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Eligibility: By statute, all Responsible Units, as defined by s. 287.09(1), Wis. Stats.

Focus: Studies and research to inform decision-making expected to lead to implementation of one or more recycling program operational or administrative efficiency initiatives.

Project Type: Competitive

Methodology: All complete applications postmarked by the deadline will be judged on their individual merits. Applications must describe the proposed study or research that will be done with the funding requested. DNR staff will rank all projects. Grant funding is limited to 75% of the cost of the proposed project. By statute, the efficiency grant plus the current regular recycling grant cannot exceed the allowable expenses from two years previous to the grant year.

Criteria: Desirable proposals will clearly explain how the research or study will be conducted and how the responsible unit will use the results of the study to improve recycling efficiency. Examples of qualifying projects may include:

• Evaluation of various collection parameters, such as frequency, route structure, one-pass vs. two-pass systems, single stream vs. multiple stream, etc.
• Waste characterization studies (waste sorts)
• Behavioral impact of different recycling education techniques
• Study of cost and potential benefits of three or more municipalities creating a single responsible unit
• Analysis of paper waste stream
• Evaluation of plastic sorting methods and protocols
• Other

Funding Distribution: To the extent allowable by law, grant funds will be awarded to the highest ranked project first, then the second highest ranked project, until all research/study funds are distributed. Partial awards will not be made unless the applicant verifies that the proposed award, when combined with other available resources, is sufficient to complete the project.