Rural Electronics Recycling Grants

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Sustainable Materials Management Unit is offering the Rural Electronics Recycling Grants to support community collection events, operations of permanent collection sites, and small capital projects for collectors to address limited access to electronics recycling in underserved areas of the state. The program seeks to expand ongoing access to electronics recycling in underserved communities, transition temporary events to permanent collection operations, support existing sites, and enhance operational efficiencies and worker safety for large volume collectors and registered electronics recyclers.

Eligible applicants include Michigan cities, villages, townships, charter townships, conservation districts, counties, tribal governments, municipal solid waste authorities, resource recovery authorities, non-profit organizations, public school districts, local health departments, regional planning agencies, and privately owned recycling businesses physically located in Michigan. Priority is given to projects serving rural, underserved areas and communities with Environmental Justice concerns. Large volume collectors must handle more than 250,000 pounds of covered electronic devices annually. All selected applicants must register in Michigan's SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS) system.

Eligible projects fall into four distinct funding categories: Collection Events (up to $15,000; minimum commitment of two events), New Permanent Collection Sites (up to $20,000; minimum commitment to operate for two years post-grant and open at least 24 hours per month), Ongoing Collection Site Operations (up to $10,000), and Operational Efficiencies for Large Volume Collectors and Registered Recyclers (up to $40,000). Projects must utilize a registered Michigan electronics recycler. Ineligible projects include those intended solely to provide free collection events without co-pays, projects serving only a single city rather than a county or region, projects replacing existing grant funding, projects conducted outside Michigan, and projects requesting labor or staffing costs.

Applicants must submit a complete proposal package by 5:00 PM EDT on September 30, 2024. Submissions must include the Grant Application Cover Sheet, Proposal Worksheet, Completed Approved Budget Form with narrative, a detailed timeline, an applicant organizational chart, and any applicable attachments such as charitable trust registrations, partner support letters, or environmental and historic review documentation. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted via email to Steven Noble at Nobles4@michigan.gov by September 20, 2024.