Money available for solid waste reduction projects
DNR awards $37,000 for grants to district that includes St. Francois County
By PAULA BARR
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Workers at Enhancements Inc. in Potosi carry cardboard to a baler, where it will be compacted into bundles for recycling. The company has a $17,000 solid waste grant to buy a paper shredder and a second baler that will allow it to seek contracts to securely destroy documents. - Paula Barr | Daily Journal
Area counties can receive financial help for programs that cut waste and promote recycling, thanks to the latest Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Solid Waste Management Fund grants.
In its most recent round of the quarterly grants, the DNR has awarded a total of $1,675,640 to 20 solid waste management districts in Missouri, three of which include St. Francois and surrounding counties. The awards are for the third quarter of the state’s Fiscal Year 2008.
The money may be used to carry out successful applicants’ plans to reduce waste. Depending on the district, applicants for the district grant money may be counties, cities, private businesses or nonprofit organizations.
“They have to develop a plan to reuse/recycle solid waste,” DNR spokesman Renee Bungart said. “Then (the district) gives grants to cities and counties to implement those plans.”
Last year, for example, Enhancements Inc. in Potosi applied successfully for $17,000. The company, which provides jobs for people with disabilities, is buying a paper shredder and baler. The equipment, still in the process of being purchased, will allow the company to contract with agencies and businesses to destroy old documents in a secure manner, said Manager Sharon Coleman.
“Once we get started we hope to do banks, hospitals and doctors, schools,” she said.
A major amendment to the Solid Waste Management Law in 1990 created a goal to significantly reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. The projects funded by these grant funds will help the individual districts achieve this goal.
Missouri's 20 solid waste management districts were organized to encourage regional cooperation and to help ensure proper solid waste management through waste reduction and recycling activities. The money for the grants comes from the Solid Waste Management Fund, which is made up of tonnage fees. The fees are charged for each ton of waste disposed of in Missouri landfills or processed through transfer stations that move waste out-of-state.
Revenue from the solid waste disposal fee funds operation of the state's Solid Waste Management Program as well as local solid waste management district activities, including grants to communities and small businesses. The state's role includes compliance assistance, permitting, inspection and enforcement activities.
Each district chooses when to hold its grant application process, which may occur annually, quarterly, or periodically throughout the year.
District R, which includes Iron, Madison, St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties, received $37,303 in the recent round of funding.
“Fifty percent of those funds will be used for administration and the rest will be used for grants, said Brian Balsman of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission. “The funds are actually held by DNR until we have a grant cycle.”
Most likely, applications for District R’s next cycle most likely will open in September, with a decision scheduled for the end of the year, Balsam said.
Residents in District R’s counties who want more information about grant applications should call 573-547-8357.
Washington County is in District K, which received $57,548. The district plans to accept applications for solid waste reduction projects in July and August. The money will be available in January, District K Planner Tammy Snodgrass said.
“We have to send the applications to the state for their stamp of approval before we get the money,” she explained.
Counties, cities, schools and private businesses are among those who may apply for the District K grants. Applications will be online after mid-July at http://www.meramecregion.org or may be obtained by calling Snodgrass at 573-265-2993.
District L, which includes Jefferson County, received $553,243. Grant applications will be available in the fall, most likely at the beginning of November, said David Berger, executive director of the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District. Applications will be available online at http://www.swmd.net.
For more information on the DNR's Solid Waste Management Program, call 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401 or go to the Web site at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp.
Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com.
In its most recent round of the quarterly grants, the DNR has awarded a total of $1,675,640 to 20 solid waste management districts in Missouri, three of which include St. Francois and surrounding counties. The awards are for the third quarter of the state’s Fiscal Year 2008.
The money may be used to carry out successful applicants’ plans to reduce waste. Depending on the district, applicants for the district grant money may be counties, cities, private businesses or nonprofit organizations.
“They have to develop a plan to reuse/recycle solid waste,” DNR spokesman Renee Bungart said. “Then (the district) gives grants to cities and counties to implement those plans.”
Last year, for example, Enhancements Inc. in Potosi applied successfully for $17,000. The company, which provides jobs for people with disabilities, is buying a paper shredder and baler. The equipment, still in the process of being purchased, will allow the company to contract with agencies and businesses to destroy old documents in a secure manner, said Manager Sharon Coleman.
“Once we get started we hope to do banks, hospitals and doctors, schools,” she said.
A major amendment to the Solid Waste Management Law in 1990 created a goal to significantly reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. The projects funded by these grant funds will help the individual districts achieve this goal.
Missouri's 20 solid waste management districts were organized to encourage regional cooperation and to help ensure proper solid waste management through waste reduction and recycling activities. The money for the grants comes from the Solid Waste Management Fund, which is made up of tonnage fees. The fees are charged for each ton of waste disposed of in Missouri landfills or processed through transfer stations that move waste out-of-state.
Revenue from the solid waste disposal fee funds operation of the state's Solid Waste Management Program as well as local solid waste management district activities, including grants to communities and small businesses. The state's role includes compliance assistance, permitting, inspection and enforcement activities.
Each district chooses when to hold its grant application process, which may occur annually, quarterly, or periodically throughout the year.
District R, which includes Iron, Madison, St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties, received $37,303 in the recent round of funding.
“Fifty percent of those funds will be used for administration and the rest will be used for grants, said Brian Balsman of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission. “The funds are actually held by DNR until we have a grant cycle.”
Most likely, applications for District R’s next cycle most likely will open in September, with a decision scheduled for the end of the year, Balsam said.
Residents in District R’s counties who want more information about grant applications should call 573-547-8357.
Washington County is in District K, which received $57,548. The district plans to accept applications for solid waste reduction projects in July and August. The money will be available in January, District K Planner Tammy Snodgrass said.
“We have to send the applications to the state for their stamp of approval before we get the money,” she explained.
Counties, cities, schools and private businesses are among those who may apply for the District K grants. Applications will be online after mid-July at http://www.meramecregion.org or may be obtained by calling Snodgrass at 573-265-2993.
District L, which includes Jefferson County, received $553,243. Grant applications will be available in the fall, most likely at the beginning of November, said David Berger, executive director of the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District. Applications will be available online at http://www.swmd.net.
For more information on the DNR's Solid Waste Management Program, call 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401 or go to the Web site at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp.
Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com.
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