NEW Recycling Equipment Grant Packet (pdf) Offer Expires 10/31/2007

The recycling equipment grant is an excellent way for local governments and non-profit organizations working with local governments to purchase key pieces of recycling equipment.  Items traditionally  purchased under this grant include: roll off containers, skid loaders, shredders, scales, assorted styles collection contains, and educational materials used to educate the general public.

This grant is a matching grant up to $25,000.  Matching portion is 10%-50% and is based on population and economic ability. 

State law established the recycling equipment grants to provide financial assistance to the local governments and non-profits.  As stated below:

T.C.A. 68-211-825 (a) states: From funds available from the solid waste management fund, the department shall establish a matching grant program for the purchase of equipment needed to establish or upgrade recycling at a public or not-for-profit recycling collection site. Such equipment may include, but is not limited to, containers, balers, crushers and grinders. No grant shall be awarded for the purchase of mechanical processing equipment to be used at a public or not-for-profit recycling collection site if there is adequate mechanical processing equipment at privately owned facilities which serve the relevant geographical area, unless the grant applicant demonstrates to the department's satisfaction that the mechanical processing equipment is an indispensable component of an otherwise eligible grant project and will not be used to compete with a privately owned facility. The local share of the match shall be determined by the department, using an economic index based upon factors which include, but are not limited to, per capita income and property values of the jurisdiction to be served. Areas falling within the lower economic scale on the index shall be eligible for lower matching rates. The department shall establish criteria under which applicants for such matching grants will receive preference if their program employs adults with a developmental disability, as defined in § 33-1-101(10), in such a manner that improves the recycling rate of the city or county and thereby contributes to progress towards meeting or exceeding its solid waste reduction and diversion goal under § 68-211-861. 

For more information about Solid Waste Grant Assistance please contact us.