The State of Delaware seeks to improve and increase recycling in First State through another round of grants.
DNREC will award up to $500,000 from its Universal Recycling Grant and Low Interest Loan Program to proposals it accepts from businesses, schools and other large institutions to expand or begin recycling programs.
DNREC is giving priority to applications from Delaware's schools, which fall short in the percentage of material they recycle compared to other sources.
DNREC environmental program manager Bill Miller says there's a couple of reasons why he'd like to see that change.
“We want that material not to go into the landfill, but we also recognize that schools and youth have an important impact in terms of long-term recycling growth in Delaware," said Miller. "So it’s an investment in the future.”
DNREC is looking to double the recycling rate in the commercial sector which is now required by law actively recycle. The grant money helps defray start-up costs associated with establishing a recycling program.
The grants, funded by a 4-cent retail tax incurred on various containers and bottles at the time of purchase, will disappear once that tax is lifted after this year, though Miller says DNREC will extend the program as long as funds remain.
“We have an account where that money comes in to," he said, "and we are trying to stretch that funding that we already have and that will continue to come in until December and stretch that money that we have throughout the coming years - ideally into 2020.”