Grants

Waste Reduction & Innovation Grant

The Waste Reduction & Innovation Grant (WRIG) is available to eligible schools, businesses and nonprofits for planning, equipment, supplies and capital improvements that result in the significant reduction of solid waste that the business creates.

Waste reduction is the most environmentally preferred strategy for managing solid waste. Waste reduction projects eliminate the use of materials that end up being discarded from production and sales processes. Waste reduction projects can take many different forms, including reusing source materials, bulk purchasing, packaging changes, technology enhancements or production redesign. 

One-time grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to eligible businesses and nonprofits for planning, equipment, supplies and capital improvements that result in a significant reduction of solid waste that the business creates. Applicants must contribute a 10% cash match of the total project cost.

Download full grant guidelines here.

We are now accepting applications for a second round of grants in 2023. The application will close on October 13, 2023.

Businesses must meet the following criteria:

  • Be one of the following types of businesses:
    • For profit
    • Nonprofit
    • Private college or university
    • Place of worship
    • Schools
      • Ramsey County: Charter schools with less than 250 students and all private schools
      • Washington County: All charter schools and all private schools
  • Must have a permanent physical location in Ramsey or Washington counties of Minnesota.
  • Be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State and the Minnesota Department of Revenue at time of application.
  • Previous recipients of BizRecycling grants may apply. Applicants must be in compliance with their previous grant contract.

Ineligible entities include:

  • Home-based businesses
  • All public entities including federal, state, county and city; public colleges and universities
  • Public K-12 schools in Ramsey County
  • Residential apartment buildings

Proposed projects must demonstrate one or more of the following:

  • Significantly reduce the amount of solid waste created by the business.
  • Support the implementation of an industry-specific solution.
  • Support an effort to manage waste higher on the EPA’s Waste Management Hierarchy.

Examples of fundable items are listed below. For a full list, refer to the program guidelines.

Equipment & Materials 

  • Industry-specific equipment and supplies that eliminate solid waste from the production process or captures materials for reuse.   
  • Infrastructure improvements to enhance industry-specific waste reduction and recycling capabilities. 
  • Equipment and supplies that move businesses from disposable items to reusable options.  

Construction & Infrastructure 

  • Waste, recycling and organics management infrastructure improvements among co-operative businesses located within the same building or business park. 
  • Infrastructure improvements to enhance industry-specific waste reduction and recycling capabilities.  

Research & Development 

  • Industry-specific consultation costs to reduce the creation of solid waste at its source, which is beyond the expertise of R&E consultants.  
  • Costs related to the research and development activities of products or services that would significantly reduce solid waste in Ramsey and Washington County. Company must be located within Ramsey or Washington counties.   
  • Staff or consultation time to develop environmentally preferable purchasing plans.  
  • Staff or consultation time to develop co-operative purchasing groups to leverage access to bulk materials which align with the business’s environmental purchasing plan .

Education & Engagement 

  • Staff time to develop an onsite “Green Team.”  
  • Production and printing of custom signage, labels and education materials.
  • Equipment to replace a Nitric Acid Etching system, which generates high amounts of solid and hazardous waste.
  • Equipment to reclaim sprayed powder coat for reuse.
  • Equipment to increase the recovery of spent brewer’s grains for upcycling for food and farmers.
  • Equipment to move mushroom retail trays to 100% compostable. Equipment to remove all non-recyclable plastic substrate bags from production process.
  • Equipment and supplies to implement reusable containers for roasted coffee bean sales.

Applicants must work with a BizRecycling Recycling Expert to submit a grant application. The Recycling Expert will conduct an initial site visit of your location. At the site visit, the Recycling Expert will provide recommendations for waste reduction and management improvements and discuss your project plan. They will help assemble needed documentation and price quotes for the grant application. Applications who have not had a site assessment will not be reviewed.

To set up your site assessment email info@bizrecycling.com or call 651-266-1199.

Completed applications must include the following:

Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on October 13, 2023. Award notifications will be made by December 1, 2023. Email applications to info@bizrecycling.com.

Gina from Image360 in Woodbury worked with BizRecycling to reduce waste and improve reuse and recycling (while lowering inventory costs) with new, mobile equipment for storage, organization, and recycling collection. For her business, working with BizRecycling was the smart thing to do!