Questions about the Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers Grant Program grant application are accepted in writing only, no later than October 6, 2026. Similar or related questions may be grouped together or reworded for clarity and responded to as one question.
All questions and answers will be posted during the application period and are subject to updates. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check this website for the latest information regarding this grant cycle.
The question-and-answer period is now closed for this grant cycle. All questions and answers are posted on this site.
General | Eligibility | Funding | Application
General
1. What is the purpose of the Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers grant?
The fundamental goal of the Program is to assist in funding regional pilot programs that are supplying bins for collection of empty glass beverage containers from restaurants and on-sale retail licensed establishments (on-sale beer and wine licenses, on-sale general licenses, and on-sale general licenses for seasonal businesses), with the goal of increasing the recycling of glass beverage containers.
2. For reusable collection bins purchased and deployed as part of an EGR3 project, may the applicant clean and maintain those bins at a centralized facility using a contained wash area connected to the sanitary sewer, subject to applicable local wastewater requirements?
It is the responsibility of the applicant to maintain the bins purchased through the EGR3 program while adhering to all other state and local rules and regulations. This program focuses on the collection, consolidation and transportation of the empty glass beverage containers.
3. Are washing equipment for collection bins, containment, drainage/pretreatment equipment, or other directly related infrastructure eligible project costs or allowable match?
No. Washing equipment for bins is not an eligible expense for this program. This program funds the collection, consolidation and transportation of empty glass beverage containers to a glass processor.
4. When submitting an application to become a Certification Application Dropoff or Collection & Community Service Program. Can this be done concurrently or must one already be certified in order to be eligible to apply for the Grant. Can one’s certification as a Collection Program be pending?
Applicants must be certified at the time of application in order to be considered eligible. Please see page 5 of the EGR3 Guidelines and Instructions.
Eligibility
1. Is the collection of wine bottles from tasting rooms an eligible project for the Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers Grant Program?
The collection of wine bottles from tasting rooms would be an eligible project component. The eligible projects for the Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers Grant Program are to establish a regional pilot program that includes all of the following:
- Purchasing of bins for the collection of empty glass beverage containers from restaurants or on-sales retail licensed establishments licensed pursuant to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (Division 9 (commencing with Section 23000) of the Business and Professions Code).
- Collection and consolidation of contents from the bins.
- Transportation of the empty glass beverage containers that are collected to a glass processing facility.
2. Our company collects glass from various restaurants and bars. We give them bins to collect the glass, and we pick up the glass on a weekly or monthly basis. Will this qualify for the grant?
Eligible projects establish a regional pilot program that includes purchasing bins for the collection of empty glass beverage containers at restaurants and on-sale retail licensed establishments, collection and consolidation of the bin contents, and transportation of the collected empty glass beverage containers to a glass processing facility.
3. Are applicants required to collect empty glass beverage containers from more than one restaurant.
Yes. All projects must include collection of empty glass beverage containers from five or more restaurants and on-sale retail licensed establishments licensed pursuant to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (Division 9, commencing with Section 2300, of the Business and Professions code) throughout one or more cities or counties in the State of California.
4. Would acquiring equipment that crushes empty glass beverage containers to reduce volume at restaurants be an eligible cost under the EGR3 eligible cost category for “supplies and materials related to the collection and consolidation of glass beverage containers”, as long as the participating applicants are willing to complete the full scope of the eligible pilot activities: collecting bottles from at least 5 restaurants, and then consolidating and transporting the glass?
Crushing equipment at restaurants is not an eligible cost. The program may only purchase collection bins to be used at restaurants. All other equipment purchased must be under control by the Grantee.
5. I have already purchased a vehicle for the collection of glass bottles. Could grant funds be used to complete the build and pay off the vehicle?
No. Eligible costs are only reimbursable if incurred during the Grant Term, which starts when the grantee receives a Notice to Proceed from CalRecycle and ends on April 1, 2029.
6. I already have a vehicle that is operational and is currently being used for the collection of empty glass beverage containers. Could the grant funds be used for repairs and/or maintenance for this vehicle?
Vehicle repair or maintenance costs are ineligible for this grant program.
Funding
1. Can an applicant request less than $250,000 in their application?
No. Applicants must request at least the minimum amount of $250,000.
2. Would a vehicle purchased with the grant money need to be returned after the 3-year grant cycle?
All equipment and supplies purchased with grant funds shall be used by the grantee for the purposes of the grant no less than five years after the end of the grant term. The equipment and supplies must remain in the State of California and the grantee may not transfer the title to any other entity without the express authorization of CalRecycle.
3. Is the grant funded after each purchase or expense? What steps need to be taken to receive the grant funding after the purchase? How long does it take to be reimbursed for approved expenses?
Grantees can submit reimbursement payment requests for eligible costs quarterly with the submission of a Progress Report. Grantees can expect payment approximately 45 days from the date the grantee submits a complete payment request.
4. Can I apply for additional grants if I’m awarded for this grant?
Yes.
5. Are there any restrictions on what purchases or funding will be matched?
Yes. Applicants must match the amount of the grant received in an amount equal to or greater than the grant amount. Costs used as match must be directly tied to the grant project. Other funding received from CalRecycle is not eligible to be used as match.
Application
1. I am interested in this opportunity. Please let me know how to start the process and where to find the application.
Information on how to apply for the Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers Grant Program can be found in the Application Guidelines and Instructions. All applications must be submitted via the Grants Management System (GMS).