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SACRAMENTO – The state Department of
Conservation is accepting funding
proposals for its Beverage Container
Recycling Market Development and
Expansion Grant Program.
A total of $10
million is available for fiscal year
2005/06 as part of an ongoing statewide
effort to encourage innovative
approaches to the recovery and re-use of
recyclable bottles and cans.
The overall goal of
the $10 million Beverage Container
Recycling Market Development and
Expansion Grant Program is to increase
the recycling rate of California Refund
Value (CRV) beverage containers. The
grants also aim to stimulate job
creation in the state.
Businesses,
non-profits, cities, counties, joint
powers authorities, universities,
tribes, and state or federal government
entities have been invited by the
Department of Conservation to submit
concept papers by October 14, 2005.
The Department will
be looking for grant projects that
create new and expanded end-uses for
aluminum, glass and plastic beverage
containers, and improve supplies and
quality of recycled feedstock for use in
manufacturing. Recycling market
development and expansion-related
proposals may address, but are not
limited to:
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Research and
development of collecting, sorting,
processing, cleaning, or otherwise
upgrading the market value of recycled
beverage containers;
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Identification,
development, and expansion of markets
for recycled beverage containers;
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Research and
development for products manufactured
using recycled beverage containers;
and
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Payments to
California manufacturers who recycle
beverage containers that are marked by
resin type identification codes "3,"
"4," "5," "6," or "7."
Recycling Market
Development & Expansion Grants
The first grant
allocation in February 2004 included
funding for 15 projects, followed by
eight projects in March 2005. The
Department is initiating a third grant
cycle by soliciting proposals from a
wide array of organizations, including
private businesses, manufacturers, trade
associations, environmental groups, and
community organizations. Both for profit
and nonprofit organizations are eligible
to apply.
Funding for the
grants was authorized by the passage of
Assembly Bill 28 (Chapter 753, Statutes
of 2003). The provisions of this law
authorize the Department to issue up to
$10 million annually until January 1,
2007. The grants are funded by
unredeemed deposits on California Refund
Value bottles and cans, at no cost to
the state’s General Fund.
For additional
information on the Beverage Container
Recycling Market Development and
Expansion Grant Program, or to request
an application,
click here.
In addition to
promoting beverage container recycling
in California, the Department of
Conservation regulates oil, gas and
geothermal wells; studies and maps
earthquakes and other geologic
phenomena; maps and classifies areas
containing mineral deposits; ensures
reclamation of land used for mining; and
administers agricultural and open-space
land conservation programs.
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