Solid Waste Infrastructure Grant (Region 3) – United States

This NOFO solicits applications designed to increase the ability of Region 3 states to manage food scraps more sustainably through composting. In particular, this NOFO is seeking to increase capacity for food scraps composting in the region through the upgrade of yard waste composting facilities. The upgraded yard waste composting facilities will be capable of processing waste food which increases the capacity for wasted food composting in the region. Yard waste is also known as “yard trim” or “yard trimmings.” Hereafter, the term “yard trim” will be used.

For the purposes of this NOFO, a yard trim composting facility is one that composts materials known as “browns.” Browns are rich in carbon and can include the following materials: leaves, tree and bush trimmings, dried grass (not fresh-cut), branches, wood chips, flowers, saw dust, wood shavings, or some combination of these materials. Browns can also include logs if the logs are processed into wood chips prior to composting.

The scope of this grant program targets projects designed to initiate, facilitate, and/or complete the transition of existing yard trim composting facilities to composting facilities that also process food scraps. Applications must address this objective in order to be considered for award.

Funding Information

• The total estimated funding expected to be available for assistance agreements under this competitive opportunity is $150,000, subject to availability of funds, quality of eligible applications received, and other applicable considerations.
• The estimated project period for the award(s) resulting from this solicitation will be one to two years with a start date of January 1, 2025.

Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes 

• Outputs
  • Projects to be funded under this announcement are expected to produce outputs similar in nature to the ones listed below. Project outputs should be specifically identified and described in the Project Narrative.
    • Pounds/tons of food scraps being diverted or composted;
    • Progress made toward transitioning/upgrading yard trim (e.g., permit revisions) composting facilities to accept food scraps;
    • Metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduced (calculated via the Waste Reduction Model);
    • Number of temporary or permanent jobs created. Progress reports and a final report will also be required outputs as specified in Section VI.C. of this announcement, “Reporting Requirements.”
• Outcomes
  • Projects to be funded under this announcement are expected to produce outcomes similar in nature to the ones listed below. Project outcomes should be specifically identified and described in the Project Narrative.
    • Improved capacity to compost wasted food;
    • Improved ability for individuals, businesses, institutions, municipalities, or other entities to compost wasted food;
    • Improvements to infrastructure resulting in an increased ability to compost wasted food as opposed to landfilling/incinerating such materials.

Eligibility Criteria

• Consistent with the Applicant Eligibility Section of Assistance Listing No. 66.808 and EPA’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), the following entities are eligible to compete under this competition:
  • State (including the District of Columbia), local, Tribal, interstate, and intrastate government agencies and instrumentalities, and non-profit organizations that are not 501(c)(4) organizations that lobby, including non-profit educational institutions and non-profit hospitals. Public-private partnerships are encouraged.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.