Kansas Green Guide Your Bi-Weekly Guide to Sustainable Living

KDHE Announces Waste Reduction Grants SPECIAL EDITION! Dec. 1, 2011

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces the availability of two types of waste reduction grants through the Bureau of Waste Management (BWM). The Kansas Green School grant program provides K-12 schools with the opportunity to implement recycling projects and teach students valuable environmental lessons. The Waste Tire grant program helps communities improve their playgrounds and parks by purchasing products made from waste tires. During these tight budget times, we are pleased to be able to provide financial assistance to schools and local governments to implement projects that reduce the amount of solid waste going to our landfills and at the same time teach lifelong lessons about being good stewards of our environment, said Bill Bider, KDHE Director of Bureau of Waste Management. Waste Tire Grants A major goal of this grant program is to stimulate the production and sale of commercial products made from recycled Kansas waste tires including playground cover, park benches and picnic tables. When waste tires are recycled, landfill space and natural resources are conserved, playground safety is enhanced and the small businesses that manufacture these products benefit. Local units of government and school districts are eligible to apply for funding which will provide up to 50 percent of the total cost to purchase and install eligible products made from waste tires. Waste tire grant applications and guidelines can be found at http://www.kdheks.gov/waste/forms_grants.html. Applications for these grants must be postmarked by January 15, 2012. Both grant applications should be sent to the KDHE, Bureau of Waste Management, 1000 Jackson, Suite 320, Topeka, Kansas 66612-1366. For more information on these grant opportunities and application procedures, contact the Bureau at (785) 296-1600, or visit the grant program page listed above. Green School Grants The Green Schools Initiative is a joint effort by KDHE and the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE). The Kansas Green Schools Program combines grants, workshop opportunities for teachers and technical support for schools to green their buildings and grounds and tie the projects to classroom curriculum. Schools may visit www.kansasgreenschools.org to view the grant criteria and complete the online grant application. Schools receiving solid waste grant awards are required to register on the Kansas Green Schools Network, available free on the Green Schools website. Applications for these grants must be postmarked by February 15, 2012. Eligible grant projects must be consistent with a pre-approved list found in the grant criteria. Grant recipients will be notified before the end of May 2012. Please check the Green Schools website for updates on funding availability for additional grant opportunities or contact Rachel Wahle at rwahle@kacee.org or 785-539-7943 for more information. All grants are subject to available funding.
Dissemination of [Kansas Green Guide/Other publications] by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, a governmental agency, is solely for the non-commercial purpose of informing and educating the public. References to specific companies do not constitute a KDHE endorsement. If you have any questions, please contact the Bureau of Waste Management, at info@kansasgreenteams.org.

Kansas Green Guide Dec. 1, 2011