Chapter NR 542

Chapter NR 542

RECYCLING GRANTS TO RESPONSIBLE UNITS

NR 542.01   Purpose.

NR 542.02   Applicability and cross referencing.

NR 542.03   Definitions.

NR 542.04   Applicants.

NR 542.05   Eligible and ineligible costs.

NR 542.06   Distribution of grant assistance.

NR 542.07   Grant assistance application.

NR 542.09   Grant payments.

NR 542.10   Grantee accountability.

NR 542.11   Grant variances.

NR 542.13   Repayment of awards.

NR 542.14   Enforcement.

Ch. NR 542 Note Note: Corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, August, 1997, No. 500.

NR 542.01 NR 542.01 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules for the implementation and administration of a grant program for planning, constructing, or operating effective recycling programs in accordance with ss. 287.11 (2) (a) to (h) and 287.23, Stats.

NR 542.01 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; CR 23-065: am. Register June 2025 No. 834, eff. 7-1-25.

NR 542.02 NR 542.02 Applicability and cross referencing. This chapter applies to all applicants and recipients of funding under s. 287.23, Stats., for planning, constructing, or operating a recycling program.

NR 542.02 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; CR 23-065: am. Register June 2025 No. 834, eff. 7-1-25.

NR 542.03 NR 542.03 Definitions. In this chapter:

NR 542.03(1) (1) “Avoided disposal costs” has the meaning specified in s. 287.23 (1) (ar), Stats.

NR 542.03(2) (2) “Capital expenses” means construction or acquisition costs including improvements or equipment costing $1,000.00 or more and with an expected life of 3 years or more.

NR 542.03(4) (4) “Department” means the department of natural resources.

NR 542.03(5) (5) “Effective recycling program” means a solid waste management program that includes all of the components specified in s. 287.11 (2), Stats.

NR 542.03(5m) (5m) “Multiple-family dwelling” means a structure containing 5 or more residential units, including units that are occupied seasonally.

NR 542.03(6) (6) “Population” has the meaning specified in s. 287.24 (1), Stats.

NR 542.03(7) (7) “Postconsumer waste” has the meaning specified in s. 287.01 (7), Stats.

NR 542.03(8) (8) “Prevailing market rate” has the meaning specified in s. 287.23 (1) (d), Stats.

NR 542.03(8m) (8m) “Recyclable materials” has the meaning specified in s. NR 544.03 (33).

NR 542.03(10) (10) “Recycling program costs” means the costs incurred for collection, transportation, processing, and marketing of materials specified under s. 287.07 (2), (3), and (4), Stats.

NR 542.03(11) (11) “Responsible unit” has the meaning specified in s. 287.01 (9), Stats.

NR 542.03(12) (12) “Solid waste facility” has the meaning specified in s. 289.01 (35), Stats.

NR 542.03 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; correction in (6) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2013 No. 690; CR 23-065: r. (3), cr. (5m), am. (8), cr. (8m), r. (9), renum. (10) (intro.) to (10) and am., r. (10) (a) to (c), (13) Register June 2025 No. 834, eff. 7-1-25.

NR 542.04 NR 542.04 Applicants. A responsible unit that has been determined by the department to have an effective recycling program is eligible to apply for grant assistance under this chapter.

NR 542.04 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; CR 23-065: r. and recr. Register June 2025 No. 834, eff. 7-1-25.

NR 542.05 NR 542.05 Eligible and ineligible costs.

NR 542.05(1) (1) Eligible costs. The grantee’s effective recycling program costs, net of the sale of recovered materials, that are reasonable and necessary for planning, constructing, or operating an effective recycling program during a grant year are eligible for grant assistance. Eligible costs may include any of the following:

NR 542.05(1)(a) (a) The costs of planning, including consultant fees.

NR 542.05(1)(b) (b) Construction costs, including capitalized interest, professional services of an attorney, and engineering services for design, construction and construction inspection.

NR 542.05(1)(c) (c) Training, salaries and fringe benefit costs of personnel.

NR 542.05(1)(d) (d) The purchase of necessary supplies.

NR 542.05(1)(e) (e) Capital purchases for any of the following:

NR 542.05(1)(e)1. 1. Equipment; equipment costing $1,000 or more and with an expected life of 3 years or more will be funded on an amortized basis;

NR 542.05(1)(e)2. 2. Land, including site acquisition at fair market value and site preparation costs;

NR 542.05(1)(f) (f) The allocable cost of using equipment not purchased with grant monies as provided under s. NR 542.10 (1) (b)3.

NR 542.05(1)(g) (g) Costs of collecting, marketing, and transporting materials specified under s. 287.07 (2), (3), and (4), Stats., from a single family or a 2 to 4 unit residence.

NR 542.05(1)(h) (h) Public education and enforcement costs.

NR 542.05(1)(i) (i) Written contracts entered into by responsible units to obtain services necessary for an effective recycling program.

NR 542.05(1)(j) (j) The following costs of a solid waste facility designed to recover recyclables from postconsumer waste:

NR 542.05(1)(j)1. 1. All costs that can be directly isolated to the recycling component.

NR 542.05(1)(j)2. 2. The proportionate share of the remaining costs equal to the proportion of recovered recyclable materials to total waste, by weight.

NR 542.05(1)(k) (k) Cost of documenting how solid waste which is generated in the grantee’s region and is not separated or recovered for recycling will be managed, as required by s. 287.11 (2) (ew), Stats.

NR 542.05(2) (2) Ineligible costs. Costs not directly associated with or not necessary for the planning, construction, or operation of an effective recycling program are not eligible for grant assistance. Ineligible costs include all of the following:

NR 542.05(2)(a) (a) Costs incurred either prior to January 1 or after December 31 for each grant.

NR 542.05(2)(b) (b) Costs of collecting and disposing of municipal solid waste not separated for recycling, except as provided for under sub. (1) (k).

NR 542.05(2)(c) (c) Fines and penalties due to violations of, or failure to comply with, federal, state or local laws, regulations, rules and ordinances.

NR 542.05(2)(d) (d) Ordinary operating expenses of local government, such as salaries and expenses of a mayor or city council members that are not directly related to the recycling program.