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Department of Ecology News Release - November 20, 2006
06-241
SPOKANE - The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) has awarded 22 grants totaling some $3.24 million to support waste reduction and recycling projects in 13 counties in the agency's eastern region. Statewide, around $18.2 million has been designated for waste reduction and recycling programs at the local and county level.
Every two years, Ecology awards the Coordinated Prevention Grants to local governments to help them manage solid and household hazardous-wastes, prevent illegal dumping and promote recycling and composting programs.
"These grants are important to our efforts to move Washington forward and maintain our well-earned reputation as a clean, green part of the world," said Governor Chris Gregoire. "The real work to reduce waste and promote recycling for a healthier, more sustainable Washington takes place in local communities."
The grants are supported by a tax paid by wholesale distributors of petroleum and other hazardous materials, under the voter-approved Model Toxics Control Act of 1989.
Ferry County Waste Management plans to use a $108,829 grant to collect and properly dispose of 5 tons of household hazardous waste. The county also will provide waste reduction, reuse, and recycling education and activities to 3,000 residents.
Lincoln County Public Works will use its grant for $117,629 to operate a household hazardous waste facility. The facility will collect and properly dispose of more than 6 tons of hazardous materials from 10,000 residents.
Lincoln County Health Department will use a $30,000 grant for solid waste enforcement activities. These include investigation of illegal dumping and improper solid waste handling, permitting, consultation, inspection, technical assistance, and evaluation of groundwater monitoring data.
Northeast TRI County Health District will use a $72,468 grant for solid waste enforcement activities, monitoring landfills, and investigating illegal dumping complaints. These activities will cover Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties.
Pend Oreille County Public Works will use a $120,567 grant to provide year-round collection and proper disposal of 96 tons of household hazardous waste. Collection will take place at facilities located in Deer Valley, Usk, and Ione. The county will also promote waste reduction and recycling through school educational programs and brochure development. By taking part in community events that promote recycling and proper waste disposal, the county will spread its message even further.
Stevens County Department of Public Works will use a $170,343 grant to carry out several projects. The county will increase awareness of solid waste issues and recycling by reaching 4,000 residents through a Web site, public service announcements, classroom activities, and community events. The County plans to collect and properly dispose of 40,000 gallons of used oil at 11 locations. It will also collect approximately 3,000 auto batteries at seven locations, and 1,000 gallons of household hazardous waste at two locations. In partnership with Stevens County Fire District 1, the Department of Natural Resources, and Ecology's Air Quality Program, the county will conduct community chipping events. These events will divert 60 tons of organic debris from the landfill.
Spokane Regional Solid Waste System will use an $846,639 grant to collect and dispose of household hazardous waste. The grant will also help the system provide technical assistance to businesses about proper waste management and disposal. In addition, the system will continue to administer the regional waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs. These programs include distributing Recycling RAP to 3,000 elementary school teachers and publishing the kids enviro page in kids news for 30,000 elementary students. The programs also provide 80,000 copies of the quarterly newsletter, One Man's Trash, and help sponsor the Northwest Ecobuilding Guild's Green Pages, a Directory of Ecologically Sustainable Professional Services. The system sponsors the Spokane Youth Environmental Conference, operates the Recycling Hotline, and maintains the 2good2toss.com Web site. Spokane Regional Solid Waste also coordinates with the Master Composters and The Green Zone programs.
Spokane Regional Health District will use a $99,729 grant for solid waste enforcement activities, including responding to approximately 800 illegal dump complaints. It will also educate the public about proper solid waste disposal and about the general handling of biosolids and biomedical waste.
Adams County Public Works will use a $128,863 grant to collect and properly dispose of more than 6 tons of household hazardous waste. Through outreach to 8,000 residents, the County will increase awareness of solid waste issues. These issues include waste reduction, reuse, and recycling; using products that are less toxic; and diverting organic wastes.
