The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Waste Management will be awarding Kiowa County a grant of $100,000 grant to replace a building and some equipment used for processing recyclable materials. The county’s recycling facility was destroyed by a tornado last May.
Kiowa County will also receive a recognition award from KDHE for efforts to recycle much of the debris left behind by the tornado. Nearly 600 tons of scrap metal, dozens of pallets of bricks, and 65,000 cubic yards of concrete were recovered and recycled from the rubble. In addition, cars, electrical transformers, propane cylinders, Freon refrigerant and some miscellaneous hazardous materials were recycled rather than disposed.
"We salute the people of Kiowa County for their leadership, determination and dedication to preserving natural resources and protecting the environment, even in the face of tragedy and overwhelming adversity," stated Roderick Bremby, secretary of KDHE.