1998 Solid Waste Reduction Assistance Grants Awarded

RALEIGH – Twenty-two North Carolina cities, counties, and non-profit organizations will share $169,769 in state Solid Waste Reduction Assistance Grants to create or expand local waste reduction and recycling programs.

The Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance (DPPEA) in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced the grant awards. Grant categories were backyard composting, swap shop, textile recovery, pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) programs and general applications. All applicants in those categories received funding.

"These categories represent progressive tactics that expand waste reduction beyond the traditional methods common to most programs," said Scott Mouw, chief of the Community and Business Assistance Section with DPPEA. "All activities currently are being implemented in North Carolina, and we are highly interested in each of these activities becoming a permanent part of every local program."

Projects will vary. Granville County, one of five swap shop grant recipients, will build swap shops at two county convenience centers. Residents may bring old toys, small appliances, books, dishes and other household items for "swapping." The project will stress reuse and recycling.

Six applicants for Backyard Compost projects were funded. Most involve public education efforts as well as construction of compost sites. Craven County Clean Sweep, one of two Textile Recovery grant recipients, will place containers at all of the county's seven convenience centers to collect used clothing, linens, shoes, hats, towels, and other textiles for recycling. Unaka Center Inc., a not-for-profit organization in Hot Springs, will use grant funds to upgrade its building and expand its textile recovery program.

Two projects in the PAYT category were funded and both will use extensive public education approaches. Seven proposed projects in the general category received funding.

The grants are funded through the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund that provides assistance for initiatives that promote source reduction, commercial and industrial recycling and general waste reduction. The gains in waste reduction achieved by the grant recipients will help North Carolina progress towards its goal of reducing waste by 40 percent by June 30, 2001.

Since its inception in 1990, the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund has provided more than $2.3 million in funding for more than 135 projects.

For more information on the grant program or individual grants, contact Scott Mouw or Heather Sandner of the DPPEA at (919) 715-6500.

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