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Recycling Grants to Responsible Units

(s. 287.23, Wis. Stats., and ch. NR 542, Wis. Admin. Code)

A Responsible Unit is defined as a municipality, county, city, village, town, including a federally recognized Indian tribe or band in this state, or solid waste management system under s. 59.70(2), that is designated under s. 287.09(1).

The 2012 Recycling Grant Application Period is Closed

The Recycling grant application period is open July to October 1 each year.

In July an e-mail notification will be sent to all Responsible Unit Recycling Contacts and Authorized Representatives announcing that the Recycling grant application period is open for the 2013 grant year. Please be sure that we are informed of any contact person information changes (email address, phone #, street mailing address, etc.) so that your Responsible Unit is aware of the grant application period and the requirements for applying for the 2013 Recycling Grant.

If your Responsible Unit qualifies for the basic Recycling Grants to Responsible Units, you may also be able to qualify for the new Recycling Consolidation Grant program established by the 2011-13 Biennial Budget (s. 287.24, Wis. Stats.). See our Recycling Consolidation Grant web page to find out if your Responsible Unit is or could become qualified for this grant funding.

Eligibility: Responsible Units—defined as the local unit of government responsible for implementing its recycling program—are eligible for grant funding to operate effective recycling and yard waste management programs. In order to receive funding, the Responsible Unit must have an effective recycling program approved by DNR. Effective recycling programs are defined in s. 287.11, Wis. Stats., and ch. NR 544.04, Wis. Admin. Code. Please contact your DNR Regional Recycling Contact (list available below) if you are unsure if your Responsible Unit has a DNR-approved effective recycling program.

Eligible Activities : Residential recycling and yard waste program costs (net of the sale of recovered materials) that are reasonable and necessary for planning or operating a residential recycling or yard waste program, are eligible for grant assistance.

Funding: Grant awards are from the State Environmental Fund.

How much will my 2012 Recycling grant award be? The 2012 Recycling grant awards are anticipated to be similar to the amount a responsible unit received for the 2011 grant year.

Based on what we know now, there is $19 million available to distribute in grant year 2012. This is the same amount as was available to distribute for 2011 recycling grants.

 Distribution of Basic Recycling Grant Awards: Each Responsible Unit will receive the same percentage of the current appropriation as was received, or would’ve been received, for 1999 grants, but not more than their net eligible costs for the current year. If your Responsible Unit is also qualified to receive an award under the Recycling Consolidation Grant program , the sum of both may not exceed the allowable expenses reported in your 2012 Recycling grant application as stated in s. 287.23, Wis. Stats.

 When will the 2012 Recycling grant award payments be issued to Responsible Units? It is anticipated that the Recycling grant award notification letters to Responsible Units will be mailed in March of 2012. We allow a 30 day comment period. Grant award payment checks are normally issued in May and must, by law, be issued by June 1. The grant award checks are mailed to the Responsible Unit Treasurer.

IMPORTANT: If there is a change in the Treasurer’s mailing address please notify the Department of Revenue so that your grant payment is delivered without delay.

The Department of Revenue Contact Person is:
Ms. Carol Doran
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Local Financial Assistance
P.O. Box 8933
Madison, WI 53708-8933

Reduced Grant Awards: Wisconsin Statutes dictate that applications be submitted by October 1 for full funding. The DNR uses the postmark date to determine when an application is submitted, if not submitted on-line. Applications received by the DNR after October 1 are subject to a grant reduction according to the following schedule from Wis. Stats. :

Date Submitted
Percent Funding
  • By October 1
100%
  • October 10
95%
  • October 20
90%
  • October 30
75%
  • October 31 or Later
0%

Note: If the grant application due date falls on a non-business day the due date is moved to the next business day. (s. 990.001(4)( c ), Wis. Stats.)

Recycling Grant Application System.

If you do not have a User ID and password for using the on-line grant application system you will need to create a User ID and password and also register with the DNR Switchboard. Once you are registered with a User ID and password you will be able to log-in to the Wisconsin Web Access Management System in order to access the on-line Recycling grant and Annual Reporting System. This process usually takes 1 – 3 days but in case of unforeseen delays it is recommended that you complete the process well in advance of the October 1 application deadline. The instructions for creating a User ID and password and registering with the DNR Switchboard are found at the following web-link: http://dnr.wi.gov/environmentprotect/switchboard/sbregistration.html

When you have completed the Switchboard registration go to the Wisconsin Web Access Management System (WAMS) log-in page where you will be able to complete an electronic Recycling Grant application during the “open” application period. Here is the WAMS log-in site: http://dnrx.wisconsin.gov/wastemgmt/wm/wmexternalx/WM_ExtHome.aspx

Caution to Project Sponsors - Protect Confidential Data

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) takes seriously its responsibility to protect all confidential data that are collected as the DNR administers its programs. For DNR grant programs, “confidential data” typically includes:

  • Personal -- Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license number, signature
  • Financial -- Bank account numbers on cancelled checks and statements. Credit card numbers on submitted receipts. Account and credit balances or limits. Federal or Wisconsin tax returns.

    If a grant is being issued to an individual, we need most of the personal data listed above before we can issue payments or reimbursements. This needed data comes to the DNR on completed W-9 forms. The DNR has a process to restrict access to and secure W-9 forms.

    The DNR, however is often sent unnecessary confidential data that are attached to proofs of payment, receipts, or other documents in support of a reimbursement request. Please protect confidential data by blackening out – also called “redacting” – bank account numbers, credit card account numbers, and other confidential data before proofs of payment are sent to the DNR. Please do not redact check numbers from bank statements.

    With each of us doing our part, we can protect confidential data and minimize identity theft.

    Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.

    Helpful Information:

    DNR Recycling Grant Contact:

    Kari Beetham, Recycling Grant Manager
    Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
    Bureau of Community Financial Assistance
    101 S. Webster St. - CF/2, PO Box 7921
    Madison WI 53707-7921
    (608) 264-9207
    Kari.Beetham@wisconsin.gov

Last Revised: Friday February 03 2012