Item Description:
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Est Community Zero Waste Grant Program; neg grant agmts to provide funding for community-led waste prevention and diversion projects, NTE $225,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that a Community Zero Waste Grant Program be established to provide funding for community-led waste prevention and diversion projects; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate and award grant agreements for a combined total not to exceed $225,000; that following a review and approval by the County Attorney's Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
In 2022 and 2023, the county contracted with 18 community-based organizations to conduct engagement on residents' experiences with the solid waste system in Hennepin County. The engagement findings were used to shape the county's Zero Waste Plan and led to the following action under the reducing racial disparities and advancing equity in the solid waste management system aim of the plan:
Expand funding and support for community-centric solutions
Provide funding and technical support to local organizations to support engagement with residents, businesses, and property managers and harness the power of community-centric solutions for zero waste. Projects would be developed and led by community partners and may range from providing recycling education sessions to developing locally managed reuse clinics or organics drop-offs for multifamily residents.
With the Green Partners Grant Program already in place to fund community-led education and behavior change zero-waste projects, the Community Zero Waste Grant Program will focus on community-led projects that directly reduce or divert waste in communities that have higher barriers to waste programming. Examples of projects could include community-led swaps, repair clinics, spe...
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