The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), in cooperation with the Governor's Recycling Public Advisory Council (RPAC), has announced that it is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2005 Recycling Assistance Grant Program.
The program has $50,000 available to local governments, community organizations and educational institutions to help boost recycling in the First State. Grant recipients are required to provide 25 percent of total project funding either in cash or in an equivalent valuation of in-kind services.
Delaware municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, civic and community associations and non-profit organizations can apply for the grants.
Cooperative partnerships with other parties, including private industry, are encouraged.
Types of activities eligible for funding are: 1.) The design, implementation or expansion of residential recycling and yard waste composting programs; 2.) Curbside collection of recyclables; 3.) Design and implementation of "Pay-As-You-Throw" programs; 4.) Recycling outreach programs; and, 5.) Any other activity that reduces residential solid waste generation and disposal, and/or contributes to achievement of the state's goal to divert 30 percent of recyclables from the residential solid waste stream.
DNREC staff is available to provide technical and administrative assistance. Interested parties are encouraged to work closely with DNREC to assure that application proposals are complete and fully address grant criteria. Grant awards will be determined by a concurrence of the DNREC and the RPAC. The selection process is competitive, with greater weight assigned to those projects that are most responsive in addressing grant program criteria and that are judged to have the greatest potential to increase diversion of residential solid waste from landfills.
Grant Information Workshops will be held at the following locations:
* Kirkwood Highway Library, 600 Kirkwood Highway, Newark, Del., Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, 7-9 p.m.
* Georgetown Library, 10 W. Pine St., Georgetown, Del., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, 2-4 p.m.
* Richardson and Robbins Building (DNREC), 89 Kings Highway, Dover, Del., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, 7-9 p.m.
* Smyrna Rest Stop, 5500 N. DuPont Highway, Smyrna, Del., Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004, 2-4 p.m.
Completed applications are due Jan. 31, 2005. Grant awards will be announced during the month of February 2005.
For application packets, directions to workshop locations or general information regarding the grant program, contact Janet Manchester, DNREC, at (302) 739-3689 or via email at Janet.Manchester@state.de.us.