Think of it as an early Christmas present from the state.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conversion (TDEC) unveiled over $2 million worth of grants to benefit recycling equipment, recycling rebates and used oil grants for 2017.
Carter County was among the different municipalities to receive funding. With a grant in recycling equipment and used oil, the county received a total of $47,400 to help serve the community.
“This grant program encourages and supports local communities to meet their solid waste and recycling goals,” TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau said in a statement to the Elizabethton Star. “Local governments can divert more waste from landfills through infrastructure upgrades and provide convenient opportunities for residents to get engaged in the process.”
Benny Lyons, manager of the Carter County Landfill, said the funding is crucial moving forward with upcoming projects.
“It’s huge for us to receive these grants,” he said Wednesday evening. “These are funds we don’t have to pull from our budget. We’re a pay-as-you-throw landfill so any chance you get funding like this, it is greatly appreciated and very helpful.”
The Used Oil Grant provided by TDEC is totaled at $16,200 and will go to the purchase of two oil pumps, one antifreeze tank, and one transportation trailer.
Lyons added the benefit of the new items would be felt as soon as they’re put to use with the trailer allowing much ease of transporting oil from areas including Roan Mountain and Elk Mills.
The Recycling Equipment Grant provided is total at $31,200 with a 20 percent match from the county. Included with the funding is four 40-yard roll-off containers and two 30-yard roll-off containers.
Having the equipment in place will help preach the county’s message of wanting individuals to recycle, Lyons said. Along with their own recycling facility, the county assists with the dumping of the city’s three recycling centers, located on Mill Street, near the Tweetsie Trail and Pine Ridge Circle near the Elizabethton Housing Development Agency central office.
Lyons added the future plans would see the facility push for the possibility of having recycling dropoffs located at each of the county high schools. The idea is pending with different variables having to be taken into consideration, he added.
The grants and rebates are authorized by the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 and are supported by the Tennessee Solid Waste Management Fund, administered by TDEC.