The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is accepting grant applications for projects that will build lasting capacity to support recycling markets in Minnesota. The grant money must help Minnesota businesses and other entities to use recyclable material in their products, thereby increasing local demand for recyclable material. Grant money also can be used to process recyclable material into a higher value material for use in new products.
Recycling is a cost-effective way to handle waste, and it has social, economic, and environmental benefits. We need recycling markets to help create and maintain demand for recyclables. Without these end markets that use or process a recyclable material, we do not have recycling.
Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. CT on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Questions and answers
Applicants who have any questions regarding this RFP must email questions to grants.pca@state.mn.us, subject line: “Recycling Market Development Grant 2026 Question.” Staff will gather questions and post answers in the SWIFT system on an at-least weekly basis. All questions must be received by 4 p.m. CT on May 13, 2026.
MPCA personnel are not authorized to discuss this RFP with applicants. Contact regarding this RFP with any MPCA personnel may result in disqualification.
Informational meeting
The MPCA will hold a virtual meeting at 1 p.m. on April 21 to discuss this grant opportunity, the SWIFT process, and answer questions from participants.
Eligibility
Refer to the request for proposals document posted in the SWIFT online portal for full details on eligibility and funding.
Eligible applicants:
- new or existing businesses in Minnesota or that have a facility in Minnesota that make a product from recyclable material
- businesses that conduct intermediary processing of recyclable material for use in manufacturing products
- economic development districts that are financing a project that uses recycled material in its manufacturing process
- nonprofit organizations
- colleges, universities, local governmental units, Tribal governments, and state agencies
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- expanding existing capacity to make recycled-content products
- processing or production methods that add value to a recyclable material
- equipment to help process and handle material (rolling stock, or vehicle purchases, are generally not allowed, but will be looked at on a case-by-case basis, such as in the transportation of glass)
- research, development, and testing of new products using recyclable material as a feedstock
- research, development, and testing of existing products to use recyclable materials that currently use virgin materials as a feedstock
- leasehold improvements that are needed to install new, refurbish, or upgrade equipment used to advance recycling end markets
- modifying an existing building to address a capacity problem to process more recyclable material; this excludes storage space
- projects that develop markets for finished compost that was derived from source-separated organics
Available funds
Approximately $800,000 is available. The minimum individual grant amount should be no less than $50,000. The maximum individual grant amount is $300,000. Grantees will be required to provide a 20% match of the grant award (cash or in-kind).
How to apply
The request for proposals (RFP) and application materials can only be viewed through the online SWIFT portal. The RFP is termed an “Event” within the SWIFT system.
- go to the online SWIFT portal
- click on "Bidding opportunities"
- find the event by name (MPCA Statewide Recycling Market Development Grant) or ID (2000018145)
- click "View Bid Package" to see the RFP and forms (there’s no need to log in to see the documents)
Grant applications are only accepted through the SWIFT portal.
- register as a bidder in the SWIFT Supplier Portal (Bidding = "applying")
- choose "Register for an Account" and then "Register as a Bidder"
If you are already registered in the SWIFT system as a supplier (previously known as a vendor), use your supplier ID. Visit the SWIFT Supplier Portal under “Informational Tips” and “Supplier Portal Help” for more information. For questions about applying through SWIFT, please contact the Vendor Assistance Help Desk at 651-201-8100, option 1.
More information
Recycling market development helps create and maintain demand for recyclables by developing markets for materials and stimulating demand for products made with recycled material.