Ohio EPA is responsible for implementing statewide waste reduction, recycling, recycling market development, scrap tire and litter prevention programs. Through DEFA, Ohio EPA administers a competitive grant program to support these efforts and in 2015, we awarded close to $4 million dollars to support 82 recycling and litter prevention activities throughout the state. Highlights include:

• 32 Community Grants totaling approximately $1.5 million for expansion of curbside recycling programs and infrastructure upgrades at several material recovery facilities.
• 41 Litter Management Grants totaling $600,000 to support litter prevention efforts in communities and the expansion or establishment of new tire amnesty collection operations. By providing funds for the tire amnesty efforts, approximately 344,100 unwanted and unused tires will be removed from the waste stream.
• 8 Market Development Grants totaling over $1.2 million to expand recycling activities related to construction and demolition debris, plastics, glass and electronic waste.
• 1 Scrap Tire Grant totaling $350,000 to support new technology that will process tires more efficiently and produce an end product for both the automobile industry and athletic installation market.

For more information, visit epa.ohio.gov/ocapp/grants.aspx.

How Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant Dollars Make a Difference in Communities

The Perry County Soil & Water District received a $5,000 grant to clean up an illegal dump site that was discovered on a piece of newly purchased historic, green space. The grant will cover expenses associated with clean-up supplies and equipment. The City of Toledo received a $40,000 grant to address the collection of unused and unwanted tires, including a free drop-off option for homeowners. Through these efforts, the city expects to collect 40,000 tires.

How Recycling Grant Dollars Support Business Growth and Development in Ohio

The City of Dayton, on behalf of Quality Farms, LLC, was awarded a grant in the amount of $232,509.43 for the purchase of equipment to depackage, crush and bale aluminum, glass and plastic from non-sellable beverage products. The first of its kind in Ohio, Quality Farms reclaims non-sellable beer, wine, soda and other beverages acquired from brewers, wine producers, distillers, bottlers and distributors in a landfill-free, zero-waste process. It recovers the glass, aluminum, plastic, cardboard and other components from non-sellable beer, wine, soda and other beverages, and transfers the liquid to an Ohio-based biodigester. Quality Farms currently employs 12 employees and expects to hire an additional four employees to run a second shift.