Several area municipalities were awarded thousands of dollars by the state to help their recycling and leaf-collection programs.

In all, $30.5 million in Recycling Development and Implementation grants from the Wolf Administration was split by 157 Pennsylvania counties and municipal governments.

That includes Greensburg in Westmoreland County, which received $70,461, and several communities in Allegheny County like Bridgeville, $229,250; Fox Chapel, $83,503; Penn Hills, $211,714; West Mifflin, $71,568; Crafton, $65,841; Elizabeth Township, $276,085; and Pittsburgh, $349,557.

Several communities in Fayette County also were awarded funds, including North Union, $67,500; Uniontown, $180,000; German Township, $149,400; Connellsville, $80,919; and Washington Township, $49,500. Fayette and Armstrong counties each received $350,000.

“These grants help bolster recycling in communities all over Pennsylvania and reduce the amount of waste going into our landfills,” Patrick McDonnell, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection’s secretary, said. “Whether it’s from increased education for residents or an entire facility for sorting recyclables, these grants are making a difference.”

Municipalities across the state are eligible for up to 90% funding of approved recycling program costs.

Funds can be used for recycling collections and education as well as leaf litter pickup. Leaf litter cannot go to landfills, and many municipalities prohibit open burning.

“Composting leaf waste from residential areas is safer and more environmentally friendly than burning leaves, which causes air pollution,” McDonnell said.

Examples of other eligible projects include operating leaf compost facilities, developing web-based programs on recycling for consumers, expanding recycling processing facilities, installing data collection systems on recycling vehicles, continuing and creating curbside recycling programs and developing educational materials for residents.

According to a news release, Pennsylvanians recycle about 6 million tons of material each year, which are then reintroduced into the manufacturing process.

That, in turn, creates jobs and economic benefits. A 2017 recycling economic impact study found that 66,000 people are employed in the recycling marketplace, with 110,000 others working in indirect or induced recycling-related jobs.

Recycling also adds $22.6 billion to Pennsylvania’s state product.

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