Loans for Recycling Businesses

A variety of loans may be available to recycling businesses. While RBAC does not lend money directly, it does provide information on a range of loan types and agencies available to recycling businesses.

Self-Help Credit Union 

North Carolina's Self-Help Credit Union has financed a wide range of green works that include renewable energy, recycling and reuse, sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, fuel efficiency, land conservation, green building, toxicity reduction and more. In addition to large project finance, Self-Help also provides loans to help small businesses in rural and tobacco-dependent counties in North Carolina. Eligible uses include: start-up capital, working capital, equipment and inventory purchases, refinancing predatory debt, and acquisition, construction or renovation of facilities. Self-Help offers flexible terms and competitive rates with loans ranging from $10,000 to more than $1 million, plus expertise in energy lending and complex transactions. For more information, contact JJ Froehlich at 919-794-6792. 

Natural Capital Investment Fund

North Carolina's Natural Capital Investment Fund targets recycling companies, particularly those focused on the sustainable use of natural resources. NCIF makes loans and investments in the $25,000 to $750,000 range. NCIF is an affiliate of The Conservation Fund. Businesses interested in NCIF funding should contact Rick Larson at 919-951-0113 or Anna Tefft at 336-734-6902.

Mountain BizWorks

Mountain BizWorks provides small business loans ranging from $1,000 to $150,000 to help businesses in Western North Carolina launch and expand. Mountain BizWorks also offers highly-customized peer-to-peer business coaching, courses, and technical support. Since its founding in 1989, the organization has provided business planning training to more than 3,000 entrepreneurs, assisted in the creation of more than 1,000 locally-owned businesses and has loaned more than $3 million.

Small Business Administration Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) sets the guidelines for several loan programs to assist small businesses. SBA does not lend money directly but serves as a guarantor of loans made by private, community and other lending institutions. Loans can be used for most sound business purposes including working capital, equipment, furniture and fixtures, land, buildings (including purchase, renovation and new construction), leasehold improvements and debt refinancing (under special conditions). 

Other Funding Sources

SJF Ventures

SJF Ventures is a venture capital fund that finances and assists rapidly-growing companies with more than $1 million in sales. SJF Ventures seeks new investment opportunities, particularly in the renewable energy and efficiency, green building, organic and premium products, business and health care services, and water and infrastructure sectors. Contact the SJF Durham Office at 919-530-1177.