Maine DEP Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program 2026
Summary
Maine DEP announced $165,000 in solid waste diversion grants for 2026, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. The program targets municipalities, regional associations, and Maine businesses proposing organic waste diversion, composting, source reduction, and upcycling initiatives. Priority funding goes to municipal and regional applicants.
What changed
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection opened its 2026 Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program with $165,000 in total funding distributed across individual grants of $1,000 to $25,000. Eligible activities include organic waste diversion education, source reduction strategies, upcycling and reuse programs, and composting activities. The program excludes projects referencing landfilling or waste-to-energy incineration, and prioritizes municipal or regional association applicants per 38 M.R.S. § 2201-B. Total funding pool: $165,000.
Municipalities, regional associations, and Maine businesses must submit proposals through the Office of State Procurement Services via Vendor Self Service (VSS) no later than 4:00 p.m. local time on April 13, 2026. Applicants should focus on expanding composting infrastructure, food recovery initiatives aligned with Maine's Food Recovery Hierarchy, organics management in underserved areas, and pilot programs for new recycling or composting systems. Highest priority in fund awards will be given to municipal and regional association applicants.
What to do next
- Review RFP requirements and eligibility criteria at the Vendor Self Service portal
- Submit proposal through VSS before the April 13, 2026 deadline at 4:00 p.m. local time
- Target municipal composting, food recovery, or recycling infrastructure projects for priority consideration
Archived snapshot
Apr 6, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Maine DEP Kicks Off 2026 Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program
Maine Department of Environmental Protection sent this bulletin at 02/25/2026 11:08 AM EST
| | # --- PRESS RELEASE ---
For Immediate Release | | | |
| \| \|
Maine DEP Kicks Off 2026 Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program
AUGUSTA, February 25, 2026 — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is excited to announce the first round of grant submissions aimed at developing, implementing, or enhancing innovative projects, programs, and activities designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal. The program encourages municipalities, regional associations, and businesses operating in Maine to submit proposals that contribute to sustainable waste management strategies. With a total funding pool of $165,000, grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to initiatives that focus on the following key categories:
- Organic waste diversion education
- Source reduction strategies
- Upcycling and reuse of discarded materials
- Composting and digestion activities
In alignment with Maine’s commitment to sustainability, projects that reference disposal methods, such as landfilling or waste-to-energy incineration, will not be considered. The Department encourages applications that focus on responsible waste practices, specifically through the expansion of composting activities, education and outreach efforts, and the enhancement of recycling infrastructure.
The Department will prioritize proposals that:
- Expand municipal or regional composting activities,
- Increase organics recovery and community recycling efforts (including the establishment of such programs),
- Focus on education and outreach efforts promoting organics management or recycling projects,
- Increase existing composting and recycling infrastructure,
- Promote Maine’s Food Recovery Hierarchy, [38 M.R.S. § 2201-B. Food recovery hierarchy](https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/38/title38sec2101-B.html),
- Include acquisition of equipment necessary to support diverting edible food to the food insecure or to preserve edible food stored at food pantries, schools and other institutions,
- Develop pilot programs designed to implement and test the feasibility of composting and recycling programs,
- Increase organics management infrastructure in underserved areas of the state, and
- Take advantage of regional economies of scale.
Furthermore, in accordance with 38 M.R.S. § 2201-B. Maine Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program, 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.
A copy of the RFP and all related documents can be obtained through Vendor Self Service (VSS): https://mevss.hostams.com/PRDVSS1X1/AltSelfService
Proposals must be submitted to the Office of State Procurement Services, via Vendor Self Service (VSS). Proposal submissions must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., local time, on April13, 2026.
