Grants
SWACO has a number of funding opportunities to support curbside recycling, waste diversion, and education and outreach among Franklin County’s 41 communities:
Recycling Cart Grants
SWACO’s recycling cart program can help any Franklin County community that doesn’t currently own curbside recycling carts to purchase 65-gallon or greater wheeled carts with lids at a deep discount – typically at a 50% or greater reduction in price.
Since 2019, SWACO has provided wheeled carts to seven communities representing over 45,000 households in Bexley, Blendon Township, Gahanna, Pleasant Township, Reynoldsburg, Westerville, and Whitehall.
Advantages of Recycling Carts Over Bins
Besides the fact they’re much easier to take to the curb, recycling carts also increase recycling volume and allow for easier recycling by residents. Because of their lids, carts also greatly reduce litter on collection day. Wheeled carts also allow curbside collection of the material through automated trucks, greatly increasing efficiency and reducing injuries by collection workers. Because of all of these advantages, using wheeled carts for residential curbside recycling is considered a best practice across the country.
Want to Learn More?
Franklin County communities interested in new recycling carts can contact SWACO’s Communities Program Administrator.
Community and Event Waste Reduction Grants
Through SWACO’s Community Waste Reduction Grant program, governmental entities (cities, townships, villages, parks, and schools) and non-profit organizations in Franklin County can receive funding to help offset the costs associated with waste reduction, diversion, and recycling.
Through SWACO’s Event Waste Reduction Grant, reimbursement funding is available for activities that increase waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting, as well as diversion-related outreach and education activities that promote public awareness of the importance of these activities.
Other Grants
SWACO may be able to help you secure other sources of funding through partner grants such as:
- The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Recycling and Litter Prevention program which supports communities, nonprofits, businesses, and academic institutions that initiate or expand recycling programs, encourage sustainable practices, stimulate economic growth, and support litter prevention efforts through four different grants.
- The Recycling Partnership’s grants program which offers funding opportunities for curbside and drop off recycling, education and outreach, and Material Recovery Facilities.