Polystyrene Alternatives Grant

Background

Beginning January 1, 2024, Colorado law will ban single-use plastic bags at most stores and polystyrene foam (styrofoam) takeout containers at all restaurants via Colorado House Bill 21-1162. This includes the banning of distributing polystyrene as well.

To assist Sheridan businesses, the city is providing a one-time reimbursement grant of up to $500 per business to transition to non-polystyrene foam foodware alternatives. Partial funds may be requested. Businesses must purchase the items first and submit itemized receipts to qualify for the reimbursement grant.

Who this applies to:

City of Sheridan businesses and food trucks that are licensed in the City of Sheridan.  

Who this does NOT apply to:

Physical businesses outside of the City of Sheridan, food packaged outside of Sheridan.

Apply for the grant

Fill out the online form here including the expense details and return to Mel Englund at sustainability@ci.sheridan.co.us.

Resources

You can view the Guide to the 2024 Polystyrene Ban to get additional tips on how to navigate the polystyrene ban in Colorado. More information about can be found by clicking this link.

For questions or assistance, please contact Mel Englund, Sustainability Coordinator, at sustainability@ci.sheridan.co.us, 303-870-2047.

ELIGIBILITY

Prepared food vendors within City of Sheridan limits currently distributing or providing polystyrene foam (e.g. Styrofoam) foodware to serve prepared food. Polystyrene foam foodware items including takeout containers, plates, bowls, or cups are eligible. 

Businesses must be in good standing with the City of Sheridan to be approved.

To find out if you are in good standing, please contact Heidi McKelrath, Finance Tax Administrator at hmckelrath@ci.sheridan.co.us or 303-438-3308 or Reagan Crihfield, Business License Administrator, at rcrihfield@ci.sheridan.co.us or 303-438-3313.

Applications are due Tuesday, December 21 at 5:00PM. Documentation may be submitted up until December 31st. Businesses will be chosen on a first come, first served basis. 

ELIGIBLE USE OF GRANT FUNDS

Funding may be used to reimburse procurement of non-polystyrene foam foodware to replace polystyrene foam foodware, i.e. takeout containers, plates, bowls, or cups. Note: this grant program only covers foodware items.

FUNDING AMOUNT

$500 maximum per business. Businesses may apply for partial funding.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND DEADLINES:

 

1. Grant application – Due Tuesday, December 21 at 5 p.m.

2. W-9 – Due Tuesday, December 21 at 5 p.m.

3. Reporting

         - Polystyrene Data Collection Worksheet. For businesses that have bought polystyrene products in the last 12 months, they must fill out this report. This is to report the annual quantity of polystyrene foam foodware products purchased before transition to a non-polystyrene foam alternative in the past 12 months. Data from this worksheet helps the city with waste reduction metrics. Technical assistance from city staff is available. Due no later than December 31, 2023 at 5 p.m. (Spanish language version) 

OR

  - Waste Reduction Leadership Award Reporting. Businesses who have not used polystyrene in the last 12 months can still receive grant funding as a thank you for your leadership. Funding, however, requires said businesses to advance waste efforts further both internally and externally in 2024. Actions must be quantifiable (ex: how many people reached; how much waste was diverted; how many partnerships were made) and results must be shareable so results can be proliferated into the community. An example of this could be the following: External – running a waste reduction social media campaign; internally – hosting a composting 101 workshop. Activities must be reported on by January 31, 2025. Reporting documents will be sent out by mid-2024.

4.  Itemized receipts of payment or invoice and proof of payment - Due no later than December 31, 2023 at 5 p.m.

GRANT FUNDS

City funding will be dispersed on a reimbursable basis as a single payment to the business. The grant award will be paid when all reporting requirements (aside from the Waste Reduction Leadership Award, which reporting will be due in 2025) and reimbursement documents have been received by the city.