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Grants

Waste Reduction & Recycling Demonstration Grants

(s. 287.25, Wis. Stats.; ch. NR 548, Wis. Admin. Code)

Economic Impacts to 2009 Waste Reduction and Recycling Demonstration Grants

After careful consideration of its options to address a budget shortfall due to economic downturns at the national level, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has determined it will not be able to make Waste Reduction and Recycling Demonstration Grants for calendar year 2009. The $500,000 saved will be used to pay down the department’s $13.2 million obligation to the state’s deficit reduction efforts.

If funding for this grant program is provided through the 2009-2011 Biennial Budget, you will find application materials for 2010 grants at this website after May 1, 2009.

For additional information, contact Sandy Chancellor, Recycling Grant Manager at 608-264-9207 or sandra.chancellor@wisconsin.gov

Wisconsin businesses, counties, municipalities, tribes, public entities, non-profit organizations and school districts are eligible to apply for funding to implement innovative waste reduction, reuse and recycling projects on a pilot or demonstration scale. The applicant must provide evidence of having the technical ability, experience and financial support necessary to successfully carry out the project. Up to 50 percent of the total eligible project costs (not to exceed $150,000) can be reimbursed.

For community-wide waste reduction demonstration projects up to 75 percent of the total eligible costs can be reimbursed.

Eligible costs may include:

  • Wages and fringe benefits.
  • Costs of facility and equipment use (prorated for the length of the project).
  • General operating expenses and raw materials.
  • Supplies and small equipment.

Projects must meet the following criteria:

  • Contribute to reducing the amount of solid waste generated, landfilled, or treated.
  • Operate on a pilot or demonstration scale.
  • Applicable to other public and/or private interests in Wisconsin.
  • Either make use of innovative technologies or methods, or fall under the Request for Proposal portion of the grant.

Another segment of this program (termed Request for Proposals or RFPs) enables applicants to submit proposals that target special and hard-to-recycle wastes. Project proposals are not necessarily innovative, but must demonstrate advancements in one or more of the following areas:

  • Increase waste reduction and/or recycling in the business sector.
  • Increase recycling of difficult-to-recycle materials such as consumer electronics, construction materials, demolition waste.
  • Increase food waste composting and utilization.
  • Increase the level of recycling at special events and other away-from-home venues (e.g.. conferences, shopping malls, convenience stores).
  • Build organizational capacity to support regional waste reduction and recycling efforts.
Past projects have included:
  • Implement a composting program for food scraps and inedible food collected from area food bank, warehouses and food pantry distribution sites.
  • Demonstrate the separation and recycling of construction materials collected from a commercial building construction site.
  • Demonstrate, test and evaluate the use of recycled glass as aggregate in concrete.
  • Demonstrate the use of foundry sand in hot asphalt mix to pave a public parking lot.
  • Develop a program to increase awareness of amalgam recycling practices among licensed Wisconsin dentists.

Applications are due August 1 each year with grants being awarded by November 30.

Caution to Project Sponsors - Protect Confidential Data

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) takes seriously its responsibility to protect all confidential data that are collected as the DNR administers its programs. For DNR grant programs, “confidential data” typically includes:

  • Personal -- Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license number, signature
  • Financial -- Bank account numbers on cancelled checks and statements. Credit card numbers on submitted receipts. Account and credit balances or limits. Federal or Wisconsin tax returns.

    • If a grant is being issued to an individual, we need most of the personal data listed above before we can issue payments or reimbursements. This needed data comes to the DNR on completed W-9 forms. The DNR has a process to restrict access to and secure W-9 forms.

    The DNR, however is often sent unnecessary confidential data that are attached to proofs of payment, receipts, or other documents in support of a reimbursement request. Please protect confidential data by blackening out – also called “redacting” – bank account numbers, credit card account numbers, and other confidential data before proofs of payment are sent to the DNR. Please do not redact check numbers from bank statements.

    With each of us doing our part, we can protect confidential data and minimize identity theft.

    Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.

    Application Information

    Additional Information

    Contact:

    Sandy Chancellor, Recycling Grant Manager
    Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
    Bureau of Community Financial Assistance
    101 S. Webster St., PO Box 7921
    Madison WI 53707-7921
    (608) 264-9207
    Sandra.Chancellor@wisconsin.gov

    Last Revised: Monday August 25 2008