The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) announced recipients of the agency’s Community Recycling Grant Program on Jan. 4, awarding $513,593 to 16 applicants.
“IDEM is proud to work with communities throughout the state toward increasing recycling opportunities,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess.
“The grants are a great way for IDEM to promote recycling and facilitate recycling education in communities statewide.”
The grants are available to counties, municipalities, solid waste management districts, schools, and nonprofit organizations located in Indiana.
Brown County Solid Waste Management District was among the awarded organizations, receiving a total of $28,710 to pay for a new can crusher and separator.
BCSWMD Director Phil Stephens said that the total cost of the equipment — which is manufactured in the United States — is $38,280.
The existing crusher is more than 25-years-old, Stephens said last week, and its original manufacturer has gone out of business.
“Spare parts are not available anymore either,” he said.
The old machine will be put out to scrap metal for this reason, Stephens said.
The new machine, Stephens added, is “much faster and more powerful” than the existing one.
“It will allow the Recycle Center to process steel food and aluminum cans at a 40% faster rate.”
Grant funds will not be received until IDEM draws up the grant contract, Stephens said.
“Then we order the equipment and pay in full,” he said.
That process will take up to 90 days.
Stephens wrote the grant applications, as he does for all the grant applications for the recycle center.
“My acceptance success rate over the years has been very good. My success rate with IDEM Grants has been 100%,” he said.
Grant funding is intended to create successful, cost-effective programs, according to a press release from IDEM.
“Applicants must demonstrate a positive environmental impact within the project service area, an increase in waste diversion because of the project and show the sustainability of the project,” the release said.
Grants are funded through IDEM’s Solid Waste Management Fund. Funds come from the solid waste management fee (IC 13-20-22-1). The fee consists of $0.50 per ton charge on solid waste for final disposal at Indiana municipal solid waste landfills and incinerators. None of the funding comes from tax dollars.
IDEM (idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. The agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach.
Carl Wodrich is the deputy assistant commissioner of IDEM Office of Program Support and sent a letter to Stephens saying the grant supports efforts to improve solid waste reduction and recycling in Indiana.
“Thank you for the work you are doing to increase your community recycling and waste reduction initiatives,” the letter states.
“Your work is moving us forward in the Hoosier state.”
