Grant Overview
While most Americans have access to recycling in their homes, finding recycling bins in public spaces such as downtown areas, athletic fields or event venues can be a challenge. As we increasingly live “on-the-go” lifestyles, research and common sense tell us that people are less likely to recycle if they don’t have a convenient access to recycling bins. The Keep America Beautiful/Coca-Cola Public Spaces Recycling Bin Grant Program is designed to help communities overcome this barrier by providing recycling bins in public spaces.
How It Works
Grant recipients are selected by Keep America Beautiful based on their potential to collect cans and bottles as well as creating new or expanded access to recycling opportunities in a community. This includes: providing recycling access to greater numbers of people; providing access in environmentally sensitive areas, e.g. along waterways; and the potential to increase overall recycling participation in a community. Keep America Beautiful selects recipients based on the merits of their proposal, then works with its vendors to arrange delivery of the bins at no cost to the grant recipients.
Eligibility
Grants are offered to Keep America Beautiful affiliates, government and public agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, religious organizations, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, and other community groups.
Grants are provided for use at locations in the United States. For-profit businesses are not eligible.
When to Apply
Proposals are accepted once a year during a month-long application period. The application period for the 2020 grant cycle concluded on Dec. 31, 2019.
Grant Recipients Announced
The 2020 grant recipients will be announced by mid-June.
How Proposals are Evaluated
The grant program typically receives a large number of applications is highly competitive. All applications are ranked based on the following criteria, with the top candidates selected to receive grants.
- Need – Demonstrated need for recycling bins; Lack of resources to otherwise place bins.
- Increase Recycling – Likelihood to result in increased recycling of beverage containers and other recyclables.
- Planning and Organization – Recycling plan with identified goals, a well thought out implementation and measurement strategy to ensure its success.
- Track Recyclables Collected – Ability to track and report recyclables collected and population having access to the recycling bins.
In addition to these criteria, extra credit is given for proposals that spur further expansion of recycling programs. For instance, a grant would be used to leverage matching investment to purchase additional recycling bins, promote curbside recycling, or serve as a pilot leading to future expansion in other public spaces.
About Us
The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please visit www.coca-colacompany.com/our-company/the-coca-cola-foundation.
Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, we strive to End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by more than 600 state and local affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities and government officials.