FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 14, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced $6 million in grants for projects aimed at reducing solid waste in landfills and improving the management of hazardous household waste. The funding, which comes from state dollars supported through the Kentucky Pride Fund, will be provided to municipalities, universities and fiscal courts for 68 projects across the commonwealth.
“For years, this initiative has helped reduce the amount of waste piling up in our landfills,” Gov. Beshear said. “By continuing to take proactive steps, we are making sure we are keeping Kentucky safe and clean for our kids and grandkids.”
The program awards three types of grants:
The recycling grant provides funds for counties to purchase recycling equipment with the goal of promoting sustainable regional recycling infrastructure in Kentucky.
The composting grant funds the purchase of equipment to improve composting and promote creative solutions for managing food waste, lawn waste and other organic material.
The household hazardous waste grant provides funds for counties to conduct annual drop-off events for their citizens to dispose of household chemicals, old electronics and other potentially hazardous waste.
There were 36 recycling grants totaling about $4.4 million, 29 household hazardous waste grants totaling approximately $1 million and 3 composting grants totaling just over $570,000. These grants require a 25 percent local match in the form of cash or “in kind” labor, educational activities or advertising to promote the program from those receiving the awards. A complete list of grant recipients can be viewed here.
“These projects help shine a light on the importance of recycling home electronic equipment, which can contain metals that are harmful to human health if put into our landfills,” said Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary John Lyons. “We encourage everybody to do their part to keep our communities healthy and consider the life cycle of these products and how to carefully dispose of them,”
For more information about the division’s recycling efforts, please visit the Kentucky Division of Waste Management website.