Submit to Carton Recycling Infrastructure Grant

Overview

The Carton Council works to expand the collection, sorting, and end markets for food and beverage cartons across the United States and Canada. One critical way to strengthen carton recycling is by supporting improvements at material recovery facilities (MRFs).

Through this grant program, the Carton Council provides financial assistance to MRF operators for equipment, infrastructure, and operational improvements that increase the capture and recovery of cartons from the residential recycling stream.

Funded projects help ensure that cartons are effectively sorted and delivered to end markets where they can be recycled into new products such as paper tissue, recycled paperboard, and sustainable building materials.

Eligible Projects

Projects that improve the recovery and sorting of cartons at MRFs may be considered for funding. Examples include:

  • Installation or modification of optical sorting equipment
  • Robotic sortation systems
  • Positive sort systems for cartons
  • Conveyor, bunker, or screen upgrades
  • Quality control improvements
  • Equipment modifications to improve carton capture in mixed paper or dedicated carton streams
  • Facility retrofits that improve carton recovery efficiency
  • Other technologies or operational improvements that increase carton recovery

Projects should result in the production and sale of dedicated carton bales, known as PSI Grade 52.

Funding Guidelines

Grant amounts vary depending on project scope and expected impact. Awards are considered on a case-by-case basis. Funding decisions are based on factors including:

  • Estimated increase in carton recovery
  • Facility throughput and service area
  • Cost-effectiveness of the proposed project
  • Project readiness and timeline

The Carton Council may fund a portion of project costs rather than the full project amount.

Eligibility

Applicants must operate or represent a MRF that processes residential recyclables. Eligible applicants include:

  • Publicly or privately owned MRF operators
  • Municipal recycling authorities operating MRFs
  • Recycling companies operating MRF facilities
  • Regional recycling partnerships proposing infrastructure improvements

Facilities must demonstrate that they process commingled residential recycling that includes food and beverage cartons.

Project Timeline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Once submitted, applications will be evaluated by the Carton Council recycling projects team. Applicants may be contacted for additional information or clarification.