Michael Globetti or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902 

DNREC offers first Universal Recycling
grant and low-interest loan opportunity

DOVER (Dec. 7, 2010) – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will begin accepting applications December 14 for the Universal Recycling Grant and Low Interest Loan Program. Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 24, 2011. Grant awards are expected to be announced in February 2011.

DNREC, with the assistance of the Recycling Public Advisory Council (RPAC), developed the grant and loan program pursuant to requirements of Delaware’s new solid waste recycling law, known as Universal Recycling. 

The Universal Recycling Grant and Low Interest Loan Program is part of the Universal Recycling bill championed by Governor Jack Markell. Universal recycling aims to reduce the amount of municipal solid waste generated and disposed of in Delaware and contribute towards achieving the state’s goal of recycling 75 percent of solid waste generated. This will help to conserve resources, save energy, extend the life of the landfills, create jobs, reduce green house gas emissions, and promote sustainability.

Specifically, the grant and loan program is designed to assist entities engaged in the business of collecting, transporting, processing, or marketing recyclables, with the implementation of recyclables collection and processing, with emphasis on start-up costs for residential recycling initiatives. Up to $16 million in grant funding is available during this initial offering. 

Eligible applicants are entities engaged in the business of collecting, transporting, processing, or marketing recyclables. Applicants are encouraged to establish cooperative partnerships with other parties, including private industry.

A public information workshop will be held at:

     The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
     Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
     89 Kings Highway
     Dover, DE 19901

from 10 a.m. - noon on Monday, Dec. 13, and from 2 - 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011.

DNREC staff are available to provide technical and administrative assistance.  For more information contact Bill Miller at bill.miller@state.de.us  or Jim Short at james.short@state.de.us or by phone, 302-739-9403.

Applications can also be downloaded from DNREC’s website at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/whs/awm/Pages/RecyclingGrants.aspx

Vol. 40, No. 407