The state of Illinois has announced several recipients of grant money from its Opportunity Returns funding program. The recycling grant program is administered by the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
The first company receiving funding is Decatur Recycle Paper Co., Decatur, Ill., which is receiving $89,332 to allow the company to expand its recycling capabilities. Grant funds will be used to purchase forklifts and storage trailers that will be used to help stage and process the additional 4,500 tons of fiber, metal and plastic recyclable commodities that this project is expected to generate annually.
"Building our economy in a way that helps our environment can be accomplished by investing in companies and organizations that are expanding the recycling industry in Central Illinois. By supporting these kinds of innovative programs that are recycling everything from cans to computers, we are lessening the demand on our landfills and creating more jobs for our working families," said Governor Rod Blagojevich.
The governor also announced that the Opportunity Returns program has awarded Quincy Recycle Paper, Quincy, Ill, $100,000 to expand its recycling processing capabilities. Grant funds will be used to assist with the purchase of a high-speed shredder. It is anticipated that this project will annually divert an additional 3,600 tons of recyclable material from becoming solid waste destined to be landfilled and is expected to lead to the creation of three full-time jobs.
The program also has awarded two $50,000 grants to Phoenix Recycling & Shredding to expand one program in St. Clair and Madison counties; and a second grant to develop a traditional recycling drop-off program in Washington Park, Ill.
In the first program, Phoenix will use the $50,000 to develop a confidential document destruction service. The non-profit will offer the services to both businesses and schools in St. Clair and Madison counties. The company will purchase a paper shredding system with the grant money. It is expected that the new service will divert around 1,200 tons of recyclables fro the landfill.
For its second grant, Phoenix will use the money to purchase large outdoor recycling collection containers, a baler, and use part of the money to pay for promotional and educational costs.