Adams County Health Department will use a $99,729 grant for solid waste enforcement, as well as public education on proper solid waste handling and disposal. The County expects to respond to 80 illegal dumping and solid waste complaints.
Asotin County will use a $135,776 grant to collect and properly dispose of 140 tons of household hazardous waste from Asotin, Garfield, and Nez Perce county residents. It will also operate a recycling facility and drop-box locations, and distribute 500 brochures on recycling to county residents.
Asotin County Health District will use a $77,808 grant for solid waste enforcement, technical assistance, and response to public inquiries. They expect to investigate approximately 160 illegal dumping and solid waste complaints. The county will also initiate a material exchange service that will match individuals who want to recycle rather than discard items.
Whitman County Public Works will use a $172,071 grant for a range of activities. The county will collect and properly dispose of 64,000 pounds of household hazardous waste from 3,500 participants. It will provide free, year-round residential yard waste disposal at the transfer station. The county will also conduct recycling education and activities through fairs, the Lentil Festival, Tire Amnesty Day, Earth Day events, a collection event for electronic products, a calendar art contest, and Christmas tree recycling.
Whitman County Health Department will use a $75,000 grant for solid waste enforcement, along with research and response to public inquiries. The health department will review monitoring-well data for compliance, and expect to respond to 240 illegal dumping complaints.
Franklin County Solid Waste will use a $198,515 grant for several projects. The county plans to collect and properly dispose of 40,000 pounds of household hazardous waste at a fixed facility and satellite locations. It will provide bilingual recycling education as well, and conduct composting workshops for 100 participants. The workshops will divert 37,000 pounds of yard waste from the landfill. The solid waste program also plans to conduct Christmas tree recycling events, which will chip 300 trees for use at the Pasco Cross Country Running Course.
Garfield County Public Works will use a $37,500 grant to collect, process, and transport recyclable materials at a 24-hour facility. The program expects to recycle 200 pairs of athletic shoes through the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program. It will also collect 30 tons of tires and 242,000 pounds of newsprint, glass, aluminum, mixed paper, and cardboard.
Garfield County Health District will use a $3,300 grant for solid waste enforcement, inspections, and technical assistance. The health district will also respond to public inquiries, and inspect and permit solid waste handling facilities.
Grant County Public Works will use a $235,329 grant to collect and properly dispose of 40 tons of household hazardous waste. The county will develop an electronics recycling brochure, and partner with the health district to exchange 150 mercury thermometers for mercury-free ones. It will also provide technical assistance and a small business workshop, and recycle 20 tons of tires. The county will conduct workshops on backyard composting for local residents and expects to divert nearly 13 tons of yard waste from the landfill.
Grant County Health District will use a $99,729 grant for solid waste enforcement, in collaboration with Grant County Solid Waste Management. The health district will work with Grant County Public Works on a mercury thermometer take-back project and will also develop educational materials to discourage illegal dumping and respond to approximately 160 illegal dumping complaints.
Columbia County Health District will use a $9,000 grant for enforcement activities, responding to complaints, and permitting and inspecting solid waste facilities to ensure proper disposal and handling of solid wastes.
Walla Walla and Columbia counties will use a $305,082 grant to collect and properly dispose of 350 tons of household hazardous waste. The two counties will conduct yearly tailgate collection and disposal events for household hazardous waste in the cities of Burbank, Prescott, Waitsburg, Dayton, Starbuck, and Walla Walla. Funds will support public recycling education and outreach programs for the two counties, including conducting composting workshops for at least 25 participants. The program also expects to reach 10,000 residents through advertising, promotions, presentations, and newsletters. As part of this program, the counties expect to collect 600 pounds of aluminum, 45 tons of cardboard/mixed paper at the recycling stations, and 22 pallets of electronics for recycling.
Walla Walla County Health Department will use a $99,729 grant for solid waste enforcement activities, technical assistance, permitting, and inspections. The grant will also enable the County to respond to 240 illegal dumping complaints a year.
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Media contact: Jani Gilbert, public information manager, (509) 329-3495
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
