**--- PRESS RELEASE ---
"For Immediate Release"

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Maine DEP Announces Increased Grant Funding for Upcoming Waste Division Grants

 
*AUGUSTA, May 19, 2025* — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is soliciting grant proposals aimed at supporting the development, implementation or improvement of programs, initiatives or activities designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal.

To bolster waste reduction efforts, the Department is combining Rounds I and II with double the overall grant amount ($250,000) and has raised the amount per grant to $50,000 to allow for an extra round of Organics grants, which will be announced in late August.

In the first round of Organics grant awards for 2025, the Department funded seven waste diversion grant projects across Maine with a total of $262,998.64 in awards. Awarded entities included six projects to increase food scrap recovery, diversion, and composting activities in the Eastern, Central, and Southern Maine area, along with one project to help a Southern Maine College manage its food scraps by purchasing and installing a mid-sized anaerobic digestion unit.

All interested municipalities, regional associations and Maine businesses are encouraged to apply.  The Department anticipates awarding a total of approximately $250,000 with awards for accepted proposals ranging from $1,000 up to $50,000, with preference given to proposals that:


* Take advantage of regional economies of scale,
* Increase organics management and recycling infrastructure in underserved areas of the state,
* Promote waste reduction through reuse, repair and sharing economic initiatives and programs,
* Address a statewide need, and/or
* Expand the types of materials managed through composting and recycling.

In addition, in accordance with 38 MRSA § 2201-B. Maine Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program [ [link removed] ], the Department shall give highest priority in the awarding of funds under this section to programs, projects, initiatives, or activities proposed by municipal or regional association applicants.

Application details on the RFP #202406116 – “Waste Diversion Grants Program” are available on-line at Request for Proposals, Maine DEP [ [link removed] ]. Proposals must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. on June 13, 2025.

A copy of the RFP, as well as the Question & Answer Summary and all amendments related to this RFP, can be obtained at the following website: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

Grant applicants are encouraged to review the following video presentation entitled, “Introduction to Maine’s Waste Diversion Grant Program: Online Meeting” [ [link removed] ] which provides vital information about the program and answers many frequently asked questions.





"For additional information, contact":

David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner

[email protected] [ link ]






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