2004 RECYCLING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance,Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

The purpose of this grant cycle is to reduce the flow of solid wastes to disposal facilities and to encourage the sustainable recovery of materials from North Carolina’s waste stream. To achieve that purpose, the Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance (DPPEA) is seeking viable, well-planned and effective

proposals from recycling businesses in North Carolina who want to start up or expand their recovery efforts. This document is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for fundable projects to meet the goals of the grant cycle. Applicants should review this RFP in its entirety and discuss their proposed projects with the program manager prior to submitting a proposal. Questions about this RFP should be addressed to Matt Todd, program manager, at (800) 763-0136 or (919) 715-6522, or by e-mail at matthew.todd@ncmail.net. Proposals are due on April 8, 2004.

If you wish to link to/download a Word version of this document to fill in applicable forms electronically, please view http://www.p2pays.org/ref/32/31302.doc.

HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE? WHAT IS THE SIZE OF GRANT AWARDS?DPPEA has committed $200,000 from the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund for this grant cycle. Applicants may request any amount of funding up to a maximum of $25,000. Applicants must provide at least a 50 percent cash match (not including in-kind services) to the requested amount. Upon consideration of the proposals, DPPEA reserves the right to revise the amount spent for this grant cycle and the amount spent per grantee. Contract execution and disbursement of funds are contingent upon the availability of funds to DPPEA for this purpose.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?Private sector and nonprofit organization applicants are eligible for funding under this grant cycle. Public sector organizations should contact Jim Hickman at (800) 763-0136 or (919) 715-6528 or by e-mail at jim.hickman@ncmail.net for information about the Community Waste Reduction And Recycling Grants. One funding request per applicant will be accepted. Contractors working under current DPPEA recycling grant contracts may submit another proposal under this grant round; however, preference may be given to those not previously awarded recycling grant contracts.

Applicants should contact the appropriate state and local permitting agencies to obtain information on the necessary permits for each project. Prior to receiving grant funding, all grantees are subject to a permit and compliance review by the appropriate agencies. For information pertaining to the permitting of new solid waste facilities or altering of existing permits, contact DENR’s Division of Waste Management, Solid Waste Section, Permitting Branch, at (919) 733-4996.

WHAT WASTE MATERIALS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS GRANT ROUND?Any material that can currently be disposed in a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill, construction & demolition (C&D) debris landfill, or land-clearing and inert debris (LCID) landfill is eligible for consideration for this grant round. However, special consideration will be given to priority materials including: C&D, organics (except yard waste), and paper. Supplemental information about C&D, organics and paper is included at the end of this solicitation.

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WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?Projects that involve the collection, processing or end use of materials in the solid waste stream are eligible for funding. Generally, the grant money is intended to fund sustainable investments in equipment and buildings necessary for increasing the capacity of a recycling business to divert more materials from disposal and into economic use. Grant money cannot be used to cover labor costs or the cost of contract processing.

IS A MATCH REQUIRED?Yes. Applicants must provide a cash match equivalent to 50 percent of their grant request. For example, an applicant requesting a $20,000 grant would have to match the grant award with at least $10,000 in cash or direct expenditures (excluding in-kind services).

WHAT OTHER KINDS OF OBLIGATIONS DO GRANT RECIPIENTS HAVE?Each grant recipient will conduct its project under a contract with DENR and must meet all contract requirements, including completion of all steps in a scope of work attached as part of the contract. Project work plans must be prepared and submitted within 30 days of contract award. All invoices must be accompanied by a brief project status report. The applicant must expend funds within one year of contract execution, unless the time is extended by written agreement between the applicant and DENR. Extensions are possible but not guaranteed.

At the end of the project, award recipients will be required to submit a comprehensive final report (in both paper and electronic form) using a prescribed format. As technology transfer and information dissemination are important components of this grants program, award recipients will be required to allow publication of project results. Grant proposals must indicate what, if any, project information will be considered proprietary and unavailable for information dissemination via reproduction and/or the Internet.

HOW WILL GRANT FUNDS BE DISBURSED TO AWARD RECIPIENTS?Distribution of grant funds is on a reimbursement basis. To receive payments, grant recipients must submit an invoice and status report to DPPEA along with documentation of incurred costs and estimated percentage of project completion. DPPEA will withhold 10 percent of funds until receipt of an approved final report.

HOW WILL FUNDING DECISIONS BE MADE?DPPEA will convene an assessment committee to review grant applications. Committee members will review and score proposals independently of one another. Scores from each reviewer for each proposal will be summed to a total final score and proposals will be ranked from highest to lowest. Committee members will meet to review and approve the ranked list. From that ranked list, the highest-scoring proposals will be considered finalists.

