Indiana awards 16 community recycling grants

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), Indianapolis, has awarded $513,593 in grants through its Community Recycling Grant Program.

According to a news release from IDEM, the department has awarded the grants to 16 applicants. The grants are available to counties, municipalities, solid waste management districts, schools and nonprofit organizations located in Indiana.

Grant funding is intended to create successful, cost-effective recycling programs. IDEM says applicants must demonstrate a positive environmental impact within the project service area, an increase in waste diversion because of the project and show the sustainability of the project. Grants are funded through IDEM’s Solid Waste Management Funds, and funds come from the solid waste management fee, which consists of a 50 cents per ton charge on solid waste for final disposal at Indiana municipal solid waste landfills and incinerators.

The latest recipients are:

• Brown County Solid Waste Management District, $28,710;
• Carmel Clay Schools, $15,000;
• City of Elwood, $13,620;
• City of Portage, $72,130;
• City of Valparaiso, $11,775;
• Crawford County Solid Waste Management District, $4,946;
• Dubois County Solid Waste Management District, $2,017;
• Gibson County Solid Waste Management District, $1,000;
• Hancock County Solid Waste Management District, $15,300;
• Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, $96,000;
• Jay County Solid Waste Management District, $48,528;
• Lawrenceburg High School, $12,779;
• Shelby County Recycling District, $35,531;
• Teachers’ Treasures, $93,137;
• Wabash College, $34,920; and
• Warren County Recycling Center, $27,600.

“IDEM is proud to work with communities throughout the state toward increasing recycling opportunities,” says IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “The grants are a great way for IDEM to promote recycling and facilitate recycling education in communities statewide.”