HARRISBURG, Nov 15 — 171 Pennsylvania communities will share grants totaling more than $5.5 million for their recycling efforts in 2004, according to a statement released today by the State Dept. of Environmental Protection.

According to DEP, statewide Pennsylvania’s more than 3,200 recycling and reuse businesses and organizations generate more than $18 billion in gross annual sales and provide jobs for more than 81,000 employees at an annual payroll of approximately $2.9 billion. In 2004, Pennsylvania recovered nearly 4.8 million tons of recyclable materials. The economic value of remaking those materials into new and useful products exceeded $113 million. Based on the estimated average disposal cost of $54 per ton, communities avoided some $260 million in disposal costs based on the estimated statewide average disposal cost of $54 per ton.

Recycling efforts also save energy, reduce air and water pollution, and limit the need for virgin materials in manufacturing. According to DEP, Pennsylvania’s 2004 recycling efforts saved almost 66 trillion British thermal units (BTUs) of energy, enough to power 643,000 homes for one year in Pennsylvania or the equivalent of conserving 531 million gallons of gasoline.

DEP has approved 747 of 793 recycling performance grant applications and awarded $15.8 million for calendar year 2004 recycling. Additional grant awards will be announced in the coming months.

“These grants give Pennsylvania communities a direct incentive to recycle,” Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. “The more they recycle, the more they receive in recycling performance grants. I encourage local officials to use this money to support even stronger municipal recycling programs, which play an essential role in environmental protection and economic growth in communities across the state.”

Following is a list of the awards made to communities in Schuylkill and neighboring counties.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Mahanoy City - $1,213

BERKS COUNTY
Berks County - $18,548
Birdsboro - $3,541
Maidencreek Township - $17,217
Reading - $170,034

CARBON COUNTY
Carbon County - $31,603

COLUMBIA COUNTY
Berwick - $15,963

DAUPHIN COUNTY
Derry Township - $183,289
Steelton - $2,815
Susquehanna Township - $49,482
Swatara Township - $71,058

LEBANON COUNTY
Annville Township - $4,848
Lebanon - $49,819
Lebanon County - $63,082
North Lebanon Township - $21,463
South Londonderry Township - $3,327
Union Township - $69,917

LEHIGH COUNTY
Allentown - $487,910
Lower Macungie Township - $69,157
Upper Milford Township - $6,713

LUZERNE COUNTY
Exeter - $60,832
Freeland - $1,205
Hazleton - $14,147
Newport Township - $963
Pittston Township - $20,023
Plains Township - $31,871
West Pittston - $17,670
White Haven - $2,690
Wilkes-Barre - $112,975
Wilkes-Barre Township - $39,012
Wright Township - $10,771

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Sunbury City Municipal Authority - $30,232
West Chillisquaque Township - $5,107

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 15th, 2006 at 5:18 pm and is filed under News.