The question and answer period is now closed for this grant cycle. All questions and answers are posted on this site.
Questions about the Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program grant application were accepted in writing only, no later than July 30, 2018. Similar or related questions were grouped together or reworded for clarity and responded to as one question.
General | Eligibility | Funding | Application
General
- How do we list the Site Information if we are currently running the program from home but we are hoping to qualify for the grant in January 2019 to be able to get a commercial location? Private, for profit businesses and individuals are not eligible to apply for the Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program (Grant Program). However, if an applicant is a non-profit and seeking a commercial location, this information should be included in the application. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.
- Within the Grant Term section, what is the difference between the RBC 30 FY 2018–19 date and the RBC 31 FY 2019–2020? The Grant Term begins on the date of the Notice to Proceed, which is issued after the grant cycle is awarded and the grant agreement has been executed. The FY 2019–20 grant agreements cannot be issued until after the FY 2019–20 state budget has been passed. The Grant Term ends on June 30, 2021 (RBC30 FY 2018-19) or June 30, 2022 (RBC 31 FY 2019-20) and all eligible program costs must be incurred by this date. Refer to Grant Term on Page 5 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.
- What is the difference between the Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program and the City/County Payment Program?The Grant Program provides opportunities to California local government agencies, cities, counties, regional programs, public colleges and universities, public school districts, non-profit organizations, and qualifying Indian Tribes to promote increased recycling of beverage containers throughout California and reduce the beverage container litter in the waste stream. The Grant Program is a competitive process in which applications are evaluated and scored by a CalRecycle review panel based on the approved Scoring Criteria for the Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program, FYs 2018‒19 and 2019‒20. Refer to the Beverage Container Recycling Grants homepage and Application Guidelines and Instructions.The City/County Payment Program is an entitlement program providing funding for eligible cities and counties specifically for beverage container recycling and litter cleanup activities. For more information regarding the City/County Payment Program, please refer to the Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program homepage.
- What type of post-award evaluation does CalRecycle require to track awarded projects? Our recycling is single stream (i.e., beverage containers are comingled with paper). Can we report our beverage container recycling tonnage together with other recyclables?
CalRecycle requires grantees to submit the volume of empty California Redemption Value (CRV) beverage containers collected (in tons or pounds) by material type (i.e., aluminum, glass, bi-metal, and plastic by resin type) and revenues received from the CRV beverage containers on a quarterly basis. Grantees will be required to separate CRV tonnage from other material types. Applicants are encouraged to include supporting justification (i.e. baseline data, current CRV tonnage, etc.) in the application demonstrating a direct nexus to the Beverage Container Program and illustrating the need for beverage container recycling infrastructure to support the proposed project. Refer to Page 8 of the Procedures and Requirements. - Can you please let me know prior participants in the Grant Program for previous years?
Please refer to the Awarded Cycles section of the Beverage Container Recycling Grants homepage. - How many hours does CalRecycle require to complete all the quarterly and final reports to the grant manager?
The Grant Program does not require a specific number of hours to complete the Progress and Final Reports. Due dates for these required documents are included in the Work Plan and shall be submitted to the Grant Manager. The grantee is responsible for identifying a timeframe to complete these documents by the due date on the Work Plan. Refer to Pages 7 and 8 of the>Procedures and Requirements.
Eligibility
- Are Permanent Recycling Center CRV drop off locations eligible under this grant?
Private, for profit businesses and individuals are not eligible to apply for the Grant Program. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - Does CalRecycle have such a program in Africa?
The Grant Program applies only to projects in California. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - Is the outfitting of public water fountains with bottle-refilling hardware an eligible cost of the Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program?
No. The purchase of water fountains with bottle-refilling hardware is not an eligible expense. These eligible costs must be directly related to California Redemption Value beverage container recycling. Refer to the Eligible and Ineligible Costs sections on Pages 6 and 7 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - The eligibility section indicates that applicants who have been awarded this grant in the past two fiscal years would be excluded from the applicant pool. Would that mean a currently active grantee would be an ineligible applicant and will not be awarded a grant in this cycle?
