CleanBC Plastics Action Fund
Program Category:
Climate Mitigation, Community Infrastructure
Program Sub-Category:
Innovation, Waste Reduction and Circular Economy
Status: Open
Funder
BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV)
Deadline Details
The online EOI will close on December 2nd, 2024 or once 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)
- Circular Economy Innovation Category (CEI)
- Regional Plastics Innovation Category (RPI)
- Indigenous Projects Category (INDG)
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.
- Must be located and registered within communities
- 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
1
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 BusinessesIndigenous 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).
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).
(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 agreementBuilding 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