Recycling grant offered to Delaware schools, businesses

The Universal Recycling Grant is once again being offered to Delaware schools and businesses interested in starting or expanding recycling programs.

About $500,000 in funding is available, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

The grant and low interest loan program was established when the state enacted the Universal Recycling Law in 2010, requiring all commercial businesses to participate in a recycling program by 2014.

Earlier this year, the state highlighted the progress of the Universal Recycling Law, which has helped to reduce Delaware’s carbon footprint by 535,000 tons of carbon emissions.

DNREC officials are hopeful that school districts will take advantage of the funding and priority will be given to schools that apply.

“To achieve the statewide goals of the Universal Recycling Law, we need to work with the entire commercial sector, including our educational institutions, to substantially increase recycling in that sector,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Our grants program is a great opportunity to assist the educational and business community with recycling start-up costs. Once universal access to recycling is in place, the environmental and economic benefits are quickly realized. Ultimately we want every Delawarean to have access to recycling at home, at work, and everywhere in between.”

Grant applications will be accepted until March 3, 2015.