Municipalities get funds for leaf collection

Several local municipalities get funding for leaf collection, recycling.

As leaves begin to fall this autumn, seven Chester County municipalities and two waste authorities will receive more than $1.4 million in total state funding for recycling and leaf collection programs.

“These grants can go a long way in strengthening local recycling efforts and reducing the amount of waste going into our landfills,” said state Sen. Andrew Dinniman, who serves on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said. “In addition to expanding recycling programs and educating residents about the importance of sorting recyclables, the funds also help support environmentally friendly leaf pickup and composting efforts.”

The funds, which come through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Recycling Development and Implementation Grants program, are as follows:

• Chester County Solid Waste Authority: $279,000 • Coatesville City $8,587 • East Pikeland Township: $31,816

• Phoenixville Borough $148,733

• South Coatesville Borough $23,132

• Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority $350,000 • Valley Township $290,488 • West Bradford Township $270,266

The funds come as part of $37 million awarded to 195 county and municipal governments statewide for recycling collections and education, as well as leaf litter pickup.

Through the DEP grant program, municipalities and counties in Pennsylvania are eligi-

ble for up to 90 percent funding of approved recycling program costs. Municipalities that are

designated financially distressed under the Financial Distressed Communities Act are eligible to receive funding for an additional 10 percent of approved costs. Grants were also awarded based on programs designed

to meet current market demands for recyclable goods.

Examples of eligible projects include operating leaf compost facilities; developing web-based programs on recycling for consumers; expanding recycling processing facilities; installing data collection systems on recycling vehicles; continuing and creating curbside recycling programs; and developing educational materials to encourage residents to properly recycle.