Recycling Works Newsletter

RBAC Grant in Action: Danny's Dumpster 

Danny’s Dumpster is an independent hauler and organics processor that operates a small Type 3 permitted compost facility in Western North Carolina. In 2013, Danny’s Dumpster purchased an in-vessel compost container with a Recycling Business Development Grant (RBDG) to expand the volume of material and service area of the business. More than a decade later, the same in-vessel compost is still being used with two other in-vessel containers to help process over 1,500 tons of post-consumer food waste each year from Buncombe and Henderson Counties. The Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC) recognizes the lasting impact of this previous grant investment, including its continued support of the City of Asheville and Buncombe County’s residential food scrap drop-offs.

Funding Opportunities Now Open: Recycling Business Development Grant and Food Waste Reduction Grant

Requests for Proposals for the 2027 Recycling Business Development Grant and Food Waste Reduction Grant are now open.

The Recycling Business Development Grant (RBDG) program is accepting applications from North Carolina recycling businesses seeking to expand or improve their operations. Funding is available for projects that increase the recovery, processing, or use of recyclable materials in the state through investments in recycling equipment and eligible facility improvements. Eligible projects may increase processing capacity, improve efficiency, expand the use of recycled materials, develop or strengthen end markets, or otherwise support the growth of North Carolina’s recycling economy.

Recycling businesses may apply for up to $75,000, with a 50% cash match required. Applicants should demonstrate a clear need for the proposed investment and describe the anticipated economic and recycling impacts of the project. Priority consideration may be given to projects supporting targeted materials and recycling infrastructure needs identified in the RFP. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

The Food Waste Reduction (FWR) Grant program is accepting applications for initiatives that reduce the amount of wasted food being disposed of in landfills. Eligible applicants include North Carolina-based compost and anaerobic digestion facilities, organics haulers, local governments, and food recovery organizations that currently manage or plan to manage excess or wasted food to divert it from landfills.

With only a 20% cash match, two tiers of funding are available: 2027 FWR Priority Project Grants for up to $60,000 for projects deemed critical to growing food waste reduction efforts in the state, with priorities including edible food recovery and processing and/or hauling of post-consumer food scraps. Standard Project Grants offer up to $40,000 for other projects that divert wasted food from landfills, such as equipment to expand pre-consumer organics management. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2026.  

Click here for more information on both grant programs.

Recycling Business Connections is Back!

We are excited to announce the return of Recycling Business Connections (RBC) on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center.

This networking event brings together members of the circular economy, including recycling processors and manufacturers, haulers, equipment providers, and business & industry representatives from across the supply chain. This is your chance to boost your footprint in the Carolinas with activities designed to help you make meaningful connections and grow your business.

This event is provided in partnership with the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS), SC Department of Commerce, Carolina Recycling Association (CRA), Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, and the Charlotte Green Team. 

Register Now! Rates are $90 for CRA members and $105 for non-members. 

Sponsor RBC! Check out the sponsorship packages, which may include opportunities to speak, dedicated exhibit space, tabletop display, registration, and more.

New Research Highlights the Value of Recyclables Still Going to Landfill in NC

One of the biggest takeaways from recent statewide recycling research is the amount of recyclable material still being disposed of each year. An economic analysis of the Waste Characterization Study estimated that roughly 2 million tons of selected recyclables were disposed of in 2025, representing more than $372 million in material value. An estimated $104 million in tipping fees were also paid to landfill those materials.

Those recyclables were estimated to take up about 3.67 million cubic yards of landfill space. The analysis also estimated that diverting all recyclables could extend statewide landfill capacity by about 6.4 years and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to removing roughly 1.49 million passenger vehicles from the road.

Together, the SWIFR-funded research gives us a better picture of the whole recycling system, including what valuable materials are discarded in landfills and the challenges faced by facilities working to recover those materials.

On the recovery side, the MRF assessment identified 17 MRFs across North Carolina that processed about 603,000 tons in 2024. Facilities identified contamination, lack of labor, aging equipment, and insufficient space as key areas for improvement.

The conclusion of the SWIFR-funded research demonstrated the significant value of recyclable materials currently being disposed of in landfills. Key opportunities identified include facility expansion, additional grant funding, public recycling education, and new equipment. DEACS will use this enhanced understanding of the state’s waste stream and recycling facilities to help guide future infrastructure and market development efforts across North Carolina.

Funding for this research was provided through North Carolina’s three-year, $612,441 U.S. EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant. The project includes a statewide Waste Characterization Study, an assessment of North Carolina material recovery facilities (MRFs), an evaluation of recycling market opportunities and needs, and modeling of future recycling processing needs.

Powering Up Battery Recycling in NC

Starting December 1, 2026, North Carolina will ban lithium-ion batteries from disposal. Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and power devices like tablets, cell phones, and power tools. As recyclers know well, these batteries can spark fires in collection vehicles, recycling facilities, and landfills when discarded in trash or recycling bins.  

DEQ recently launched the ‘Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!’ campaign to provide information for communities, businesses, and the public through web resources and media ads. The batterysafe.nc.gov website provides guidance on managing end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.

DEQ has begun releasing a series of radio and digital ads to educate the public about safe battery handling and promote the website. If your company generates lithium-ion batteries as waste, check out the business resources to learn how the upcoming policy may apply to your operations, evaluate your current battery management practices, and identify appropriate pathways for the collection and management of lithium-ion batteries. Battery processors and recyclers may receive more questions from customers as radio and digital ads air throughout the fall and as more public attention is focused on safe battery disposal options.

This campaign is expected to increase the amount of lithium-ion batteries diverted for recycling across the state. To support the anticipated increase in material, lithium-ion battery recycling is a priority area for this year’s Recycling Business Development Grant (RBDG). Companies certified through R2 or e-Stewards that are seeking to expand or improve their operations to handle lithium-ion batteries should consider applying. Applications are now open. More information on the RBDG can be found here.

Contact RBAC to learn more about the ‘Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!’ campaign or visit batterysafe.nc.gov. 

ESI Hosts Industrial Circular Economy Forum

On June 3, 2026, thirty Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) members gathered at Atlantic Packaging in Charlotte for the Industrial Circular Economy Forum. Presenters from NC DEQ, Atlantic Packaging, Fiberon, CRC Recycling, Unifi, Freudenberg, Southeastern Container, and the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) spoke about the existing challenges and new trends for industrial recyclers.  

The theme of the event was sustainable packaging. Atlantic Packaging staff gave attendees a tour of their facility to test the performance of lightweight packaging with recycled content. Attendees discussed how their respective organizations have weathered volatile recycling markets and sought new opportunities to introduce more post-industrial content into their packaging.  

If you are interested in joining ESI or hosting an ESI tour, please contact Matt James at matt.james@deq.nc.gov or 919-707-8142.