Yes. Applicants that were awarded in the last two fiscal years (FY 2016-17 & FY 2017-18 (with the exception of local governments that are selected and approved for the Pilot Program) will be excluded. Refer to Eligible Applicants section on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - I am with a qualifying Indian tribe that is certified as a Community Service Program through California and I am working on developing a proposal for the Beverage Container Recycling Grant. With the way the eligible applicants is written, you cannot create a new recycling program unless you are part of the pilot project applicant pool. Yet, already formed programs can apply to continue current programs and or build on them, while only allowing for certain areas of work. Would this program be eligible for the current ongoing grant, or do we need to request a pilot project?
Qualifying Indian Tribes are eligible applicants and may apply for the Grant Program without applying for the Pilot Program. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 and 5 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.Only local jurisdictions are eligible and will be the lead applicant for the Pilot Program. Partnering with a local jurisdiction may be an alternative to applying for the Pilot Program. Information related to the Pilot Program and eligibility can be found here Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program webpage. - We currently have a recycling program set-up to work with Tribal departments and public areas. Also, we allow drop off at our office. This program has been in existence for a year and our workload is more than we can handle for one staff. Would this be considered an enhancement of an existing program?
An enhancement of an existing beverage container recycling program may include additional project locations, enhanced infrastructure, or an education and outreach component of the grant project. Increasing staff members in an existing beverage container recycling program is not considered an enhancement by itself. However, personnel expenditures directly related to the start-up/implementation of the project (e.g., recycling coordinator, salaries/wages for those directly involved with the project, e.g., students, consultants, etc.) are eligible costs. Please refer to Eligible Project/Products on Page 5 and Eligible Costs on Page 6 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.
If awarded, grant eligible program expenditures may start no earlier than the date indicated in the Notice to Proceed. Eligible costs may be incurred only during the Grant Term, which starts when the grantee receives a Notice to Proceed from CalRecycle and ends on June 30, 2021 (RBC 30 FY 2018‒19) or June 30, 2022 (RBC 31 FY 2019‒20). Refer to Grant Term on Page 5 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - What type of job profit must I form in order to open and operate a recycling center? What can the funds be used for? What are typical startup costs? Where am I allowed to set up a recycling center?
Costs for establishing a recycling center are not eligible for reimbursement under the current Grant Program. However, grant funds may be utilized for infrastructure (i.e., beverage container recycling bins, beverage container recycling education and outreach (maximum of 25 percent of total grant award), and personnel costs) in an existing recycling center. These eligible costs must be directly related to California Redemption Value beverage container recycling. Refer to Eligible Costs, Ineligible Costs and Eligible Projects/Products sections on Pages 5 and 6 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - What constitutes an eligible recreational area? Does a sidewalk in a commercial area that is an international tourist attraction qualify?
An eligible recreational area includes recreational park and park districts, trails, and open space that provide services for residents living within a local jurisdiction. A local jurisdiction applying for funding to implement an ongoing (with the exception of the Pilot Program) collection program in a commercial area may qualify. Refer to Eligible Applicants and Eligible Projects/Products on Pages 4 and 5 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - Are dual recycling containers eligible for the grant program? Our City needs to replace our existing multiple use bins because the current bins are inadequate. The proposed new bins will be composed of entirely recycled plastic milk jugs and will greatly improve our recycling volumes.
Yes. Dual beverage recycling containers or multi-cluster bins are eligible expenses, as long as, it includes the collection recycling of California Redemption Value beverage containers. All bins must be permanently bound to each other. Please refer to Eligible Costs on Page 5 of the Procedures and Requirements. - As a County Sheriff’s department, we are interested in applying for grant funds to purchase beverage container recycling infrastructure for the county jail. Would the project/infrastructure costs and location qualify under the Grant Program?
No. Infrastructure costs for ongoing (with the exception of the Pilot Program) collection program located in a county jail are not eligible projects/products. However, California cities and counties are eligible applicants. Please refer to the Eligible Applicants and Eligible Projects/Products on Pages 4 and 5 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - I am a consultant working with a non-profit, applicant based in California. Can only a pre-approved/certified recycling center qualify for an eligible ongoing collection program such as Temporary Community Events, Collection Program, etc.? Are we eligible to apply and implement a grant at a Park and Recreational area?
Non-profit organizations (except private schools K-12) registered with the federal government under 501(c)3, (c)4, (c)6, or (c)10 of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible applicants in the Grant Program. There is no requirement that a non-profit applicant must be a pre-approved/certified recycling center. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.
