Any project that directly or indirectly improves waste prevention, material reuse/repair/recovery/recycling, organics management, and product development using otherwise wasted materials.

• Upstream Projects: prevent waste or improve and expand rescue, reuse and repair of material and organic streams within Washington.

• Downstream Projects: improve, innovate, or expand recycling, recovery and end uses of material and organic streams within Washington.

Projects may focus on any material that is otherwise wasted or where there is a proposed higher, better use of materials according to the waste hierarchy. Eligible waste streams include:

• Pre-consumer

• Post-consumer

• Post-commercial

• Industrial

• Agricultural Waste Streams or By-Products.

Entrepreneurs/start-up organizations, small businesses, established corporations, social enterprises, community-based organizations or nonprofits, trade organizations, Tribal nations and organizations, universities, or research teams. Community-based organizations operating under fiscal sponsorship by another organization are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Out-of-state organizations are eligible, but the proposed project or venture must be located and directly address the circular economy in King County, WA.

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES must be directly related to the project and may include:

• Certain Equipment Purchase, Rental, Lease

• Consulting Assistance/Legal Services

• Marketing/Collateral

• Market Feasibility Analysis

• Project Related Event(s)

• Project Related Salary/Labor

• Prototyping/Lab Testing/Research & Development

• Supplies/Materials

INELIGIBLE EXPENSES include, but are not limited to purchase of:

• Computers/Software

• Vehicles

• Office Furniture

• Food/Beverages

• Entertainment

• Fundraising Events

• Conferences/Event Registrations (unless directly related to the project)

• Lobbying Activities

• Dept Payments

This grant provides up-front funding - not a reimbursement.

Grant recipients are required to contract and register in the King County E-Procurement Supplier Portal. Grantees are required to have a tax identification number (TIN) to complete the registration.

Once the contract is signed by all parties the funds will be dispersed into the recipient’s account by 12/31/2025.

Applications must be submitted online through the online submission portal. Submissions are due on or before September 19, 2025, at 11:59pm PT.

Please read the information packet for more details about applying. Evaluation criteria and a scoring rubric are included in the packet.

Questions CAN be asked during the application period. Please see the “Questions & Support” section of this webpage to find a way to connect with program facilitators.