DEEP Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program

The Sustainable Materials Management Round 2 (SMMR2) Grant Program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in accordance with Public Act No. 24-151, § 2(d). This initiative responds to Connecticut’s critical waste capacity challenges due to the closure of in-state waste-to-energy facilities, such as the Hartford MIRA plant. With about 40% of the state’s municipal solid waste (MSW) now exported to out-of-state landfills, the SMMR2 program aims to promote sustainable waste diversion and reduction strategies aligned with Connecticut’s Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy (CMMS), which targets a 60% diversion rate. This grant program supports Connecticut municipalities, regional waste authorities, councils of governments, and similar entities in implementing permanent waste diversion or reduction programs. Eligible applicants are encouraged to join the Connecticut Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management (CCSMM) and Sustainable CT but are not required to do so. Previous pilot program grantees may only reapply if they redesign their projects for permanent implementation. Funding cannot be used to comply with existing recycling laws or to support temporary or pilot initiatives. Two primary funding categories are available. The first category provides up to $5 million for programs focusing on organics diversion and Unit-Based Pricing (UBP). UBP, also known as Pay-As-You-Throw, charges residents based on the volume of waste they dispose of, incentivizing reduced waste and increased food scrap collection. Eligible uses include curbside or co-collection of food scraps, infrastructure for satellite collections, composting equipment, and administrative costs. An additional 15 points may be awarded to proposals incorporating UBP components. The second category, with an anticipated $2.5 million in funding, supports innovative waste management programs and the start-up or expansion of regional waste authorities. Eligible initiatives include improving recycling and reuse, expanding composting capacity, and diverting materials not covered by single-stream recycling. Proposals emphasizing regional collaboration may receive up to 10 additional points. Applications must provide detailed narratives addressing project scope, expected outcomes, budget, community impact, environmental justice considerations, and sustainability plans. Applications must be submitted electronically between May 8 and June 27, 2025, with questions accepted until June 13, 2025. Answers to questions will be posted on a rolling basis. DEEP plans to issue award decisions in the summer of 2025. Contracts will be executed following approval, and projects must commence within 120 days of contract execution. Reimbursements will follow DEEP’s reporting and documentation protocols, including quarterly progress updates. For further assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact DEEP at [email protected]. A pre-application informational webinar was held on April 28, 2025. Applicants are advised to review the full RFA for detailed application instructions, required documentation, and evaluation criteria, which include leveraging funding, project sustainability, stakeholder support, and alignment with state strategies.