Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Ohio EPA is awarding more than $1.5 million this year in grants to 23 local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations throughout northwest Ohio to implement recycling, litter prevention, market development, and scrap tire recycling programs. Statewide, the Agency is issuing more than $6 million in grant funding to 103 recipients, with more than $3.1 million specifically for community and litter prevention grants.
Local governments and other entities use these grants for litter collection, education programming, and the disposal of scrap tires through amnesty collection events. All local cleanup efforts involve the work of volunteers and take place on public property. Some of these grants tie into a statewide litter campaign, A Little Litter is a Big Problem, announced by Governor Mike DeWine on April 22 to prioritize and promote the conversation around litter in Ohio.
Richland County and statewide projects approved for funding (rounded down to the nearest dollar) include:
North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) — $39,142 for organics composting
Richland County Regional Solid Waste Management Authority — $30,400 to purchase a recycling trailer
Community and Litter Grants are available to local governments, parks or health departments, state colleges and universities, solid waste authorities, and nonprofit organizations or Keep America Beautiful communities to support and expand community recycling and litter prevention efforts.
Market Development Grants assist businesses that purchase equipment and infrastructure for successful markets of recyclable materials and related products.
Scrap Tire Grants provide financial assistance to Ohio’s businesses, communities, and nonprofits seeking to convert manufacturing operations into facilities that accept scrap tire material, expand tire processing, or use scrap tire material in construction projects or manufactured products.
Academic Institution Grants are available to public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for recycling efforts as well as outreach and education, recycling equipment, and conference sponsorships.
