Mansfield Receives State Grant for Recycling Program

The Town of Mansfield is one of seven communities in the state that have been awarded more than $60,000 in grants to improve local waste reduction, reuse and recycling programs.

The Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced the $6,800 grant on Tuesday.

“Congratulations to these seven towns for advancing their municipal recycling systems and demonstrating a commitment to a 21st century materials management strategy,” DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said in a statement. “These communities are taking advantage of DEEP’s resources to further reduce the volume of trash we dispose of, conserve natural resources, and find value in our waste stream.”

The Mansfield is implementing a Food Too Good to Waste program, modeled after a national program, in four schools to educate families about preventing food waste, proper food storage and preparation strategies, and buying and eating what is bought.

Klee said these grants are made possible through DEEP’s Recycling Incentive Grants Program. Through his program, funding is available for municipalities with existing outstanding waste reduction and recycling programs (applications are due on or before Feb. 1) and for municipalities interested in implementing sustainable solid waste financing mechanisms or other waste reduction, reuse, and recycling initiatives.

For more information and to access the Recycling Incentive Grants Request for Proposals and applications, visit www.ct.gov/deep/MuniRecyclingResources.

Photo credit: Kevin Dooley via flickr.com.