Dec. 4, 2018 -- NDEQ has revised the grant period for the next round of Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive (WRR) grants. The next round of WRR grants, which are typically awarded for a 12-month fiscal year period, will instead be awarded for a six-month period, from July 1 to December 31, 2019. This is part of an effort to ensure all waste grant programs will be distributed on a calendar year basis, starting in 2020. WRR grant applications for the last half of 2019 will be accepted between January 2 and February 13, 2019. Funding available for that period will be approximately half of the normal award amounts.

In 2020, the WRR grant term will change from a fiscal year to a calendar year. With this change, both the Litter Reduction and Recycling (LRR) and WRR grant programs will be on a calendar year, and more closely align with the grant application period of the Nebraska Environmental Trust (a separate grant program funded through the Nebraska Lottery). The 2020 grant terms for both the WRR and LLR programs will be from January 1 to December 31, 2020. All grant applications for the 2020 terms will be accepted between July 3 and August 14, 2019.

“Having all waste grants awarded over the same timeframe will lead to greater efficiency for the agency and will reduce confusion for applicants regarding when to apply,” said NDEQ Director Jim Macy.

A chart showing future application periods and grant terms can be viewed on NDEQ’s website at: http://deq.ne.gov/publica.nsf/pages/WAS074. An updated application guidance document is also located on that webpage. The waste grant application process guidance webpage, which includes a link to create an application, is located at https://dee.nebraska.gov/forms/publications-grants-forms/was066.

Attached below is a memo that is being sent to potential grant applicants that provides more information about the grant deadlines, and the types of projects that are eligible through the waste grants programs.

For more information, contact:

Toll free: 1-877-253-2603
Waste Reduction & Recycling Incentive Grants – 402-471-3457
Litter Reduction & Recycling Grants – 402-471-2436
Scrap Tire Grants – 402-471-2480
General – 402-471-0273
ndeq.wastegrants@nebraska.gov