Basic Recycling Grant to responsible units
Recycling grant awards are made to responsible units (cities, towns, villages, counties, tribes, or solid waste management systems) for residential recycling and yard waste program costs that are reasonable and necessary for planning and operating an effective recycling program.
If you are eligible to apply for this basic Recycling Grant you may also qualify for the Recycling Consolidation Grant.
Sign up to follow Legislative proposals related to recycling by going to the Wisconsin Legislature website [exit DNR] and choosing Notification Service.
Annual Report and Grant Materials
The table below lists what to include when reporting tonnage of recyclable material collected. When reporting actual recycling program costs for the previous calendar year, only costs associated with grant eligible materials may be covered by a state recycling grant.
| Required Reporting (Collection Standard Eligible) |
Optional Reporting | Do Not Report | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Eligible Materials |
|
|
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| Grant Ineligible Materials |
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|
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| ***Plastic containers #3-#7 can also be reported, counted toward the collection standard, and are grant eligible, but they are not required to be collected. | |||
Notify the DNR of RU contact changes
If your RU’s authorized representative, primary contact or the person filling out the recycling grant has changed or has new contact information, contact the DNR so the RU can receive importnat updates and timely information. After using the email link below, the RU will be contacted to confirm the updates.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Responsible Units (RU): cities, towns, villages, counties, federally recognized tribe or band in this state or a solid waste management system under s. 59.70(2), Wis. Stats. and s. 287.09(1), Wis. Stats.
In order to be eligible for the basic Recycling Grant, RUs must:
- have a DNR approved Effective Recycling Program; AND
- meet one or more of the criteria in s. 287.24 (2), Wis Stats. [exit DNR]
Eligibility
Eligibility
Basic Recycling Grant: Responsible Units must have a DNR-approved Effective Recycling Program.
Recycling Consolidation Grant: Responsible Units must meet one or more of the criteria described in s. 287.24 (2), Wis Stats. [exit DNR].
Eligible costs
Residential and 2-4 unit household recycling and yard waste program costs (net of the sale of recovered materials). Examples include but are not limited to:
- education & outreach materials;
- collection/transport of residential recyclables;
- RU employee salary, wages and benefits;
- utility services;
- contractual (purchased) services; and
- rents and leases.
Examples of ineligible costs
Collection of recyclables or yard waste from governmental, businesses and residential housing larger than 4 units and other costs as defined in s. NR 542.05, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR].
Deadlines
Calendar year
Applications are normally submitted from July through October.
Grant award payments are issued no later than June 1 of the grant year.
Actual expenditure documentation is due annually on April 30 for the preceding year by completing the Recycling Activities and Actual Costs Annual Report.
Completed grant applications that are submitted by the due date of Oct. 1 are eligible for full funding. Applications submitted after the Oct. 1 due date are subject to reduced funding as follows in the table below.
| Date Submitted | Percent Funding |
|---|---|
| By Oct. 1 | 100% |
| By Oct. 10 | 95% |
| By Oct. 20 | 90% |
| By Oct. 30 | 75% |
| Oct. 31 or later | 0% |
Note: If the grant application due date falls on a non-business day, the due date is moved to the next business day.
Applying
Register to use the Online Reporting System
To submit a grant using the online system, a representative from the RU must have a current WAMS ID on file.
You need to register to access the online report if:
- your RU has submitted an online recycling annual report or grant application in the past, BUT a different person will be submitting the annual report this year; or
- your RU has not submitted an online recyling report or grant application before.
Note that registration confirmation may take 2 to 3 business days, so please allow enough time for this process before your report is due.
- DNR Switchboard - Click here to start the online report registration process
- WAMS ID and Switchboard Registration Guide (step by step with pictures)
- Switchboard Instructions, FAQ and Troubleshooting
Resources
Application resources
- Grant Application Instructions [PDF]
- Authorizing Resolution Information [PDF]
- Estimated Costs Worksheet [PDF]
- RU Cooperative Agreement - Sample [PDF]
- Eligible and Ineligible Cost Categories [PDF]
- Procurement Guide for Local Governments Receiving DNR Grants [PDF]
- Tips and Guidance for Responsible Unit Cooperation and Consolidation [PDF]
Annual report resources
Responsible Units are required to submit a report of recycling activities and actual costs to the DNR by April 30 of each year. Please refer to the Recycling reports page for details.
Codes and statutes
- Effective Recycling Programs, s. 287.11, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR])
- Financial Assistance for Responsible Units, s. 287.23, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR]
- Recycling Consolidation Grants, s. 287.24, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR]
- Ch. NR 542, Wis. Adm. Code - Recycling Grants to Responsible Units [exit DNR]
- Ch. NR 544, Wis. Adm. Code - Effective Recycling Programs [exit DNR]
Contact
- Contact information
- For information on recycling grants, contact:
- Wendy Soleska
DNR Community Financial Assistance
608-852-1358