Community Waste Reduction and Recycling (CWRAR) Grant Program - Priority Projects

The Community Waste Reduction and Recycling (CWRAR) Grant Program is now accepting proposals for 2025, aiming to help local governments enhance waste reduction and recycling efforts in North Carolina. Grants of up to $40,000 are available for priority projects that implement or expand curbside recycling, hazardous waste programs, or electronics recycling initiatives. A 20% cash match is required, ensuring local investment in sustainability efforts. For more information, visit the N.C. Division of Environmental Quality website.

Note:
Only one proposal per eligible entity will be accepted. Grant proposals may combine funding requests for multiple types of projects into one proposal. The available funding limits still apply. Joint projects are encouraged in which two or more local governments partner on a project and contribute funding. Any local government participating in a joint project proposal may not submit additional proposals. Proposals will not be accepted from local governments that have not submitted the required Solid Waste and Materials Management Annual Report for the most recent fiscal year.
Grants for Local Governments
The N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) administers the Solid Waste Outreach Program including associated funds for making grants to local governments in support of waste reduction efforts. Local governments interested in these grants are encouraged to check this website periodically for updates. Please be aware that funding levels, contract periods, and eligibility requirements vary between the different grant programs.
Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant Program
Proposals are now being accepted for the 2026 Community Waste Reduction and Recycling (CWRAR) Grant Program.
This grant program is a recurring annual funding opportunity for local governments to build lasting capacity to divert materials from the waste stream and/or increase public awareness of recycling.
Request For Proposals
The purpose of this grant program is to assist local governments with the implementation, expansion, and improvement of waste reduction and recycling programs in North Carolina. The Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) administers the Community Waste Reduction and Recycling (CWRAR) grant program through the Solid Waste Management Outreach Program.
With the release of this Request for Proposals (RFP), DEACS is seeking proposals that help communities build lasting capacity to divert materials from the waste stream and/or that increase public awareness of waste reduction and recycling. Applicants should carefully read this entire RFP prior to submitting a proposal.
Priority Project Grants – Eligible for up to $50,000 in grant funding
Priority Project Grants support investments in public recycling program areas that have been determined by the state recycling program to be of particular importance to growing and expanding efficient and effective waste reduction and recycling services throughout North Carolina.
2026 CWRAR priorities include projects that:

• Curbside recycling programs, or transition a curbside recycling program from bin or blue bag collection to a cart-based collection system;
• Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program; or
• Recycling program targeting lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, or other electronics.
• Cash Match

CWRAR grants require a cash match of at least 20 percent of the requested grant funding. For example, a grantee requesting a $20,000 grant must match at least $4,000 with local funds for a total project cost of $24,000. Distributions from the $2 per ton Solid Waste Disposal Tax may be used to cover cash match requirements. In-kind contributions will not be accepted in lieu of cash match.
To calculate the cash match, multiply 0.2 by the grant request amount (not the total project cost).