KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR Gary R. Mitchell, Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 22, 1997

Contact: Don Brown
785-296-1529

State Awards $1.27 Million to Reduce Solid Waste

Governor Bill Graves announced today that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has awarded $1.27 million to local groups in the latest round of grant awards under the state's program to reduce solid waste in Kansas. This is the largest amount ever awarded in a single round under the program.

"These grants promote both environmental quality and economic prosperity," said Governor Graves. "One grant to the City of Hays will enable the city to purchase capital equipment to enhance its waste composting operation. Another will allow a private firm in south-central Kansas to more efficiently develop markets for lumber substitutes made from recycled plastics. A third grant to the City of Emporia will help establish a local recycling facility."

Most of the 24 newly-awarded grants under the Competitive Solid Waste Plan Implementation Grant Program relate to collecting and processing recyclable materials. Fifteen were awarded to public entities; nine to private entities. On average, the Governor's solid waste grants advisory committee recommends awards of about $1 million per six-month round.

Fifty-six applications requesting a total of $7.2 million were received and considered in this latest round of grants.

"The 24 grants awarded in this round will stimulate additional local projects aimed at reducing the amount of solid waste which enters our state landfills," stated Secretary of Health and Environment Gary R. Mitchell. "We are especially pleased to be able to support the development of an in-state market for waste plastics by awarding this round's largest grant of $300,000 to Millennium Wood of Wichita." He emphasized that the success of local community waste recycling programs is dependent on the availability of dependable markets for their materials.

The grants fund local projects designed to develop or enhance waste reduction practices, including recycling, composting, market development, and public education. Grant funds are generated from the solid waste landfill tipping fee of $1 per ton.