News Release No. 350

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2005 RECYCLING GRANTS

Volume 32-350

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 29, 2004 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for grants to encourage waste reduction, recycling and energy recovery projects.

In 2003, Missouri diverted 45 percent of its waste from landfill disposal through reuse, recycling and composting. The department will award $1.5 million in grants for innovative projects in five targeted categories to reduce the amount of solid waste being disposed of in landfills and increase resource recovery. These projects are expected to generate jobs, create small businesses and protect the environment.

Financial assistance is available in these categories:

Electronics Reuse and Recycling - to encourage the local establishment of convenient and economical reuse and recycling opportunities or community collection events and other opportunities for electronic equipment. For the purposes of this grant, electronic equipment is defined as: televisions and monitors, computers; computer peripherals; audio/stereo equipment; VCR's; DVD players; video cameras; telephones; fax and copy machines; cellular phones; wireless devices; and video game consoles.

Organic Waste - to reduce the disposal of organic materials from all waste streams: industrial, commercial, institutional or residential. Financial assistance is available for projects that collect or process organic materials such as food waste, soiled paper, textiles, wood, yard waste, and other organics from homes, institutions or businesses.

Major Appliance Reuse and Recycling Services - to establish or expand recycling or reuse collection options for major appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, water heaters, trash compactors, dishwashers, conventional ovens, ranges, stoves, wood stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, particularly in areas of greatest need. Major appliances are banned from disposal in Missouri landfills and many parts of the state have limited collection services.

Innovative Targets - to provide opportunities for the development of unique and innovative waste reduction, market development or recycling projects that do not fit into one of the other target areas.

Recycling Centers - to expand opportunities for Missouri citizens to recycle easily and affordably. Financial assistance is available start up or expand local collections of recyclable materials.

All financial awards are subject to the State of Missouri's legislative appropriation process, availability of funds and authorization by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

For details on the 2005 targeted grant call, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/alpd/swmp. Application packets and further information may be obtained online from the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/alpd/swmp/financial/swmpfund.htm. Grant proposals and supporting documentation must be postmarked by 5 p.m., Dec. 31, to qualify for financial assistance.

For further information, please contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, or call 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

###