Grants
The Solid Waste District offers grant programs to assist communities, schools and nonprofits with developing and promoting recycling programs.
REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS FOR THE 2024 SOLID WASTE DISTRICT GRANT PROGRAMS ARE DUE ON NOVEMBER 1.
THE REQUIRED GRANT FORMS ARE POSTED BELOW.
The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District offers competitive grant programs to assist communities, schools, and nonprofits develop and promote recycling, composting, and waste reduction programs. Annually, applications for the Solid Waste District grants are due February 1 and grantees will receive notice of award in March. Final reports are due November 1. Details are below.
Grants from Other Agencies
- Ohio EPA Recycling and Litter Prevention Grants support communities, businesses, and academic institutions that initiate or expand recycling programs, encourage sustainable practices, stimulate economic growth, and support litter prevention efforts. There are five different grants. See details. EPA grants are awarded annually.
- Annually, grant applications open on the first Monday in October and close the first Friday in December at 3:00 PM.
- Review the list of EPA-funded projects in 2024 and a grant history from 2013-2024.
- The Recycling Partnership offers grants for communities to purchase curbside recycling carts, develop a drop-off recycling program, or advance recycling at multifamily properties. Applications are accepted on an ongoing and continuous basis. See details.
- Keep America Beautiful offers grants annually for litter prevention, beautification, and community improvements. See details.
- PepsiCo. Recycle Rally is a free nationwide school recycling program for K-12 schools. It provides access to downloadable resources and valuable incentives. See details.
Need help with fillable PDFs? Check out wikiHow.
Grants from the Solid Waste District
[for nonprofit organizations and schools]
Waste Reduction, Recycling Container, and Composting Equipment Grant
- 2024 final report
- 2025 application form and instructions
Nonprofits and schools interested in grant funds for recycling and/or composting equipment, please contact:
- Nonprofits/Universities: Doreen Schreiber, (216) 443-3732 or send an email
- Schools: Carin Miller, (216) 443-3731 or send an email
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.
Eligible applicants may apply for grants of $5,000 and under to purchase recycling or composting containers, equipment, supplies, and associated signage. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and are subject to approval by the Solid Waste District Board of Directors.
Grant Timeline
- February 1, 2024: Deadline to submit a grant application.
- March 2024: Award selection; letters sent by email to grantees.
- October 2024: Projects must be finalized and completed.
- November 1, 2024: Deadline to submit a final grant report and supporting paperwork.
- December 2024: District grants announced for 2025.
Grant Tips
For organizational recycling information and tips on how to implement grants, see recycling at school and how to start a business recycling program.
Need to purchase recycling containers or find labels and signage options? See our list of resources for equipment & labels.
[for municipalities, villages and townships]
Community Recycling Awareness Grant
- 2024 final report download
- 2025 application form and instructions
The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District created the Community Recycling Awareness Grant to help the 59 communities in Cuyahoga County educate residents about recycling and waste reduction. Cities, villages, and townships in Cuyahoga County may apply for up to $6,000 in funding. Funds for special awareness projects may also be requested.
This grant helps communities educate residents about recycling, typically through printed materials such as brochures, refrigerator magnets, newsletters, and fliers or calendars. To make it easy to produce these materials and to keep recycling messages consistent across the county, the District has graphics, customizable templates, and design tools for communities to use. See the toolkit.
Funding is also available to help communities conduct special recycling collection events; shred events; purchase permanent signage for recycling programs and events; purchase public space recycling containers; purchase drop-off recycling containers; and purchase public space composting containers.
This grant does not cover:
- the cost of items like reusable bags, pens, pencils, seed packets, coloring books, balloons, t-shirts, yard waste bags, or similar giveaways.
- the purchase of trash receptacles and/or shipping costs for containers.
For more information about this grant program, send an email.
Grant Timeline
- February 1, 2024: Deadline to submit a hard copy of a grant application.
- March 2024: Award selection; letters sent by email to grantees.
- October 2024: Projects must be finalized and completed.
- November 1, 2024: Deadline to submit a hard copy of the final grant report and supporting paperwork. Electronic copies are not considered a final report.
- December 2024: District grants announced for 2025.
Previous Grant Projects
Looking for creative inspiration? Check out some of the items purchased or produced with grant funds.
2022 Final Projects: Community Recycling Awareness Grant
2023 Approved Projects: Community Recycling Awareness Grant
Samples to come
2024 Approved Projects: Community Recycling Awareness Grant
Special Project Grant
- 2024 final report download
- 2025 application form and instructions
The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District created a Special Project Grant to support communities, nonprofit businesses, and institutions that reduce waste by initiating or expanding recycling programs, composting programs, illegal dumping programs, encourages sustainable practices, and increasing awareness of and participation in proper materials management.
Eligible applicants may apply for grants of $25,000 and under to purchase equipment, materials, and services that will support sustainable materials management and reduce the environmental impact of waste. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and are subject to final approval by the District's Board of Directors.
For more information about this grant program, send an email.
Grant Timeline
- February 1, 2024: Deadline to submit a hard copy of a grant application.
- March 2024: Award selection; letters sent by email to grantees.
- October 2024: Projects must be finalized and completed.
- November 1, 2024: Deadline to submit a hard copy of the final grant report and supporting paperwork.
- December 2024: District grants announced for 2025.
Previous Grant Projects
Looking for creative inspiration? Check out some of the items purchased or produced with grant funds in our Special Project Grant Summary.
Presentations for Civic Groups, Businesses and Schools
The Solid Waste District offers waste reduction, composting and recycling presentations tailored to the interests and needs of civic organizations, businesses, schools or groups. As part of your grant application, consider requesting a speaker. We can also host a booth or a table at your event. See details.