The State of Maine is seeking proposals to assist in the development, implementation or improvement of programs, projects, initiatives, or activities designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal.
Donor Name: State of Maine
State: Maine
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/07/2023
Size of the Grant: $1,000 – $40,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
The Maine Legislature established the Maine Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program to provide grants to public and private entities to assist in the development, implementation or improvement of programs, projects, initiatives or activities designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal in the State.
Scope
The Department is specifically seeking proposals that will:
- Take advantage of regional economies of scale;
- Increase organics management and recycling infrastructure in underserved areas of the state;
- Promote waste reduction through reuse, repair, and sharing economy initiatives;
- Reduce wasted food through donation or other sharing initiatives;
- Enhance the delivery of educational initiatives to promote organics management or recycling efforts;
- Address a statewide need
- Expand the types of materials managed through composting and recycling.
Grant Priorities
- Highest priority: Proposals from municipal or regional association applicants
- Increasing removal and recycling of organic materials from municipal waste streams
- Other priorities include:
- Underserved areas
- Waste prevention: food donation, gleaning, reuse, repair, lending libraries, etc.
- Education and outreach
- Addressing a statewide need
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Expanding the type of materials recovered
Funding Information
The Department anticipates making up to ten (10) awards potentially ranging from $1,000 – $40,000 each as a result of this RFP process. The number of awards will be based on the ranking of proposals and availability of funds. The exact amount of funding available for this round has not yet been determined, but previous rounds have awarded up to $152,000.00 for all projects combined.
Grant Period
- Initial Period of Performance: June 15, 2023 – June 15, 2025.
Eligible Activities
- Establish/expand programs – composting, organics collection, food rescue, waste reduction (reuse, repair, etc.), recycling
- Equipment or supplies needed to implement, improve or support waste diversion activities
- Programs or business models designed to collect, transport for processing or process organic or recyclable materials
- Pilot programs to evaluate the feasibility of new programs or initiatives
- Education and outreach initiatives or programs about composting, organics recovery or recycling or other sustainable practices to reduce solid waste.
Eligibility Criteria
This program is open to any public or private entity demonstrating that a proposed program, project, initiative or activity is likely to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal within a particular community, municipality or region or the State. Priority in awarding of funds will be given to proposals that are likely to increase the removal and recycling of organic materials from municipal waste streams, are consistent with the provisions of the solid waste management hierarchy and the food recovery hierarchy, and finally, provide the most benefit to the State in terms of increasing the diversion of solid waste from disposal.
For more information, visit State of Maine.
