CleanBC Plastics Action Fund

Program Category: Climate Mitigation, Community Infrastructure

Program Sub-Category: Innovation, Waste Reduction and Circular Economy

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Status: Open

Funder

BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV)

Deadline Details

The online expression of interest (EOI) will be open for the Indigenous Projects and Regional Plastics Innovations funding streams until all funds have been subscribed.

The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund supports plastic waste reduction projects in British Columbia to promote a circular economy through recycling, remanufacturing, reuse, and repair initiatives.

First launched in 2020, the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund has played a pivotal role in addressing the pressing issue of plastic waste in British Columbia. With total investments to date exceeding $13 million, the fund has provided critical financial support to more than 30 projects.

The current phase of the Plastics Action Fund seeks to provide over $20 million in funding to further support the prevention and reduction of plastic waste, while developing the circular economy in British Columbia.

The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund will support new projects that fall under four main funding categories:

Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics Category (PCR) - closed for applications
Circular Economy Innovation Category (CEI) - closed for applications
Regional Plastics Innovation Category (RPI) - open for applications
Indigenous Projects Category (INDG) - open for applications

Eligible Community

Indigenous communities are eligible for all categories. The best category for local governments is the Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics Category.

Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics Category (PCR)
Circular Economy Innovation Category (CEI)
Regional Plastics Innovation Category (RPI)
- Must be located and registered within communities located outside of the Metro Vancouver and Capital Regional Districts.
- Communities with populations under 25,000 located within the Metro Vancouver and Capital Regional districts can request an exemption during the EOI application process.
Indigenous Projects Category (INDG)
- Communities
- Schools, childcare, and other educational institutions
- Band stores
- Indigenous economic development organizations
- Indigenous owned and operated businesses

Application Limit per Community

Specific Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements - General Conditions

All eligible applicants and organizations must adhere to the following conditions:

Applicants must agree that the qualified expenses are used solely towards their project which aims to achieve one or more of the expected outcomes outlined in the funding categories (see Program Guide).
Applicants must participate in an audit, if selected. The audit will require that receipts and invoices of the eligible expenses be submitted for review.
Applicants must participate in a follow-up survey to demonstrate the outcomes resulted from the Program. Only aggregate results will be made public.
Applicants may only make one submission per organization.

All eligible applicants and organizations must be majority owned by a B.C. resident(s), have sole or primary operations in the Province of British Columbia, and meet the following conditions:

Is currently in operation.
Is registered in B.C.

Other Eligible Applicants

Indigenous-owned Businesses
Indigenous Organizations
Non-governmental Organizations / Not-for-Profits

Not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous organizations are eligible for all categories.

Additional eligibility criteria is as follows:

Regional Plastics Innovation Category (RPI)
- Micro-enterprises and small enterprises (employ no more than 10 full-time employees and have generated no more than $100,000 in gross revenue in the previous fiscal year)

Indigenous Projects Category (INDG)
- Communities
- Schools, childcare, and other educational institutions
- Band stores
- Indigenous economic development organizations
- Indigenous owned and operated businesses

Range of Funding Available per Project

Under $100 000
From $100 000 to $1 000 000
Over $1 000 000

Description of Funding

Expected project funding ranges differ by category as follows:

Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics Category (PCR)
- $250,000 - $1,200,000
Circular Economy Innovation Category (CEI)
- $150,000 - $750,000
Regional Plastics Innovation Category (RPI)
- $100,000 - $250,000
Indigenous Projects Category (INDG)
- $75,000 - $150,000

Percentage of Project Funded

Applicants under the Post Consumer Recycled Plastics (PCR) and Circular Economy Innovation (CEI) funding categories must provide a minimum of 33% contribution (maximum funding of 66% of project costs).

Applicants under the Indigenous Projects (INDG) and Regional Plastics Innovation (RPI) funding categories must provide a minimum of 20% contribution(maximum funding of 80% of project costs).

Eligible Costs

Capital expenditures related to the project.
Salary costs for project specific labour
Retrofit costs to enable the project.
Contractor or partner organization fees
Equipment installation costs
Freight or transportation charges
PPE
Marketing & media-related expenses*

Marketing and media related expenses are only eligible for the Circular Economy Innovation and Indigenous Projects categories.

Ineligible Costs

Any costs incurred prior to signing a funding agreement
Building Purchase Costs
Land Acquisition

Expenses incurred for activities before the project start date
Operating expenses
Attendance fees for tradeshows, conferences, and industry events
Salary costs for general staff
General website or IT upgrades
Hosting an existing website
Credit card processing fees
Packaging materials for product shipping and related shipping costs
Real estate capital purchases
Purchase or lease of private/personal vehicles
Labour costs associated with ongoing operations
Travel and hospitality for staff or contractors
Structural renovations not specific to the project
Feasibility studies
Plastic collection, transportation, or depots