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Department of Ecology News Release - June 10, 2008
08-163
OLYMPIA – The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) recently awarded more than $5.6 million in grant funding to 30 city and county governments to support waste reduction and recycling in Southwest Washington and on the Olympic Peninsula.
The Coordinated Prevention Grants are given to local governments every two years. The funds help local efforts to manage solid and household hazardous-wastes, prevent illegal dumping and promote recycling and composting programs.
Across the state, 119 city and county governments are receiving a portion of $17.5 million provided by the Legislature and Governor.
"Ultimately, these grants keep hazardous wastes out of our local landfills through a three-pronged approach: public education, reducing waste, and accelerating recycling efforts,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. It makes good sense, for our economy and our environment, to invest in reducing and preventing waste now, rather than paying for costly cleanups later.”
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.
By county:
Clallam
The city of Port Angeles will use its $161,250 grant to operate the hazardous waste facility, continue county-wide education and outreach efforts, work to establish school-located compost sites and partner with Master Gardeners to promote residential backyard composting.
Clallam County Environmental Health Services will use $155,599 for a number of efforts: inspecting and permitting solid waste facilities; and investigate solid waste complaints; providing technical assistance to businesses; and continuing coordination with North Peninsula Building Association to reduce waste and preserve natural resources.
Clark
Clark County Public Works will use $840,471 to collect over 750 tons of hazardous waste through its three facilities and seven collection events, educate home gardeners about toxic-free alternatives and expand the current food-waste composting program to high schools. The county plans a green building education and information project for builders and contractors.
Clark County Public Health will use a $106,849 grant to review and process permit applications for solid waste handling facilities and investigate more than 300 complaints of solid waste violations.
Cowlitz
Cowlitz County Public Works will use a $196,000 grant for ongoing collection of household and small business hazardous waste. Funds will support a food-waste composting project at the Kelso High School, keeping 10 tons of organic waste out of the landfill.
Cowlitz County Building and Planning Department will use an $80,137 grant to review and process permit applications for solid waste handling facilities and to investigate more than 300 complaints of solid waste violations.
The city of Longview will use its $61,312 grant to educate the public on recycling opportunities and the shift to individual 90-gallon recycling carts, reducing the risk of contaminated recycling.
City of Kelso will use a $20,329 grant to continue recycling operations for city residents, collecting an estimated 600 tons of recyclable material each year.
Grays Harbor
Grays Harbor County Environmental Health will use a $106,849 grant to investigate solid waste complaints and help properly dispose of junk vehicles. Funds will also support staff technical assistance, permit reviews and facility inspections.
Grays Harbor County will use a $229,193 grant to continue hazardous waste facility for residents and small-quantity generators within the county, to increase recycling, and to continue participation in the “2good2toss.com” program.
Jefferson
Jefferson County Environmental Health will use $114,349 in grants to investigate complaints, conduct inspections and permit solid waste handling facilities. The county will continue to promote the Green Business and EnviroStars Programs, recruiting 11 new businesses to participate.
Jefferson County Public Works will use a $144,250 grant to continue operation of the hazardous waste facility and six collection stations and work to increase use of the facility through education and outreach. These activities will also divert 29 pounds of mercury over two years.
Lewis
Lewis County Solid Waste Utility will use a $233,780 grant to fund a hazardous waste collection facility and a comprehensive public education program for residents and businesses. The county will participate in a waste-exchange program, special collection events and chipping events, keeping an estimated 14,000 pounds of waste from the landfill.
Lewis County Health Department will use a $106,849 grant to review and process permit applications for solid waste handling facilities, conduct twice-yearly inspections at 26 facilities and investigate complaints of solid waste violations.
Mason
The city of Shelton’s Public Works department will use a $70,368 grant to continue promoting the recycling of organic materials, diverting more than 9 tons of yard waste from the landfill. The city will promote increased recycling.
Mason County Public Works will use a $127,077 grant to operate a hazardous waste facility and three drop-off sites, to continue current recycling education and outreach efforts and to develop outreach for a new yard-waste collection program. The county will continue its partnership with Kitsap County to serve North Mason County residents with hazardous waste collection and disposal options.
Mason County Environmental Health will use a $106,849 grant to inspect and permit facilities, respond to solid waste complaints, issue citations and conduct follow-up through the hearings examiner process.
Pacific
Pacific County Department of Community Development will use $246,304 in grants to operate the hazardous waste facility and satellite collection events. County staff will inspect and permit solid waste facilities and investigate and resolve up to 800 illegal dump sites.
Pierce
Pierce County Public Works and Utilities will use an $898,006 grant to fund three hazardous waste collection facilities and support waste reduction and recycling activities such as newsletters and brochures, a Web site, the Take it Back Network and 2good2toss reuse programs, community events, classroom presentations, workshops and a reference library.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department will use a $106,849 grant to increase compliance with local and state regulations by investigating solid waste complaints.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department will use a $227,920 grant to complete the hazardous waste planning update process, collect approximately 118 tons of used oil from 10 sites in Pierce County and provide technical assistance to businesses. The funds will support outreach like the Hazardous Waste Line, public events and the Web.
The city of Tacoma will use a $368,944 grant to collect 125 tons of household and small business waste. Improvements in infrastructure will reduce transportation costs for approximately 10,000 tons of recyclables.
Skamania
Skamania County Public Works will use an $119,451 grant to maintain and service the existing recycling drop boxes located at the three transfer stations in the county, increasing recycling to 1,000 tons by the end of 2009.
Skamania County Health Department will use a $37,500 grant to review and process permit applications for solid waste handling facilities and investigate solid waste violation complaints.
Thurston
Thurston County Environmental Health will use its $344,397 grant to continue a used oil collection program, help businesses adopt waste-handling best management practices and develop educational material and partner with businesses to distribute it to the public. Staff will provide technical assistance consultations, facility visits and investigate solid waste complaints.
Thurston County Water & Waste Management will use the $237,549 grant to continue hazardous waste collection and recycling programs, maintain the school recycling program for paper and commingled materials, and partner with South Puget Sound Community College and Saint Martin’s University to develop on-site composting programs.
The city of Olympia will use $49,000 in grants to provide residential curbside pickup of organic materials. This new service will divert an estimated 486 additional tons of combined food waste, compostable paper, and residential yard debris.
Wahkiakum
Wahkiakum County Public Works will use a $71,250 grant to maintain the existing recycling program and add three new cardboard recycling drop boxes. The county anticipates the program will collect over 1,400 tons of recyclables.
Wahkiakum County Health Department will use a $28,350 grant to investigate complaints and increase solid waste compliance.
To learn more about county-specific projects, contact the specific county solid waste manager.
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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239
Complete list of CPG grants: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/grants/cpg.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
