Who is eligible for the First Nations Waste Management Initiative program?

To be eligible for the First Nations Waste Management Initiative program, you must: First Nations Tribal Councils First Nations technical service organizations or related not-for-profit organizations (excluding charities)

What expenses are eligible under First Nations Waste Management Initiative?

Establishment of waste management agreements with municipalities and service providers. Construction of transfer stations and engineered landfills, particularly in remote communities. Implementation of recycling, composting, and hazardous waste management initiatives. Delivery of operator training and educational programs on waste management. Development of waste management plans, feasibility studies, and landfill closure projects.

Who can I contact for more information about the First Nations Waste Management Initiative?

You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

Where is the First Nations Waste Management Initiative available?

The First Nations Waste Management Initiative program is available across Canada.

Is the First Nations Waste Management Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?

First Nations Waste Management Initiative is a Partnering and Collaboration

Who are the financial supporters of the First Nations Waste Management Initiative?

First Nations Waste Management Initiative is funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

Open

First Nations Waste Management Initiative

Last Update: March 4, 2026

Canada

Supports sustainable waste management projects for First Nations communities

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Indigenous Services Canada

Overview

The First Nations Waste Management Initiative provides funding to support the development of sustainable waste management systems in First Nations communities, covering activities such as infrastructure construction, waste reduction programs, operator training, and landfill management. The program facilitates a range of projects including municipal-type agreements, transfer stations, engineered landfills, recycling initiatives, and feasibility studies; no maximum funding amount is specified.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Increasing community impact
Develop strategic partnerships
Reduce the ecological footprint

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Open continuously

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Public administration

Location

Canada

Legal structures

Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

Indigenous Peoples

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

Environment
Economic, Social and Community Development

Target groups

Indigenous peoples
Rural / Remote communities

Revenue structures

All structures

Scope

Local
Regional

Activities funded

Establishment of waste management agreements with municipalities and service providers.
Construction of transfer stations and engineered landfills, particularly in remote communities.
Implementation of recycling, composting, and hazardous waste management initiatives.
Delivery of operator training and educational programs on waste management.
Development of waste management plans, feasibility studies, and landfill closure projects.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 40,000

Implementation of a hazardous household waste collection event

$ 67,000

Comprehensive waste management plan and landfill closure study

$ 2,780,000

Construction of a new engineered landfill for remote access

$ 54,000

Operator training and certification for new waste transfer station

$ 90,000

Installation of a community-wide composting program and bins

$ 525,000

Municipal agreement for curbside waste and recycling collection

Eligibility

The applicant must be a First Nation, Tribal Council, First Nations technical service organization, related not-for-profit organization (excluding charities), or an eligible collaborative organization operating on behalf of First Nations.
The project must focus on the development or improvement of sustainable waste management systems on reserve.

Who is eligible?

First Nations
Tribal Councils
First Nations technical service organizations
Related not-for-profit organizations (excluding charities)
Eligible collaborative organizations operating on behalf of First Nations

Who is not eligible

Charitable organizations (charities).
For-profit businesses not affiliated with First Nations.
Organizations not operating on behalf of First Nations.

Eligible expenses

Costs for agreements with municipalities and service providers for waste management.
Construction expenses for transfer stations and engineered landfills in remote and isolated communities.
Expenses related to recycling, composting, and hazardous waste management programs.
Training costs for waste operators.
Costs for waste awareness and education programming.
Expenses for landfill management and site closure.
Preparation of waste management plans and feasibility studies.

Eligible geographic areas

On-reserve First Nations communities in Canada.

How to apply

Document waste management needs

Identify your community's waste management infrastructure needs
Ensure needs are described in the First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan

Contact the regional office

Contact the regional office for more information or guidance
Gather details on eligibility and available funding

Additional information

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, as there is no fixed deadline.
It is recommended that project needs be described in the First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan.
For a comprehensive list of eligible recipients, applicants should contact their regional office.
Information on this initiative was last updated on July 15, 2021.