Purpose
The Community Waste Reduction Grant (CWRG) is a competitive grant program that provides funding for projects that reduce waste and/or increase the diversion of recoverable materials that would otherwise be sent to the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill for disposal. Local governmental or non-profit organizations, including cities, townships, villages, parks, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, and faith-based organizations in SWACO's jurisdiction are eligible to apply. Proposed projects should address the unique waste reduction, diversion, recycling, and composting 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! The program is designed to provide funding to assist with building sustainable programs, projects, and services that address the unique waste reduction and material diversion needs of central Ohio.
The 2027 Grant Cycle will launch May 27, 2026!
Please visit on May 27 to view the application. The deadline to apply is Friday. August 7, 2026.
Funding for waste diversion infrastructure, outreach, and education activities that increase the reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting of materials will be considered. Diversion activities that include outreach and education as part of the project are strongly encouraged. Below is a partial list of CWRG criteria:
- Interested applicants are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to contact Kristi Higginbotham, SWACO Programs Administrator, at [email protected] or 614-871-5100 before drafting an application to discuss the timeline and proposed activities.
- Projects must occur within SWACO's jurisdiction (PDF) in central Ohio.
- Funding is available for establishing, improving, or expanding waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, or food donation activities.
- The minimum grant amount that can be requested is five hundred dollars ($500.00).
- The maximum grant amount that can be requested is thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000.00).
- Recipients must provide a twenty percent (20%) cash contribution toward the project.
- Half-upfront funding is available and should be requested in the application.
- No approved purchases can be made before the execution of a grant agreement.
- If a project is awarded grant dollars, SWACO requires grantees to document and measure the impact of the project’s activities.
- If awarded, funded projects must be completed by December 31, 2027.
- A final report detailing the successes, challenges, and impacts of the project's waste reduction and diversion efforts must be provided at the end of the project. Upon approval of the final report, SWACO will issue funding reimbursement.
SWACO staff is available to serve as a resource to:
- Provide advice and technical expertise.
- Help develop projects and services that align with the purpose of the CWRG program.
- Provide recommendations to help ensure proposed activities incorporate best practices to help execute successful projects with maximized outcomes.
- Please visit our Newsletter page to sign up to receive updates on grant opportunities.
Hear from our past SWACO CWRG recipients! Check out our videos below
More than $256,000.00 in grant funding was awarded to 12 local organizations in 2025 including the cities of Dublin and Groveport. Erase the Space, Franklin County Public Health, Goodwill Columbus, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Grove City United Methodist Church, Leveling the Playing Field, Otterbein University, Village of Lockbourne, The Worthington Partnership, and Worthington Resource Pantry, to help implement waste reduction, recycling, composting, and education and outreach projects and initiatives.
More than $113,000.00 in grant funding was awarded to 5 local organizations in 2024 including the cities of Dublin and Gahanna, Hilliard City Schools, the Economic and Community Development Institute, and Ohio Dominican University to help implement waste reduction, recycling, composting and education and outreach projects and initiatives.
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, composting, and education and outreach projects and initiatives.
More than $94,000.00 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, composting, and education and outreach projects and initiatives.