The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District created the Waste Reduction, Recycling Container, and Composting Equipment Grant to help schools, nonprofit organizations, and institutions reduce waste by establishing or expanding recycling or composting programs within their facilities.
Donor Name: Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District
State: Ohio
County: Cuyahoga County (OH)
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 11/07/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Waste Reduction, Recycling & Composting Equipment Grant for Schools and Nonprofits (formerly, the Recycling Container Grant) was created by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District to help schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, and municipal buildings reduce waste by establishing or expanding waste reduction, recycling, or composting programs within their facilities. Eligible applicants may apply for reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 to purchase waste reduction, recycling or composting containers, equipment, supplies and associated signage. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis according to the evaluation criteria below. Grant awards will be subject to approval by the District’s Board of Directors.
Allowable Costs
Grant funds may be used for the following purchases:
- Recycling containers including connected, integrated, or modular recycling/compost/landfill containers; or event recycling containers. Appropriate signage is required and must indicate what should be placed in the containers. Note: All connected, integrated, or modular recycling/compost/landfill stations must be reviewed and approved by the District.
- Recycling equipment and supplies such as bins, carts, or dollies, balers or compactors
- Composting containers, bins, equipment, and accompanying tools.
- Waste reduction equipment such as water refill stations, dishwashers, reusable plates, trays, glasses, cups, water, pitchers, and cutlery. Where possible, choose products made with recycled content.
- Signs, posters, and labels. All signage (signs, posters and labels) produced by the grantee MUST receive signed approval by the District prior to printing/production.
- Recommended equipment and signage.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, schools, universities, and municipal buildings located within Cuyahoga County. Eligible schools must be recognized by the Ohio Department of Education. Only one grant per organization will be considered for an award. Previous grantees may only apply for another grant if they are proposing a new project or one that builds on an existing waste reduction, recycling, or composting program.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and scored according to the following criteria:
- Degree to which the application describes the grant project, the proposed waste reduction/recycling/composting program, and the materials to be purchased. Well-organized, well thought-out waste reduction/recycling/composting projects will receive the highest consideration.
- Degree to which the project is sustainable. Applications must demonstrate how the program will be implemented, promoted, and maintained. Projects that demonstrate the program longevity will receive the highest consideration.
- Degree to which the project has educational impact. Applications must indicate how the organization will promote waste reduction/recycling/composting and how users will be involved with the program. Projects that increase a user’s understanding of and participation in waste reduction/recycling/composting will receive the highest consideration.
- Degree to which the project will result in measurable waste reduction and the degree to which progress will be measured and tracked. Applications must indicate the organization’s goals of waste reduction and how progress will be measured. Projects that reduce the waste stream by 30% or more will receive the highest consideration.
- Degree to which the organization justifies the need for funding and the degree to which costs are reasonable and justified.
- Degree to which the applicant has managed past applications/projects and adhered to grant guidelines.
For more information, visit Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.
