Recycling is a rewarding experience. In separating materials from your garbage to be reused in the production of certain goods like aluminum cans, paper, and plastic products, you are making the first step in moving toward a sustainable life.
However, getting such a program set up can be a challenging and costly endeavor. While some problems you may face will vary depending on the location and the needs of that program, investing in this venture may be pricey.
Fortunately, there are grants for such situations that will grant you the chance to get your program off the ground – an opportunity that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
What is a grant?
According to the Cambridge dictionary, a grant is money given to a person or group by an individual or organization (often a government body). A grant is not paid back by the grantee and does not include other forms of assistance such as a loan.
While the grantee isn’t expected to repay, some standards may limit who can qualify and, especially in the case of government grants, may require a report on the grant project’s progress. In most cases, there is a lengthy process to ensure that those applying meet the set standards outlined for that particular grant.
While the grantee isn’t expected to repay, some standards may limit who can qualify and, especially in the case of government grants, may require a report on the grant project’s progress. In most cases, there is a lengthy process to ensure that those applying meet the set standards outlined for that particular grant.
What do grants have to do with recycling?
With businesses, schools, and other institutions joining in the move for a greener future, some of these groups may find the costs to start recycling programs or green initiatives as a deterrent. Grants offer the opportunity for those groups to be able to afford the additional cost that may appear on the path to sustainability.
In short, grants make recycling more appealing as the money from grants mean the costs involved won’t interfere with the finances of the company or school.
What kinds of grants are there?
Different grants are geared toward many types of applicants and cover a plethora of various environmental issues. While most state/provincial grants support mostly public-private partnerships, some do cater to public and private entities individually.
In the case of small businesses, grants may require a particular employee enrolment number to qualify, while other grants provide funding for creating new jobs. Funding for these grants usually come from the federal authority for the environment, the United States Protection Agency in the US and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in Canada, and are given to state/provincial or municipal governments for distribution.
In the public sector, most grants are designed to help in starting up recycling programs. Though in Canada recycling programs are common, such services in the United States are left to state and local governments. In these cases, public entities like schools and municipalities can qualify for grants that will help in starting their recycling program.
How do I apply for a grant?
How you apply for grants will vary from country-to-country. Both federal and state/provincial governments will have a set application system that will require applicants to show why they should be selected. These applications can be accessed through the federal and state/provincial websites.
Though these agencies now require you apply online, some exceptions can be made for those who may have trouble accessing the internet from their location.
Sources
“Grant.” Cambridge Dictionaries. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/grant. Accessed June 23, 2016.
“Government Grant.” Investopedia. http://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/government-grant.asp. Accessed June 23, 2016.
EPA. “How to Apply for Grants.” EPA. https://www.epa.gov/grants/how-apply-grants. Accessed June 22, 2016.
Government of Canada. “Funding.” Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. https://www.ec.gc.ca/financement-funding/.
Meggitt, Jane. “Recycling Start up Grants.” Chron. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/recycling-start-up-grants-18770.html. Accessed June 22, 2016.