Eligible projects must be an ongoing (with the exception of the Pilot Program) collection program and may be at the following locations:- Temporary Community events (i.e., recycling or collection events sponsored by local jurisdictions, Earth Day events).
- Drop-off, Collection Program, or Community Service Program.
- Parks and recreational areas.
Refer to Eligible Project/Products on Page 5 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.
- Our city downtown area has commercial and residential buildings identified as “mixed use” zoning, along with curbside pick-up. In addition, we will be working with the local schools that currently, do not have a beverage container recycling program. There is a need for a beverage container recycling programs in these locations. The NOFA states “residential curbside pick-up” is an approved location. Are these acceptable locations under the Grant Program?
Yes. A curbside residential program (excluding single stream) and public K-12 school districts are eligible project locations in the Grant Program. Refer to Eligible Applicants and Eligible Projects/Products on Pages 4 and 5 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - Is a K-8th grade private school an eligible applicant in the Grant Program?
No. Private schools are not eligible to apply for the Grant Program. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - Is a hauler or a private for-profit business eligible to apply for the Grant Program? The grant funds will be utilized for projects in local schools.
No. Private for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply for the Grant Program. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - Can both a parish and church with separate 501c registries apply for the Grant Program?
Non-profit organizations (except private schools K-12) registered with the federal government under 501(c)3, (c)4, (c)6, or (c)10 of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible applicants and may apply for the Grant Program. Both may apply if they are separate legal entities, have individual tax ID numbers, and have two separate and distinct proposals. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - The Application Guidelines and Instructions on Page 6 identify trash bins as ineligible costs. Will grant funding only be used for a single beverage container recycling bin and not for dual bin systems? Are the beverage container recycling bins eligible to be placed in multiple areas such as city parks, public areas (i.e. auditoriums, senior centers, teen centers, etc.), bike paths near schools, or multifamily sites? Are the following types of bins eligible for funding?
a. Beverage container recycling bins purchased as a set (to replace stand-alone garbage cans)
b. Big Belly, two bin systems
c. “Console” or dual bins (openings for both beverage container recycling and trash)
d. Event bins that are sold individually (but placed together for both beverage container recycling and trash)
Grant funding may be used to purchase equipment or materials related to infrastructure (e.g., beverage container recycling bins/receptacles, cluster bins lids, receptacle liners, in-unit totes (multi-family residential dwellings), pads/enclosures to accommodate centralized roll-off, balers, scales, optical sorters (for municipality operating its own Material Recovery Facility), equipment modifications, signage, brochures, installation costs for equipment, service cart for use in collection of materials, laptops, computers, vehicles, etc.). Refer to the Eligible and Ineligible Costs sections on Pages 6 and 7 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - Would CalRecycle pay for a recycling station with multiple streams (1-container, multiple materials collected, but are collected separately? Or would CalRecycle proportion the cost of a multi-stream station based on the collection of bottles and cans. For example, if container collected 6 different commodities but, two were bottles, CalRecycle would pay for 33% of the total cost?
Yes. The Beverage Container Recycling component of the multi-stream bin (to include beverage container recycling) is eligible for reimbursement. All eligible expenditures are subject to proportionate cost/rate to beverage container recycling activities (i.e., a flyer containing equal parts E-Waste, Oil, Household Hazardous Waste, and Beverage Container Recycling would be funded at a 25 percent proportionate rate.) The funding level for beverage container portions for activities will be approved on a case-by-case basis by your CalRecycle Grant Manager. Refer to Pages 5 and 6 of the Procedures and Requirements.
Funding
- How are funds, once distributed to the jurisdiction, dispersed to the private entities who are running the recycling operations? Grant payments will only be made directly to the jurisdiction. CalRecycle will not disperse grant funds on behalf of a grantee nor is it responsible for a grantee’s contractual agreement with a private entity implementing a beverage container recycling operation on their behalf. It is the sole responsibility of the jurisdiction to pay the private entity for eligible beverage container recycling activities. The Grant Program payments are on reimbursement basis. Refer to Grant Payment Information on Page 10 of the Procedures and Requirements.
- Are there any other funds available for recycling operations, such as cap-and-trade, etc.?
