$4.7 million in waste grants awarded for 71 projects

Applications are now being taken for next year’s grants.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Nearly $4.7 million in state recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste grants have been awarded to cities, counties and universities, have been announced by Gov. Andy Beshear and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman.     

The grants are for 71 projects across the state to expand recycling programs, to reduce the amount of solid waste that is going into landfills, and to improve the environmental management of household hazardous waste. 

“I am pleased that so many municipalities are stepping up to reuse and recycle, to reduce the amount of solid waste piling up in our landfills,” said Gov. Beshear.  “This promotes a healthy Kentucky and shows care for the environment and for each other.”

This program awards three types of grants:

--Recycling grants provide funds for counties to purchase recycling equipment with the goal of promoting sustainable regional recycling infrastructure in Kentucky.

--Composting grants fund the purchase of equipment to improve composting and promote creative solutions for managing food waste, lawn waste and other organic material. 

--Household hazardous waste grants provide funds for counties to conduct annual drop-off events for their citizens to dispose of household chemicals, old electronics and other potentially hazardous wastes.

There were 30 recycling grants worth $2.77 million, 30 household hazardous waste grants totaling $715,874, and 11 composting grants adding up to $1.21 million.  These grants require a 25 percent local match in the form of cash or “in kind” labor, educational activities or advertising, to promote the program from those receiving the awards.

Secretary Goodman said some of these projects raise awareness about the importance of recycling home electronic equipment, which can contain metals such as mercury, which would be harmful to human health if put into landfills. “We all need to consider the life cycle of products and how we carefully dispose of them,” she stated.

Funding for the grants comes from the Kentucky Pride Fund, which is generated by a $1.75 fee for each ton of municipal solid waste disposed of in Kentucky landfills.

A complete list of the grant recipients can be viewed here.

Applications are now being taken for next year’s grants.  The original application and any supporting documentation must be submitted for an application to be complete.  Application materials and more information about the division’s recycling effort can be found here.