Solid Waste Authority discusses recycling grant, local recycling education

WASHINGTON TWP. — The Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority discussed the upcoming 902 Recycling Grant application, as well as some local public education efforts, during Wednesday’s meetign.

SWA Director Donna Cooper said she is putting together the application and she thought they were going to be in the range of $80,000 to $90,000. She said the grant is for public education and refurbishing old glass roll-up containers, which cost almost $17,000, as well as putting in for any work to the front load containers. She said she is putting in for $50,000 for public education. She said this will equate to $2,100 per month over two years.

She said she proposed putting in for funds for libraries, so they can get educational material on recycling or waste management for various ages. She asked if the council was willing to waive the 10 percent match for the libraries. The council was amenable to waiving the match if needed.

Cooper also spoke on some public education efforts. She said at Jeff Tech, year to date, they have collected 1.5 tons of cardboard and paper. She said aluminum cans are also being collected from students and teachers and dropped off at the Gaskill Township site. She said Hickory Grove Elementary’s sixth-grade envirothon was held two weeks ago, and CG Johnson Elementary’s third- and fourth-grade envirothon is coming up in mid-May. She said the SWA participated in the PSU Earth Day event. She said the Great PA Cleanup is currently going on until May 31. She said they are doing their best to keep up with their Facebook posts. In other business: • Electronics, Televisions, and Household Hazardous Waste Collection: Cooper said the next collection is coming up on May 4. She said registration is open at

www.nobleenviro.com or by calling 412-567-6566. She said the advertising costs were $2,000 with a $25 cost for food for volunteers. Carol Bernat made a motion to approve, seconded by Amanda Kanouff. The motion passed.