Used oil collection and recycling equipment grants available

Nashville, Tenn. – The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Solid Waste Management is accepting grant applications for Used Oil Collection grants and Recycling Equipment grants.  Grant applications for each are due Oct. 31, 2007.

Recycling Equipment Grants are available to local governments and non-profit organizations working with local governments.  They may be used to purchase key equipment to establish new recycling programs, to improve existing operations or to prepare recyclable materials for transport or sale.  This grant program was authorized by the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 and is supported by the Tennessee Solid Waste Management Fund. The Fund, which is administered by Environment and Conservation, receives its revenues from a state surcharge on each ton of solid waste disposed in landfills and from a fee collected from new tires sold in Tennessee. Equipment purchased through Recycling Equipment Grantsude roll-off containers, skid loaders, shredders, balers, scales and other items.

Tennesseans who change their own motor oil generate more than 1 million gallons of used oil each year, which can pollute soil and water when not properly disposed. The General Assembly authorized the Used Oil Collection Act of 1993 to assist local communities in collecting used oil and reducing its negative effects on the environment. Grant funds are provided through a two-cent fee collected from every quart of oil sold within Tennessee. The first priority for grant funding is to establish collection sites in underserved areas. Other grants will fund improvement or replacement of equipment in existing public and private facilities. Equipment purchased through Oil Collection Grants can include containers, used oil burners, containment structures, shelter covers and other items.

The application deadline for both the Used Oil Collection and Recycling Equipment Grants is Oct. 31. For more information or to obtain appli can inclcations, please call (615) 532-0744 or visit the Web site at: http://state.tn.us/environment/swm/grants/forms.shtml.