Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP)

Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP) is sponsored by Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). This program provides grants for recycling projects that increase the collection or use of recyclable materials, reduce municipal solid waste sent for disposal, build or strengthen partnerships with local communities, and raise public awareness of recycling through outreach and …

Recycle Indiana: Recycling Market Development Program Indiana Recycling Market Development Program Next funding round is scheduled for June 17, 2026.

Grant Information and Guidelines Read about past grant recipients and their successful projects Learn about the board that awards the grants and its authority Read some studies about Indiana's recycling infrastructure and recyclable materials Recycling Roundtable Discussions Join the conversation about Indiana recycling opportunities and practices The Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP) was established in the early 1990s to better manage solid waste by developing markets for recycling.

The RMDP first resided at the Indiana Department of Commerce and then became part of IDEM in August 2005. History of the Recycling Market Development Program The program is supported by the Recycling Promotion and Assistance Fund (RPAF) established under IC 4-23-5. 5-14 .

Monies for this fund are one half of the $0. 50/ton fee charged for final disposal or incineration of solid waste. This $0.

25 is dedicated to economic development efforts of businesses, assisting Hoosiers in establishing new or expanding recycling businesses, as well as researching and developing projects involving recycling. This includes buying new or retrofitting equipment necessary to reuse or recycle secondary materials. The Indiana Recycling Market Development Board approves use of the money.

The 2027 RMDP funding round opens on June 17, 2026. All proposal documents must be submitted online by completing the Recycling Market Development Grant Proposal Submission - State Form 56936 [WEBFORM] .

(Link is active only during the open funding round) Program Application Guidelines The RMDP Application Guidelines outline all essential program requirements, including eligibility criteria, priority materials, minimum and maximum grant request amounts, matching fund obligations, key dates and deadlines, submission procedures, proposal components, and the scoring criteria used to evaluate each application.

Applicants are required to review the Application Guidelines in full before submitting their proposal. The guidelines are updated each grant cycle.

To review the current RMDP Application Guidelines, click on the following link: Recycling Market Development 2027 Grant Application Guidelines [PDF] For the highlights of the RMDP Guidelines click on the tabs below: Eligible and Ineligible Projects Eligible and Ineligible Costs How to Submit Your Online Application Municipalities, solid waste management districts, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and public and private businesses located and doing business in the state of Indiana are eligible to apply for funding.

Business entities applying for funding must be an established Indiana-based business, registered with the Office of the Secretary of State . Nonprofits must be able to prove their 501(c)(3) status. All applicants must be in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

Previous grant award recipients may not reapply until the following year or later after their grant has been closed. Eligible Projects & Proposals Proposals for the Recycling Market Development Program should demonstrate an understanding of the changing economy for recyclers, looking at where monies can be used most effectively by businesses and communities to reach Indiana’s 50 percent state-wide recycling goal.

Proposals should demonstrate a need for the project and include one or more of the following: An increase in recyclable material collection and/or utilization A reduction in municipal solid waste shipped for final disposal Improved partnerships with communities, including not only economic impacts, but increased public awareness of recycling opportunities through tangible outreach and education efforts.

Projects should focus on reuse, reduction, and recycling methods. Entities must maintain goals that are consistent with the state’s interest and vision of proper solid waste management, including diverting priority materials from landfills for final disposal which could be reused or reprocessed.

Priority materials include but are not limited to: Ineligible Projects & Proposals Only one proposal project, per applicant, is eligible for funding. Public/private businesses, solid waste management districts, local government, higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations located and doing business in Indiana may seek grant funding starting at $50,000 and up to $500,000.

For example, you could decide that you need equipment and outreach funding and submit two separate proposals, respectively. Both are eligible, but the board would consider only one for possible funding. Ineligible costs include but are not limited to: building/land purchases or associated building construction costs consultant fees and travel contract services for recycling collection.

