States offer millions in funding for collection and recycling, and New York City will bolster reuse and repair efforts.
Pairing public and private: Two public and private grants have helped kickstart a recycling program in Mercer County, W.Va. The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports a state grant of $98,000 and a Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant of $2,000 are helping to pay for a recycling coordinator, truck and two trailers, containers, recycling bins and marketing materials.
Grants available: The state of Tennessee is accepting applications for recycling and waste-reduction grants totaling $4.5 million. According to the Department of Environment and Conservation, cities, solid waste authorities and nonprofit groups can apply for funding. Applications are due Oct. 2, 2017.
Conservation corps funding: The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) awarded more than $22 million to local conservation corps programs around the state. The money will fund the collection and recycling of beverage containers, scrap electronics, used oil and tires.
Materials management money: The Beaver State announced that it will provide $600,000 for statewide materials management project and planning grants in 2017. According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, $100,000 of the total is earmarked for food rescue projects in the Portland metropolitan area and $50,000 is designated for micro grants for reuse/repair workforce development projects.
Reuse and repair efforts: New York City is making money available specifically for repair and reuse projects. Up to $2,000 will be awarded to start new reuse or repair projects, undertake related research projects or initiate other activities that help lead to reuse or repair models. The program is a partnership of the Citizens Committee for New York City, the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.
RAID funds: New Mexico awarded 27 grants totaling $800,000 through its Recycling and Illegal Dumping (RAID) program during this fiscal year. The purpose of raid funds is to prevent and abate illegal dumpsites and promote reuse and recycling. At least two-thirds of the funds go to tire abatement and recycling programs, and the remaining one-third funds abatement of illegal dumping and recycling of other materials, according to the New Mexico Environment Department.
Public drop-off rebates: Money is available in Colorado to offset costs incurred by local governments for providing free public recycling drop-off sites. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will accept applications for rebates from the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Fund through the end of August. A total of $350,000 is available to pay expenses incurred July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.
