[OKRA] DEQ Offers Funding Opportunities in Solid Waste Management

[Ellen Bussert]

[image: image.png]

DEQ Offers Funding Opportunities in Solid Waste Management

For Immediate Release:  April 20, 2021

Contact:  Erin Hatfield, (405) 702-7119, erin.hatfield at deq.ok.gov

Local governments and nonprofit organizations can apply to the Oklahoma
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for funds aimed at solid waste
improvements. The Oklahoma Solid Waste Management Act (Act) affords DEQ
resources that can help local governments with things such as cleaning up
illegal dumps, hiring environmental enforcement officers, and hosting
collection events for difficult to manage waste such as household
chemicals, unwanted meds, and old electronics. The Act created a system of
state solid waste fees that help fund DEQ’s environmental protection
programs.

Partnerships with local governments allow DEQ to make the best use of
available resources. “Local governments understand local environmental
needs. From assistance in hosting household hazardous collection events, or
aid in investigating illegal dumping, DEQ solid waste funding agreements
are a tool we offer to help drive locally initiated environmental
improvement projects” says Patrick Riley, DEQ manager of Solid Waste and
Sustainability. “If funding is available, we will work to develop
agreements and implement local projects this fiscal year.”

*Types of Grants Available*

*Environmental Officer Grants* not to exceed $50,000 are given to curtail
illegal dumping. They typically provide funding for the salary of one
part-time Environmental Officer, equipment used in cleaning up dump sites,
and labor and other costs associated with clean-ups.

*Large Equipment Grants *to provide funding not to exceed $50,000, to
support the purchase of large equipment to manage solid waste, such
as brush chippers, or balers for compacting recyclable materials.

*Collection Event Grants *for municipalities to host events for residents
to drop off household hazardous waste (HHW), unwanted pharmaceuticals, and
electronic waste for proper disposal or recycling. Electronic waste
collection events must use an *e*-Stewards or R2 certified e-waste recycler.

*Professional Service/Other Grants *are for non-profits that provide unique
environmental improvement services not otherwise available.

*Food Waste Management Projects (New for FY22) *are for units of
government–including public school districts, universities, municipalities,
counties, or, tribes–for a wide range of projects to reduce wasted food by
diverting it from disposal to higher use. Examples include supplies and
equipment to support School Food Share or community food recovery programs
and university research projects to define existing food recovery
infrastructure.

Find out more and apply at
https://www.deq.ok.gov/land-protection-division/waste-management/solid-waste/funding-opportunities-for-community-based-environmental-protection-projects/
for
any of the grant applications. The first application period is open now
through May 30 for the FY22 project year starting July 1, 2021.

Assistance will be provided until funds are exhausted. Subsequent
application periods will be opened if additional funds remain after the
first round of applications.

Interested individuals can contact Patrick Riley at 405-702-5100 or by
e-mail at patrick.riley at deq.ok.gov.

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