Recycling Rebate

Division of Solid Waste Management

Eligible Applicants:

The five most populous counties according to the annual census released in April by the United States Census Bureau and their cities that manage solid waste are eligible for the Recycling Rebate. Rebates may be used for a variety of recycling purposes such as establishing new programs or collection sites; preparing recovered materials for transport and marketing; identifying markets for recovered materials; and developing educational programs for adults and children to help them understand solid waste issues, management options, costs and the value of waste reduction and recycling efforts. If a local government provides collection or disposal services (TCA §68-211-825 (b)(2), recycling rebates for the amounts shown in the below table are offered.*

Top Five most populous counties and municipalities eligible for rebate:

Eligible Projects: 

A local match equal to the rebate amount must be expended by the eligible local government. Recycling rebates may be used to assist these local governments in their achievement of their 25% waste reduction and diversion goal and should be limited in scope to recycling programs and projects.

Funding & Matching Requirements:

Each of the Top 5 County’s allocation of funding shall be proportional to the population of each county. Municipalities that manage solid waste within the five counties shall be offered a proportionate share of their county’s rebate on a per capita basis.

A local government may elect to not receive the rebate or may elect to have rebate funds assigned to the county, another city, solid waste authority, or non-profit recycler. The State must be notified in writing of the local government’s intent to receive, assign, or waive the funding opportunity. If a municipality designated to receive a recycling rebate does not submit the appropriate rebate application by the State’s deadline, the rebate funds will automatically be assigned to the county. If a county designated to receive a recycling rebate does not provide the appropriate rebate application by the State’s deadline, the allocated rebate funds for that county will automatically revert back to the Solid Waste Management Fund.

The allocation of funds in accordance with the amended T.C.A. §68-211-825 (b) is as follows:

Rebate = (Total Population of County) X 100% of State Funds Allocated for Recycling Equipment Grants (Total Population of Five Most Populous Counties)

Funding is distributed to each eligible rebate recipient based on a prorated per capita share. Funding shall only be considered for recycling equipment.

• View currently offered Materials Management program grants

If you are interested in applying for this grant offering, please register and apply via the TDEC Online Grants System.