Current funding opportunities are accessible on the following links: /Funding/ - Are there any grants available for startup costs for a Recycling Center Business or nonprofit collection / drop off program in a convenience zone? We are aware of Handling and Administration Fees available, but are interested in finding out if grants are available. We are looking for any kind of operational funding assistance.
No. Costs for establishing a recycling center are not eligible for reimbursement under the current Grant Program (excluding the Pilot Program). However, grant funds may be utilized for infrastructure such as, beverage container recycling bins, beverage container recycling education and outreach, and personnel costs in an existing recycling center. Refer to the Eligible and Ineligible Costs sections on Page 6 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.Senate Bill 458 authorizes CalRecycle to approve pilot projects (separate from the Beverage Container Grant Program) proposed by jurisdictions to provide convenient beverage container redemption opportunities in underserved areas. Only local jurisdictions are eligible for the Pilot Program and will be the lead grant applicant for any grants involving the Pilot Program. Beverage Container Grant Program applicants that are applying for the Pilot Project may include startup costs as part of their grant budget. If you are not a local jurisdiction you may partner with a local jurisdiction who is applying for the Pilot Program. Information related to the Pilot Program and eligibility can be found here Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program webpage.
- You say that “grant payments are on a reimbursement basis,” does that mean that any expenditure of monies by the jurisdiction (or the recycler who the jurisdiction contracts with) will be made up front by the jurisdiction or recycler and have to apply for reimbursement? Rather than make an application for say, $500,000, get the lump sum and use the funds as necessary? Yes, the jurisdiction must make payments for grant expenses before they are reimbursed by CalRecycle. Payments to a grantee for eligible grant expenditures are made on a reimbursement basis only and for those materials and services specified in the approved grant application. Applicants may request the maximum grant award amount on the application but will be reimbursed as payment request and progress reports are submitted and approved quarterly. A lump sum payment is not available. Refer to Grant Payment Information on Page 10 of the Procedures and Requirements.
- For Pilot Programs, do we get reimbursed for approved costs? Can grant funds be used to get the program running and expand to multiple counties? Is a Pilot Program able to operate in multiple counties and still be eligible for the grant?
A local jurisdiction who is selected and approved for a Pilot Program and awarded a grant will be reimbursed for all approved eligible expenditures. However, payments are made on a reimbursement basis only and for those materials and services specified in the approved grant application. Pilot Program applicants may utilize funds for startup costs. Pilot Projects may be eligible to operate in multiple jurisdictions if authorized during the pilot project selection process or expand their pilot project area upon approval. Refer to the Eligible and Ineligible Costs sections on Page 6 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. Information related to the Pilot Program and eligibility can be found here Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program webpage. - The maximum funds available is $500,000. Does that cover the entire two year period?
A minimum grant award of $75,000 and a maximum grant award of $500,000 apply in each cycle. The Grant Term begins on the date of the Notice to Proceed. The Grant Term ends on June 30, 2021 (RBC 30 FY 2018-19) or June 30, 2022 (RBC 31 FY 2019-20) and all eligible program costs must be incurred by this date. Refer to the Grant Term and Available Funds sections on Pages 5 and 6 of the. Application Guidelines and Instructions. - What happens to funds that are not used after the grant period?
Unused grant funds will be disencumbered and revert back to the Beverage Container Recycling Fund. - Do matching funds or in-kind contributions earn extra points in the grant evaluation?
No. Matching funds or in-kind contributions are not required for this Grant Program. However, matching funds and in-kind contributions can improve the cost-effectiveness of your proposal enabling you to keep managerial and miscellaneous costs to a minimum, which may increase your score in the budget criteria. - If our project does not require the minimum grant award amount of $75,000, would it be ok to request an amount lower than that amount? Additionally, could we request an amount more than the maximum award amount of $500,000?
No. A minimum grant award of $75,000 and a maximum grant award of $500,000 apply in each cycle. Requested award amounts outside of the minimum and maximum award ranges will be deemed ineligible. Refer to the Grant Term and Available Funds sections on Page 5 of the. Application Guidelines and Instructions.
Application
- We will be working with a jurisdiction, yet to be defined, to apply and develop the pilot program. Once established, will the jurisdiction be the one to apply for the grant funding?
Will the funds be awarded directly to the jurisdiction?