\| \|
For additional information, contact:
David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner
david.madore@maine.gov
\| \| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| \| \| | | | |
| | | | | | # --- PRESS RELEASE ---
For Immediate Release | | |
Maine DEP Kicks Off 2026 Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program
AUGUSTA, February 25, 2026 — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is excited to announce the first round of grant submissions aimed at developing, implementing, or enhancing innovative projects, programs, and activities designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal. The program encourages municipalities, regional associations, and businesses operating in Maine to submit proposals that contribute to sustainable waste management strategies. With a total funding pool of $165,000, grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to initiatives that focus on the following key categories:
- Organic waste diversion education
- Source reduction strategies
- Upcycling and reuse of discarded materials
- Composting and digestion activities In alignment with Maine’s commitment to sustainability, projects that reference disposal methods, such as landfilling or waste-to-energy incineration, will not be considered. The Department encourages applications that focus on responsible waste practices, specifically through the expansion of composting activities, education and outreach efforts, and the enhancement of recycling infrastructure.
The Department will prioritize proposals that:
- Expand municipal or regional composting activities,
- Increase organics recovery and community recycling efforts (including the establishment of such programs),
- Focus on education and outreach efforts promoting organics management or recycling projects,
- Increase existing composting and recycling infrastructure,
- Promote Maine’s Food Recovery Hierarchy, 38 M.R.S. § 2201-B. Food recovery hierarchy,
- Include acquisition of equipment necessary to support diverting edible food to the food insecure or to preserve edible food stored at food pantries, schools and other institutions,
- Develop pilot programs designed to implement and test the feasibility of composting and recycling programs,
- Increase organics management infrastructure in underserved areas of the state, and
- Take advantage of regional economies of scale. Furthermore, in accordance with 38 M.R.S. § 2201-B. Maine Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program, 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.
A copy of the RFP and all related documents can be obtained through Vendor Self Service (VSS): https://mevss.hostams.com/PRDVSS1X1/AltSelfService
Proposals must be submitted to the Office of State Procurement Services, via Vendor Self Service (VSS). Proposal submissions must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., local time, on April13, 2026.
| |
For additional information, contact:
David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner
david.madore@maine.gov
| | | | | | | | | |
| # --- PRESS RELEASE ---
For Immediate Release | | | | | | | |
| | |
Maine DEP Kicks Off 2026 Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program
AUGUSTA, February 25, 2026 — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is excited to announce the first round of grant submissions aimed at developing, implementing, or enhancing innovative projects, programs, and activities designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal. The program encourages municipalities, regional associations, and businesses operating in Maine to submit proposals that contribute to sustainable waste management strategies. With a total funding pool of $165,000, grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to initiatives that focus on the following key categories:
- Organic waste diversion education
- Source reduction strategies
- Upcycling and reuse of discarded materials
- Composting and digestion activities In alignment with Maine’s commitment to sustainability, projects that reference disposal methods, such as landfilling or waste-to-energy incineration, will not be considered. The Department encourages applications that focus on responsible waste practices, specifically through the expansion of composting activities, education and outreach efforts, and the enhancement of recycling infrastructure.
The Department will prioritize proposals that:
- Expand municipal or regional composting activities,
- Increase organics recovery and community recycling efforts (including the establishment of such programs),
- Focus on education and outreach efforts promoting organics management or recycling projects,
- Increase existing composting and recycling infrastructure,
- Promote Maine’s Food Recovery Hierarchy, 38 M.R.S. § 2201-B. Food recovery hierarchy,
- Include acquisition of equipment necessary to support diverting edible food to the food insecure or to preserve edible food stored at food pantries, schools and other institutions,
- Develop pilot programs designed to implement and test the feasibility of composting and recycling programs,
- Increase organics management infrastructure in underserved areas of the state, and
- Take advantage of regional economies of scale. Furthermore, in accordance with 38 M.R.S. § 2201-B. Maine Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program, 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.
A copy of the RFP and all related documents can be obtained through Vendor Self Service (VSS): https://mevss.hostams.com/PRDVSS1X1/AltSelfService
Proposals must be submitted to the Office of State Procurement Services, via Vendor Self Service (VSS). Proposal submissions must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., local time, on April13, 2026.
| |
For additional information, contact:
David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner
david.madore@maine.gov
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Maine Department of Environmental Protection Manage Subscriber Preferences | Unsubscribe | Help | Contact Us STAY CONNECTED:
|
Named provisions
Related changes
Get daily alerts for ME DEP Environmental News
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from ME DEP.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when ME DEP Environmental News publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.