Recycling Grant to Responsible Units

Basic Recycling Grant to responsible units The 2026 grant application period has closed. The 2027 grant application period will open in August 2026. Recycling grant awards are made to responsible units (cities, 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 and choosing Notification Service. 2024 Grant Awards Summary 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 Newspapers Magazines Corrugated cardboard Residential mixed paper Aluminum containers Steel/bi-metal (tin) containers Plastic containers #1 & #2*** Glass containers Yard Waste Waste Tires (not from heavy/farm equipment) Grant Ineligible Materials Electronics Used oil and oil filters Major appliances Used lead acid batteries Rigid plastics Scrap metal Trash Household hazardous waste materials Sharps/pharmaceuticals ***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 important updates and timely information. After using the email link below, the RU will be contacted to confirm the updates. Notify the DNR of RU contact updates Who can apply Eligible applicants Responsible Units (RU): 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. 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. . 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 . 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%

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 and choosing Notification Service.