The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department is announcing that limited
funds are again available for Waste Reduction/Recycling Grants for the 2018
fiscal year. The grants of up to $2,000 are available to Ogle County
businesses, schools, churches and non-profit organizations wishing to
establish or improve on waste reduction and recycling programs and services.
Applicants must provide a minimum 20 percent match of the total project
cost.
Total grant funds available this year are limited to $6,000, so grants will
be awarded on a competitive basis in amounts from $100 – $2,000, in four
rounds or until funds are depleted. The deadline for submittal of
applications for the first round of grants is Wednesday, Feb. 7.
The application for the grants is simple and flexible. Businesses could use
grant funds to help purchase waste reduction and recycling materials and
equipment such as collection bins, carts, balers and storage containers.
Equipment needed to switch from disposable packaging to reusable packaging
for products and supplies could also be considered. Businesses are
encouraged to consider projects to reduce food waste or implement food waste
recycling programs.
Schools may seek funds for special projects that will further a student¹s
understanding of how to reduce the amount of trash sent to the landfill. The
requests may be for materials and equipment, such as recycling bins/carts,
videos, books, worm (vermicomposting) bins, composters, or other waste
reduction equipment.
Municipalities seeking to improve commercial, curbside, or multifamily
recycling programs are encouraged to apply. Grant applications for equipment
and materials needed to improve electronics recycling options in Ogle County
are also encouraged since most electronics have been banned from landfills
since January of 2012.
These examples are not all inclusive and applicants are encouraged to find
innovative ways to reduce waste and increase what is recycled. The grants
may not be used to pay for ongoing expenses such as staffing, collection,
and hauling costs. Priority will be given to new applicants.
Applications
All applications will be reviewed by the Ogle County Solid Waste Management
Department and the Ogle County Board Solid Waste Committee. Grants will be
evaluated based on the following criteria: management ability; project
quality; project impact; realistic goals and expectations; accuracy of
application; education potential; use of recycled content products when
available; potential for waste stream diversion; and future continuity of
project.
Four grant rounds are scheduled in 2018. Applications must be submitted by 4
p.m. on Feb. 7, April 4, June 6, or Sept. 5 as long as grant funds are
available. Each batch of applications will be reviewed, scored and acted on
by the Solid Waste Committee later that month.
To read the full story, visit
rochellenews-leader.com/article/waste-and-recycling-grants-available.