Pennsylvania Announces $3.7 Million in Municipal Recycling Performance Grants

Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell announced almost $3.7 million in recycling performance grants to 195 Pennsylvania communities for their recycling efforts in 2004.

In 2004, Pennsylvania recovered nearly 4.8 million tons of waste. The economic value of remaking that waste into new and useful products exceeded $113 million. Communities avoided some $260 million in disposal costs based on the estimated statewide average disposal cost of $54 per ton.

Pennsylvania's recycling efforts also save energy, reduce air and water pollution, and limit the need for virgin materials in manufacturing. For example, by recycling more than 1 million tons of steel cans, appliances and similar materials, Pennsylvania industries saved 1.3 million tons of iron ore, 718,460 tons of coal and 61,582 tons of limestone. Through recycling newspapers, office and mixed paper, the state saved the equivalent of 8.2 million trees. On average, a live tree removes 60 pounds per year of air pollution from the environment.

"These communities have earned these grants through their efforts to remove recyclable materials from the waste stream and make them available to manufacturers," said Kathleen McGinty, secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection. "I encourage local officials to use these grants to support even stronger municipal recycling programs that will keep Pennsylvania clean and competitive and our economy growing."

DEP has approved 395 of 793 recycling performance grant applications and awarded $7.2 million for calendar year 2004 recycling. Additional grant awards will be announced in the coming months.

The state's recycling programs are supported by a $2 tipping fee on each ton of waste deposited in Pennsylvania landfills. However, that fee runs only through 2008. Governor Rendell is working with the legislature to extend that deadline so the commonwealth continues to enjoy the economic and environmental benefits of recycling.