902 Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant

The 902 Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is authorized under Section 902 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101 of July 1988). It provides financial assistance to support the development and implementation of municipal recycling programs across Pennsylvania. Funding is distributed from the Recycling Fund authorized under Act 101, and the program aims to strengthen local recycling infrastructure, increase collection efficiencies, and enhance the recovery of recyclable materials. The grant reimburses eligible counties and municipalities for 90% of approved recycling program costs. However, municipalities designated by the Department of Community and Economic Development as financially distressed may be reimbursed for up to 100% of their approved expenses. Eligible entities include counties, cities, boroughs, townships, councils of governments, solid waste authorities, and similar intergovernmental entities. Projects eligible for funding include those that divert source-separated recyclable materials—such as paper, glass, plastics, food waste, and yard waste—from municipal solid waste. Notably, recycling projects involving not-for-profit agencies that act on a municipality’s behalf are also allowed, though private enterprises are not eligible to receive funding directly. Applicants must undergo a pre-application conference with a DEP Regional Recycling Coordinator and obtain a unique code to proceed with their submission. Applications are submitted electronically through the Electronic Single Application (ESA) platform. Required submission materials include a completed pre-application document, Scope of Work/Narrative Spreadsheet, Budget Spreadsheet, Land Use Planning Form, and Worker Protection Form if applying for $10,000 or more. Applications that are missing any required components or fail to adhere to the deadlines may be deemed ineligible. The grant review process is multi-tiered, involving both regional and central DEP offices. Each application is first reviewed administratively for completeness and then evaluated for feasibility, relation to other existing programs, and alignment with state recycling priorities. Approximately six months are required for the application review and approval process. Successful applicants will be formally notified and must finalize a grant agreement within one year of the offer. Once funds are encumbered by the Comptroller, recipients have up to two years to spend their awards, with limited extensions permitted. Special consideration is given to applicants located in designated Environmental Justice (EJ) areas. The DEP uses the PennEnviroScreen tool to determine EJ designations, prioritizing communities with a high pollution burden and vulnerable populations. The grant also encourages proposals that implement or enhance dual-stream or commingled recycling, adopt incentive-based pricing models, or engage in multi-municipal collaboration to improve cost-efficiency and recyclables marketability. Fundable expenses include educational materials, equipment purchases (e.g., collection containers, vehicles, balers), facility upgrades, and site improvements associated with recycling operations. Some costs, such as administrative salaries, travel, or previously funded items, are ineligible for reimbursement. Additionally, a performance audit must be completed within six months of project completion, and the DEP reserves the right to withhold 10% of the grant award until all obligations have been fulfilled.

Complete all pre-application steps prior to submission; applications from EJ areas receive special consideration.