Hennepin County has grants for schools to start or improve programs to reduce waste and keep recycling and organic materials, including food and non-recyclable paper, out of the trash.
Eligible organizations include preschools, K-12 schools, colleges and universities in Hennepin County. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and supplies and staff time for project implementation.
- See the grant flyer (PDF, 500KB) for an overview of the program.
- Review the grant guidelines (PDF, 560KB) for more information about the program, eligible project activities and allowable expenses.
Application timeline
The 2024 application period has closed. Check back in early 2025 for the next grant round.
Eligible expenses
Grant funding can be used to fund staff time for project implementation as well as to purchase equipment and supplies including:
- Recycling and organics recycling containers
- Cafeteria sorting stations
- Reusable food service ware
- Bulk condiment dispensers
Review the grant guidelines (PDF, 560KB) for more information about the program, eligible project activities and allowable expenses.
Information meetings
Virtual information meetings are a chance to find out more about the grant program, hear about and share project ideas, understand the application process, and get questions answered.
Watch the recording of the information meeting held on January 31, 2024.
Contact us
You are encouraged to contact the program manager, Kira Berglund, to discuss project ideas at kira.berglund@hennepin.us or 612-596-1498.
Recently awarded grants
In the first half of 2024, Hennepin County awarded five grants totaling $66,220 to schools to reduce waste and expand recycling and organics programs. Grant recipients include one public school district, one private school, two charter schools, and one university.
Andersen Middle School, Minneapolis Public Schools
$7,900 to improve the recycling and restart organics in the cafeteria and kitchen.
Eagle Ridge Academy, Minnetonka
$3,400 to improve their recycling program and provide reusable trays and condiment dispensers to reduce waste in their cafeteria.
Hope Academy, Minneapolis
$20,000 to supply their building expansion with recycling and organics bins and their new cafeteria with reusable food ware to reduce waste.
Stonebridge World School, Minneapolis
$20,000 to improve their recycling program, start organics, and reduce waste by installing a dishwasher and using reusable food ware.
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
$14,920 to improve recycling and organics collection at Williams Arena.