HARRISBURG, May 6, 2014 – More Berks County residents will be able to recycle more of their consumer waste with the awarding of $1.25 million from Pennsylvania’s Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act.

“Since Act 101 was implemented in 1988, the commonwealth has awarded millions to help residents in the 11th Senatorial District and throughout the state keep more paper, plastic, metal, and glass out of our landfills,” Sen. Schwank said today. “While many Berks Countians recycle now, this 54th round of recycling grants from the state will help us increase our efforts to protect our environment.”

Grant funding is used by municipalities to develop and implement recycling programs.

Projects can range from the operation of compost facilities and web-based recycling programs to the addition of recycling capacity and the development of educational materials to encourage more people to not throw recyclable goods into the trash.

“Agriculture is a vital industry in Berks County. Losing it to landfills would be a shame and unnecessary,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that 10 of our communities will benefit with this latest round of funding.”

Act 101 mandates recycling in municipalities with more than 10,000 residents. Municipalities with 5,000 to 10,000 people and have a population density greater than 300 people per square mile must also recycle.

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Editor’s Note: The list of Berks County communities receiving Act 101 grants follows:

 

APPLICANT                                     PROJECT                                                                 $$$

Berks County Recycling                 Recycling Center                                                     $109,849

Bern Township                                   Leaf waste, curbside recycling                          $64,171

Cumru Township                                Leaf waste collection                                            $247,565

Exeter Township                                Leaf waste, curbside recycling                         $99,004

Kutztown Borough                             Recycling center, leaf waste collection        $250,000

Maidencreek Township                    Curbside, educational recycling programs    $89,887

Mount Penn Borough                         Curbside, leaf waste recycling programs    $69,983

Topton Borough                                 Curbside, leaf waste recycling programs     $101,281

Wernersville Borough                      Leaf waste program                                              $121,852

Wyomissing Borough                        Curbside, leaf waste recycling programs    $98,987