Organics Infrastructure Grant Program

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Recycling Unit offers the Organics Infrastructure Grant Program to support organics and food waste infrastructure projects across the state. Funded through the Renew Michigan Fund, the program aims to support climate goals by expanding food waste diversion, enhancing collection and processing capacity, increasing participation in existing programs, and growing statewide composting and recycling rates to achieve measurable greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Eligible applicants include Michigan non-profit organizations, tribal governments, school districts, colleges and universities, local health departments, regional planning agencies, cities, villages, townships, counties, municipal solid waste authorities, resource recovery authorities, and private sector businesses and corporations. Priority is given to projects demonstrating the largest projected increases in collection or processing volume and access, programs with sustainable funding mechanisms, applicants with continuing education initiatives, collaborative partnerships, leveraged outside funding, and projects benefiting environmental justice communities or underserved populations. Applicants must verify that collected organic waste will be processed at an EGLE-compliant composting facility.

Grant funding supports shovel-ready infrastructure projects, including curbside collection carts, collection vehicles, drop-off site construction and improvements, multi-family and public space collection containers, and processing equipment, along with associated shipping and installation costs. Ineligible expenses and activities include household hazardous waste, electronic waste, scrap tires, one-day collection events, regulatory compliance mandates, staff salaries, indirect or overhead costs, registrations, training, travel, and the purchase of real property.

Proposals must be submitted through EGLE's online grant application portal. Applications require complete narrative responses detailing program objectives, priorities, and implementation tasks, alongside a completed approved budget section with cost justification. Supporting documentation such as equipment price quotes, partnership agreements, commitment letters, and verification of SIGMA vendor registration must be uploaded with the application prior to the deadline.