The California Department of Conservation has announced that it is accepting funding proposals for its Beverage Container Recycling Market Development and Expansion Grant Program. A total of $20 million in funds is available for 2008 to encourage innovative approaches to the recovery and re-use of recyclable bottles and cans.
The overall goal of the Market Development and Expansion Grant Program is to increase the recycling rate of California Refund Value (CRV) beverage containers and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving the sustainability of containers, packaging materials or systems. The grants also aim to stimulate job creation in
Businesses, nonprofit organizations, cities, counties, joint powers authorities, universities, tribes and state or federal government entities are invited to submit concept papers by May 12, 2008.
The Department of Conservation seeks projects that: create market opportunities for new, sustainable products or packaging made from recycled beverage containers; expand market-related activities for existing products made from recycled beverage containers; improve the quality and supply of beverage container material feedstock for use in manufacturing sustainable products or packaging; or create market opportunities for new, sustainable beverage packaging. The Department is also interested in new job creation associated with such projects, including new jobs for youths and/or graduates of the California Conservation Corps or Local Conservation Corps.
Passage of Assembly Bill 28 authorized original funding for the grants, and Assembly Bill 3056 reauthorized the funding. The provisions of this law authorize the Ddpartment to issue up to $20 million annually until Jan. 1, 2012. The grants are funded by unredeemed deposits on California Refund Value bottles and cans, at no cost to the state’s General Fund.
Additional information is available at http://www.consrv.ca.gov/dor/grants/rmdeg.htm.