SWACO Community Waste Reduction Grant

The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) offers the Community Waste Reduction Grant (CWRG) to support projects aimed at reducing waste and increasing the diversion of recoverable materials from the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill. This competitive grant program is designed for local governmental or nonprofit organizations operating within SWACO's jurisdiction in Central Ohio. Eligible applicants include cities, townships, villages, park systems, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, hospitals, and churches. The grant aims to foster sustainable programs that address local needs around waste reduction, recycling, composting, and material reuse, while promoting community engagement and collaborative partnerships. The CWRG supports projects that focus on building or enhancing waste diversion infrastructure and conducting outreach and educational activities related to reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. Applicants are encouraged to include outreach and education as integral components of their proposed activities. A key requirement is that all projects must take place within SWACO’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, grantees are expected to measure and report the impact of their initiatives, emphasizing accountability and effectiveness. Funding available through the grant ranges from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $35,000. A 20% cash match from the recipient is required, and applicants may request up to half of the funds in advance. However, purchases related to the project must not be made until a grant agreement is officially executed. Projects awarded funding must be completed by December 31, 2026, and a comprehensive final report is required for reimbursement of project costs. The deadline to submit applications for the 2026 cycle is August 1, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with SWACO’s Programs Administrator, Kristi Higginbotham, before developing their applications to align their projects with program goals and receive technical guidance. SWACO staff are also available to provide advice and ensure proposed activities are well-structured and impactful. In recent years, the program has provided substantial funding to various organizations across Central Ohio. For example, in 2025, over $256,000 was awarded to 12 local organizations including cities like Dublin and Groveport, and groups such as Goodwill Columbus and Otterbein University. Similar awards were given in previous years, underscoring the grant’s ongoing commitment to supporting community-led waste reduction efforts. Contact information for SWACO includes their main office at 4239 London Groveport Road, Grove City, OH 43123, with phone support available at 614-871-5100 and email inquiries directed to info@swaco.org. Administrative office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and more information can be found through their website.