Rural Electronics Recycling Grants

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Sustainable Materials Management Unit is offering the Rural Electronics Recycling Grant Program to expand access to electronics recycling in underserved areas of Michigan. The primary objectives are to support community collection events, establish and maintain permanent collection sites, and increase operational efficiencies for registered electronics recyclers and large volume collectors. Grants operate on a reimbursement basis and encourage transitioning temporary collection operations to permanent services while promoting environmental justice and operational efficiency.

To be eligible, applicants must be physically located in Michigan and ensure that impacted facilities are currently occupied with long-term plans for continued use. All funded projects must directly address electronics recycling and must partner with a Michigan Registered Electronics Recycler. For operational efficiency grants, large volume collectors must demonstrate collection of over 250,000 pounds of covered electronic devices annually. Event grants require a commitment to hold at least two collection events, and new permanent collection site grants require an agreement to operate the location for at least two years post-grant and remain open to the public for a minimum of 24 hours per month. Grantees must also register in the State of Michigan SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS) system. Priority is given to projects located in underserved rural areas and communities with Environmental Justice concerns.

Eligible projects fall into four main categories: collection events, new permanent collection sites, ongoing collection operations, and operational efficiency improvements for large volume collectors and registered recyclers. Eligible costs include off-setting recycling fees for televisions, monitors, and printers; up to 50% of transportation charges; dedicated collection vehicles; processing equipment; facility safety improvements; and standard collection supplies. Ineligible projects include those covering labor or staffing costs, projects attempting to replace previously available funding sources, programs serving only a single city rather than a county or region, projects that do not use a registered recycler, and projects involving disallowed expenses such as general real property, administrative salaries, or non-dedicated vehicles.

To apply, applicants must submit a complete proposal package by the specified deadline. The submission must include a Grant Application Cover Sheet, a completed Approved Budget Form with a detailed budget narrative, a comprehensive project timeline detailing key milestones and tasks, and an applicant organizational chart. Where applicable, applicants must also provide partner letters of commitment, charitable trust registrations, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Section 106 reviews, or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation. Inquiries and proposals must be directed to the designated EGLE contact person.