Dear Eartha, my restaurant wants to add recycling to our waste enclosure, but money is tight. Is there any financial support available to help me make these changes without breaking the bank?
Above all, thank you for your commitment to better recycling in Summit County — it’s exactly the kind of motivation that makes a real difference. And you absolutely don’t have to fund it alone. Whether you’re running a restaurant, managing a homeowners association or leading a nonprofit, there’s financial support available to help make your waste reduction goals a reality in 2026. Let’s walk through your options.
Strong Future waste reduction grants
Each year, Summit County Government sets aside a portion of the funds raised from 2018’s voter-approved Strong Future mill levy specifically for waste reduction projects. The good news? Local organizations can apply for grants designed to match projects of all shapes and sizes, so think of it as choosing your own adventure.
- Large grants are built for bigger, bolder initiatives. Grants range from $25,000 to $75,000 and require a 25% match from the applicant. Think large-scale recycling infrastructure or community-wide waste prevention programs. Past recipients include CAFE Food Rescue, which diverted 208,085 pounds of food from the landfill in 2025 by donating it to local food pantries and community meals, and Breck Create’s Precious Plastics Studio, which recycled 96% of the plastic collected into creative art projects — proof that the right investment can go a long way.
- Mid-level Strong Future grants are perfect for projects that just need a little financial boost to get off the ground. Grants range from $1,000 to $24,999 and could be used to fund initiatives like adding recycling bins, improving signage, or outfitting a shared community space with reusable serviceware. Need a real-world example? Last year, Summit County Rotary received funding to purchase a van to expand their plastic film collection — and between 2024 and 2025, that collection increased by an impressive 67%. Small investment, big impact.
Applications for both large and mid-level Strong Future grants close at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 18. Priority is given to projects that benefit local workforce and underserved community members, so keep that in mind as you shape your proposal.
Support for HOAs
Is your homeowners association working to meet local Universal Recycling requirements? There’s dedicated funding for that, too. Eligible homeowners associations can receive financial assistance to add new recycling services, upgrade waste enclosures, or strengthen existing programs. Award amounts are based on the number of units in your community and whether your homeowners association primarily serves the local workforce — but here’s the important part: all homeowners associations are encouraged to apply, regardless of whom they serve. And unlike the other grant cycles, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and be reviewed quarterly, meaning you don’t have to wait for a single annual deadline to get the ball rolling.
Town-specific grants
Located in Breckenridge or Frisco? Consider yourself doubly lucky. Both towns offer their own dedicated funding pools, up to $10,000 each, to help local businesses and homeowners associations keep waste out of the landfill. Even better, town grants can be stacked on top of other funding you receive, stretching your dollars further and making your project that much more achievable. For more information about Breckenridge’s Materials Management Grant, visit SustainableBreck’s Zero Waste page. For those in Frisco, visit the Frisco Waste Reduction Business Grant page.
Not sure where to begin?
If you’re still not sure how to get started, don’t worry! Figuring out what your project needs, what it might cost, and which grants are the right fit can feel overwhelming at first. That’s exactly why High Country Conservation Center’s grants team exists. They’ll sit down with you, talk through your idea, help you understand your options, and make sure you’re set up for success before you ever submit an application.
Ready to take the next step? Reach out at grants@highcountryconservation.org, call 970-668-5703 or visit HighCountryConservation.org/grants to explore everything that’s available and to apply. Your project, and your community, are worth it.
Ask Eartha Steward is written by the staff at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation. Submit questions to Eartha at info@highcountryconservation.org.
Source link