Recycling and Waste Diversion Grant

Recycling and Waste Diversion (RWD) Grant Program Summary

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) offers the Recycling and Waste Diversion (RWD) Grant as part of the Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF) Grant Program.

FY 25 Updates

SWTF Grant Program Administration Portal

The SWTF Grant Program Administration Portal is an online grant management platform. Previously, applications, reports, and reimbursement requests were downloaded by applicants and awardees and then emailed to SWTF Grant Program Staff. FY25 applicants and awardees may complete and submit applications, reports, and reimbursement requests online through the RWD Grant Portal.

The SWTF Grant Team will host a virtual training on August 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM to review profile creation and application submission for the RWD Grant. The training will be recorded and posted online.

Register in advance for the RWD Grant Portal Training: https://gaepd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1evXDLOrTjiNdVVJf1acsw

FY23 and FY24 RWD Grant Awardees

Starting August 15, 2024, existing awardees with active projects through the RWD Grant will use the RWD Grant Portal to submit quarterly and final reports, and reimbursement requests. Training on reporting and reimbursement requests will be provided at a later date. 

Proposed Schedule and FY25 Informational Webinar

Applications for the FY25 RWD Grant will be accepted through the RWD Grant Portal starting August 15, 2024, through September 30, 2024.  Applications submitted via email or through other means will not be accepted. 

The SWTF Grant Team will host an informational webinar on August 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM to review schedule, budget, and application requirements for the FY25 RWD Grant. 

Register in advance for this webinar: https://gaepd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X2e5FncqTWCzD_ZiBdWa-w

General Information

The RWD Grant furthers the goals for the SWTF by providing financial support to projects in Georgia to reduce solid waste, recover valuable materials, support manufacturing, and encourage innovation.

RWD Grants will be awarded to projects that meet the criteria described in Rule 391-3-21-.17 of the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia (Rules), which are designed to ensure that projects demonstrate financial sustainability and quantitative results.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants and recipients for the RWD Grant include:

  1. Counties, municipalities, or any combination of the same, hereafter referred to as local governments
  2. Public authorities, agencies, commissions, or institutions

Project Types

The RWD Grant allows eligible applicants to develop project proposals that best support their communities’ needs. Projects must focus on increasing recycling, reducing waste, and/or diverting recoverable materials from the solid waste stream as described in the authorized uses of the SWTF.

Examples of RWD Grant projects may include, but are not limited to:

  1. Recycling and Waste Diversion Infrastructure – Projects that create, expand, or improve infrastructure at materials recovery facilities (MRF), recycling transfer stations, convenience centers, or through other equipment that will increase the capacity to serve customers
  2. Hub and Spoke Development – Projects that create, expand, or improve the operation of recycling hub and spoke infrastructure, collection, distribution, and logistics
  3. Hard-to-Recycle Materials – Projects that create, expand, or improve the operation of hard-to-recycle and/or household hazardous waste recycling facilities
  4. Recovery of Additional Materials – Projects that collect and/or process new material streams
  5. Waste Reduction – Projects that create, expand, or improve programs at the local level to reduce waste
  6. Innovation – Projects that demonstrate innovative processes for waste reduction or innovative use of recycled products

RWD Grant Documents

  1. Download this pdf file. FY 2025 RWD Grant Program Guidance
  2. Download this pdf file. W9
  3. Download this pdf file. Contractor Affidavit
  4. Download this pdf file. RWD Application Signature Page

Application Instructions

Completed applications and supporting materials must be submitted through RWD Grant Portal. 

Information on how to set up a profile to access the RWD Grant Portal can be viewed in the Download this pdf file. SWTF Grant Program Profile Set-up Guide .

Information on how to use the portal can be reviewed in the Download this pdf file. Tire and RWD Grant Portal Guide .

Previous Grant Cycles

RWD Grant Cycle FY23

RWD Grant Cycle FY24

Questions should be submitted to the following email address: [email protected].