Beaver County’s waste management department and four municipalities received grants from the state Department of Environmental Protection to develop and implement recycling programs. More than $26.8 million in grants was awarded to 127 counties and municipalities in Pennsylvania. Of that, more than $772,000 was received locally.
The county’s Department of Waste Management received $350,000 — the maximum said Director Holly Vogt — for its drop-off, leaf waste and recycling processing programs. Beaver received $101,250 for its leaf waste and recycling collection programs; Bridgewater received $132,300 for its leaf waste processing and recycling center; Brighton Township received $10,350 for its leaf waste facility and education; New Sewickley Township received $178,380 for its drop-off and leaf waste recycling programs. Entities must submit a narrative of programs and complete paperwork when applying for grants and are eligible to receive them every other year, Vogt said.
Municipalities in Beaver County, she said, “work very hard to get these grant dollars” and have done well. The county works closely with municipalities to make them aware of what’s available — things like recycling vehicles, leaf vacuum and composting equipment, containers and boxes — and helps them assess how existing recycling programs could be expanded or enhanced.