Community Waste Reduction Grant

“SWACO helped provide an aesthetically pleasing solution to an ongoing challenge we had with our recycling efforts.” said Josh Sarver, Senior Director of Experiences at COSI.

The Community Waste Reduction Grant (CWRG) program is a competitive program that is open to all governmental entities such as parks, cities, townships and villages, schools, other public sectors, and non-profit organizations. Eligible applicants must be located within SWACO's jurisdiction.  Please click here to view a map of SWACO's jurisdiction.

Proposed projects and programs should address the unique waste reduction, diversion, and recycling needs of central Ohio; emphasize partnership building and collaboration, and address opportunities to leverage the waste stream for community benefit.

This grant program is not offered to private-sector businesses.  Please visit our Business Recycling Resources webpage to learn more about the resources and programs SWACO can offer your business!

To sign up to receive notifications regarding our CWRG application cycles and/or to share ideas, please click here.

2024 Grant Cycle

The 2024 application period has ended.  The deadline to submit an application was August 4, 2023, by 5 p.m.

The 2025 application period will begin in April 2024.

We strongly encourage interested applicants to contact 614-871-5100 or email Grants Administrator to share ideas in advance of applying.   

Watch the Pre-recorded Webinar to Learn More about the 2019 Application Cycle
Watch the Pre-recorded Webinar to Learn More about the 2019 Application Cycle
Watch the Pre-recorded Webinar to Learn More about the 2019 Application Cycle

CWRG Purpose  

The Community Waste Reduction Grant is available to support innovative waste reduction and materials diversion programs by providing financial support to help offset the costs of these efforts.  If a project is awarded grant dollars, SWACO requires grantees to document and measure the impact of the project’s activities.  A final report detailing the successes, challenges, and impacts of the project's waste reduction and diversion efforts must be provided in a final report.

Other Grant Opportunities

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) Recycling and Litter Prevention program 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.  

  • Available grant opportunities are available for Community and Litter, Academic Institutions, Market Development, and Scrap Tire activities.
  • Grants are awarded on an annual basis. Applications open the first Monday in November and close the first Friday in February of the following year.
  • Watch the Informational Webinar, provided on November 8, 2022, recorded here

Hear from our past CWRG recipients! Check out our videos below

More than $168,000 in grant funding was awarded to ten local organizations in 2023 including the City of Columbus, Columbus College of Art and Design, City of Bexley, Global Water Dances Columbus, Goodwill Industries of Central Ohio. Inc., Impact Community Action, MY Project USA, New Albany Intermediate School, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, and the Worthington Partnership to help implement waste reduction, recycling, and composting programs and initiatives. 

More than $94,289.85 in grant funding was awarded to nine local organizations in 2022, including All Saints Episcopal Church New Albany, Bexley City Schools, Columbus Fashion Alliance, City of Gahanna, City of New Albany, City of Reynoldsburg, The Ohio State University, Otterbein University, and Plain Township to help implement waste reduction, recycling, and composting programs and initiatives.

Please contact SWACO at 614-871-5100 or email Grants Administrator with questions.