def #41 03/10/10

SCHOOL RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM KICKS OFF; COUNTY ENCOURAGES INCREASED RECYCLING

TOMS RIVER - Ocean County is home to more than 125 public and private schools and that means plenty of paper, cans and bottles generated for recycling.

In an effort to capture more of that recycling market, Ocean County is introducing the Ocean County School Recycling Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $5,000 to help with school recycling programs.

"We are hopeful this program will encourage schools throughout Ocean County to increase recycling efforts," said Freeholder Director James F. Lacey. "The more that is recycled in the county the greater the environmental and economical benefits."

For instance, Lacey said that since Ocean County began operating its recyclable materials processing facility in Lakewood in 1991, the county has processed 1,324,140 tons of materials resulting in a total savings of $95,549,942 by avoiding the tipping fee at the landfill.

"Especially during these difficult financial times, we want our school districts, like our municipalities, to be able to maximize the benefits that come from recycling," Lacey said. "Recycling allows for savings on landfill tipping fees and at the same time helps preserve landfill space."

Lacey noted the premise of the Ocean County School Recycling Grant Program is simple.

"The program offers financial assistance to interested schools, that want to improve their recycling efforts," Lacey said. "This is an opportunity on the county's behalf to further support our schools and their recycling programs."

All schools in the county - public and private - will be receiving an application from the county outlining the grant program. The grant application deadline is April 30. Grant awardees are expected to be notified by June 16. The Grant Review Subcommittee of the Ocean County Solid Waste Advisory Council will evaluate the applications.

In order to be considered for the grant, applicants must outline a new project or improvements to an existing project focusing on the collection of recyclables.

The grant funds can be applied toward the purchase of new recycling collection containers used to pickup recyclables from classrooms, new in-class containers, and roll-off containers to consolidate recyclables from individual facilities.

In addition, each school district that receives funding must provide matching funds.

Lacey noted that successful applicants will be required to provide the county with an annual report on recycling totals for three years following the award of the grant.

"It's important for us to record how recycling programs are faring in school districts," Lacey said. "Schools are large producers of recyclables. We want to stay on top of those efforts and provide assistance when necessary."

Lacey said the county has earmarked $100,000 for the grant program. The money comes from the Recycling Enhancement Entitlement Program, which is collected from a $3 per ton tax levied against trash disposed of at the Ocean County Landfill in Manchester Township.

"We are making every effort to get everyone, including schools, businesses and residents, involved in recycling," Lacey said. "This grant program not only meets the need for more recycling containers in our schools but also supports the overall goal of increasing recycling efforts throughout the county."

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