By Paul Ploumis

ScrapMonster Author

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) has announced release of over $2 million under its Recycling Equipment Grants, Recycling Rebates Grant and Used Oil Grant programs. The allocation of these grants is aimed at reducing landfill waste in Tennessee. The winners of the grant were selected from applications received during the three-month long grant application period from July 1, 2016 to Oct 3, 2016.

Announcing the grants, TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau noted that the grant program encourages and supports local communities to meet their solid waste and recycling goals. The grants could be used towards infrastructure upgrades at facilities, which in turn will assist the local governments in diverting more waste from landfills. Also, Tisha Calabrese-Benton, Director of TDEC’s Division of Water Resources stated that collection of used oil in an environmentally responsible way will help prevent contamination in rivers, streams and groundwater.

No county was awarded more than $50,000 in Recycling Equipment Grant. The five counties/non-profits to receive the highest grant amount of $50,000 were Henry County, Macon County, Roane County, Sevier Solid Waste, Inc. and Van Buren County. Henry County will use the fund to purchase one 20 yard compactor truck. Macon County plans to fund the purchase of one recycling truck with hook lift bed. Roane County will utilize the grant towards truck scales. The grant money will be used by Sevier Solid Waste, Inc. to install cleaning system. Van Buren County aims to buy two vertical balers, two pallet scales and two 35-yard roll-off containers. A total of $647,817 was released in Recycling Equipment Grant.

A total of $500,000 was released under Recycling Rebates Grant to fund equipment and public awareness education. The City of Memphis was the largest recipient with $141,089 towards education, staffing expansion, social media, contamination/participation, monitoring & customer communication. Knox County received $48,885 towards four attended donation centers, recycling outreach, advertising, equipment upgrades, refurbishment and recycling services. A rebate of $34,048 was allotted to City of Knoxville towards expenses for recycling centers.

The Used Oil Grants released by TDEC totaled $923,600. The top three recipients were White County ($161,700), Overton County ($134,600) and Van Buren County ($91,400).

The Recycling Equipment Grant is allocated to local governments and nonprofit recycling groups to purchase necessary recycling equipment. The Recycling Rebates Grant is available to cities within the five most populous state counties as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Recycling Equipment Grants and the Recycling Rebates are authorized by the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 and are supported by the Tennessee Solid Waste Management Fund, which is administered by TDEC. The Used Oil Grant allows state counties and municipalities with used oil collection centers to purchase equipment for containment and disposal of used oil. Used Oil Grants are authorized under the Used Oil Collection Act of 1993 and are funded by the Used Oil Collection Fund.