Notice of Funds Available: Beverage Container Redemption Pilot Project Grant Program (FY 2021-22)

Criteria | Award |Eligibility | Funding | Timeline and Cycle Details | Grant Administration Documents

The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) administers a program to provide opportunities for the California local government and recycling center operators to improve redemption opportunities for eligible beverage containers and increase recycling rates in unserved convenience zones statewide.

Criteria

Approval of Criteria, July 7, 2022

Award

Approval of Awards for FY 2021-22

Eligibility

Applicants

Previously Approved Pilot Projects

  • Allow any previously approved pilot project grantee to apply for additional funding, after the initial $1 million funding allocation is expended (or close to).
  • Additional funding shall be used for expanding the pilot project in some way. This may include, but is not limited to, adding additional areas, increasing redemption methods used, serving an increasing population and/or disadvantaged communities, serving various geographic locations throughout the state, including new ideas for reaching consumers, adding additional locations, and increasing of hours of operation.
  • CalRecycle staff will exercise scrutiny in the review of applications to ensure providing additional funds serve the goals of the program.
    • Each grantee applying for additional funding will be required to:
      • Provide a revised Work Plan, Budget, and include a narrative/justification on how the additional funding will support expansion of the pilot project
      • Have adequate expenditure history
      • Maintain good performance
      • Demonstrate success and utilization of equipment already purchased (e.g., if the pilot purchased four trucks, but utilizing only two, there would be no need for additional trucks)

Staff will determine if costs are appropriate and directly related to the pilot projects.

CalRecycle staff will evaluate each request to determine if it meets the objectives of the Pilot Project Program, and only those submitted and completed required grant documents that clearly demonstrate how the additional funding will be used to provide the pilot project more reach will be approved.

New Pilot Projects

Eligible jurisdictions may apply for, and be granted, a pilot project.  Only jurisdictions with approved pilot projects are eligible to receive a portion of the $7,500,000.

Eligible applicants must meet the following conditions:

  • Be a jurisdiction as defined in Section 2750(a) (2)(10) of Chapter 5, Division 2, Title 14 CCR. A “Jurisdiction” for the purposes of the Pilot Project Program means a city or county, tribe, or combination thereof, that has the authority to issue or grant permission for certified pilot project recyclers to operate in the designated pilot project area.
  • Have an application to operate a Pilot Project (established pursuant to section 14571.9 of the PRC) approved by CalRecycle.
  • Submit an application that consists of a proposed Budget and a Work Plan.
  • Priority will be given to underserved “recycling deserts”, rural areas, disadvantaged communities, and projects that supports geographical diversity.

Projects

  • Pilot projects may be at residential, commercial, or public locations in an approved pilot project area.
    • The pilot project program allows for numerous possibilities and flexibility for methods of redemption, including, but not limited to:
    • Stationary drop off locations that allow consumers to deposit beverage containers in a locked and secure drop off bin and pay consumers the California Redemption Value after the containers have been inspected.
    • Mobile pilot projects.
    • A pilot project rotating between a few specific locations during the week.
  • Note: For additional information related to pilot projects https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/bevcontainer/recyclers/pilot2018.

Funding

  • $10,000,000 available for fiscal year (FY) 2021-22
  • $1,500,000 per grant award for new Pilot Projects ($7.5 million)
  • Up to $500,000 per previously approved Pilot Project for project expansion ($2.5 million)

Timeline and Cycle Details

DatesActivity and Details
Open/Initial and ongoing until
January 1, 2025

Application Due Date

Ongoing

Secondary Due Date - Resolution and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing and Practices (EPPP) Policy

  • If the resolution is not submitted with the application: The approved resolution must be uploaded in GMS by this date.
  • If the applicant does not have an EPPP Policy at the time of application: An EPPP Policy must be adopted and notification must be adapted by this date.
Ongoing

Grants Awarded

CalRecycle considers funding recommendations, and if approved, conditionally awards grants in this month (tentative).

April 1, 2026

Grant Performance Period

Grantee may incur costs after the issuance of the Notice to Proceed to this date.

April 1, 2026

Deadline for: Final Report and final Payment Request.

Grant Administration Documents

Terms and Conditions

Notice: Submission of an application constitutes an acknowledgment that you have read these Terms and Conditions and understood and agreed that they will be part of the Grant Agreement upon an award of any grant funds.

The text of these Terms and Conditions may not be altered, changed or revised in any way, except in writing by mutual agreement of the parties pursuant to the Amendment provision herein.  In the event of any dispute regarding the content of these Terms and Conditions, the original document contained in the grant cycle file located at the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 will control.  These Terms and Conditions are applicable only to the specified cycle and/or Fiscal Year of the particular grant program specified

Procedures and Requirements

Notice: These Procedures and Requirements are in draft form. Upon issuance of Grant Agreement, these Procedures and Requirements shall become final.

The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the Procedures and Requirements prior to issuance of the Grant Agreement. Any such changes will be non-negotiable. In the event that any changes are made to the Procedures and Requirements, all Grantees will be notified as to what specific changes have been made.

Once the Grant Agreement has been issued and the Procedures and Requirements have become final, the text of the incorporated Procedures and Requirements may not be altered, changed or revised in any way, except in writing by mutual agreement of the parties pursuant to the Amendment provision contained in the Terms and Conditions. In the event of any dispute regarding the content of the incorporated Procedures and Requirements, the original document contained in the grant cycle file located at the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 will control. These Procedures and Requirements are applicable only to the specific cycle and/or Fiscal Year of the particular grant program specified.

If you require assistance in obtaining access to these documents, please contact: grantassistance@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program Homepage