IDEM Boosts Recycling Efforts with PEP Grants

Twenty-two solid waste management districts receive grants to enhance recycling education

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) awarded 22 Indiana solid waste management districts (SWMDs) public education and promotion (PEP) grants to educate students, teachers, citizens, communities, and businesses about source reduction and recycling programs.

“Education is an important key to encourage more Hoosiers to recycle,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “If we could encourage each Hoosier to recycle, even in a small way, then the collective impact would be significant. If we all work together to do our part we can make Indiana’s environment better for current and future generations.”

County SWMDs that received PEP grants are: Allen; Bartholomew; Clay-Owen-Vigo; Dearborn; Decatur; Fountain; Hamilton; Huntington; Knox; Lake; Marshall; Monroe; Northeast serving DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble and Steuben Counties; Perry; Rush; St. Joseph; Spencer; Sullivan; Three Rivers serving Henry County; Tipton; West Central serving Montgomery, Park and Putnam Counties; and Wildcat Creek serving Clinton and Tippecanoe Counties.

IDEM awards the PEP grants each year to eligible SWMDs which work with local schools, businesses, communities, and environmental and service organizations to develop education and promotion programs. PEP grants help fund projects aimed at creating environmental awareness, such as advertising and printed materials for recycling and household hazardous waste programs; Web site development; technical assistance for local business; library resource materials for schools; training materials for schools; and expenses for local "buy recycled" campaigns.

Source: Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)

The PEP grant program is one of several grant programs IDEM manages to aid cities, towns, counties, SWMDs, schools and non-profits with source reduction, recycling and household hazardous waste programs. A local match of funds is required to demonstrate local commitment to the program. For more information, visit http://www.IN.gov/idem/4103.htm .

Grant money comes from the Indiana Solid Waste Management Fund, an account generated by a per-ton fee on solid waste disposed at Indiana landfills. The fund supports source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting to prevent solid waste from permanent disposal.

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