Questions and Answers: Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program, Cycle 9 – Reverse Vending Machine (FYs 2023-24 and 2024-25)

Questions about the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program, Cycle 9, Reverse Vending Machine grant application are accepted in writing only, no later than May 27, 2026. Similar or related questions may be grouped together or reworded for clarity and responded to as one question. In order to receive a response, a question must pertain to clarification of the application and the requirements in the application process. Any questions submitted pertaining to other elements of the grant will not be posted on the official Question and Answer web page. Questions regarding reverse vending machine (RVM) operation requirements and certifications should be directed to the Division of Recycling at (916) 324-8598.

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.

General | Eligibility | Certification | Eligible Projects | Funding | Application

General

1. What does NTP mean in the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program, Cycle 9 (RIG9) Program?

NTP stands for Notice to Proceed. This terminology is specific to the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant (RIG) Program and is separate from the certification process/approval of the Division of Recycling. The grant term begins on the date of the NTP email. This email is the formal notification from CalRecycle authorizing the grantee to begin the grant project and incur costs for the RIG project. Expenditures made or costs incurred prior to the NTP date are not eligible for reimbursement.

2. Under the grant award conditions, the grantee must pay all outstanding debts due to CalRecycle. Please provide examples of debts due to CalRecycle from certified recycling centers. What other debts are typically due from recycling centers in the current program?

An outstanding debt includes any payment(s) owed to CalRecycle. This may include, but is not limited to, fines, violations, etc. If an entity has received an invoice from CalRecycle for funds they owe to CalRecycle and payment has not been received, that entity must remit payment to CalRecycle within 60 days of an award email, or the award will void.

3. The grant period is through April 1, 2028. Does this mean that all grant funds need to be used/invoiced by that date?

Yes, all costs must be incurred and equipment delivered prior to April 1, 2028. The Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program is a reimbursement program. A grantee will only be able to be reimbursed for authorized expenses made during the grant term. Equipment must be purchased and delivered, and installed, if applicable, prior to the grant term end date.

4. If my organization received a previous RIG award, can we apply for RIG9?

Yes, if you are a current recycling center who has previously received grant funding from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund, you may apply but priority will be given to applicants not previously awarded in past RIG cycles. Additionally, applicants with an open RIG grant may require additional review to ensure the open project is progressing in a manner satisfactory to CalRecycle before another RIG grant may be awarded.

5. Do I need to hire a grant writer to apply for the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program?

No, it is not a requirement that you hire a grant writer to apply for the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program. If you choose to hire a consultant, understand what is being submitted on your behalf. Before you sign and submit the application documents, make sure that you read all the documents and confirm that the information provided represents your project completely. Also, consultant fees are not reimbursable with grant funding.

6. Does CalRecycle have a preferred equipment list?

No. CalRecycle does not have, nor will CalRecycle provide, a preferred equipment list.

Eligibility

1. Can a Recycling Center apply for RIG and use the equipment as a Redemption Contractor for a Dealer Cooperative?

No, equipment funded by RIG9 would not be eligible to be used for Dealer Cooperative related activities. Certified Recycling Centers are not able to operate in an unserved convenience zone where a Dealer Cooperative is present.

2. Can a legal entity which holds two Recycling Center Certifications submit two separate applications for each Recycling Center?

No, any and all subsidiaries, divisions or affiliated businesses, are considered part of the primary business entity for the purpose of applying for and receiving a grant award under the program. A business is considered an “affiliated business” if it has at least one owner with a forty (40) percent or greater interest in another applicant’s business. Only one application per business entity will be considered. If an applicant submits more than one application, it will be the applicant’s responsibility to decide which application should go forward. If the additional application(s) are not withdrawn, all applications from that applicant will be disqualified.

3. Can pilot program redemption centers apply for RIG9?

No, Pilot Project Recyclers are not eligible for RIG9. If a Pilot Project Recycler also operates a separate Certified Recycling Center, the Certified Recycling Center would be eligible to apply for the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program Cycle 9 (RIG9). For additional information, refer to the Eligible Applicants and Eligible Projects sections in the Application Guidelines and Instructions document.

4. Do Recycling Centers in No Zones qualify for reverse vending machine (RVM) project scopes under RIG?

Yes, RVM projects must be located within an unserved convenience zone or no zone or within the served convenience zone that the applicant’s Recycling Center is currently serving.

5. Are public agencies, such as local governments and counties, eligible to apply?

The eligible applicants for the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program Cycle 9 (RIG9) are existing or new certified Recycling Centers. The existing or new certified Recycling Center must be either a nonprofit organization, a local government, a private entity, Joint Powers Authority (JPA), a for-profit business, a public college or university, or a qualifying tribal entity. For additional information, refer to the Eligible Applicants section of the Application Guidelines and Instructions document.

Certification

1. Do applicants need to be certified and operational before the Grant Agreement is executed?
   

No. After an Applicant is awarded a grant, they will receive a Grant Agreement. The Grant Agreement must be signed by the Signature Authority and returned to CalRecycle no later than 60 days after receiving the notice of award. Awardees must be certified within six (6) months of the notice of award and have acquired the necessary permits under local authority before they can receive the Notice to Proceed (NTP). In addition, grantees must be operational within a designated time period, as stipulated in their Grant Agreement.

Eligible Projects

1. If a Recycling Center serves a convenience zone that also includes overlap from neighboring convenience zones served by other Recycling Centers, would our Recycling Center be an eligible applicant?

The project locations must be within the areas of the zone solely served by the applicant, or within an unserved convenience zone or no zone area. For additional information, please refer to the Eligibility Criteria and Evaluation Process for the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program (Beverage Container Recycling Fund, Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25).

2. Does opening a new recycling center that only does weigh-and-pay suffice as an eligible project type?

No. New weigh and pay recycling centers would not be considered eligible for funding.

3. Can an individual application include multiple project types under the same application?

No, only the specific project type (RVM) is eligible under the RIG9 cycle of the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program. For additional information, refer to the Eligible Projects section of the Application Guidelines and Instructions document.

4. Is there a maximum distance (e.g., radius in aerial miles) that all included sites must fall within?

No, there is not a maximum distance that the proposed project sites must fall within. However, all eligible project sites must be within an unserved zone, no zone, or within a zone served by the applicant.

Funding

No questions at this time.

Application

1. Can the entire award amount be used for the same project type (e.g., all RVM)?

Yes, an entire award amount must be utilized for the specific project type that is eligible for the RIG9 cycle. Overlap of different project types that are typically considered in the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program is not eligible for this cycle. All costs associated with the project must be included in the Budget document that is submitted with the application.

2. Can RIG9 funds be used to construct a facility that supports CRV redemption activities, such as a warehouse or indoor recycling center, on land that was not acquired by grant funding?

No, costs related to construction of a facility are not eligible under the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program Cycle 9 (RIG9). For additional information, refer to the Eligible Costs and Ineligible Costs sections of the Procedures and Requirements document.