HomeGrants and FundingRecycling & Composting Container Grants

Recycling & Composting Container Grants

Container grants are intended to increase diversion of mandatory recyclables and compostables from the landfill, and help CSWD members comply with the requirements of CSWD’s Solid Waste Management Ordinance and Act 148, Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law.

Eligibility and Award Details

Who Is Eligible for Funding

All Chittenden County businesses, institutions, municipalities and nonprofit organizations are eligible, provided the containers will be used for the stated purpose of the grants. Businesses and municipalities that collect or transport municipal solid waste of any kind are not eligible for this funding.

Available Funding and Terms

  • A total of $12,000 is available for FY23. Each applicant may receive up to $2,000.
  • Proposed expenditures must be for a minimum of $200.
  • All grants are reimbursements; bins/containers/waste stations under consideration must be approved by CSWD and grant agreements must be finalized before purchase.
  • Applicants may qualify for reimbursement of up to 50% of the cost of all eligible containers, including shipping and sales tax.

What is Eligible for Funding

CSWD Container Grant funding is for the purchase of recycling and food-scrap collection containers, unified waste stations, or food scrap composting/processing systems. These resources must be for use by employees, customers, students or the general public. If for use by employees or students, the containers or stations must be accessible and intended for use by all employees or students in a unit or group. Bins and containers CSWD provides for purchase by our members are not eligible for grant funding.

Recycling containers eligible for grant funds must:

  1. Be medium or royal blue in color. If part of a unified station, the recycling component or opening must be defined by a medium or royal blue outline or markings.
  2. Have a restricted opening to minimize contamination.
  3. Be clearly labeled with a list of acceptable materials. CSWD will supply an acceptable sticker for no charge. Labeling supplied by Grantee or the container vendor must be approved by CSWD as a condition of the grant. All stickers and signage must incorporate the Act 148 universal recycling symbol.
  4. Contain a minimum of 25% recycled or reuse content. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
  5. Be permanently paired with a trash container, or be part of a unified “waste station” that includes both trash and recycling disposal components that cannot be separated.
  6. Be used only in Chittenden County and for the purpose awarded for at least five years.
  7. Be purchased and in use by June 30, 2023.

Food scrap collection containers eligible for grant funds must:

  1. Be placed as close to trash and recycling containers as possible in order to provide equally convenient access to users.
  2. If part of a unified station, the compost component or opening must be defined by a green outline or markings OR be labeled with a green Act 148 universal composting symbol.
  3. Be clearly labeled with a green decal or signage that lists acceptable materials (your own pre-approved by CSWD or one available at no charge from CSWD).
  4. Be used only in Chittenden County and for the purpose awarded for at least five years.
  5. Be purchased and in use by June 30, 2023.
  6. Preference will be given to grant requests specifying food scrap collection containers with post-consumer recycled content.

Compost bins, digesters, or other food scrap processing systems purchased with grant funds must:

  1. Be used only in Chittenden County and for the purpose awarded for at least five years.
  2. Be purchased or constructed and in use by June 30, 2023.
  3. Preference will be given to grant requests specifying composting or other food scrap management systems incorporating reused or post-consumer recycled content.

Sources For Qualifying Containers

See the Grant Containers page for examples of recycling and composting containers that could work well for your program. Qualifying containers are not limited to these examples.

Containers purchased with the grant funds are the property and responsibility of the grantee. Terms will be negotiated through a grant agreement.

How To Apply

Please complete and submit the online Container Grant Application Form to apply for funding. All grants are reimbursements and are subject to approval; agreements must be finalized before purchase.

Apply here

Terms of Acceptance/Rejection

Review of applications will be based upon how well the applicants meet the requirements and intent of the Waste Reduction Grant Program. CSWD is the sole authority responsible for the approval of applications and reserves the right to reject any or all applications. Exceptions to any of the above stated requirements and limits may be granted by CSWD on a case-by-case basis or as funds allow.

Grants will be paid as a reimbursement upon receipt of a copy of the paid invoice or receipt.

Deadline

Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are disbursed or until June 1, 2023.

For More Information

  • For-profit businesses, please contact the CSWD Business Outreach Coordinator at [email protected].
  • Schools, please contact the CSWD School and Youth Outreach Coordinator at [email protected].
  • Community groups, municipalities and nonprofit organizations, please contact the CSWD Community Outreach Coordinator at [email protected].

Limitation of Liability

CSWD assumes no responsibility or liability for costs incurred by parties in preparing or submitting applications for Waste Reduction Grants.