The Recycling Performance Grants, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), are available to all local governments in Pennsylvania with established recycling programs. Grant awards are determined based on the total tons recycled and the municipality's recycling rate. Eligible materials include post-consumer aluminum and steel cans, glass, plastics, corrugated cardboard, newspapers, and other marketable paper grades. Materials collected from residents, businesses, schools, colleges, universities, and community events can be factored into the grant awards.

Applicants must provide documentation to prove that the materials claimed were eligible, generated within the applicant's boundaries, and recycled or marketed within the covered year. The program is governed by Section 904 of Act 101, the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, with additional requirements specified under Act 140 of 2006.

DEP requires a third-party verification independent from the municipal applicant for materials processed by the facility.