Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant

2026 CWRAR priorities include projects that implement new or expand existing:

• Curbside recycling programs, or transition a curbside recycling program from bin or blue bag collection to a cart-based collection system;
• Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program; or
• Recycling program targeting lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, or other electronics.

The City is drafting a proposal to purchase carts and educational material to expand their curbside recycling program. Of the grant amount requested (A), the City must match at least 20% of the grant amount (B).  The total project will cost C. 

A = grant amount

B = applicant match amount = 0.2A

C = total project expense = A+B = A + 0.2A

The total project expense will be $64,200. Since this is a priority project, the City is applying for $50,000 in grant funds. How much is the required match amount?

B = 0.2($50,000) = $10,000

However, since $50,000 + $10,000 is less than the total project, the City will match an additional $4,200. 

Grant funds may be used to help purchase physical infrastructure or equipment to divert materials from the waste stream, or to purchase, print and distribute educational materials to inform the public about waste reduction and/or recycling programs. Summaries of awarded grant projects from previous years are provided HERE.

1. When is the Request for Proposals (RFP) open? The RFP typically opens in late-fall with proposals due in mid-February.
2. Do I have to apply for the full grant amount? No. You can request any amount up to the maximum. The amount you request does not affect the competitiveness of your proposal.
3. When can I start spending grant funds? Contracts begin on July 1 each year, if all parties have signed the contract. 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.
4. When will I know if I’m awarded? DEQ aims to send award notifications by April each year.
5. What makes a strong proposal? Strong proposals follow the Required Proposal Format that outlines each element of the project. Applicants should answer each question in succinct detail.
6. Is the grant program competitive? Yes. Requests typically exceed available funds, and not all proposals receive funding. DEQ may also award a grant at a lower level than requested in order to support as many qualifying projects as possible. If partial funding is offered, applicants will have the opportunity to accept or decline. Those who accept must update their proposal to reflect the revised award amount.  
7. What can grant funds be used for? Examples of approved uses of CWRAR grant funds include site development costs, construction of facilities to handle recyclable materials, equipment or vehicle purchases, recycling collection containers, equipment installation costs, and educational materials such as signs, mailers, handouts or brochures.
8. What can grant funds not be used for? Funds may not be used for employee salaries, land acquisition costs, administrative expenses such as  overhead, utility costs, studies or work performed by consultants, contracted collection costs, and/or payment for other contracted recycling services such as payment to a vendor for operating a household hazardous waste collection event.
9. Do I need a vendor quote? No, but it is encouraged to add estimated quotes when possible.
10. How is the cash match calculated? Applicants must match
11. When will funds be distributed? All CWRAR grant funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis. Purchases must be made during the grant contract period and requests for reimbursement can be made after the grantee has completed and paid for grant purchases. State and local sales taxes are not reimbursable and should be excluded from grant expenditure totals. DEACS will continue to reimburse grantees until 90% of the award amount has been expended, withholding 10% of funds until receipt of an approved final report.
12. Are there examples of previous grantees? Yes, download a list of previous CWRAR-awarded grant projects HERE.

All CWRAR 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 and a final report must be submitted by the contract end date.

Final Report Template