grant Agreement is issued. CalRecycle reserves the right to make necessary changes before issuance, with grantees to be notified of changes. The final report and final payment request for Cycles 28, 29, and 30 are due April 1, 2029. Customer service is available only until 4:00 p.m. on an application due date. Applicants unable to access GMS or needing assistance may contact Grant.Assistance@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Ensure the project uses only California generated waste tires processed in California; meet the minimum TDA tonnage threshold; submit design plans at least 50 percent complete with required preliminary cost location quantity and validation information; secure property ownership and access requirements; do not begin TDA construction before CalRecycle issues a written Notice to Proceed; complete required CalRecycle sponsored technical training before project implementation.