Kentucky Awards $4.7 Million in Environmental Grants

In June, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet announced about $4.7 million in grants to fund 78 recycling, composting and household hazardous waste projects across the Bluegrass State.

The state awarded 37 recycling grants worth $2.5 million to provide counties the opportunity to purchase recycling equipment or expand established recycling programs. The $1.4 million in composting grants are slated for 13 projects surrounding improved management of organic material. Household hazardous waste grants provide 28 projects with nearly $800,000 to support programming for the disposal of household chemicals and electronics.

All grants require a local match of 25 percent in cash or “in-kind” labor, such as educational events or promotional advertising.

“Kentucky is fortunate that so many municipalities are stepping up to reuse and recycle to reduce the amount of solid waste piling up in our landfills,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a KEEC blog post. “This shows care for the environment and for each other.”
These grants were created through the Kentucky Pride Fund, a fund generated through a $1.75 fee for each ton of municipal solid waste disposed of in state landfills. — By Emerson Wells