N.J. Awards Grant Money for Recycling Programs

State’s Department of Environmental Protection issues $14.5 million in grant money to boost recycling efforts.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has announced that it has awarded $14.5 million to municipalities and counties in the state to assist in increasing recycling levels in the state.

“These grants will be of great help to local governments that want to keep doing the right thing for the environment by maintaining strong recycling programs,” said Mark Mauriello, DEP’s acting commissioner. “Local governments will use this money to help pay recycling coordinators who quarterback these efforts, fund public education campaigns, and make sure residents continue to comply with recycling laws.”

The grant money issued is based on the volume of material collected for recycling. Grant totals are calculated from materials recycled in 2007. The money awarded is significantly greater than last year’s grant money total of around $8 million.

The Recycling Enhancement Act significantly increased the amount of grant money available to local governments by creating a recycling enhancement fund through a $3-per-ton surcharge on trash taken to solid-waste disposal facilities.