Residential Sharps Collection Program
🏛 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Can you apply?
This grant is for units of local government in Illinois that want to operate a residential sharps collection station. Applicants must serve private residents only; business waste is not eligible. The program funds actual costs of collection and disposal up to $35,000 per unit.
Eligible costs include advertising, educational materials, collection containers, storage receptacles, transporter mobilization fees, and disposal fees. Indirect costs are allowed. Projects must occur between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
Applicants cannot combine this funding with other sources if total support exceeds 100% of project costs. All subcontractors must comply with grant agreement terms.
This grant is for units of local government in Illinois that want to operate a residential sharps collection station. Applicants must serve private residents only; business waste is not eligible. The program funds actual costs of collection and disposal up to $35,000 per unit.
Eligible costs include advertising, educational materials, collection containers, storage receptacles, transporter mobilization fees, and disposal fees. Indirect costs are allowed. Projects must occur between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
Applicants cannot combine this funding with other sources if total support exceeds 100% of project costs. All subcontractors must comply with grant agreement terms.
Program description
In accordance with 415 ILCS 5/22.15(i), the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Materials Management and Compliance Section (MMCS) has the authority to administer grants funding household waste collections. This grant opportunity is open to units of local government to implement a residential sharps collection.
Each unit of local government is eligible for the actual costs of sharps collection and disposal, up to $35,000.00. Eligible costs include: costs for advertising sharps collection stations, costs for educational materials focused on proper disposal of sharps, costs to obtain collection containers for use by individual residents, collection receptacles to store sharps at the sharps collection station, mobilization fees assessed by an appropriately permitted potentially infectious medical waste (PIMW) transporter to pick up collected sharps, disposal fees for the collected sharps, and indirect costs. Sharps accepted at the sharps collection station shall only be sharps collected from private residents; no business waste may be combined with the sharps collected under this funding opportunity. This award is funded through the SWMF. The projects to be funded are: Reimbursement to units of local government for actual costs associated with operating a sharps collection station.
The number of awards will depend on the number of applications received. Performance period will begin either July 1, 2026, or upon execution of a grant agreement, whichever is later.
Grantees must demonstrate to the Agency the use of grant funds for qualifying costs incurred after the execution of the grant agreement through June 30, 2027.
Eligible costs include: costs for advertising sharps collection stations, costs for educational materials focused on proper disposal of sharps, costs to obtain collection containers for use by individual residents (if not otherwise available from the Agency), collection receptacles to store sharps at the sharps collection station, mobilization fees assessed by an appropriately permitted potentially infectious medical waste (PIMW) transporter to pick up collected sharps, disposal fees for the collected sharps, and indirect costs.
The award will not allow for reimbursement of costs incurred prior to the effective date of the grant agreement or after the project period in the grant agreement ends. Applicants will be prohibited from combining funding from this program with other funding such that they receive in excess of 100% funding for any project.
For purposes of this NOFO, the terms “Allowable Costs” and “Unallowable Costs” have the same meaning as provided in 44 Ill. Admin. Code Part 7000.
Subcontractors are subject to all provisions of grant agreements that result from this NOFO. Applicants retain sole responsibility for all subcontractors. Administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 532-30-3162).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for units of local government in Illinois that want to operate a residential sharps collection station. Applicants must serve private residents only; business waste is not eligible. The program funds actual costs of collection and disposal up to $35,000 per unit.
Eligible costs include advertising, educational materials, collection containers, storage receptacles, transporter mobilization fees, and disposal fees. Indirect costs are allowed. Projects must occur between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
Applicants cannot combine this funding with other sources if total support exceeds 100% of project costs. All subcontractors must comply with grant agreement terms.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Grant application form (via Illinois GATA Catalog)
- Detailed project budget with cost breakdown
- Documentation of residential sharps collection procedures
- Proof of local government status or authorization
- Evidence of compliance with state regulations
Program contact
- 👤 Alyssa Greer
- 📧 Alyssa.Greer@illinois.gov
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Units of local government in Illinois are eligible. Private businesses and nonprofits cannot apply. You must operate a residential sharps collection station serving private residents only.
What is the award amount and deadline?
Each applicant can receive up to $35,000. The funding deadline is March 1, 2027. The total pool is $600,000, so awards available depend on application volume.
What costs are eligible?
Advertising, educational materials, collection containers, storage receptacles, transporter fees, and disposal fees are all eligible. Indirect costs are allowed. Costs incurred before grant agreement execution or after June 30, 2027 are not eligible.
When does the project period occur?
The performance period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. You can only receive reimbursement for qualifying costs incurred during this timeframe.
Can I combine this funding with other grants?
No. If you use other funding sources, the total cannot exceed 100% of your project costs. You must ensure no over-funding occurs.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your application on actual documented costs. Keep detailed receipts and invoices for all sharps collection and disposal expenses.
- Verify your sharps collection accepts only residential waste. Document your procedures to exclude business or commercial sharps.
- Plan your timeline carefully. Costs incurred before the grant agreement is signed or after June 30, 2027 cannot be reimbursed.
- Clarify any other funding sources upfront. Calculate total project costs and ensure this grant covers only the remaining amount needed.
- Include a clear breakdown of costs by category: advertising, containers, transporter fees, and disposal. This makes reimbursement requests straightforward.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Combining this grant with other funding to exceed 100% of project costs. Claiming reimbursement for pre-agreement or post-June 30, 2027 expenses. Accepting or collecting business/commercial sharps instead of residential-only waste.
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