Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell has announced a $5.5 million investment to expand the 287 municipal recycling programs across the state. The awarded grants are based on recycling results from 2005. That year the state recycled a record 4.86 million tons of municipal solid waste, which saved consumers and industries nearly $263 million in disposal costs.

The state Department of Environmental Protection approved 552 of the 800 performance grant applications it received in 2005. “The investments we’re announcing today will help local governments expand their programs so even more material stays out of landfills,” Rendell said in a press release.