HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale, said Clearfield County and Borough are receiving recycling grants totaling almost $48,000.
“The grants are funded by Pennsylvania’s landmark Act 101 of 1988, one of the first comprehensive solid waste management and recycling programs in the country,” George said. “Unfortunately, recycling efforts are under siege because of budget constraints that are under-cutting efforts to boost recycling and reduce the flow of trash to landfills.”
The grants awarded to the county are:
-A $20,827 Recycling Performance Grant based on 2,272.5 tons of materials recovered in 2007.
-A $17,212 Recycling Coordinator Grant to pay half of the county recycling coordinator’s salary and expenses.
Clearfield Borough received a $9,772 Recycling Performance Grant based on 1,028 tons of materials recycled in 2007.
George said the recycling grants are paid for through tipping fees assessed on each ton of trash deposited in Pennsylvania landfills. However, funding from the fees are frequently targeted for state programs other than recycling.