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.

EPD is offering $2,000,000 in funding for state fiscal year 2024.

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 FY 2024 Schedule

Below is the anticipated schedule for the RWD Grant FY 2024 cycle:

Updated October 17, 2023

RWD Grant Documents

1. FY 2024 RWD Grant Program Guidance  - Update October 17, 2023
2. FY 2024 RWD Grant Application  - Updated October 17, 2023
3. FY 2024 RWD Grant Informational Meeting Presentation Slides
4. RWD Quarterly Report Form
5. RWD Reimbursement Request Form
6. W9
7. Contractor Affidavit

Application Instructions

Completed applications and supporting materials may be submitted electronically through email or mailed. Applications may also be hand delivered. Applications through fax will not be accepted. 

Mailing and Street Address:       

Georgia Environmental Protection Division

Recovered Materials Unit

4244 International Parkway, Suite 104

Atlanta, GA 30354

[email protected]

FAQs - FY 2024

RWD Grant Q&A - November 17, 2023

Applicants may also view the FAQs from FY 2023 by visiting the RWD Grant Cycle FY23 page. 

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

Previous Grant Cycles

RWD Grant Cycle FY23