| Idaho
County Recycling awarded grant money
Idaho County Recycling has been selected the winning applicant in the statewide competition for DEQ’s Materials Management/Recycling Grant (2011). The grant monies are provided by Region 10 of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in Seattle. Kirby Farner, Environmental Policy Analyst for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, said “Applications were evaluated, scored and ranked by a review panel consisting of DEQ and Environmental Protection Agency staff. Idaho County’s application “Acquisition of Commodity Bins for Idaho County Recycling” was excellent.” There were 17 state-wide grant applications for all or part of the $30,000 sum. Idaho County’s submission made the Top 5 list and was ultimately chosen to receive the full amount based on its request for funding of permanent commodity bins to enhance the county’s recycling program. According to Janie Fluharty, ICR chairwoman, “The selection committee was especially impressed by the community involvement behind ICR’s success; the cadre of amazing volunteers and the support of patrons and businesses”. Since its inception in Oct. 2009, ICR has diverted over 250 tons of recyclables from the waste stream. Fluharty added that the DEQ grant application “was an intense, collaborative effort of ICR’s steering committee, inspired by the on-going enthusiasm of customers and their frequent requests for more convenient sites and hours. We are absolutely elated to receive this grant – but now comes the difficult task of finding suitable, safe, secure locations for the new commodity bins. We welcome public input”. Besides Fluharty, the ICR steering committee members are: Liz Clark, Jeff Kutner, Mike and Margaret Myers, Michelle Perdue, Frank Sargent and Shelley Dumas. This is recycling weekend Recycle in Fenn on Saturday, February 19 or at Kooskia Park on Sunday February 20. Recycling on both days is from 9A.M to 3 P.M. The Clearwater Valley site is located on 4th Avenue in Kooskia near the City Park. Idaho County patrons may continue to recycle cardboard at Cash and Carry Grocery Store in Grangeville between 6:00 and 7:00 P.M. on Wednesdays (Please flatten all large boxes). Businesses will still be able to use the compactor anytime with our subscription service by contacting Janie Fluharty at 983-2843. Please help the site volunteers by flattening your plastic. Plastic bottles that have openings that are smaller than the bottom are accepted. Please remove and discard all lids and remove labels from metal cans. All cans and plastic should be rinsed before bringing them to the recycle sites. Also, please flatten any cardboard that is brought to the recycle site. ICR would like to thank everyone who has helped to make our program a success. |
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