Grants Will Expand Electronic and Traditional Recycling Efforts Across Cook County
CHICAGO – In his continued efforts to promote environmentally-friendly ways to expand the Illinois economy, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced almost $277,000 in funding from the Illinois Recycling Grant Program (IRGP) to five entities throughout Cook County that will increase recycling opportunities in communities across the region. These recycling grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and come as a part of Opportunity Returns, Gov. Blagojevich’s pro-active, regional economic development strategy designed to create even more jobs and spur continued growth across the Chicagoland area.
“By encouraging more recycling, communities and businesses throughout the region are improving both our environment and our economy. These grants will go a long way in expanding the recycling industry across the Chicagoland area, so it is even easier for more people to become a part of this important process. By supporting these kinds of innovative programs that are recycling everything from cans to computers, we are lessening the demand on our landfills and creating more jobs for our working families,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago (UCP) is receiving two electronic recycling grants totaling $89,070 to expand its electronics collection and processing capabilities. UCP is a not-for-profit organization that serves children and adults with severe disabilities. A $59,680 grant will help expand the organization’s capabilities to process and recycle electronic equipment and to recover components for reuse in refurbishing computer systems, which will be provided to students with disabilities. Grant funds will be used to purchase computer testing, diagnostic and refurbishing equipment, collection containers, storage racks and project-related promotion and advertising needs. A $29,390 grant will be utilized to purchase recycling collection vehicles and expand UCP’s Assistive Technology Exchange Network (ATEN) collection service area by establishing 12 permanent collection sites in Chicago area communities for residential collection of electronic equipment. This project is anticipated to divert 500 tons of “e-scrap” annually. Combined, these projects will create at least two part-time jobs. (Contact Greg Grill, Program Director – 708/444.8460 ex.231).
The Resource Center, located in Chicago, is receiving a $60,000 grant to purchase a recycling collection vehicle, which will expand its capability to pick up recyclable commodities in the Chicago area. The Center
will solicit new residential and commercial business customers/accounts and increase the amount of commodities collected and processed. As additional customers are added, existing staff will be assigned additional work hours. This expansion is expected to divert an additional 288 tons of material annually. (Contact: Michael McNamee, Director of Recycling Collections – 773/821.1351).
The Village of Stone Park is receiving a $7,896 recycling collection grant to enhance its existing curbside recycling program. Grant funds will be used to purchase recycling collection bins and to help pay for project related promotion and education efforts. The Village will distribute bins to residents who will use them in lieu of blue bags. The project is designed to accept additional types of recyclables that are not currently targeted for collection. This project is expected to divert at least 150 tons per year of recyclable materials from being landfilled. (Contact: Ben Mazzulla, Mayor – 708/345.5550).
The Village of Oak Park is receiving a $59,750 recycling grant to enhance recycling opportunities for residents of multi-family homes. Grant funds will be used to purchase recycling collection containers and to help pay for project related promotion and education efforts. This project is expected to boost participation in the existing recycling program and is anticipated to divert an additional 2,125 tons of recyclable commodities from being landfilled annually. (Contact: Karen Rozmus, Waste Reduction Manager – 708/358.5707).
Loop Paper Recycling, Inc., located in Chicago, is receiving a $60,000 recycling grant for the expansion of an existing recycling effort. The company presently has a comprehensive commercial recycling collection program in place for established accounts located in the Chicago metropolitan area. The expansion effort will focus on the development of a roll core and plastic shredding project to increase the recycling commodities currently collected for recovery and will additionally divert approximately 4,000 tons. (Contact: Rick Pickard, Special Projects Manager – 312/942.0042).
The goal of the IGRP is to divert recyclable commodities from Illinois landfills and to expand and enhance the recycling collection and processing infrastructure in Illinois. Funded projects also can demonstrate public economic benefits, which includes job creation and retention, and assistance to economically distressed areas.
All entities, including private businesses, local governments and not-for-profit organizations, are eligible to apply for funding. Grants are awarded for traditional recycling projects involving paper, glass, metal and plastics, and also for electronics recycling, which focuses on the development and expansion of permanent collection and processing facilities that handle end-of-life electronics and computers.
“Investing in companies and communities that are expanding the recycling industry in Illinois is a savvy way to help protect our environment while putting more people to work. I thank Gov. Blagojevich for his continued support of innovative recycling efforts,” said State Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park).
“Through this grant assistance, Gov. Blagojevich is supporting important efforts to divert recyclable products from our landfills, which is also helping organizations like the United Cerebral Palsy Association in their efforts to support men, women and children with disabilities. This is truly a win-win for the community,” said State Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest).
“These recycling grants are making a positive impact on the regional economy by diverting more waste from our landfills, while also giving back to students with disabilities. My thanks to Gov. Blagojevich for this assistance,” said State Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park).
“By investing in recycling activities within our communities we are creating a cleaner environment and stronger economy. These important recycling grants are helping recycle everything from electronics to plastics and the Governor and I will continue to lend our support towards these efforts,” said State Rep. David E. Miller (D-Dolton).
“Building our economy in a way that helps our environment can be accomplished by expanding the recycling industry across the region. Gov. Blagojevich and I will continue to support these efforts that are fostering cleaner communities and a stronger regional economy,” said State Rep. Deborah Graham (D-Oak Park).
“Gov. Blagojevich understands that strategically investing in recycling is both an environmentally and economically sound decision. This is helping to turn what could have become trash into a reusable commodity that is spurring private investment and putting more and more people to work. These types of progressive partnerships are what Opportunity Returns is all about,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.