Finalist proposers will be contacted and asked to respond to committee questions (if any) about proposed scopes of work and budgets, and to the committee’s preliminary determination of funding. The committee will review final proposals based on responses to questions and final budget estimates. Final scores and ranking may change as a result of these responses. Grant awards will then be given in order of rank until funding is exhausted.

The review committee will score proposals based on the following point system:

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Criteria Available points1. Business Planning/Experience (1-20 points)

For a start-up business, does the Business Plan section of the proposal provide specific and organized information including: a description of the business, feedstock supply plan, marketing plan and financing plan? For an existing business, does the Business Status Report section of the proposal provide specific information including: a description and history of the business, current sources of feedstock, current markets and current financial health?

2. Project Planning/Cost-effectiveness (1-20 points)Is the proposed approach well thought-out? Is it clear that the proposed project will have economic merit, i.e. either through reductions in operating cost, potential capital cost savings, stimulation of higher prices for recycled materials, or through development of new markets? Is it clear that the project will be sustainable after the end of the grant?

3. Need (1-10 points)Does the proposed project address a specific infrastructure or market need in North Carolina?

4. Impact on Waste Stream Size or Toxicity (1- 20 points)Will the proposed project lead to a clear, definitive impact on wastes being disposed of in landfills, either directly through diversion, or indirectly through stimulation of the demand for an alternative product?

5. Preferred Commodity (10 points)Does the proposed project address the recovery of C&D, organics (except yard waste), or paper?

6. Leverage of Other Funds (1-10 points)Does the project leverage funding resources in addition to the 50 percent match requirement such as loans (including the Recycling Business Loan Fund) for equipment/building purchases? Recycling Business Loan Fund: http://www.self-help.org/commerciallending/sbx3.asp.

WHAT MUST AN APPLICATION INCLUDE?An application must include each of the following items:

1. A completed grant application form (enclosed). 2. A written proposal no longer than six pages (three double-sided pages) that addresses each of

the following points: Description of the proposed project. Discussion of any similar work done elsewhere (not only by applicant). Discussion of need (technical and financial). Description of plans for sustaining the project after the grant ends. Projection of how many tons of wastes will be reduced annually by the proposed

project (if applicable). Description of how the project’s success will be measured. Discussion of proprietary information (if any).

3. A Business Plan (for start-up recycling businesses) or Business Status Report (for existing recycling businesses). A Business Plan form and a Business Status Report form are enclosed.

4. A one-page budget showing the requested funding, applicant’s required match, and other sources of project funds.

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5. A one-page description of personnel involved in the project including qualifications/relevant experience.

6. Letters of endorsement/support from any other organizations (public or private) who will be participating in the proposed project, especially feedstock suppliers and markets.

If any one of these required items is missing from an application, it will be rejected. Applicants should keep attachments and supplemental materials to a minimum.

HOW DO YOU SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?Applicants must submit six (6) copies of their application double-sided and on recycled paper with at least 30 percent post-consumer content to:

DPPEA RECYCLING GRANT ROUNDATTN: MATT TODDNC DIVISION OF POLLUTION PREVENTION & ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE1639 MAIL SERVICE CENTERRALEIGH, NC 27699-1639

Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the checklist on the back of the Grant Application Form to ensure all grant proposal requirements are met and all necessary information is provided. Please note that 30 percent post-consumer paper should be available at all major office supply stores. If you have trouble finding recycled content paper, call DPPEA at (919) 715-6500.

WHEN ARE PROPOSALS DUE?Proposals must be postmarked no later than April 8, 2004. NO FAXES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Any proposal postmarked after the deadline will be recycled. Receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged by letter or e-mail. Announcements of award winners will be made by May 2004.

GETTING STARTEDA word on grant-writing: a proposal can receive a low score because applicants fail to explicitly follow instructions provided in the RFP, leading to uncertainty about the proposed project’s intent. Please use the outline provided on a following page to develop your proposal; it will allow reviewers to accurately rank proposals. The clearer the details are, the fewer questions a reviewer will have about the validity/feasibility of a proposal. Also, please review the award criteria and attempt to address the criteria in your proposal.

Steps to follow:1) Carefully read the RFP and the selection criteria.2) Complete the enclosed grant application form.3) Begin to write your detailed project description, following the steps above (a grant proposal outline is

provided on a following page for your convenience).4) Use the checklist provided to ensure the completion of all steps and inclusion of necessary materials.5) Please remember that proposals not postmarked or hand-delivered by April 8, 2004, will not be

accepted.

