Businesses may apply for state recycling grants by June 30

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Hoosier businesses may now apply for grants to purchase equipment needed to remanufacture recyclable materials into finished products or industrial feedstocks through Indiana's Recycling Market Development Program. Applications may be submitted to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) through June 30.

IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly explained that a Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP) grant should be considered if a business is looking for ways to reduce waste streams through source reduction, recycling or reuse; if a recycled-content product manufacturer is looking for funding assistance to expand; or if a company's operations use recycled-content material in the manufacturing process.

"The effect of businesses and projects funded through the Recycling Market Development Program reverberates throughout the state," said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "In addition to diverting waste from landfills, there is an economic benefit as well. Financially supporting the development and marketing of recyclables will lead to the creation of more Hoosier jobs. "

Grants will range from $50,000 up to $200,000 with a required 50 percent match. A total of $500,000 is available. The Recycling Market Development Board will make final funding determinations of eligible projects, and approval of funding will be announced at the next board meeting, currently scheduled for August. Businesses that have current RMDP projects will not be eligible.

For additional information about the Recycling Market Development Program or to learn more about the application process, call (800) 988-7901 or visit IDEM's website at www.recycle.IN.gov/5745.htm.  

About RMDP
The Recycling Market Development Program operates under the Recycling Market Development Board as established by Indiana Code (IC 4-23-5.5). The grant and loan money for the RMDP comes from the Recycling Promotion and Assistance 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.