Zero Waste Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Minnesota, US

Overview:
A grant program designed to support small businesses, non-profits, and local governments in their efforts to create reuse systems, reduce waste, and contribute to a circular economy.

Funding Priorities

• At least 60% of grant funds required to be spent on projects impacting environmental justice areas
• At least 30% of grant funds required to be invested in rural Minnesota communities

Eligible Focus Areas

1. Source Reduction & Reuse: Projects transitioning away from single-use to reuse systems; projects keeping valuable resources in the ground (e.g., school districts purchasing dishwashers and reusable dishes)
2. Electronic Source Reduction & Recycling: Efforts to increase and expand electronics recycling and repair across the state
3. Market Development: Development of robust local markets for reusables, compost, recyclables, and refurbished goods
4. Recycling & Composting Infrastructure: Projects that expand access to recycling and composting; projects that improve processes; community-scale composting programs

Eligible Applicants

• Small businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Local governments

Program Philosophy

Prioritizes reuse and reduction as primary strategies. Examples of eligible projects:

• School districts purchasing dishwashers and reusable dishes to move away from single-use disposables
• Central collection and washing stations for refillable bottles for cottage industries or breweries
• Community-scale composting programs that reduce food waste and create healthy soils for urban gardens

Key Definitions

Program includes strong definitions for:

• Composting
• Recycling
• Reuse
• Zero waste

These definitions are intended to close loopholes on false solutions and ensure grant funds target activities achieving source reduction.

Background Context

The program was created in response to:

• Historic supply chain disruptions
• Climate crisis intensification
• Rampant plastic pollution
• Minnesota's 2017 waste data: 1.8+ million tons in landfills, 1.3+ million tons to incinerator
• EPA finding: 40% of greenhouse gas emissions come from linear consumption
• MPCA finding: Nearly two-thirds of landfilled and burned materials in Minnesota could be reduced, reused, recycled, or composted with improved infrastructure