ecomaine School Waste Reduction and Composting Grants is sponsored by ecomaine (Maine environmental organization). Funds public and private schools in ecomaine member communities for waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting projects.

Grants For Educators & Schools - ecomaine Skip to primary navigation Supporting sustainable waste management for students and schools Educators and their students are some of Maine’s most passionate advocates for sustainability. We are proud to support their creative solutions for waste management with ecomaine’s School Waste Diversion Grants.

This annual grant program provides project-specific funding for schools and educational organizations to help divert waste from landfills and increase participation in recycling, reuse, compost, and other powerful sustainability strategies. Eligibility and Applications Grants are open to schools and youth educational programs serving students in ecomaine communities. Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $5,000.

Applications for the 2025-2026 grant cycle are now closed. Grants for the 2026-2027 academic year will open in late summer/early fall of 2026. Please join our email list to be notified when the guidelines and application details are released.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@ecomaine. org . Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Grantees!

Appletree School – Cape Elizabeth The Appletree School is increasing waste diversion efforts by acquiring more reusable cups for their classrooms. Dayton Consolidated School – Dayton Dayton is launching a new composting program to reduce food waste, and adding new recycling bins across the school to further sustainability efforts.

Falmouth Middle School – Falmouth Falmouth Middle School is bringing their community together to plan a future upcycling event. They’re also developing a campaign to reduce litter across outdoor spaces, and expanding recycling and composting systems throughout the school.

Freeport High School – Freeport Freeport High School is switching from disposable to reusable foodware, and developing a cafeteria sorting station to help reduce waste and model sustainable practices for the school community. Greely Middle School – Cumberland Greely Middle School is planning to reduce paper towel use by installing two hand driers in highly trafficked bathrooms.

A student led “Green Team” will be performing waste audits before and after installation as part of a pilot project and educational opportunity. Loranger Memorial School – Old Orchard Beach Loranger Memorial School is switching to compostable serveware to increase waste diversion efforts. The school has already diverted over 6 tons of food waste since establishing their composting program in fall 2024.

Lyseth Elementary School – Portland Lyseth Elementary School is installing three new rain barrels to reduce water use and support sustainable gardening projects across the school. North Haven School – North Haven North Haven School is building a new student-led sustainability program to introduce composting, upcycling, and hard-to-recycle material collections.

Roots Academy – Cape Elizabeth The team at Roots Academy is creating an outdoor message board, expanding their reusable towel and recycling systems, switching to reusable utensils, and revamping their rain barrel setup. STRIVE PSL TOPS – South Portland STRIVE is looking forward to reducing food waste through a Garbage to Garden subscription, and plans to use compost to build soil for raised garden beds in the spring.

Waste Stations at Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth Middle School - Cape Elizabeth Cape Elizabeth Middle School constructed detailed waste stations to divert food waste and support composting in their cafeteria. They plan to use the remaining funds to replicate the setup in the high school and elementary school, supporting their efforts with in-class education.

Compostable Utensils at Ocean Avenue Elementary Ocean Avenue Elementary - Portland Ocean Avenue Elementary utilized their funds to replace plastic utensils with compostables in their cafeteria. To complement their efforts, they have also introduced education on the importance of reducing plastic in the waste stream, holding school-wide community meetings.

Vermicomposting at Vinalhaven School Vinalhaven School - Vinalhaven Students brought science out of the classroom and into the real world, with flourishing results. With their grant funding, Vinalhaven installed a garden for students in per-K though fifth grade. They enriched their garden by creating compost, studying worms, and applying the science of vermicomposting.

Composting & Recycling at Westbrook Middle School Westbrook Middle School - Westbrook Students facilitated on-site composting and recycling in their school cafeteria, with the Student Council initiating education and outreach efforts. The program diverted an average of 350lbs of food waste per week. Their school-wide paper recycling program diverted an additional 100lbs per week on average.