Indiana awards 16 community recycling grants

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

The department has awarded grants to 16 applicants, according to an IDEM news release. Grants are available to counties, local governments, solid waste management districts, schools, and nonprofits located in Indiana.

The grant is aimed at making a cost-effective recycling program a success. According to IDEM, applicants must demonstrate a positive environmental impact within the project’s service area, an increase in waste diversion by the project, and the sustainability of the project. The grant is funded through the IDEM’s Solid Waste Management Fund, which is funded at a rate of 50 cents per tonne for final disposal of solid waste in Indiana’s municipal solid waste landfills and incinerators. Derived from a solid waste management fee composed of:

The latest recipients are:

• Brown County Solid Waste Management District – $28,710;
• Carmel Clay School – $15,000;
• Elwood City – $13,620;
• Portage City – $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;
• Teacher’s Treasure – $93,137;
• Wabash College – $34,920; and
• Warren County Recycling Center – $27,600.

“IDEM is proud to work with communities across the state to increase recycling opportunities,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “The grant is a great way for IDEM to promote recycling and promote recycling education in communities across the state.”