MONTGOMERY-In the continued effort to enhance recycling and assist economic growth, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management has awarded $2.3 million in recycling grants to communities across the state for the 2023 fiscal year to enhance recycling and assist economic growth.
The 22 grants will be used to pay for collection equipment, educational materials, processing equipment such as glass-crushers, and other projects. The funds will benefit close to 600,000 households, including those in many disadvantaged communities.
For the last 14 years, ADEM has awarded grants to 230 recipients under this program with more than $23 million in funds being distributed over that period. Funding for the grants is made possible through the Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act, passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2008. The legislation imposed a $1-per-ton fee on all solid wastes disposed of in state landfills. A quarter of the proceeds generated by this fee goes to the Alabama Recycling Fund, which provides the foundation for ADEM to award the recycling grants on an annual basis.
“These grants will have an unprecedented effect on recycling efforts in Alabama,” ADEM Director Lance LeFleur said. “ADEM has had a consistent focus on working with our local communities, including those that are disadvantaged, to develop robust recycling infrastructure. This will increase the reuse of discarded materials, decrease the amount of waste entering our landfills, and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
LeFleur said ADEM is seeking additional funding for recycling projects in Alabama by applying for federal recycling grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress last year.
The following groups received recycling grants:
City of Mobile $340,000 City of Rainbow City $41,103
West Alabama Recycling Partnership $315,572 City of Selma $40,000
City of Irondale $311,777 Keep Oxford Beautiful $37,614
Shoals Solid Waste Authority $201,487 City of Fayette $24,545
Mobile County Commission $197,624 City of Gadsden $22,518
City of Florence $191,818 City of Talladega $15,309
City of Cullman $154,000 City of Millbrook $14,615
City of Guntersville $147,299 City of Prattville $11,797
East Alabama Recycling Partnership $88,428 Albertville-Boaz Recycling Authority $5,225
City of Opp $87,945 City of Northport $4,714
Calhoun County Commission $45,070 City of Alexander City $1,535
Media Release/Alabama Department of Environmental Management
