Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant Programs
The Code of Virginia provides for the following annual litter taxes to be collected and deposited in an interest earning account: the Litter Control and Recycling Trust Fund (Fund):
- Litter Tax -- Section 58.1-1707: $10.00 per year for each location of manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors or retailers of consumer products and an additional $15.00 per year per location where groceries, soft drinks and beer are sold.
- Excise Tax on Soft Drinks -- Section 58.1-1702: A gross receipts tax on wholesalers.
- Excise Tax on Beer and Wine Coolers -- Section 4.1-236: 2% of the taxes collected go to the Fund.
Specific information on the payment of Virginia's Litter Taxes can be obtained by contacting the Customer Service for Businesses Section of the Virginia Department of Taxation at 804.367.8037.
Additional information can also be found at the Virginia Department of Taxation's Web Site at www.tax.virginia.gov.
Since 1981, Virginia businesses have contributed $40,187,797 to the Fund.
In Fiscal Year 2007 (July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007), the litter taxes generated $2,027,672. The FY 2007 Fund included the following revenues and interest amounts:
- Litter Tax = $ 867,193
- Soft Drink Tax = $ 218,665
- Beer Tax = $ 80,168
- Interest = $ 61,665
Section 10.1-1422.01 of the Code of Virginia established the Litter Control and Recycling Fund and stipulated that revenues from the litter tax are distributed each year according to the following allocation formula, amended by legislation in 2006 (HB 448) and effective July 1, 2006:
- 90 % - Non-competitive Litter Prevention and Recycling Grants to each Virginia locality;
- 5 % - litter prevention and recycling grants (special projects), and;
- 5 % to the Department of Environmental Quality to administer the grant program and provide support for the Litter Control and Recycling Fund Advisory Board (Fund Board) . The Fund Board provides recommendations to the Director on grant funding policy for both litter and recycling programs/projects in the Commonwealth.
Non-Competitive Grant Program
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) provides funds for litter prevention and recycling grants to localities under a non-competitive grant program based on population and road miles. These grants have been awarded annually, since 1980, to localities for local litter prevention and recycling program implementation, continuation, and/or expansion. The grant cycle is July 1 - June 30. New applications are made available on May 1 of each year.
Authorized Uses of Funds
The grant shall be used for litter prevention and recycling program implementation, continuation, and/or expansion. Authorized uses of the grant funds include:
1. Salaries, wages, or other personnel costs
2. Office supplies, postage, telephone
3. Printing and program materials
4. Travel expenses
5. Locally conducted meetings, workshops, and awards
- Audiovisual material on litter or recycling
- Equipment such as: educational, litter receptacles, recycling, source reduction, and reuse equipment, audiovisual, safety, and the renting of such equipment
8. Award materials
9. Cleanup supplies
10. Annual dues for solid waste related associations
11. Litter collection and/or recycling collection contracts
Unauthorized Uses of Grant Funds
Grant funds shall not be used for the following:
A. Meals associated with award events. Applicants are encouraged to use other sources of funds for such purposes.
B. Purchase of mass media time or space.
C. For any project or item not directly related to litter prevention or recycling, including (but not limited to):
- Beautification projects, landscaping, purchase of trees or shrubs, or lawn services.
- Purchase of equipment for lawn maintenance or for collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste.
The Non-Competitive Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant Application is Now Available!
To be eligible to receive grant funding, the application MUST be postmarked by June 30, 2008. The Performance and Accounting Report MUST be postmarked by August 31, 2008. A performance and accounting report must be submitted to show how the last grant you received was spent. Every locality needs to submit a performance and accounting report to receive grant funds even if this is the first time that you have applied for this grant.
Non-Competitive Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant Memo (PDF Version)
Non-Competitive Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant Memo (Word Version)
Non-Competitive Litter and Recycling Grant Application Package (including the Performance and Accounting Report) - PDF Version
Non-Competitive Litter and Recycling Grant Application Package (including the Performance and Accounting Report) - (Word Version)
Special Projects Funding
Applications for special project funding may be submitted to DEQ for consideration by the Fund Board during its fall meeting. The application will be available after July 1 of each year depending upon the availability of funding for special projects. These funds are available to local governments (meeting 10.1-1422.04 requirements) and any non-profit entity composed of representatives of localities who meet the same criteria of 10.1-1422.04.
Grant Program Reporting
At the conclusion of each grant year, the non-competitive grant recipients must submit Performance and Accounting Reports on the activities and expenses for which the grant funds were used. DEQ compiles the information that is submitted by the grant recipients and certified by one of their authorized agents and submits it to the Board for their review and consideration. The current Performance and Accounting Report on the non-competitive grant program can be accessed through the following link:
Performance and Accounting Reports from previous grant cycles are provided below:
- Performance and Accounting Report - FY 2004
- Performance and Accounting Report - FY 2003
- Performance and Accounting Report - FY 2002
- Performance and Accounting Report - FY 2001
- Performance and Accounting Report - FY 2000
- Performance and Accounting Report - FY 1999
The Litter Control and Recycling Fund Advisory Board
The grant programs are governed by the Litter Control and Recycling Fund Advisory Board (Fund Board). The Fund Board is appointed by the Governor and consists of five members as follows: one representative for each of the three types of entities required to pay the litter taxes, one local litter or recycling coordinator, and one member from the general public. The Fund Board meets at least twice throughout the year to track the status of the Fund and the progress of the annual grant programs.
In previous years, the Department of Environmental Quality, after receiving recommendations from the Fund Board, also awarded competitive statewide and regional litter prevention and recycling grants for the public purpose of the development and implementation of statewide and regional litter prevention and recycling educational programs. The last competitive grants awarded through this program were for FY 2002. Three special projects were funded in FY 2005 and FY 2006 using unallocated funds (Litter Training Seminar in March of 2005, Assign-A-Highway Project in October of 2005, and program outreach materials (premiums) in December of 2004). In FY 2007, two special projects were approved for funding (Assign-a-Highway - Phase II, and the annual conference of the Virginia Council for Litter Prevention and Recycling - 2007).
Historical listings
A historical listing of the Competitive Grant Awards for Award Years 1996 through 2007 has been compiled and can be accessed through the following link:
Project Information and a Materials List for the Competitive Grant Award's Litter and Recycling Educational Projects for 1996 - 2002 has been compiled and can be accessed through the following link:
Litter and Recycling Educational Projects - 1996 - 2003
Questions about the grants may be directed to Steve Coe at (804) 698-4029 or via email as gscoe@deq.virginia.gov.