EGLE, The Recycling Partnership launch small community recycling education grant

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) along with Falls Church, Virginia-based The Recycling Partnership have launched a new grant program to provide recycling education assistance to small communities in Michigan. The Michigan Small Community Education Grant Program will accept applications now through October 2022.

According to a news release from EGLE, communities and organizations eligible for the new grant funding include nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, regional planning agencies, cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, municipal solid waste authorities and resource recovery authorities in the state that work with less than 10,000 households.

EGLE says the grant program will provide recipients with access to The Recycling Partnership’s customized recycling education templates, including postcards, information sheets, cart tags and dumpster signage. Communities also can customize materials with logos and contact information.

“EGLE is excited to offer this grant opportunity specifically to small communities in Michigan to further recycling education and continue our work to improve recycling throughout our state,” says Liz M. Browne, director of EGLE’s Materials Management Division. “We all have a role to play in the circular economy, and these grants will help the smaller communities engage with their residents and improve the quality of recyclable materials collected in curbside and drop off programs across Michigan.”

EGLE says the grant opportunity was created to alleviate some of the financial challenges smaller Michigan communities face in providing recycling education and outreach materials to inform residents about how, where and why to recycle. Cassandra Ford, community program manager at The Recycling Partnership, says the Michigan Small Community Education Grant Program focuses on smaller communities and provides them with customized recycling education materials based on best management practices.

Grant funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.