Yes, the Lead Applicant for the Pilot Program must be the local jurisdiction. Grant program funds will be awarded directly to the local jurisdiction. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.Jurisdictions applying for the Pilot Program, must meet the conditions to operate as a Pilot Program to be eligible for grant funding. Information related to the Pilot Program and eligibility can be found here Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program webpage. - Can a jurisdiction concurrently apply for the pilot program and the grant funding, or do they have to wait to be approved first for the pilot program? It would seem from your “Request for Approval” that being approved for the pilot program is a prerequisite for, at least, being considered a priority for the grant funding. Is that correct?
The application for the Pilot Program will be released at a later date. However, applicants requesting funding for an approved Pilot Program are encouraged to apply for the Grant Program. The application for the Grant Program is due on August 7, 2018. Jurisdictions applying for the Pilot Program, must meet the conditions to operate as a Pilot Program to be eligible for grant funding. Applicants selected and approved for the Pilot Program and receive a passing score on the grant application will be funded first, then all other applications will be funded in rank order, until funds are exhausted. If the Pilot Program has not made its selection in time for the awarding for FY 2018-19 grants, then this priority funding will be applied to FY 2019-20 grant awards. Refer to Eligible Applicants on Page 4 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. Information related to the Pilot Program and eligibility can be found here Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program webpage. - Will this new funding opportunity be out in August 2018? What is the maximum grant award?
The application period is currently open and applications are due August 7, 2018. Refer to the Timeline and Cycle Details section of the Notice of Funds Available web page.A minimum grant award is $75,000 and the maximum is $500,000. Please refer to Available Funds on Page 5 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - We are a non-profit organization; would we need to file a Draft Resolution?
A Resolution is required for any entity which is subject to a governing body. If your non-profit does not have a governing body, a Letter of Commitment is required in place of a Resolution. Refer to the Resolution and Letter Examples webpage for example Resolutions and Letter of Commitment. - I completed a Letter of Commitment for my Corporate Secretary to follow through with all program requirements and be the Signature Authority. Are we required to complete the Letter of Designation?
A Letter of Designation is required only when the authorized Signature Authority identified in the approved Resolution or Letter of Commitment delegates his/her authority to another person. The Resolution or Letter of Commitment must state that the Signature Authority is allowed to have a designee. - If a document does not apply; such as the Joint Powers Agreement; will we be able to submit the application even though there is a red check mark next to the document?
Yes. Refer to Application Documents on Page 13 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - I could not find information for the Letter of Support.
A Letter of Support is not required for this Grant Program but may be submitted as supporting documentation. - The last page of the Work Plan document is requesting the “Grant Termination” date. What is this date?
The Grant Term ends on June 30, 2021 (RBC30 FY 201819) or June 30, 2022 (RBC 31 FY 201920) and all eligible program costs must be incurred by this date. Refer to Grant Term on Page 5 of the Application Guidelines and Instructions. - The first page of the Narrative Proposal document, is requesting proposed project location sites. If there are multiple sites, do we check each site we will be servicing such as Multi-Family Communities & Educational Institutions or do we just check the “Other” box and list Community Service Program?
For multiple project sites you must identify each site by checking the applicable types/categories. Additional sites types/categories should be identified under “Other” and a description should be included. - Please provide a link to the Narrative, specifically question #3 in the “Need” section related to CRV volumes collected/estimated?
The Narrative Proposal is located in the Summary tab of the application in the Grant Management System (GMS). Refer to application documents in the Grant Management System. - The instructions on the Work Plan document state, “include 12 months of CRV volume reporting after the date the program is in place.” Does this mean that under the “Major Milestones” section I should include something for each of the 12 months following the date of program implementation? In other words, if our program is in place by August of 2019, would I add “Report CRV volume data” as a milestone for September, October, November, December, and so on? Or should I just add “Report 12 month CRV volume data” as a milestone in August 2020?
Applicant should list the initial CRV volume collection once the program is in place under the Major Milestone(s).CalRecycle requires grantees to submit the volume of empty California Redemption Value (CRV) beverage containers collected (in tons or pounds) by material type (i.e., aluminum, glass, bi-metal, and plastic by resin type) and revenues received from the CRV beverage containers on a quarterly basis. The first progress report needs to include baseline data as a base of reference for all CRV volume reporting in subsequent quarterly progress report, which are already listed in the Work Plan as required due dates Refer to Page 8 of the Procedures and Requirements.
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