Paper Cup Recycling Education Grant
The Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) is administering the Paper Cup Recycling Education Grant program through funding from the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI). A number of material recovery facilities (MRFs) in North Carolina have added paper cups to their list of accepted recyclable materials. The decision is a result of close collaboration between FPI, MRFs, and paper mills in the Southeast to ensure all are prepared to successfully receive and manage paper cups. To support communities’ addition of paper cups to their recycling programs, FPI has provided funding to update educational materials. Grant funds may be used to update general recycling outreach to include paper cups and other foodservice packaging items, and/or to specifically promote paper cup recycling.
The Paper Cup Recycling Education Grant is open!
Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis as funding allows. For more information, please contact Madeline Joslin at 919-707-8341.
Additional Information
The City is drafting a proposal to purchase educational material to expand awareness of accepted materials including paper cups in their curbside recycling program. Of the grant amount requested (A), the City must match at least 10% of the grant amount (B). The total project will cost C.
A = grant amount
B = applicant match amount = 0.1A
C = total project expense = A+B = A + 0.1A
The total project expense will be $6,000. The City is applying for $5,000 in grant funds. How much is the required match amount?
B = 0.1($5,000) = $1,000
- When is the Request for Proposals (RFP) open? Proposals will be received by DEACS on a rolling basis until available funding is expended and this RFP is closed. Grant proposals will be evaluated in the order in which they were received. Grant contracts will only be initiated once all requirements are met.
- When can I start spending grant funds? Purchases can begin after a fully executed contract is in place. Contracts must have signatures from both the grantee and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) to be fully executed. Expenses incurred before the start date of the fully executed contract are not reimbursable.
- What makes a strong proposal? Strong proposals follow the Required Proposal Questions in the RFP that outline each element of the project. Applicants should answer each question in succinct detail.
- What can grant funds be used for? Paper Cup Recycling Education Grant funds may be used to promote paper cup recycling specifically or to update existing outreach and accepted recyclable material lists to include paper cups. Examples of eligible purchases include printed educational materials (e.g., brochures, handouts, postcards, cart tags), digital and print advertisements, signage, stickers, window clings, and promotional materials.
- What can grant funds not be used for? Grant funds are for outreach and education purposes only. This grant cannot be used to fund infrastructure, ongoing contracts, or salaries.
- Do I need a vendor quote? No, but it is encouraged to add estimated quotes when possible.
- How much funding is available? The maximum request amount for grant funding is $25,000. There is no minimum funding requirement for project proposals.
- How is the cash match calculated? Local government grant awardees must provide a cash match equal to or exceeding 10% of the requested grant funding. See the Grant Match Example above.
The following graphics provided by the Foodservice Packaging Institute can be used by local governments and customized.
The City of High Point worked with DEACS' graphic designer to create a custom graphic to introduce paper cups to its recycling program.
All grantees are required to submit a final report.
A draft final report must be submitted to DEACS at least 30 days prior to the contract end date. The final report must be submitted by the contract end date. Please reach out to your grant administrator for the template.