Applications open for 2018 recycling grants
Projects must cut waste, prevent litter and push composting.
Montgomery County groups with projects that promote recycling can apply for local grant money to help put those ideas into action.
Montgomery County municipalities, schools, nonprofits and businesses with projects in mind that promote recycling and litter prevention can apply for local grant money to help put those ideas into action.
The Montgomery County Solid Waste District is now accepting applications for two 2018 recycling incentive programs providing a total $400,000 in available funding.
“It benefits the community as a whole if we reduce the amount we rely on the landfill and reuse materials for a better purpose,” said John Woodman, who administers the programs for the county. “We try to encourage and support as many projects as we can. They are all over the county and come in many shapes and sizes.”
The 2018 Recycling Incentive Grant Program for municipalities, schools and nonprofits has a total pool of $250,000, while the Business Recycling Incentive
Grant funds total $150,000.
The result of some previous grants can be found in the form of recycling receptacles at Carillon Historical Park, Dayton International Airport and Five Rivers MetroParks’ 2nd Street Public Market. A grant helped Kettering install four solar compacting trash bins a couple years ago.
Interested applicants must attend a Feb. 6 meeting. Grant recipients will be announced in May.
About $4 million has been awarded in jurisdictional grants over the past couple of decades. The newer program for businesses has distributed nearly $500,000 over the past five years, Woodman said.
“We do put significant resources out there,” Woodman said. “We feel like it is having an impact and helping stimulate waste reduction and recycling activities in the community.”
The grants open to all Montgomery County municipalities, schools and select nonprofit organizations will be awarded to projects focused on the following five areas: recycling, waste reduction, litter prevention, composting opportunities and end-use markets of recycled materials. An endorsement letter is required for schools and nonprofits from their local jurisdiction.
The business grant funds are available on a competitive basis to all Montgomery County businesses. The business grant funding is split: $120,000 to fund capital equipment purchases and $30,000 for new recycling service contracts.
Business grant funding can be used for any of the following projects:
■ Capital equipment purchases to initiate or expand recycling
■ New or expanded contracts for on-site recycling service
■ Composting service
■ Equipment, materials, and software purchases to increase or expand operations for recycling processors.
During the 2017 cycle, 18 of 19 jurisdictional applicants received at least partial project funding, while four of five business proposals were awarded funding.
The Montgomery County Solid Waste District includes Butler Township, Brookville, Centerville, Clay Twp., Clayton, Dayton, Englewood, Farmersville, German Twp., Germantown, Harrison Twp., Huber Heights, Jackson Twp., Jefferson Twp., Kettering, Miami Twp., Miamisburg, Moraine, New Lebanon, Oakwood, Perry Twp., Phillipsburg, Riverside, Trotwood, Union, Vandalia, Washington Twp. and West Carrolton.