CRP Financial Management & Grant Funding

Question 1

What is a 'net cost per ton' calculation in recycling program financial management?

Accepted Answer

Total program operating costs minus commodity revenues, divided by total tons recycled — representing the true municipal subsidy per ton

Answer

The total disposal cost avoided per ton diverted from landfill

Answer

The collection cost per ton before any processing fees are deducted

Answer

The revenue per ton received from commodity sales after broker commissions

Question 2

Which federal agency administers the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants that fund recycling program improvements?

Accepted Answer

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Answer

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Answer

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

Answer

USDA Rural Development

Question 3

A recycling program's total annual operating cost is $1.2M and it receives $320,000 in commodity revenue. If the program recycles 4,000 tons per year, what is the net cost per ton?

Accepted Answer

$220 per ton

Answer

$300 per ton

Answer

$80 per ton

Answer

$380 per ton

Question 4

What is 'avoided cost' and how is it used to justify recycling program expenditures?

Accepted Answer

The disposal cost (tipping fee × tons diverted) that would have been paid if recyclables had been sent to landfill instead, demonstrating the economic value of diversion

Answer

The cost savings from reducing collection frequency in low-participation areas

Answer

The reduction in MRF processing fees achieved through better material quality

Answer

The savings from eliminating broker commissions by selling directly to end-markets

Question 5

When writing a grant application for recycling infrastructure funding, which element is most critical to demonstrate program impact?

Accepted Answer

Quantifiable metrics: tons diverted, diversion rate improvement, households served, and cost-per-ton reduction

Answer

A comprehensive literature review of recycling best practices nationally

Answer

Letters of support from all elected officials in the service area

Answer

A detailed organizational chart of program staff and contractors

Question 6

Under an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for packaging, who typically funds the recycling system?

Accepted Answer

Producers and brand owners who place packaging on the market, through fees paid to a producer responsibility organization (PRO)

Answer

State governments through general fund appropriations

Answer

Consumers through a deposit charged at point of sale

Answer

MRF operators through a commodity revenue sharing model