Helene Recovery Recycling Infrastructure Grants
NCDEQ has received grant funding from EPA to provide grants to local governments in Western North Carolina to improve recycling infrastructure impacted by Hurricane Helene.
North Carolina local governments can apply for funding through the Helene Recovery Recycling Infrastructure Grant. NCDEQ is currently accepting viable, well-planned proposals for projects that will expand, rebuild, or improve waste reduction, composting, and recycling programs to improve the resiliency of the region's waste reduction infrastructure.
Download the request for proposals (RFP) for the Helene Recovery Recycling Infrastructure Grant using either link below. Proposals are being accepted now through January 30, 2026 for the first phase of this grant opportunity.
For more information, please contact Matt James at 919-707-8142.
Frequently Asked Questions
Local governments with a Hurricane Helene FEMA disaster declaration (D-4827). A full list is provided in the RFP.
Grant funds may be used for infrastructure improvements, construction of new facilities to handle recyclable materials, reconstruction of recycling facilities damaged by Hurricane Helene, site development costs, related feasibility studies or engineering designs, equipment or vehicle purchases, equipment installation costs, and educational materials such as signs, mailers, handouts, or brochures.
Grant funds may not be used for employee salaries, administrative expenses such as overhead, utility costs, 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.
Applicants may request any amount up to $5 million per proposal. Only one proposal will be accepted per local government. A total of $25 million is available through this grant program.
There is no matching requirement; however only eligible activities may be funded.
Proposals will be accepted now through January 30, 2026 for phase 1 of this grant opportunity. A second phase may follow depending on available funds remaining.
Other Funding Opportunities
The Recycling Infrastructure Grant opportunity is part of a larger $61 million NCDEQ grant from EPA that also includes funding to assist with debris cleanup, pesticide removal, and brownfields development. Visit the NCDEQ Hazardous Waste Management State Program Support Grant webpage for more information.