Oakland Nursery Receives SWACO's First Business Equipment Grant

Planting Seeds Of Sustainability

Oakland Nursery’s Dublin location is the recipient of SWACO’s first Business Equipment Grant (BEG), funding the purchase of a corrugated cardboard baler that will help the nursery significantly reduce the amount of material it sends to the landfill.
 
With the new baler, Oakland Nursery will be able to process its own corrugated cardboard on-site, reducing the amount of material sent to the landfill by an estimated one-third. The baled cardboard can then be sold to a local processor, where it will be recycled into new products.
 
The investment is expected to provide both environmental and financial benefits. By reducing the volume of waste requiring disposal, Oakland Nursery can lower its waste hauling and disposal costs while also generating a small amount of revenue from the sale of its baled corrugated cardboard.
 
SWACO’s new Business Equipment Grant program is designed to help businesses in Franklin County make meaningful investments in waste reduction and recycling infrastructure. Eligible projects can include the purchase of equipment such as balers, compactors, shredders and other technologies that help businesses divert more material from the landfill.
 
Businesses interested in applying for a BEG must first meet with a SWACO representative to discuss their proposed project. Following that introductory meeting, applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants can request up to $75,000 in grant funding and are required to provide a 50% cash match.
 
Oakland Nursery’s investment demonstrates how the right equipment can turn everyday business waste into a valuable resource — creating environmental benefits while helping businesses reduce costs and strengthen their recycling efforts.
 
Have questions or ready to get started? Email Biz@SWACO.org to start or click HERE for more information about grants at SWACO.