Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery Grants

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

The project sites eligible for the grant must be located on 'farm and ranch' property, encompassing both private and public land, where the owner is not held responsible for the illegal disposal. The definition of 'farm and ranch' property can be found in the Eligible Geographies section below. Grantees are given approximately two years to complete the project(s). The sites should be fully remediated (cleaned up) using grant funds, or a combination of grant funds and in-kind contributions in terms of funds or services. The funding covers various costs, including Administrative, Recycling/Disposal (tires), Equipment, Material, and Personnel expenses. If necessary, measures for abatement and prevention, such as site security and public education/outreach efforts, should also be addressed. The program encourages innovative approaches. For further information and requirements, please refer to the Notice of Funds Available FY26-27 webpage, particularly the Application Guidelines and Instructions and Procedures and Requirements resource documents. The application typically includes several items for each project/site, such as Budget, Land Use/Zoning Designation, photos, Property Affidavit, Site Characterization, map, Work Plan, and Resolution. The Resolution is carried out through the governing body of the applicant (additional information is available). It is possible to include multiple projects/sites within a single application.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA) is made from shredded tires as an alternative to conventional lightweight aggregates that is: Lightweight Free-draining Less expensive Eligible Applicants Include: -All California local government entities, including cities, counties, and cities and counties. -Special districts, including transportation districts. -Joint Powers Authorities in which all JPA members are also eligible applicants. -Public school districts. -All California state agencies, including offices, departments, bureaus, and boards. -University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges. -Private, for-profit entities.      Defined as a business intended to operate at a profit and return a profit to its owner(s).      The business must be California-based, or if in another state, must have an operational presence in   California: see Application Guidelines and Instructions for complete details and restrictions. -Non-profit organizations, except private elementary or secondary schools, registered with the federal government under section 501(c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(6), or (c)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code. -Qualifying Tribal Entities.       A Qualifying Tribal Entity is defined as a tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, residing within the borders of California, which:           Is recognized for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of the               status of its members as Indians or:           Can prove that it is a government entity and meets the criteria of the grant program. Eligible projects include: Category 1: Mechanically Stabilized TDA for retaining walls. Category 2: Low Impact Development, stormwater mitigation including stormwater infiltration galleries. Category 3: Lightweight film, slope stabilization, embankment fill, landslide repair, and retaining walls. Category 4: Vibration mitigation under rail lines. Category 5: Landfill application, aggregate replacement projects such as leachate and gas collection systems, drainage layers, and leachate injection.   How to apply: Funding - CalRecycle Home Page  Applications due July 16, 2026.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA) is made from shredded tires as an alternative to conventional lightweight aggregates that is: Lightweight Free-draining Less expensive Eligible Applicants Include: -All California local government entities, including cities, counties, and cities and counties. -Special districts, including transportation districts. -Joint Powers Authorities in which all JPA members are also eligible applicants. -Public school districts. -All California state agencies, including offices, departments, bureaus, and boards. -University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges. -Private, for-profit entities.      Defined as a business intended to operate at a profit and return a profit to its owner(s).      The business must be California-based, or if in another state, must have an operational presence in   California: see Application Guidelines and Instructions for complete details and restrictions. -Non-profit organizations, except private elementary or secondary schools, registered with the federal government under section 501(c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(6), or (c)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code. -Qualifying Tribal Entities.       A Qualifying Tribal Entity is defined as a tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, residing within the borders of California, which:           Is recognized for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of the               status of its members as Indians or:           Can prove that it is a government entity and meets the criteria of the grant program. Eligible projects include: Category 1: Mechanically Stabilized TDA for retaining walls. Category 2: Low Impact Development, stormwater mitigation including stormwater infiltration galleries. Category 3: Lightweight film, slope stabilization, embankment fill, landslide repair, and retaining walls. Category 4: Vibration mitigation under rail lines. Category 5: Landfill application, aggregate replacement projects such as leachate and gas collection systems, drainage layers, and leachate injection.   How to apply: Funding - CalRecycle Home Page  Applications due July 16, 2026.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

