Wendy Angel

Harrisburg, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced more than $3.8 million in recycling performance grants to 158 communities based on their 2003 recycling programs. The department approved those grants from a pool of almost 800 applicants and awarded 237 grants last month as well. Performance grants are supplied from $2-per-ton tipping fees that are paid into the Recycling Fund.

Pennsylvania is a national recycling leader in terms of employment, payroll and sales. More than 81,000 workers are employed in the state’s recycling industry. The state legislature is currently considering legislation that would provide additional funding to municipal recycling programs.