N.Y. Governor Announces $26 Million in Recycling Grants
Gov.Eliot
Spitzer announced that recycling programs throughout the state will
receive $26 million in recycling grants made available through the
state Environmental Protection Fund. The funding will be divided among
92 municipalities and solid waste management authorities to buy trucks
and sorting equipment, improve facilities and promote recycling.
"As governor and attorney general, I have worked to increase
recycling, improve enforcement and enhance the public's understanding
the importance of reducing the amount of waste we send to landfills and
incinerators," Spitzer said. "This funding will help further all of
those goals. It will provide local governments with substantial,
on-the-ground assistance to improve their recycling programs."
The recycling grants provide funding for municipal waste reduction,
recycling, and composting programs; to assist with costs, such as the
construction of recycling and composting facilities; the purchase of
recycling and composting equipment; waste reduction programs to reduce
and prevent waste generation; reuse projects such as materials
exchanges; and public outreach campaigns to promote and expand
recycling efforts.
The Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Municipal Waste
Reduction and Recycling grant program provides up to 50 percent
reimbursement to local governments for eligible project costs, limited
to a maximum state share of $2 million per project. A list of the grant
recipients and intended projects follows. All projects are subject to a
final eligibility review and final eligible cost approval.
DEC also reminds New Yorkers that there are several ways they can
help reduce the amount of waste generated this holiday season. Tips
include recycling Christmas trees in municipalities that provide that
opportunity, composting kitchen food scraps from holiday dinners and
parties, investing in rechargeable batteries and reducing, reusing and
recycling gift wrap, greeting cards and holiday decorations. For more
tips and information, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8829.html.