Questions:If questions arise while developing a proposal, please do not hesitate to contact Matt Todd at (919) 715-6522, (800) 763-0136 or matthew.todd@ncmail.net.

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North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance2004 RECYCLING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS APPLICATION FORM

IMPORTANT: Before sending proposal, use grant check-off sheet on reverse side Recycling Grants Cycle Applicant:

Please check one:Tax ID number

Material Category: C&D, organics (other than

yard waste), or paper Other

Existing Recycling Business ___Start-up Recycling Business ___

Project Start Date:

Project Title Amount requested from DPPEA

Applicant's Name, Mailing Address, Zip Code Amount of cash match

Phone Number( )

Name & Title of Person with Daily Responsibility for Project E-mail Address

Certification:I hereby certify that the information provided within this grant application is true and accurate to my knowledge.If awarded a grant, I agree to allow NCDENR/DPPEA to disseminate any and all information developed as a result of this project.

_________________________________________ _______________________ ______________________ _____________Name of Authorized Person Title Signature DateProject Summary (Limited to this Page)

The following information will be completed by DPPEA staff:

Date Application Received _________ Date of Acknowledgment to Applicant _________ Proposal Number _______

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2004 RECYCLING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS CHECK-OFF SHEET

N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance,Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Before submitting your grant proposal, use this check-off sheet to make sure you have included all the necessary documents. Incomplete proposals will be excluded from consideration.

_____ One (1) original and five (5) copies of a Business Plan (for start-up businesses) or Business Status Report (for established businesses).

_____ One (1) original and five (5) copies of grant proposal, with a completed 2004 Recycling Business Development Grant Application Form attached to each.

_____ Tax identification number on Grant Application Form. This is the applicant’s social security number for sole proprietorships or the federal employer identification number for business or governmental entities.

_____ One (1) original and five (5) copies of one page budget sheet for grant proposal.

_____ One (1) original and five (5) copies of one page description of personnel involved in project.

_____ Supporting documents (optional) - e.g., letters of endorsement, copies of resolutions, other supporting documentation.

Reminder: Proposals should not be bound (although formal Business Plans submitted may be bound). Please submit proposals double-sided, on recycled paper (with at least 30 percent post-consumer content).

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2004 RECYCLING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROPOSAL OUTLINE

Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance,N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Use the following outline as a guide in writing your grant proposal. Please provide a written proposal no longer than six pages (three double-sided pages) that addresses each of the following points:

I. Description of the proposed project.

II. Discussion of any similar work done elsewhere (not only by applicant).

III. Discussion of need (technical and financial).

IV. Description of plans for sustaining the project after the grant ends.

V. Projection of how many tons of wastes will be reduced annually by the proposed project (if applicable).

VI. Description of how the project’s success will be measured.

VII. Discussion of proprietary information (if any).

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BUSINESS PLAN FORM (for start-up recycling businesses)Note: This form does not need to be completed if a formal Business Plan is submitted.

N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance,Department of Environment and Natural Resources

1. Describe the services/products you will offer.

2. Describe your planned sources of material feedstock.

3. Describe the market area, market trends and customers you will service.

4. Who is your competition? What are the advantages of your product or services?

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5. Describe your anticipated expenses and income. Be as specific as possible.

6. What are your plans for growth or expansion?

7. What is your financing plan? Please specify how much money you can put towards the project and how much money you will need to borrow in addition to the grant monies requested.

8. Include any additional comments on separate pages

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BUSINESS STATUS REPORT (for existing recycling businesses)Describe your company’s history, including the services/products you currently offer.

N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance,Department of Environment and Natural Resource

1. Describe your current sources of material feedstock.

2. Describe the market area and customers you currently service.

3. Describe your competition. What are the advantages of your product or services?

4. Describe your recent financial history. Fill out the chart below and provide any necessary additional description or clarification.

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Three-Year Expense and Income Chart

2001 2002 2003EXPENSESCost of feedstockEquipment/suppliesBusiness rent/leaseSalariesLoan paymentsOtherTotal ExpensesINCOMESalesOther revenueTotal IncomePROFIT OR LOSS

5. Include any additional comments on separate pages

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2004 Recycling Business Development Grants Supplemental Information – Organics

The following information is intended as an Organics Recycling supplement to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2004 Recycling Business Development Grant Cycle. All grant applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review this information prior to submitting their proposals. Questions about the RFP and supplemental information should be addressed to Matt Todd at (800) 763-0136 or (919) 715-6522 or by e-mail to matthew.todd@ncmail.net. Prior to submitting proposals, applicants are encouraged to call and/or meet with the grant manager, Matt Todd, to discuss their potential project. Applicants may also want to contact Brian Rosa, DPPEA organics recycling specialist, to discuss the proposed project at (919) 715-6524 or brian.rosa@ncmail.net.

WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?Any viable project to reduce the flow of organic waste to disposal facilities (e.g., landfills or incinerators), or that stimulates market demand for composts and other recycled organic wastes is eligible for funding. The highest priority will be given to projects that result in a sustainable, well-documented diversion of large amounts of organics from the waste stream.

Examples of eligible projects would include, but are not limited to: Commercial and residential food wastes – source separation, collection and recycling; Diversion of industrial organic wastes from landfills; Utilization of recycled organics in agricultural applications; Market demand assessments for recycled organics; New uses for composts (i.e. storm-water filtration, bioremediation); Compost quality standards for different markets; and Compost use assessments (crop yield, disease suppression and usage economics).

Projects that result in useful statewide information (such as guidance documents and scientifically-defensible investigations) will be viewed favorably. Projects that involve other types of organic wastes (i.e. animal manures) are also eligible for consideration but priority will given to projects diverting waste from the municipal solid waste stream. Candidate projects must be located in North Carolina, but principal investors do not need to be located in North Carolina.

PREVIOUS ORGANICS RECYCLING GRANT-FUNDED PROJECTSYancey Organic Growers Compost Co-Op Project – a project to divert grocery store and residential food residuals to a local composting facility. Contact: Patryk Battle, YOGA, (828) 675-5920.

North Carolina Erosion Control Initiative – a new educational initiative using demonstration projects to stimulate demand for compost products used in erosion and sedimentation control on roadside construction projects. Contact: Rod Tyler, Green Horizons, (440) 926-8041.

Food Waste Diversion for Central North Carolina – a project to continue development of the first source-separated commercial organics collection/composting effort in North Carolina. Contact: Dean Brooks, Brooks Contractor, (919) 837-5914.

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Expansion of Food Collection Program – a project by the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle to expand its perishable food rescue program to two additional counties in central North Carolina. Contact: Jill Staton Bullard, executive director, (919) 250-0043.

North Carolina Compost Promotional Initiative – development of statewide compost market development and educational activities designed to stimulate demand for compost products. Contact: Ron Alexander, R. Alexander & Associates, (919) 380-9939.

Manufacturing High Value Products from Residential and Commercial Food Waste – expansion of an existing on-farm composting system to include source-separated grocery store food wastes in the Asheville area. Contact: Jon Nilsson, East Coast Compost, (828) 628-4340.

An Assessment of the Economic Impact of Compost on Open Ground Vegetable Production – a project to examine the economics of compost utilization in large-scale conventional agriculture in Eastern North Carolina. Contact: Lynn Lucas, McGill Environmental Systems of North Carolina, (910) 532-2539.

Backyard Composting Demonstrations in Cherokee County – a project to construct five composting demonstration sites in Cherokee County. Contact: Katherine O’Brien, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, (828) 837-2210.

Aerated Floor Development and Testing Project – a continuation of a previous grant-funded project to develop an alternative aerated compost bin system design. Contact: Keith Warren, Mountain Organic Materials, (828) 665-9899.

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2004 Recycling Business Development GrantsSupplemental Information – Paper

The following information is intended as a Paper Recycling supplement to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2004 Recycling Business Development Grant Cycle. All grant applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review this information prior to submitting their proposals. Questions about the RFP and supplemental information should be addressed to Matt Todd at (800) 763-0136 or (919) 715-6522 or by e-mail to matthew.todd@ncmail.net. Prior to submitting proposals, applicants are encouraged to call and/or meet with the grant manager, Matt Todd, to discuss their potential project.

WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?Any viable project to reduce the flow of paper waste to disposal facilities (e.g., landfills or incinerators), or that stimulates market demand for recycled paper is eligible for funding. The highest priority will be given to projects that result in a sustainable, well-documented diversion of large amounts of paper from the waste stream.

Examples of eligible projects would include, but are not limited to: Establishing commercial mixed paper recycling programs; Initiating new collection programs for residential paper grades; Adding new grades of paper to an existing collection program; Educational projects to promote new or existing programs; Using paper as compost feedstock; and Developing or encouraging other end-use applications of paper (e.g., hydro-seed mulch, cellulose

insulation, etc.).

No pilot programs or feasibility studies will be funded.

PREVIOUS PAPER RECYCLING GRANT-FUNDED PROJECTSPaper Recycling Sort Line - Installed a sorting line for recyclables at facility. Contact: Jeffery Miller, J&J Recycling Co. Inc., (336) 667-4432.

