Community Waste Reduction Grant


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, and other public sectors.  Other eligible organizations include primary and seondary schools, school districts, universities and colleges, and non-profit organizations.  In order to qualify, the applicant's proposal must establish programs and projects that address the unique waste reduction, diversion, and recycling needs of central Ohio.  Projects should emphasize partnership building and collaboration, and address opportunities to leverage the waste stream for community benefit. 


Grant Cycle

The 2020 CWRG cycle is closed.  To sign up to receive notifications regarding our 2021 grant cycle including notification of when the Application Package will be made available. and/or to share ideas, please click here.  

We strongly encourage interested applicants to contact us at 614-871-5100 or email grants@swaco.org to discuss project ideas before submitting an application.  
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

Purpose  

                                                                                                                                                               
The Community Waste Reduction Grant (PDF) 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 activites.  A final report detailing successes, challenges, and impacts of the projects waste reduction and diversion efforts must be provided in a final report.

Goal


The goal of the CWRG program is to increase Franklin County's recycling rate of 49% by funding innovative projects that address  community waste reduction needs and have the ability to be modeled throughout central Ohio. 

Eligibility


Eligible applicants include governmental entities such as parks, cities, townships and villages, and other public sectors.  Other eligible organizations include primary and seondary schools, school districts, universities and colleges, and non-profit organizations.  Organizations and projects must be located in SWACO's jurisdiction to be eligible to apply.  To determine if your organization is in SWACO's jurisdiction, please view SWACO's jurisdiction map (PDF).

The CWRG evaluation committee carefully considers how well each applicant addresses project planning, impact measurement and outcomes, financial viability, need, and project sustainability.   

Grants are competitively awarded and support efforts focused on diverting materials from the landfill through:
 
  • Waste Reduction & Reuse
  • Recycling
  • Organic Waste & Food Waste Diversion 
  • Outreach, Education & Awareness

Funding 


The minimum grant amount is $500 and the maximum is $35,000. Applicants must demonstrate a 25% monetary contribution towards the project.  Allowable costs may include: 

  • Recycling & Diversion Equipment
  • Educational Supplies & Materials
  • Personal Service Contracts

Webinars


Please be sure to check out our Webinars focused on waste reduction, sustainability, and SWACO's application process and eligibility.

Award Recipients

Fourteen (14) grants were awarded for the 2019 grant cycle including: CAPA, City of Westerville, City of Worthington, Columbus City School District, Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Food Rescue US, Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, Hilliard City School District, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio, MORPC, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio Health - Riverside Methodist Hospital, Sunbury Urban Farm, and Windermere E.S. in Upper Arlington.
  
Eleven (11) grants were awarded for the 2018 grant cycle including: The City of Hilliard, COSI, Franklin County Public Health, Franklinton Cycle Works, Franklinton Gardens, Hilliard City Schools, Mid-Ohio Foodbank, New Albany High School, Otterbein University, Summer Jam West, and the Arts College and Preparatory Academy.

Six (6) grants were awarded for the 2016-2017 grant cycle including: City of Bexley, Central Ohio Area on Aging, Goodwill Columbus, Mid-Ohio Foodbank, Ohio History Connection, and City of Westerville.

Hear from our past grant recipients. Check out our videos below!

Please contact SWACO at 614-871-5100 or email grants@swaco.org with questions.