Michigan DEQ Has Grant Money Available for E-Scrap

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality announced that applications for Community Pollution Prevention grants are being accepted through May 17, 2004.

The Community P2 Grant Program seeks to bring local government, businesses, planning agencies, and residents together to promote awareness of the release of mercury, lead, and other heavy metals from consumer electronics and mercury switch waste streams, and to create change through P2.

A total of $250,000 in funding is available. Funds will only be made available for projects that demonstrate measurable outcomes and behavior changes reflecting an increased participation in the application of P2 programs in electronics recycling and/or mercury switch removal. Organizations receiving grants must provide a match of at least 25 percent. The maximum grant amount is $100,000 for each project.

The following are examples of activities that would qualify for funding under this grant program:

• Electronic waste diversion programs for refurbishing computers for use by non-profits or schools.

• Electronics collections for component reuse.

• Electronics collections for de-manufacturing and commodity recycling.

• Projects focusing on generators of mercury switches and electronic component waste, such as salvage yards and vehicle service/auto repair shops.

• Education and awareness programs that increase participation in community waste diversion programs, such as electronics collections and mercury switch removal.

• In conjunction with a ‘mercury switch program,’ activities such as training/outreach for dismantlers/recyclers, shredder operators, and electric arc furnace feed stock inspectors.

For more information contact the DEQ’s Environmental Science and Service Division at 1 800-662-9278. To access the RFP go to: www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_3515_4142---,00.html