The purpose of this investment is to further the purposes of the California Global Warming Solutions Act (Assembly Bill 32), reduce methane emissions from landfills and further GHG reductions in upstream resource management and manufacturing processes; benefit disadvantaged communities by upgrading existing facilities and, where warranted, establishing new facilities that reduce GHG emissions; result in air and water quality improvements; and create jobs.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

CalRecycle is seeking projects that implement new programs or enhance existing programs to provide convenient beverage container recycling opportunities in various locations statewide.  Eligible projects include: • Multi-family residential dwellings (five units or more). • Public colleges/universities, non-profit colleges/universities, and public K-12 school districts. • Curbside Residential Program locations (excluding single stream). • Community events including, but not limited to, those sponsored by local jurisdictions. • Parks/recreational areas. • Purchase of water refill stations, including the installation, education and outreach, or replacement of infrastructure, plumbing, maintenance, additional attachments or modifications. • Purchase of mobile water trailer bars, including replacement of filters, maintenance, additional attachments or modifications, reusable cups utilized for the water trailer bars, and related educational and outreach activities/materials as eligible expenditures. • Litter reduction and clean-up along the United States-Mexico border where the waste stream includes beverage containers that will be recycled.     o Out of State beverage containers collected as part of the litter abatement and clean-up projects cannot be funded under this grant program.     Ongoing collection programs may include the following activities as a component of the grant project: • Temporary Community events (i.e., recycling or collection events sponsored by local jurisdictions, Earth Day events). • Drop-off, Collection Program, or Community Service Program. • Education and Outreach related to beverage container recycling. Note: Education activities and/or materials (signage, flyers, curriculum, etc.) related to the beverage container recycling project are capped at 25 percent of the total grant award. • Funding must have a direct connection to the California Redemption Value (CRV) of beverage containers and the overall program.  If non-CRV items are included in the grant, they are subject to proportional cost.  For example: a three-bin system with composting, paper and CRV recycling, can only be funded at one third of the cost.  A mixed recycling bin will be funded proportionately based on the CRV content of materials collected. Priority funding will be given to Tribal Entities and applicants with litter abatement projects along the United States-Mexico border.  Applicants who meet the criteria will be given priority and will be considered for funding first.  

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) receives an annual and continuous appropriation of $1,000,000 from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund to administer the Empty Glass Beverage Transportation Grant Program (PRC section 14545). All projects must be located within California and transportation must come from California located businesses. Eligible projects include: • Projects that facilitate the use of rail transportation of empty glass beverage containers to glass processing facilities Certified by CalRecycle within the state of California. Eligible costs and activities may include: • Equipment related to transportation of empty glass beverage containers through the use of rail. (e.g. loaders, bunkers, scales, emptying hoppers) • Supplies and materials related to rail transportation of empty glass beverage containers. • Transportation costs of empty glass beverage containers via rail. • Construction of a new rail line or updating of an existing rail line to improve access to empty glass beverage container transportation. (i.e. steel rails, wooden ties or sleepers, ballast, spikes, bolts, and rail plates) • Personnel directly related to project construction, empty glass beverage container rail transportation, and the implementation of equipment, materials and supplies.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) administers a Recycling Market Development Zone Loan Program to encourage California-based recycling businesses located within California financing businesses that prevent, reduce, or recycle recovered waste materials through value-added processing or manufacturing. The purpose and importance of the RMDZ Program is set forth in Section 42001 of the California Public Resources Code:  “The purpose of this chapter [is] to stimulate the use of postconsumer waste materials and secondary waste materials generated in California as raw materials used as feedstock by private business, industry, and commerce.”

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) administers a Recycling Market Development Zone Loan Program to encourage California-based recycling businesses located within California financing businesses that prevent, reduce, or recycle recovered waste materials through value-added processing or manufacturing. The purpose and importance of the RMDZ Program is set forth in Section 42001 of the California Public Resources Code:  “The purpose of this chapter [is] to stimulate the use of postconsumer waste materials and secondary waste materials generated in California as raw materials used as feedstock by private business, industry, and commerce.”