GRANT DESCRIPTION: A total of $250,000 in funding is available through the Michigan Community Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program for the development of ongoing household drug collection programs. These programs should include strategies and projects that promote environmental stewardship and awareness through the collection and incineration of unused household medications, including controlled and non-controlled substances within Michigan communities. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will provide grants to non-profit organizations, local and tribal governments, local health departments, municipalities, and regional planning agencies to fund drug collection programs. Grantees must fund at least 25 percent of the total project cost. The purpose of these grants is to increase public access to free, convenient, safe and environmentally optimal drug collection programs and to foster the development of successful models and approaches that can be implemented in other areas of the state. Proposals for projects of various scopes and costs are welcome. Total grant funds requested must be no larger than $100,000 and the proposal must clearly indicate how the money will be spent.

Evidence of pharmaceutical waste has been detected in groundwater and drinking water in the Great Lakes region. The technologies and equipment required to remove these compounds from drinking and waste water are expensive and are currently not widely deployed by communities. Historically, unused medications were simply flushed down the toilet where they could enter the waters of the state via a septic field and discharges from the waste water treatment plant or they could leach into the groundwater from the sludge removed from waste water treatment plants or landfills. Prescription drug abuse is also one of the most common forms of drug abuse and it has been linked to the ready access of unused medications left in the home. Successful drug collection programs will prevent pharmaceutical waste from being released into and accumulating in the environment and reduce the incidence of abuse of prescription drugs.

GRANT OBJECTIVE: This grant request will target the following objectives:

• Develop and implement a household drug collection program that provides a free, convenient and simple method for the population of a geographically defined area of Michigan to regularly dispose of unused medications, both controlled and non-controlled substances, in an environmentally optimal manner.
• Based on 2010 American Community Survey 5 year estimate data report the demographics of the service area. Also summarize conclusions of projected and actual program impact for the area served to identify demographic indicators that have an impact on the success or failure of the drug collection program. This will inform citizens regarding the implementation of future drug collection programs in different areas of the state.
• Collect metrics, minimally including collection dates, collection participant numbers, and collection volumes and weights for at least prescription and non-prescription drugs (over the counter) collected.
• Collect questionnaire data from a sample of the population residing in and adjacent to the area served.
• Increase the deployment of equipment needed for the collection of both controlled and non-controlled pharmaceuticals.
• Develop a plan to publicize the collection program to increase awareness and participation rates.

ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS: Local and tribal governments, non-profit organizations, local health departments, municipalities, and regional planning agencies are eligible to receive funding.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES: The following activities are eligible under the Community P2 Grants Household Drug Collection Program:

• Grant funds can be used to fund employee salaries or employ graduate students to administer a household drug collection program.
• Grant funding can be used to hire consultants to implement portions of the household drug collection program.
• Grant funds can be used to support local drug collection programs.
• Grant funds can be used to collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of the drug collection program and to identify potential improvements.
• Grant funds can also be used to develop training programs and education and outreach materials.

AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: A total of $250,000 in funding is available. The match requirement of at least 25 percent has been established by law. The maximum dollar amount requested should be based upon what is needed to carry out the identified tasks and products. Total grant fund requests must be no larger than $100,000; however, local match expenditures can bring total grant expenditures over the $100,000 limit. Project contracts can run for one or two years and will be on a cost-reimbursement basis. Requests for funding will be accepted from February 1, 2012, through March 30, 2012.

MATCHING REQUIREMENTS: Organizations receiving grants are required to match total project costs by at least 25 percent. Grantee contributions may include dollars, in-kind goods and services, and/or third party contributions.

DUE DATE: Proposals are due no later than March 30, 2012.

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

• Request for Proposals (RFP) (pdf)
• Grant Proposal Cover Sheet (fillable Word form)
• Project Budget Form (Excel)