MONTGOMERY – In a continued effort to enhance recycling and economic growth, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management recently announced it has awarded more than $1.4 million in recycling grants to 16 local governmental agencies across the state for 2020. The grants will be used by local governments to purchase equipment such as balers, compactors, recycling trailers, recycling bins and collection vehicles, along with educational and promotional items to encourage recycling and educate citizens.
The funds are made possible through the Solid Wastes & Recyclable Materials Management Act, which was passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2008. The legislation imposed a $1-per-ton fee on all solid wastes disposed of in Alabama landfills. A portion of the proceeds generated by the fee supported the creation of the Alabama Recycling Fund, which provides the foundation for ADEM to award the recycling grants on an annual basis.
The 16 recycling grants awarded this year brings the total amount of recycling grants awarded by ADEM to more than $20 million and the number of grant recipients to nearly 200.
“These funds will not only benefit local communities, but will boost Alabama’s recycling rate,” said Stephen Cobb, chief of ADEM’s Land Division. “A recycling rate of 25% was set in legislation, and that goal has been met and maintained over the past two years. The grants will re-energize stale recycling programs, further enhance other flourishing recycling programs, and support education and outreach activities to promote the importance of recycling throughout the respective communities.”
The 16 recipients of the 2020 grants and their amounts are:
City of Huntsville $200,000
Madison County Commission $200,000
City of Madison $100,000
City of Montevallo $38,313
Scottsboro Solid Waste Department $146,535
City of Florence $113,208
West Alabama Recycling Partnership $207,898
Athens-Limestone Recycling $116,014
Clay County Commission $25,302
Lawrence County Commission $48,926
City of Northport $151,474
City of Montgomery Clean City Commission $7,500
East Alabama Recycling Partnership $40,377
City of Alexander City $20,334
City of Millbrook $20,587
City of Eufaula $30,907
Media Release/ADEM
