Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program
Information
Purpose:
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) offers the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 101 (Chapter 12, Skinner, Budget Act of 2023). The purpose of the grant is to provide funding for reverse vending machines for Dealers to meet requirements of Public Resources Code 14578 (a)(1), commonly referred to as Option 1.
Description:
Eligible applicants include:
Dealers. A retail establishment in an unserved convenience zone which offers the sale of beverages in beverage containers to consumers that is required to redeem in-store (Option 1). These entities are not required to be certified as a recycling center. All Dealers must submit an affidavit to CalRecycle that states they choose to redeem in-store prior to the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP) email. Dealers must be registered through the Dealer Registration and Management System (DReaMS) prior to submission of the application.
Organizational types within the eligible applicants identified above include:
Nonprofit Organizations. Nonprofit organizations (except private K–12 schools) registered with the federal government under 501(c)3, (c)6, or (c)10 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Private entities and for-profit businesses.
All projects must be located within an unserved zone or no zone, at time of award.
Dealers may only apply for reverse vending machine (RVM) projects and are looking to satisfy their Option 1 requirement. An RVM is defined as a stationary reverse vending machine that pays customers for beverage containers placed in the machine at time of deposit.
Available Funds
$21,000,000 is available for this grant cycle, fiscal year 2023–24, subject to funding availability. The minimum grant award amount is $150,000. The maximum requested amount must not exceed $3,000,000.