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.