MARC Solid Waste Management District awards nearly $800,000 to advance waste reduction, recycling

The funds are part of the district’s annual grant program, which has distributed more than $15 million to local governments, nonprofits, schools and other organizations since 1993.

“There is great work happening across the region and we are excited to support these important organizations working to reduce waste,” said Dianna Bryant, MARC Solid Waste Management Program Manager. “Through innovative projects, the grantees are not only protecting our environment but also strengthening the local economy and building healthier and stronger communities for everyone.”

Below are the 2026 MARC Solid Waste Management District grantees:

• Bold Reuse was awarded $98,172 to expand their capacity to offer event organizers the option to choose reuseable dishware instead of disposable. Bold Reuse serves CPKC Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium with reusable cups, which lessens the impact on area landfills.
• Bridging The Gap was awarded $219,788 to re-establish mattress recycling in the region. Bridging The Gap plans to convert a building that was previously used for this purpose, hire staff, and buy equipment to collect and recycle mattresses. They will partner with Kansas City, Missouri, to offer drop-off services at community recycling centers. Eventually, Bridging The Gap will offer curbside pickup services.
• Flourish Furniture Bank accepts donations of furniture and household goods to furnish new homes for those in need. Flourish was awarded $89,204 to support the costs of expanding their warehouse space to display more furniture and enhance the shopping experience for their clients.
• Ingenuity was awarded $58,197 to test the viability of using recycled drywall as a component in concrete. If successful, this project could result in a local end-market for scrap drywall.
• Kanbe’s Markets was awarded $163,617 to expand warehouse space to increase their capacity to rescue produce. Kanbe’s Markets diverted over a million pounds of food in 2025 and intends to double that amount in 2026.
• The Product Stewardship Institute was awarded $52,095 to continue their support to the Missouri Product Stewardship Council, which is actively working to bring stewardship programs for paint, batteries and mattresses to Missouri.
• The Prospect KC provides hands-on culinary training, food redistribution and wrap-around support services to people facing barriers to economic mobility. The Prospect KC was awarded $49,000 to support their food rescue efforts and a pilot composting program.
• Re.Use.Full was awarded $65,465 in funds to support their mission to provide more reuse opportunities in the region. Funds will support repair cafés at local libraries, clothing swaps and un-dumpster days.