2008 Composting Infrastructure Development Grant Program [38 Pa.B. 2196]
[Saturday, May 10, 2008]Applications for the 2008 Composting Infrastructure Development Grant Program (Program) are now available from the Department of Environmental Protection (Department). Under the program, for-profit business entities, whether established or start-up, or incorporated nonprofit organizations operating a composting facility located in this Commonwealth will be awarded grants on a competitive basis to increase the quantity of yard and/or food wastes collected and processed in this Commonwealth. The goal of this program is to increase the quantity of organic materials collected and composted to further increase this Commonwealth's recycling rate. Four hundred thousand dollars is available for this initiative. The Department will award grants of up to $100,000 to any one project. Additional consideration will be given to applications that are developed in consultation with the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center at www.parmc.org or (717) 948-6660. The Department will accept applications for the program until 4 p.m. on July 18, 2008.
The municipal waste stream in Pennsylvania consists of more than 30% organic materials that could be recycled and diverted from the waste stream and managed by composting. These organic waste streams, such as yard and food wastes, can become a resource to compost facilities that use these materials as feedstocks. Composting of organic wastes helps to lessen the burden on landfill capacity and creates a beneficial soil conditioner that can be marketed.
Applications for the 2008 program may be obtained by contacting Charles Scheidler, Bureau of Waste Management, at (717) 787-7382 or cscheidler@state.pa.us. Applications are also available electronically on the Department's web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us (DEP Keyword: ''Compost'').
KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-881. Filed for public inspection May 9, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]
