Collier Township and Mt. Lebanon received state recycling grants for developing and implementing recycling programs.

“Support for these programs yield obvious environmental benefits, but also act as an economic driver and help local communities make positive investments. Many programs funded through the recycling grant will also help communities leverage grant dollars in the future,” said State Sen. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon.

The grants provide up to 90 percent of the funding toward the costs of approved recycling programs.

Collier Township received $69,012 to replace an antiquated leaf loader, enabling the township to expand leaf and yard-waste collection, and for the purchase of new curbside recycling bins that will last for at least five to 10 years, Smith said.

Mt. Lebanon received $31,500 to promote increased recycling in the commercial sector, in schools and in multi-family residences.

“Over the past three years, Mt. Lebanon has increased annual tonnage of residential recycling by over 130 percent and believes that through education and outreach we can increase recycling in the commercial and institutional sectors,” said Thomas Kelley, director of public works.

Collier Township and Mt. Lebanon are two of 131 municipalities and counties statewide to receive grant money from the state Department of Environmental Protection, Smith said.

In the state, municipalities with a population between 5,000 and 10,000 with population density of more than 300 per square mile, and municipalities with more than 10,000 residents are required to recycle.

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