Event Waste Reduction Grant

2017FCFair054

Franklin County is proud to be home to many public events. It won't be long before the 2018 event season is upon us! Many residents and businesses look forward to the public events and outdoor festivals that take place across Franklin County during the warmer months. As the County continues to grow in population and popularity, tens of thousands of people now attend these local events. 

The Event Waste Reduction (EWR) Grant (PDF) seeks to assist local event organizers with reducing event-generated waste and diverting as much as possible from the landfill. In addition, these grants also assist event organizers in building the infrastructure needed to sustain these diversion efforts in order to continue to contribute to a safe and healthy community for all Franklin County residents. 

Since 2016, EWR grant funding has assisted local events in diverting over 27 tons of event-generated waste from the landfill. 

2019 Grant Cycle

The 2019 Event Waste Reduction Grant Application cycle will launch in November 2018.  MORE DETAILS regarding the 2019 cycle are coming soon - please check back to download the 2019 Application Information document! 
 


Purpose


The purpose of the Event Waste Reduction Grant (EWRG) program is to assist event organizers in establishing sustainable waste reduction and diversion activities.  By implementing sustainable, environmentally conscious methods of waste reduction and diversion, central Ohio's events can successfully reduce the amount of solid waste materials generated and divert recyclable and compostable materials from he Franklin County Sanitary Landfill.

The EWRG is a competitive program that provides reimbursement funding for activities that increase reuse, recycling and composting, as well as diversion-related outreach and education activities at public events.  Grant dollar amounts are awarded based on event attendance and eligibility criteria found in the Application Information Document. 

Eligibility


To be eligible for a grant award, events must:

  • Be within SWACO's jurisdiction of Franklin County (PDF)
  • Occur during the 2018 calendar year.
  • Be open to the public.
  • Have a projected attendance of 2,000 people or more.
  • Funding may be requested for activities specific to establishing or promoting new waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting programs. 
  • Consideration will also be given to the significant expansion and/or improvement of existing diversion and outreach activities.

2018 Grant Cycle


SWACO accepted 2018 applications from October 6, 2017 - January 31, 2018 at 5 p.m.  A webinar was provided on November 9, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m. to provide information on the application process and answer questions.  Please click here to watch the recorded webinar.

2018 Awards


Last year (2016-2017 grant cycle), SWACO awarded $25,000 in grants and supported six (6) events including the Dublin Irish Festival, the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival, the Columbus Italian Festival, HighBall Halloween in the Short North, Old Hilliard’s Halloween Haunt and a study of the tailgate recycling at OSU football games.

Three grants were awarded for the 2018 grant cycle, including:

  • The Greater Columbus Convention Center for the Women's Final Four
  • Franklinton Farms for zero waste Community Events
  • CoffeeFest

Resources

Download SWACO's Event Waste Reduction Best Practices Guide (PDF) 
Download the City of Columbus Green Event Guide (PDF) 

SWACO also has recycling containers available for local event organizers to loan. Learn more about how our Recycling Container Loan Program can assist with your event.

Please contact SWACO at 614-871-5100 or e-mail a Programs Administrator. with any questions