Southeast Ohio – communities are set to benefit from over $600 thousand in grant funding allocated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for recycling and litter prevention initiatives. This funding, part of a larger statewide effort, aims to support local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to enhance recycling, prevent litter, develop markets for recyclable materials, and recycle scrap tires.
A total of $7.5 million in grant funding is being distributed statewide, with over $3.8 million earmarked specifically for community and litter prevention programs. In Southeast Ohio, 159 recipients across 20 counties, including Adams, Athens, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington, are set to benefit from these grants.
These grants will support various projects aimed at promoting recycling and reducing litter. Examples include drop-off recycling programs, water bottle refilling stations, litter clean-up events, outreach and education initiatives, and recycling equipment purchases.
Local clean-up efforts supported by these grants typically involve volunteers and take place on public property. The projects approved for funding in 2024 cover a range of activities, from installing water bottle refilling stations in schools to organizing tire amnesty events and purchasing recycling equipment for communities.
The grants are part of Ohio EPA’s broader efforts to promote environmental sustainability and reduce waste across the state. They support initiatives that align with goals such as reducing single-use plastic waste, increasing landfill diversion, and enhancing community recycling efforts.
For more information about these grant programs, interested parties can contact Marie Barnett at [email protected] or visit www.recycleohio.gov.
