P.O. Box 20444 Indianapolis, IN 46220-0444 Not-For-Profit Corporation Phone & Fax: 317-283-622 e-mail address: [email protected] January 1997 Newsletter Co-Editors: Mark Davis and Julie L. Rhodes City, Town & Community News

IRC Reaches Out to Assist Local Groups

The Indiana Recycling Coalition's success has been built on its grass roots efforts. However, over the last few years recycling has become more institutionalized and some of IRC's local efforts have diminished. In an effort to reaffirm this important aspect of the Coalition, the IRC board last fall initiated a plan to help local organizations. The plan is to offer the Indiana Recycling Coalition's support to local recycling organizations as an umbrella of assistance. By becoming affiliates of the IRC these organizations and the IRC would both benefit from the synergy of networking statewide and local efforts. The Kokomo Recycling Coalition was the first local organization to join IRC with this specific intention, and is a test group for future outreach efforts. As a valued affiliate of the IRC, we are happy to feature the KRC in this issue of the newsletter.

Kokomo Recyling Coalition

The Kokomo Recycling Coalition was formed over 5 years ago it helped initiate grass roots recycling in the Kokomo area for businesses. Today Kokomo is one of the premier cities in Indiana and has attracted several recycling companies to the area. Helping local merchants and factories divert their waste from landfills.

Members of the KRC meet once a month to hear guest speakers or take short field trips to recycling facilities or end users. Recently the group toured Jefferson-Smurfit's Wabash Mill and Wabash Alloy's aluminum. At our November meeting, Alvin Givens from Lighting Resources was our guest speaker. He explained how business can start a fluorescent lamp recycling program.

The KRC is currently putting together a recycling brochure to be mailed to all area businesses giving the names of companies that are interested in helping them start programs. The mailing is expected to be completed and mailed in January.

Like the IRC, the KRC is experiencing problems with lower yearly membership and keeping the enthusiasm high. The founding members all have their recycling programs up and running with few problems, so the initial reason the KRC was formed is somewhat waning. However, the core members have pledged to bring their successes to others who are either not recycling or could be doing more. The KRC is also hoping to revitalize it's name and importance among its founding members. We certainly do not want to let a good thing die.

In 1996 the Kokomo Recycling Coalition sought to align itself with the Indiana Recycling Coalition. The KRC had good intentions at its inception to file for not-for-profit status, but somehow never carried through. In early summer the KRC asked to be taken in under the wing of the IRC so they too could enjoy the benefits afforded to a 501 C3 organization. Larry Wilson, President of the IRC, looked at this request as a opportunity to seek grass roots recyclers and bring their wants and needs forward to a State level. In early fall the request was presented to the full Board of Directors of the IRC and approved. The KRC is excited to now be an incubator for new growth and ideas to be funneled into the Indiana Recycling Coalition. We'll keep you informed on how we are doing.

Indiana Recyling Grants Program

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management in 1996 awarded more than $2.34 million dollars to local governments and businesses throughout the state for recycling and source reduction activities. The grants matched local investment.

Altogether, 40 solid waste management districts, 18 other local units of government, and four non-profit organizations received funds through the Recycling Grants and Household Hazardous Waste Grants programs. Approximately 80% of these funds were distributed through governmental contracts to private sector businesses.

The Recycling Grants Program was created in 1990 through HEA 1240. Its objectives are to conserve IndianaÌs natural resources and decrease dependence on landfilling and incineration. The program is financed through half of the 50-cent-per-ton surcharge at IndianaÌs final-disposal facilities. The other half of the fund goes to the Indiana Department of Commerce for financing loans and other recycling market development activities.

The Recycling Grants Program offers specialized, targeted grants for processing and yard-waste equipment, as well as broad-based traditional grants. It also offers grants for source reduction ÏmodelsÓ and regional cooperation grants for 10-county partnerships or areas with at least 700,000 population. The standard grant to the 62 solid waste management districts is called Ïjump-startÓ because it provides start-up funds for basic education programming.

The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Grants program was created to reduce improper disposal of household wastes that can damage infrastructure, harm individuals or contaminate water. This program receives its funding through a small portion of the $11.50 per ton surcharge at hazardous waste landfills.

Grants through the recycling and HHW grant programs are available in several subcategories. Applications deadlines for each program are listed below:

Tradition, Model and HHW Grant applications are due on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30

Jumpstart Grant applications are due anytime between May 1, 1997 through September 30, 1997.

Regional and Equipment Grant applications can be submitted at anytime throughout the year.

Contact IDEMÌs recycling branch at 1/800/451-6027 for grant application packets and more details on how your community can become involved in obtaining source reduction and recycling grant funds.