Bulk Material Storage Bins - Increased recovered fiber segregated storage capacity to accommodate increased tonnages. Contact: Jim Trakas, MASLO Company Inc., (704) 398-9895.

Mixed Residential Paper - Implementation of residential mixed paper collection at county drop sites. Contact: Steve Swaim, Davidson County Solid Waste Management, (336) 242-2856.

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2004 Recycling Business Development Grants Supplemental Information – C&D

The following information is intended as a Construction & Demolition Recycling supplement to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2004 Recycling Business Development Grant Cycle. All grant applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review this information prior to submitting their proposals. Questions about the RFP and supplemental information should be addressed to Matt Todd at (800) 763-0136 or (919) 715-6522 or by e-mail to matthew.todd@ncmail.net. Prior to submitting proposals, applicants are encouraged to call and/or meet with the grant manager, Matt Todd, to discuss their potential project. Applicants may also want to contact DPPEA’s C&D recycling specialist, Wendy Worley, at (919) 715-6542 or wendy.worley@ncmail.net.

Applicants should contact the appropriate state and local permitting agencies to obtain information on the necessary permits for each project. Prior to receiving grant funding, all grantees are subject to a permit and compliance review by the appropriate agencies. For information pertaining to the permitting of new solid waste facilities or altering of existing permits, contact DENR’s Division of Waste Management, Solid Waste Section, Permitting Branch, at (919) 733-4996.

WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?Any viable project to reduce the flow of C&D debris to disposal facilities (e.g., landfills or incinerators) or that stimulates market demand for recycled material is eligible for funding. The highest priority will be given to projects that result in a sustainable, well-documented diversion of large amounts of C&D debris from the waste stream.

Examples of eligible projects would include, but are not limited to: Establishing a C&D processing facility; Collection of segregated C&D waste streams; Processing of source-separated, specific C&D wastes (e.g., wood waste, gypsum); Starting or expanding reuse operations for discarded construction materials; Startup or expansion of deconstruction operations; and Developing or encouraging other end-use applications for processed C&D waste.

No pilot programs or feasibility studies will be funded.

PREVIOUS C&D RECYCLING GRANT-FUNDED PROJECTSLamination of Scrap Lumber – a project to expand the collection system for clean wood scraps and to establish the production of finger-jointed and laminated stair treads and structural wall posts. Contact: William Juhas, R24 Lumber Company, (352) 732-7024.

Accent Construction Recycling and Reuse Initiative – a project to reuse and resell salvaged building materials from construction projects. Contact: Amanda Eichel, Accent Construction LLC, (919) 833-3669.

Site Clean Up and Recycling – a project to source-separate and recycle residential construction debris in the Mecklenburg county area. Contact: Wesley O’Brian Davis, Site Clean Up and Recycling, (704) 948-2743.

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Construction Wood Recycling - establishes a wood recycling business as part of an established construction site clean-up business. Contact Joe VanEron, Total Maintenance, (910) 395-2944.

C&D RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Reuse) Project – a project to establish a permanent structure for the storage of salvaged C&D materials in Pasquotank County. Also includes expansion of the C&D salvage program by leasing recycling trailers to contractors. Contact: Michael Etheridge, Pasquotank County, (252) 335-4105.

Habitat ReStore - establishes a used building materials store in Alamance County. Contact Robin Wintringham, (336) 222-8191.

Home Builders Waste Reduction Partnership - establishes an outreach program to increase the donations of used building materials to the Habitat ReStore in Wake County. Contact Ben Rogers, (919) 833-6768 ext. 23.

Gypsum Recycling – a project to establish a recycling facility processing gypsum for agricultural uses in the Union County area. Contact: Steve Davis, Union Gypsum, (704) 624-2077.

Gypsum Transfer Station - establishes a transfer facility just outside of Mecklenburg County to increase the gypsum quantities recycled at its main Union County processing site. Contact Steve Davis, Union Gypsum, (704) 624-2077.

Recycled Enhancements – a project to establish a mixed C&D processing facility in Dudley, N.C. Contact: Fred C. Jones Jr., Recycled Materials Inc., (919) 735-0004.

Mobile Home Recycling – a project to deconstruct and recycle mobile homes at the Brunswick County C&D Landfill. Contact: J. Leslie Bell, Brunswick County, (910) 253-2033.

Wood Waste Recovery at Orange Regional Landfill – a project to establish the separation and processing of wood waste at the Orange Regional Landfill. Contact: Blair Pollock, Orange County Solid Waste Management, (919) 968-2788.

Bagged Wood Waste Mulch – a project to establish the coloring and bagging of ground C&D derived wood for mulch. Contact: Roger Seale, Kamlar Corporation, (252) 443-2576.

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