Exceptions include improvements to a docking station or sorting/tipping area of a building for waste diversion purposes; contract services performed as part of research & development; tow motors, excavators, loader trucks and other specialized mobile equipment for dedicated use for the proposed waste reduction and/or recycling project The RMDP requires a 50% cash match.

For example, if an applicant’s project will incur an investment of $200,000 total eligible costs, the applicant may apply for a $100,000 grant and must have a match of $100,000 in secured funds. This is termed a “50/50” match. Matching funds can be obtained through public/private partnerships and other non-state grant programs.

Organizations must have available funding for the total cost of the project . Grant recipients will then be eligible to receive up to fifty percent (50%) of qualifying project costs through reimbursement from the state. All RMDP grant submissions must be completed through the online portal and must include the following: Sections 1–6: Complete all applicant information.

These sections serve as the cover page for the proposed application and provide essential background details about the applicant. Section 7: Provide an Overview of the Project Scope, Costs, and Waste Diversion Goals. Section 8: Project Proposal Components.

This section must include all key elements of the proposal, as listed below: Project Description and Scope of Work Cash Match (including proof of available funding for the total project cost) Detailed Budget Narrative Copies of Quotes for all applicable purchases Nonprofit Status (if applicable) Business Plan (if applicable, including tables and quotes for all relevant purchases) Supporting Documentation: Optional materials such as letters of support, partnership agreements, project flow diagrams, location maps, and other relevant documentation.

Applicants must review the current Recycling Market Development Application Guidelines [PDF] for the 2027 Round to ensure their proposals meet all requirements and follow the correct submission procedures. Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria listed in RMDP Guidelines: Attachment B .

Each proposal will be given a numerical score, and if eligible and complete, will be forwarded to the Board for funding consideration and approval. Selection of proposals for presentation to the Board will be made based on the program objectives and priorities. The selection team will be comprised of IDEM staff with past experience reviewing RMDP grant recipients.

Locate the Recycling Market Development Grant Program online application Gather all required documents outlined in this guide before starting the online application. Name your files unique names using the required format (e.g., Organization Name _RMDP Proposal. pdf).

Upload your project proposal and all supporting documents in the correct sections of the Webform. Review your entries carefully to ensure nothing is missing. Submit the online application before the deadline.

Save a copy of your submission confirmation for your record. The following are RMDP timeline highlights. For the full timeline visit the RMDP guidelines .

These are the dates for the previous grant round for 2025. IDEM anticipates a similar timeline for the 2026 application round. June 17, 2026 – July 29, 2026 Approval of Awards by the Board: Grant Agreement Approval: Grant agreements are drafted, reviewed, executed.

The grant is executed once all parties sign the grant agreement. This step must be completed before any approved project expenses can be purchased: Awarded funds cannot be spent until the grant is executed. Plan to not start your project until March 2027.

Informal determinations of eligibility for grant funding are available at any time via e-mail from the Grant Manager. Informal eligibility determinations will be based on the potential applicant’s description of the proposed project and are not binding.

For answers to any questions regarding the submittal requirements and/or application deadlines, or issues with submitting please contact the Grant Manager via email at: RMDPgrants@idem. in. gov Each November, the Indiana Recycling Market Development Program issues an annual fiscal year report on program funding and awards.

The State of Indiana’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

An archive of these reports is available for inspection: 2025 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2024 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2023 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2022 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2021 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2020 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2019 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2018 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2017 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2016 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2015 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2014 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2013 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2012 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2011 RMDP Annual Report [PDF] 2010 Recycling Annual Report [DOC] Find out about composting Find out about household hazardous waste Dispose of unwanted medicines properly Get Recycle Guys artwork and publications More IN.

gov Online Services Indiana Department of Environmental Management Submit General Questions or Comments Report Environmental Emergencies and Spills (24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week) File an Environmental Complaint Central Office Phone: (317) 232-8603 Toll Free: (800) 451-6027 (within Indiana) Hours: 8:30 a. m. - 4:00 p.

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